Ask the Plant Doc
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When is the best time to start fertilizing my lawn?
Start with Easter time, schedule your feedings around the holidays and you should be all set, take a look at our Seasonal Calendar for dates.
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When is it a good time to plant grass seed in the Denver area?
April and May are great months for seeding or over-seeding lawns in Denver, and the front range of Colorado. If that isn't possible, September and early October are good too. We have a grass seed mix that is blended for our area called Richlawn Pro-Turf. It will be available at independent garden centers.
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Rating: +1
Do you have a fertilizer you recommend for vegitable gardens?
We have a product that is designed for just that purpose. It is Gro-Rich Garden Fertilizer. It has a 5-10-5 analysis and is organic-based. It can also be used on other types of plants.
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One of your fertilizers says it is OMRI approved. What does that mean?
"OMRI" listing means that a product was tested and certified to be 100% organic by a third party organization. It is beneficial to the consumer because it means the product can be used for organic food production etc.
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When is it a good time to begin planting vegetable seeds outdoors, and what can be planted first?
Cool season vegetables can be planted as soon as the soil can be worked in mid to late March. This includes onions (sets or plants), spinach, leaf lettuce, radish, turnips, and other cool-tolerant types. Read the seed packets for more details on soil temperature requirements and suggested times of sowing. More information on Vegetable Gardening is found in the Month-by-Month Gardening in the Rocky Mountains book (Cool Springs Press).
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I have a VERY messy strawberry bed, mostly strawberries, but also some bind weed and thistle grows there. I Would it be helpful to hoe rows, and in the rows put the soaker hose which now just curls throughout the bed. It is very messy with old plants and "new" runners (from last year obviously). It is beginning to show some green, so it is awakening now. (I can't call the radio show.)North central-east Jefferson county area. Thank you!
One of the most practical approaches to this strawberry bed that is invaded with perennial weeds is to renovate it entirely. Now is great time to select new runners (plants that are from last year and vigorous) and transplant them to a new area that is weed free. Then, you might want to lay some clear plastic over the old bed and weeds and do some "solar sterilization" to kill the old plants and weeds. Be sure to secure the plastic down tightly with bricks or landscape pins. We will feature this question on the radio program to discuss organic weed controls.
Happy strawberry gardening!
JohnDiscover the secrets to successful gardening in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region in John's books, Rocky Mountain Gardener's Guide and Month-by-Month Gardening in the Rocky Mountains (Cool Springs Press). Follow your lawn, garden, and landscape scheduled activities throughout all the seasons. Look for John's books at your favorite bookstore.
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I have a neighbor on each side of me who do not maintain their yards. I have used Richlawn for years and use nothing else. However I have a problem with dandelions from my neighbors. What product do you recommend?
Dandelions can be prevented with a natural pre-emergent called corn gluten. It is available at organic gardening resources on line or call around to some of your local garden stores. This will only prevent the seeds from growing, so the mature plants will have to be dug out or spot-treated. Persistence is the best solution to clearing up a dandelion problem. On the other hand, if you can't beat 'em, eat 'em. They're great with a vinaigrette dressing.
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I have a tall tree, I think it is a Ponderosa pine. Last year it seemed, from a distance to be rusting (the needles). Up close the needs are striped (around, not along), but not the whole needle, about the middle to the end. This late winter-early spring the needles which were striped up close are just rust color from about the middle to the tips of the needles. Typically we are DIYers, but I suspect we may need to hire a professional. My husband will be very resistant to this suggestion. Thank you for any tips or insight you can give us.
Pines are very vulnerable to "wind burn" or desiccation and they symptoms you describe indicate this may be the culprit. Please send along a picture of a close-up of the needles so we can confirm. Otherwise, have a professional arborist take a look and give you his diagnosis. The best treatment is to wait and see, and just practice good management with deep, infrequent watering. If the soil is compacted, a good aeration would be helpful.
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Our back lawn has lots of trees and the lawn doesn't get much sun. The grass is very thin. What do we use to thicken it up and get new growth. Thank you for any help you can give us.
