Maureen,
I rec’d daffodils from a friend - the actual bulbs and flowers. Now that the flowers have died, how should I preserve the bulbs? I once heard that I should put them in a paper bag in a dark place and then plant them in the fall. Is that right? If not, what is the correct procedure? Thank you.///Sue
My wife and I thoroughly enjoy your help in providing valuable information to keep our plants and gardens healthy. You perform a great service to all of us listeners…Thank you David and Marcia V****** Southington, Ct.
Dear Sue, Unfortunately those bulbs usually do not bloom again but give it a shot land put them in a paper bag in a dark place and plant them in the ground in October at least nine inches down. Good luck Maureen
We have a rose bush in the front of our house and it is getting really overgrown and bushy. When is a good time to cut it back and how do we cut it back? I’ve been told that we have to be careful because if we cut the main growing stem that we will lose the whole bush. Could you let us know how we go about trimming it or can we cut it down to the base and it will come back again. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Heidi.
Heidi, prune the branches of the rose in early October by about a third, including the main stem and in mid April next season, prune the rose to about two feet from the ground. This will give it a new lease on life. In fall when you prune it, put manure around the base of the plant and some fine bark mulch to keep the roots warm. If the rose is in a windy location, cover it loosely with some burlap until next April. Good luck Maureen
I have hydrangeas by the shore that are very overgrown, almost covering my windows. They are the NIKO blues.Can I cut them back so that we can see out our windows. What do you recommend?
Sally, on the website, type in the search box “Hydrangeas” and it will bring up an article I wrote on the subject. Or you can transplant them after the pruning I recommend in this article with composted manure in the planting mix and do not plant any deeper than they are in the ground now. Keep them well watered until the ground freezes - in this area that is about the beginning of December. Good luck Maureen
Hello lovely lady ~
You are remarkable and so inspiring! Thank you for all the joy you share in gardening! I, too, take delight in it!
I have a question regarding my two weeping white birches. They are beautiful, nine years young, specimen plantings (irregular in shape, hybrid); however, their leaves start turning yellow and spotty and start dropping their leaves going into July and August. It appears to have leaf minor as a symptom. What do you recommend now to keep the leaves green, full and beautiful. And please give guidelines on the general maintenance of these lovely trees.
Warm regards,
Lydia
Lydia, thank you for your lovely comments. With regard to the birch trees, as you know birch borer and leaf minor are problems with these trees. Fortunately leaf minor does not kill the tree, just makes it rather unsightly. I suggest you call an arborist who deals in organic treatments, although early in the season is the best time to treat the tree either by foliar methods or treating the soil but at least have a consultation so that you can treat the trees next spring. Good luck Maureen
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Maureen,
I rec’d daffodils from a friend - the actual bulbs and flowers. Now that the flowers have died, how should I preserve the bulbs? I once heard that I should put them in a paper bag in a dark place and then plant them in the fall. Is that right? If not, what is the correct procedure? Thank you.///Sue
My wife and I thoroughly enjoy your help in providing valuable information to keep our plants and gardens healthy. You perform a great service to all of us listeners…Thank you David and Marcia V****** Southington, Ct.
Dear Sue, Unfortunately those bulbs usually do not bloom again but give it a shot land put them in a paper bag in a dark place and plant them in the ground in October at least nine inches down. Good luck Maureen
We have a rose bush in the front of our house and it is getting really overgrown and bushy. When is a good time to cut it back and how do we cut it back? I’ve been told that we have to be careful because if we cut the main growing stem that we will lose the whole bush. Could you let us know how we go about trimming it or can we cut it down to the base and it will come back again. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Heidi.
Heidi, prune the branches of the rose in early October by about a third, including the main stem and in mid April next season, prune the rose to about two feet from the ground. This will give it a new lease on life. In fall when you prune it, put manure around the base of the plant and some fine bark mulch to keep the roots warm. If the rose is in a windy location, cover it loosely with some burlap until next April. Good luck Maureen
I have hydrangeas by the shore that are very overgrown, almost covering my windows. They are the NIKO blues.Can I cut them back so that we can see out our windows. What do you recommend?
Sally, on the website, type in the search box “Hydrangeas” and it will bring up an article I wrote on the subject. Or you can transplant them after the pruning I recommend in this article with composted manure in the planting mix and do not plant any deeper than they are in the ground now. Keep them well watered until the ground freezes - in this area that is about the beginning of December. Good luck Maureen
Hello lovely lady ~
You are remarkable and so inspiring! Thank you for all the joy you share in gardening! I, too, take delight in it!
I have a question regarding my two weeping white birches. They are beautiful, nine years young, specimen plantings (irregular in shape, hybrid); however, their leaves start turning yellow and spotty and start dropping their leaves going into July and August. It appears to have leaf minor as a symptom. What do you recommend now to keep the leaves green, full and beautiful. And please give guidelines on the general maintenance of these lovely trees.
Warm regards,
Lydia
Lydia, thank you for your lovely comments. With regard to the birch trees, as you know birch borer and leaf minor are problems with these trees. Fortunately leaf minor does not kill the tree, just makes it rather unsightly. I suggest you call an arborist who deals in organic treatments, although early in the season is the best time to treat the tree either by foliar methods or treating the soil but at least have a consultation so that you can treat the trees next spring. Good luck Maureen