Question: I recently wilted some bush daisy plants every day in my landscape. I water them and they’re doing well. Are there any problems with the plants?
Answer: Young plants often wilt during the heat of the day due to limited root systems. If dry weather persists, daily watering may be necessary for several weeks. Wet the bottom of the plant by hand and wetting the root ball and surrounding soil. After a few weeks, the plants can be placed on a watering schedule every 2-3 days until they are fully rooted in the surrounding soil. A little wilting will not damage your plants and will often promote root growth.
Q. Several oakleaf hydrangeas have been added to my landscape and are in bloom. When should I prune it?
A. Enjoy the white to pinkish flowers of native oakleaf hydrangeas. The flower part can continue into summer and begin to fade. The pruning is required to remove the old flower heads and keep the plant at its boundary by the end of August. This gives the plant plenty of time to develop new growth and form flower buds next spring.
Q. My broccoli plants are beginning to bloom. What should I do with them?
A. You may simply enjoy the colorful yellow flowers that invite pollinators to visit. Flowering broccoli plants mark a useful harvest end. Once the plants are completely done, they can be removed and added to the compost pile. Their locations in the garden can then be planted in summer crops such as okra, Southern peas and sweet potatoes.
Q. Added onions to the garden and the transplant formed a large bulb-like part. When can you harvest it?
A. Onion crops are ready to be harvested as soon as the plant is added to the garden. This will be a little early, but can be grown for several months and can be used in salads and dishes by pulling a young onion called a green onion. Many gardeners only want bulbs, so they have to wait until April or May, when the plant matures the bulbs. The bulbs can be harvested any time and used as fresh onions. Otherwise, it is left on the ground until the top fades, then gathers, drys and preserves for future use.
Plant Doctor: Your Amaryllis Alien-Looking Pods can grow new plants
Q. Due to dry spring weather, there are many things on St. Augustine’s lawns that look like dead spots. Is there still time to add new grass?
A. Consider waiting a little longer to see if seasonal rain will revive a seemingly dead place. Check runners and if they are still green, the grass may recover if the required water is provided. Otherwise, you can install new grass or add grass to fill dead areas and voids from summer to fall. The only area not resod is the shade spot. New grasses tend to rot in these areas with seasonal rain and excessive moisture from irrigation. If your grass area receives 25% or more shade, another ground cover may be chosen.
Q. I recently noticed a new St. Augustine lawn has been installed and several sections have some patches of dollar weeds. How do I control weeds?
A. You can apply herbicides, but if it’s a small area with some grass sections, why not try replacing them? Dollar weeds can be difficult to control and several treatments will be needed to eliminate unwanted greenery. In most cases, you can lift the affected grass weeds and add new grass. It can be as economical as a spray, and there is no need to mix and apply chemicals.
Q. The preserved avocado seeds are rooted in water and have leafy buds that are about 18 inches tall. Is it time to plant in a soil container? When should I add it to the landscape?
A. It is always a challenge that plant migration started from underwater to the soil. The roots that grow in water must be readjusted into the soil. Many have to grow new root systems. Fortunately, avocados are durable and need to continue with minimal disruptions in growth. As soon as some roots form, the plant is moved into a soil container. Keeps it wet, but not overly wet. Gradually move the new plants to the sun’s location and, when they are 3-4 feet tall, find a freezing place with plenty of space in the landscape to grow.
Q. I’m building a raised floor with a depth of 12 inches. What type of soil should I fill the bed?
A. Avoid high-quality potted soils from garden soil and top soil. Some garden centers also offer special soil for raised beds. One reason for creating a raised bed is to have pest-free growth media for at least a few seasons. Soil from the landscape and above soil can contain insects, diseases, nematodes, and weeds. There are deep beds that can require a significant amount of soil, so try to find a large bag of large quantities or potted soil to reduce costs. Grower supply stores and landscape suppliers can be good sources of bulk potting mixes.
Tom Maccubbin is an honorary urban gardener at the University of Florida Cooperative Expansion Services. Write him: Orlando Sentinel, PO Box 2833, Orlando, Florida. 32802. email: tomac1996@aol.com.