A thin lawn resulting from large shade trees is best treated by overseeding with a shade tolerant grass such as "Chewings fescue" or "red fescue". You can also use a combination of these fescue grasses. Core aerate the area to be re-seeded prior to seeding. Spread a very thin layer (one-eighth of an inch) of EKO Topdressing over the seeded area to retain moisture and hasten germination.
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I went to the Garden and Home Show in February and stopped by the Richlawn booth. I saw that you are selling grass seed. Where is it available, and when is it a good time to put it down?
April is a great month for overseeding, or for planting a new lawn. You can find a dealer by going to the "Dealer Locator" page on our website, select the product by name and then your location. You will see the closest dealer to you.
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Can I fertilize and overseed my lawn with your product in the spring?
Yes, you can use either Pro-Rich or Richlawn Turf Food when you overseed in the spring. Both are organic-based and are safe to use when overseeding your lawn.
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I have a flower bed of irises that are getting crowded and they don't bloom very well. Can I cut them back now and should they be divided? Love your radio show.
Iris beds can be cleaned up in the spring by removing dead leaves and other debris that may have accumulated over the winter. However, it is best to wait until after they bloom to lift and divide, since doing it too early will affect this year's blooming. Usually, late June through July is a good time to renovate an iris garden.
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Hi John, I heard you on KOA Saturday morning and you mentioned an organic corn product that can be used now to prevent dandelions, etc., and also serves as a fertilizer. I'd appreciate if you would let me know what that material was. I don't know that I'll be able to hear your broadcast on KHOW, so thought I'd email you instead. Thanks, Kathy Ranwez
The organic pre-emergent for dandelion seeds is corn gluten. It can be found in a product called Concern which is available at the Wild Bird Centers in Denver, 303-758-7575, and Parker, Colorado 303-805-5982; very natural and safe to use where we have pets, wildlife and children in our landscapes; breaks down to a fertilizer for the lawn and soil. Apply before the seeds have a chance to germinate.
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Listened to you for years. My question is when is a good time to trim back shrubs around the yard. Moved into this house last summer and there are a lot of over grown plants.
It depends on the shrub and when it blooms; for example, shrubs that bloom in the spring should be thinned and pruned back shortly after they flower. Shrubs that bloom in the summer can be pruned back in the spring since blossoms appear on new wood. Check out Month-by-Month Gardening in the Rocky Mountains (Cool Springs Press) for more complete details and when-to do gardening activities.
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We planted 4 Euonymous plants in our yard 2 years ago. Parts of our Euonymous turns brown during the winter and last summer it did not really get back to its original state. It grew some new green leaves, but did not really entirely recuperate from the winter. This winter it has browned again. Is there anything we can do to keep it from browning? And how can we get it to green up again in the summer and get lush?
The Euonymous family can be temperamental in our region and are subject to winter desiccation, particularly when sited in open, windy areas. Dead and brittle stems should be pruned out; a light cultivation around the plants may help stimulate root growth and encourage more growth. Spring is an excellent time to apply some organic-based rose and perennial fertilizer and water in well.
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I was plagued by blight last year, and thought of 'solarizing" the garden to kill everything! Tried it once with clear plastic and ended up with a greenhouse! Why not black plastic and will that wipe out my fungus issues? (Laura, Tomato Lady)
The heavy duty clear plastic is the best for "solarizing" your garden soil. Black plastic blocks light and prevents many seeds from germinating. The process is to induce weeds to germinate and bake; it can also kill some of the harmful pathogens in the soil. Make sure the plastic is anchored down well to allow the process to work properly. Just be aware, that weed seeds that are deeper will eventually be brought closer to the surface, so new weeds can grow when you replant.
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John in your book you talk about the corn gluten product as a pre-emergent. You said not to aerate after applying the pre-emergent so is it a good idea to aerate before application? I also bake my bird seed in a low temp. oven (225) to kill germ but can I still apply the corn gluten under my bird feeder throughout the growing season?
It is always best to aerate before you apply a pre-emergent to the lawn. This will ensure that the weed barrier is not disturbed which may allow some weed seeds to escape the pre-emergent protection. It is a good idea to use corn gluten underneath bird feeders even if you bake the bird seed. Use every four weeks or as needed.
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I haven't been able to find anything that will tell me the proper way to prune (or not to prune) concord grape fines to keep them healthy and producing. Also, should they be fertilized, and if so when and with what? Thanks for any help.
Grapes require heavy pruning to be the most productive. It is a rather involved do-it-yourself project and must be accomplished in the late spring. Pick up a book on fruit gardening at the library for photos and drawings. As for fertilizing, do this after the pruning process is completed. Use the Gro-Rich Vegetable organic-based fertilizer. Apply according to directions around the root zone and lightly cultivate into the soil. Water in well.
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I've used Richlawn for years, with great results. I see some products are organic-based and some others are organic. Can you please tell me the difference?
Organic-based refers to the major components as being organic nutrients that are slow-release with a combination of other fertilizer nutrients that provide plant nutrients more rapidly so you will see a faster response to greening of the lawn. Organic, refers to the product being totally organic with no synthetic fertilizer components. Whichever you choose, organic or organic-based, you will be assured of a steady supply of nutrients to the lawn instead of the 'feast and famine' with synthetic, fast-release brands.
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My lawn is great condition ...with a few exceptions. I have a large pine tree in front of our home......I always rake all the pine needles. Will lime help, aeration and pro- Rich Turf help?
Forget the lime, especially in our already alkaline soils. Lime will aggravate the soil nutrient availability and stress plants. It is best to concentrate on core aeration. Once this is done, apply the Pro-Rich lawn fertilizer and water in thoroughly. In early to mid-summer, apply Iron-Rich which is beneficial to both the lawn and the pine.
Discover the secrets to successful gardening in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region in John's books, Rocky Mountain Gardener's Guide and Month-by-Month Gardening in the Rocky Mountains (Cool Springs Press). Follow your lawn, garden, and landscape scheduled activities throughout all the seasons. Look for John's books at your favorite bookstore.
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When you were on the radio you named something that was good for keeping deer and other animals out of the garden and flowers. I did not get what it was called. Could you please tell me?
The all natural animal repellent is called PLANTSKYDD. It is a long-lasting material and out-performs all others on the market. Locally, it is currently available at the Wild Bird Center in Denver and Parker, and at Front Range Gardens in Broomfield.
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John, I need to aerate my lawn and not sure who to use. Any suggestions????
My recommendation is to contact someone who is a member of the Colorado Association of Lawn Care Professionals (CALCP) so you know they are licensed and insured. Lawn Services Inc. (303-922-3771) does organic lawn care; and A-1 HomeHelper 720-233-1980 are two good companies that will do a good job.
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Years ago we created a new flower garden area in our lawn and apparently added the correct nutrients because of the magnificent results. Now when trying to amend the soil the results are less spectacular. Is the EKO or Nature's Yield compost for flowers or are you only recommending it for vegetables? Any additional suggestions? Thanks.
Both EKO Compost and Nature's Yield are great soil amendments to improve soil structure, help drainage, and make nutrients more available. Either can be added to flower beds, vegetables, fruit gardens, herbs, lawns, and any other aspect of soil preparation. A healthy soil is the key to successful gardening in our region.
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I would like to move two bushes in my yard. One is a spirea and the other I am not sure. Is now a good time to do that?
If these are young bushes (a few years old or less), they can be successfully transplanted in the early spring before they fully leaf out. I recommend to use a heavy duty spading fork to lift the rootball and cause less shock to the bushes. Have the new planting site ready in advance of digging. Prepare the new site with EKO Compost or Nature's Yield.
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I have two pinyon pines and one has spindlegall midge,the problem has been there since I moved in three years ago. The other pinyon is only 3-4 feet from the one that really has the spindlegall problem. Last season I sprayed the pinyon pine three time with neem oil. Should I use a insecticides this spring during early gall growth. Can the pinyon spindlegall kill my pinyons? If needed I can sen you pictures of the spindlegall. Thanks, larry
The insect that lives in a symbiotic relationship with pinyon and causes galls is not a significant pest that would severely damage the tree. Spindle gall midge, in my opinion, is rather interesting in the forest ecosystem. It is primarily an aesthetic concern. Light pruning can remedy this; I do not recommend that potent insecticides be used as this is not environmentally sound.
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What is the correct setting on scott 3000 drop spreader for pro rich turf food
Open the spreader to 50%, and apply your Pro-Rich. The bag will cover 5,600 square feet of turf. Be sure to sweep your sidewalk/driveway before watering. The iron in any fertilizer will stain concrete.
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Hi John Last year I was laid off and we just could not afford to water our lawn like we should have. It looks like there are alot of brown spots in the lawn. Will they green up or will we have to reseed or resod? If we seed do I put it over existing brown grass, or do we have to dig it all up? Also I love lilacs. Do I need to buy a special kind for northern Colorado and do they like sun or shade? Are their any richlawn dealers in Northern Colorado? Any help is appreciated. Thanks
If the patches of grass are dead, it is best to re-seed these areas now while conditions are cool and seed germinates readily. Use the new turf seed mixture from the Richlawn folks as this will do best with drought conditions and should blend in well with an existing lawn. During times of drought, I would suggest that Revive be a part of your lawn care program to make the water you apply more effective.
There are a myriad of lilacs for your area. Please check out my book: Rocky Mountain Gardener's Guide (Cool Springs Press) for specific recommendations.
There are quite a few Richlawn dealers in your area; just check out the dealer locator information on this website. -
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When is the best time to plant grass seed? I live in Golden, which is a little higher in elevation than Denver. Thanks!!!
April to mid-May is a great time for seeding. The soil temperature should be warm enough but we don't typically see many hot days yet. And, as a bonus, we usually experience some showers which helps to keep the seed wet for proper germination. Give our Pro-Turf grass seed a try. It was developed for Colorado front-range soils.
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Two summers past, we had a problem with some sort of microscopic bug affecting our carrots. Last year it was worse withnerly every carrot having many tiny holes bored in them. Is there something we can apply to stop this?
The insects that bore into carrots are most likely a result of the organic content in the soil which can encourage such pests. There may also be a problem with carrot maggots, the adults are like flies and deposit eggs at the crown. As the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow into the developing carrots. I would have to see a sample to confirm. The best control is to cover the emerging carrot crop with a insect barrier; a woven fabric that allows light and water to reach the growing carrots. I do not recommend any potent insecticides as this can render the crop inedible. Also, be sure to use a clean, certified organic compost such as EKO or Nature's Yield Compost, avoid manures that are not well-decomposed or have high salt concentrations.
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What shrubs would you suggest for small area (12' x 5 ') between my patio and neighbors' garage? A burning bush with manhattan euonymous on either side were there (for 16 years) until decimated by storm. Problem with euonymous was bees so close to the patio.
There are a variety of smaller growing shrubs; those I like have flowers so that doesn't solve the bee issue. You might try the "Miss Kim" or other small species lilacs since bees are not generally a problem. Also, the "Glossy Buckthorn" (doesn't have any thorns) and compact Viburnums. Check out more ideas in my Rocky Mountain Gardener's Guide (Cool Springs Press) in the shrub chapter.
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I recently used another brand of fertilizer 30-3-4 with weed blocker. How soon can I use your Richlawn 5-3-2 organic fertilizer? Thanks!
Fertilizing can be done about every 6 weeks on our cool season grasses in Colorado. Any sooner than that and the nutrients won't be utilizied to their fullest potential. Richlawn 5-3-2 was recently listed by OMRI as a 100% organic product. In addition to being a great turf food, it is also listed for organic gardening.
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Rating: +2
John, I have enjoyed your show for many years. I have grass growing in my rocks/edging.Could you recommend a solution to kill it.(Water,vinegar,salt-I thought you mentioned this on air)
There is a homemade formula that I have used, but with extra caution since it sterilizes the soil for up to one year. Do not use around the root zone of trees, shrubs, flowers OR areas that are sloped and it can leach to desirable plants. Here is the formula: to one gallon of 5-10 % acidic vinegar, dissolve one pound of salt. Spray the foliage of the weeds and at the root zone; works good in level driveways, in level pathways, and spot treatment on level surfaces.
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My kids busy sports schedule has not allowed me to listen to your Saturday show on the radio for the last 2 weeks and I will miss it again this week, is there a podcast of your show somewhere I can listen to when I am able? Or is there another way to get your advice or a weekly column? Or have I found it right here?
The Gardening with an Altitude radio program will be podcast soon, so stay tuned for more details; my columns can be accessed at www.gardeningwithanaltitude.com and tips from this Richlawn site. Also, nationally and regionally, visit the National Gardening Association at www.garden.org for more columns and features.
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Should a spirea shrub be cut back anymore then what is dead or damaged? Can a dogwood be cut back to about a foot above the ground, is it to late to prune the dogwood?
The spirea can be pruned to encourage new growth, but wait until after the flowering period. Dead wood can be removed at any time. Red twig dogwood can be pruned in the spring to renew the shrub and initiate brighter canes and shape the shrub.
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I'm thinking of planting wichita blue junipers along a busy street (south full sun) on the side of my house. It has a fourty foot long area. How far apart do I plant them? And how many trees should I plant? Is wichita blue junipers a good sound barrier? Or what other recomendations can you suggest? The area is also very windy. Should I mulch or rock the area afterwards? I appreciate your help. Thank you.
The Wichita Blue is a good evergreen barrier; plant at least five feet apart. Amend the soil with one-third EKO Compost during the planting. After a few weeks of acclimation, fertilizer with an organic-based fertilizer such as the Gro-Rich 5-10-5.
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It is snowing here in Highlands Ranch Colorado today. I had planned to fertilize, while it was still raining. Is it ok to spread fertilizer over the snow?
Fertilizer is better under the snow than on top of it, but if you don't mind getting your feet wet there is no problem applying it during rain or snow in the spring.
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I've heard great things about your product. Wanted to get some clarification on the respiratory risks of Rich Lawn. The MSDS says it can irritate upper respiratory. Is this irritation expected to occur at the time of application, and to be localized to the person applying the fertilizer. Or should I be expecting some other lingering fumes that would affect a person indoors?
Like most warning labels, MSDS information is a worst case scenario. Organic fertilizers by their nature can be a bit "dusty" during application and some of it can become airborne. Precautions should be taken not to breathe dust of any kind especially long-term. In the extremely unlikely event of any irritation, it would be limited to the applicator and would be limited to the time of the application.
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I am trying to seed a new area with your Richlawn grass seed. It is coming up great so far. It's been just over a week since I planted it.
Excellent. We are excited about this new lawn seed mix and our dealers that are selling it are too. Please send in some photos this summer and we'll post them on our website. Send them to info@therichlawncompany.com, and thanks for trying our seed!!!
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I have a dog and am very cautious about what we use on the lawn. Is Richlawn fertilizer safe and not harmful for dogs?
Many people use our fertilizers for the very reason that they have pets and they have concerns about what they put on their lawn. We use only natural and organic components in all of our products. No herbicides or insecticides.
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I have used Richlawn for years, but I need to use weed control from time to time. Will you ever come out with a fertilizer containing a weed killer?
We will never use a chemical herbicide in any of our products, and there aren't any organic herbicides that are effective as of now. At some point there no doubt will be, and we will weigh the cost and the benefits, and do what is best for our customers. Until then, work towards getting your lawn as thick as possible. The thicker the turf, the less you will need to use herbicides. Pro-Rich and Richlawn turf foods will help you accomplish that. Please refer to our fertilization calendar page for the proper timing.
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I purchased a bag of your Gro-Rich Garden Food this weekend. No-one at the store could tell me the benefits of mycchorizae, but I see it is in the product. What is it?
The best way to explain it is this; mycchorizae is a beneficial fungus that forms a link between the plant's roots and the soil. It enhances the plant's ability to uptake water, and absorb nutrients. Thanks very much for purchasing our Garden Fertilizer. I'm sure you will be pleased with the results you get from it.
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Richlawn ROCKS!!!! Love it, love it. It's the best!!! I've got the best lawn on my block and my neighbors always ask me what I use. I know I should tell them, right?
Well, that is between you and your conscience. Although I'm sure they, and we would appreciate it if you did.
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We live in Colorado Springs in a 3-year-old home. Our soil seems to go down to the bottom of the sod. When I insert a dandelion digger, there seems to be a rock-like layer under the sod. What is this? Can I improve this? Also, I was going to buy a thatch blade for my gas mower. Is this a good idea?
It is likely that you have a hard-pan or layer of shale that is beneath the sod. It is difficult to change this situation at this point; deep core aeration and the application of a topdressing will help to slowly improve the soil for a better environment for root growth and soil moisture retention. As for the the "thatch blade", don't waste your money or time. These are not helpful and can actually damage the crowns of the grass plants.
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I planted seeds about 1.5 weeks ago (not richlawn brand) and quite frankly I'm not seeing good results, should I already be seeing something? Also, I didn't apply fertilizer I was told to apply once the grass started sprouting out...Is this right, or should I apply it now? Ps. I live in Greeley, CO.
Most turfgrass seed should germinate within two weeks; if it does not, it may be inferior or old seed. As for fertilizer, you can apply Richlawn or Pro-Rich Turf Food as a "starter-fertilizer" prior to planting or wait until the new seeding has germinated and mowed at least once.
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I recently moved to Denver from back east. I've always used Scotts' and had good results. My neighbor swears by your Pro-Rich fertilizer and told me I should use it too. Why should I switch?
Obviously, your neighbor is quite intelligent. Colorado is different from the eastern part of the country in many ways. Not the least of which is our high alkaline soil. Pro-Rich Turf Food contains a high percentage of dehydrated poultry manure, which is an organic product. We also add some iron, sulfur and other ingredients which not only give your lawn a nice deep green color, but also improve your soil at the same time. All of our products are made in Colorado for Colorado soil conditions. Most fertilizer producers can't make that same statement.
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I bought some of your Richlawn grass seed at Echter's in Arvada about 3 weeks ago. I tilled my front yard and started over from bare soil. I Just wanted to let you know after about 1 week it started coming up, and it looks great. Great mix.
Thank you very much. Our Pro-Turf grass seed mix was formulated for the soil conditions we have on the front range of Colorado. Best of luck with your new lawn, and if you have any questions or comments please let us know.
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I put an application of your iron-rich down several days ago and I'm starting to see small black pathes of turf. Any ideas ?
I'm not sure what the "black pathes" indicates; please send a photo or bring a sample to a reputable garden center for diagnosis. Methods of application may be a situation, or it could simply be a sooty mold that will occur when environmental conditions are right.
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Hi, I put Richlawn Turf Food on my backyard, which is home to my two dogs. They are really excited about the smell and immediately began licking the grass. Is this okay? I'm expecting rain soon, so it should wash into the ground, but I'm concerned about what they've already eaten. thanks!
Richlawn Turf Food is about 60% organic, and we use no harmful chemicals in that or any of our products. Dogs are attracted to the smell of the dried poultry waste in the fertilizer. If you can prevent them from eating it I would, but I can't imagine it tastes good enough to consume enough of it to make them sick.
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Eko Compost & its other products contain dehydrated chicken manure in them. How do I know this is safe to use for vegetables? I'm worried about bacteria such as e-coli and campylobacter. Does the composting/dehydration process kill the bacteria?
During the dehydration or composting process the material is heated to temperatures well beyond the ability of any pathogen to survive. We have a fertilizer with the analysis of 5-3-2, which is straight DPW. It is certified by OMRI as 100% organic. The bag is labeled for vegetables among many other things.
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I see the numbers on your Pro Rich Fertilizer are 14-2-5, but I don't know what they mean. Can you tell me please?
The three numbers on the front of any fertilizer bag regardless of their numeric value always have the same meaning. The answer to your question is somewhat complex, but here is a simplified explanation: The first number is always nitrogen for top growth. The second number is always phosphorous for root growth and flowering, and the third number is always potassium for disease resistance, healthy leaves etc. Depending on what type of plants you are growing, these numbers will vary. For turf, our 14-2-5 Pro-Rich is an ideal combination of the best ingredients available.
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I used too much of the Richlawn with iron and there are some yellow spots. What do you recommend?
I assume you used Richlawn Iron-Rich. Because it is organic-based, it has to be applied very heavily to burn. If that is indeed what happened, just apply some extra water to the yellow spots, and dissipate the concentration. It will come back in a hurry this time of year, and no long-term damage will have been done.
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Once I start fertilizing my lawn in the spring how often should I re-apply richlawn?
I always tell people to fertilize around the holiday schedule. Start with Easter, then Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and finally Halloween. Those dates are spread out fairly evenly throughout the growing season, and it's an easy-to-remember schedule.
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I planted a evening primrose last year and pruned it back this spring removing the old growth. It started with new growth but has died back now. Is there some kind of bug eating my plant? Should I use some Gro-Rich 5-10-5 fertilizer as you recommend on your show. Wish you were back on for 2 hours.
It may be that your primrose variety is not fully hardy in our area; check for new buds at the base of the crown and it may re-grow. If new growth resumes, an application of Gro-Rich would be helpful in stimulating the plant to fill out. Work the fertilizer into the soil and water in well.
Otherwise, you may need to replace the perennial with a hardier variety; check my book for a listing of the best for the Rocky Mountain region. -
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my daylilies have healthy leaves but why don't they produce many flowers?
Several factors may cause daylilies to fail to bloom; among them are the lack of sufficient sunlight. Be sure the plant receives a minimum of six hours or more of sunlight daily. Over-fertilizing with too much nitrogen can also cause more foliage and less blooms; use an organic-based fertilizer that has a higher middle number like the Gro-Rich Rose & Perennial Food. If the plant is getting overcrowded, it may be time to lift and divide the plant to improve vigor; this should be done in early spring.
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I just had a soil test done on my lawn and the readings for phosphorus and potassium came back high. The phosphorus value is 92.90ppm and the potassium value is 255ppm. Should I apply something to my lawn to lower these values, and if so, what should I apply? I currently use Richlawn fertilizers and live in a Denver suburb. Thank you!
It is very typical for Colorado soils to have higher potassium and phosphorus levels. These are not harmful and and there is NO additive to counteract this as it is not harmful in any way. Lawns need nitrogen for green growth so concentrate on this if you so desire. I personally like to use the Richlawn Pro-Rich or original Richlawn that will provide slower-release nutrients over an extended period, unlike synthetic chemicals that result in a feast and famine.
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Rating: +1
About ten days ago, I planted well established Cherry and San Marzano Tomato Seedlings in 4 - 5 Gallon pots with a mix of 50% Eko Organic Compost and 50% Eko Potting Soil. Several days later, the leave curled up, the stems went limp, and the lower leaves developed white patches. I suspected overwatering, and ceased watering. Over the course of 3 - 4 days of no watering (except rain) the plants recovered. In the past day the have started to go limp again, with yellow patches developing on the leaves. The soil is still moist. Can these be salvaged by repotting with a different mixture? Thanks!
It is likely that you created a soil mix that is too rich for the plants; I would recommend that you transplant the tomatoes into the EKO Potting mix only, since this is has been formulated just for container gardening and does not need any supplemental compost. You still have time to transplant and reap a bountiful harvest.
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Rating: +1
I have large dead spots in my beautiful green lawn, what shall I use to correct the situation.
To accurately answer your question one must diagnose the dead and surrounding areas. I would recommend that you submit a sample to a knowledgeable turf expert or lawn service to find out what caused these dead patches; i. e. insects, diseases, cultural problems, or soil issues. Once the cause has been determined, a proper recommendation can be made. For weekly lawn care tips tune in to www.gardeningwithanaltitude.com or TheGardenTalkShow.com
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