Sonoma County Master Gardeners Helping Sonoma Gardeners

Recent Gardening Questions from the Hotline

BLUEBERRIES
Should I fertilize my blueberries again now, before the winter season?

No. Fertilize your blueberries in early spring, as the buds open, then again one month later. If you use organic materials that need to be broken down over time to release their nutrients as fertilizers, they should be applied in the fall and winter, so that their nutrients are available in the spring.

CITRUS
When is the best time to prune my two year old lemon tree?

You really should not have to prune your young lemon tree. Lemons are pruned only to remove twiggy growth and weak branches or to nip back wild growth and balance the plant. Wait until late spring or summer to prune any frost damage from the tree.

ESCALLONIA
I have some 30 year old Escallonia which are not looking very good this summer. They are planted in a dry area and receive no irrigation. Could the lack of water be the problem?

While Escallonia are drought tolerant plants, they will perform and look much better with regular water.  If you want Escallonia to look really good it needs adequate water - not a lot like a lawn - but more than a true drought-tolerant plant. Tolerating drought and looking good are sometimes two different things. After a couple of dry winters, a good soaking is most likely just what they need now.

KIWI
I am interested in trying to grow some fuzzy kiwi fruit. Do they need full sun and are they frost sensitive? What should be the ratio of female to male plants?

Kiwi fruit needs plenty of heat in order for the fruit to properly mature, so you surely want to plant them in full sun. They are frost sensitive, so frost protection is desirable. The ratio of female to male plants is 8:1.

PEACH
Some of my peaches split open before I harvested them. Why?

This problem is called peach split pit. It is a physiological disorder of unknown cause, and maybe associated with thinning too early or too much heat, or uneven watering.

PEARS
My Anjou pears are falling off the tree. When should I harvest them?

As some start falling off the tree and the others can be removed easily – they are all ready for harvest. It may be just slightly late, but it is a simple way to determine harvest date for European pears.

REDWOOD
I have a redwood tree which is showing a lot of dry, brown leaves. What is causing this to happen?

Redwoods like a lot of moisture, and at this time of year they will show a lot of brown, dry leaves which will fall off the tree with wind and or rain. This is a natural pattern when redwoods are grown away from the coast where fog and more moist conditions are not present. Your tree will put out new, green growth again once the rainy season begins.

PHOTINIA
Some of the leaves on my photinia have small, purple spots. What is this problem and what can I do about it?

This is called Entomoporium leaf spot. It is a fungal disease promoted by wet foliage. Remove and dispose of spotted leaves that are on the plant or have fallen. Do not water overhead as this spreads the fungus spores. If the problem is severe, a copper fungicide or certain other materials can greatly reduce the damage if sprayed on plants before they are damaged.

TOMATO
Some of my tomatoes have circular cracks in the area of the stem, then they start to rot at the site of the cracks.
What could be causing this problem to occur?

These cracks are usually caused by  ver head watering or rain. Once the cracks develop, these areas become
susceptible to fruit rot. Avoid any overhead watering, and if it rains, remove any ripe fruit as soon as possible to avoid damage to the fruit.

XYLOSMA
I am considering planting xylosma for use as a hedge. Are there any problems with this plant that would either make or eliminate it for my purpose?

There are both evergreen and deciduous varieties available, so be sure to get an evergreen variety. There is also a compact variety available which only grows to about one half the size of the full sized ones, which is 8-10 feet tall and wide. It is hardy to 10 degrees F., but may loose some or all of its leaves in a hard frost and normally sheds many old leaves when new growth starts in the spring.

AZALEAS
I want to plant some Azaleas. What type of light exposure to they prefer?

Generally, Azaleas, as well as Rhododendrons do best in filtered sunlight. Where summers are mild or foggy, they can take more sun exposure. In general however, the sunnier and hotter the climate, the more protection the plants will need. There
are some individual varieties and hybrid groups that have been bred for sun tolerance.

CHERRY
I have a Bing cherry tree that so far has never had a crop. Why?

Most cherries need another variety for pollination. Bing is one of those. There are a few self fertile cherry varieties, so you have two choices. Plant a self fertile variety, or plant a second tree to pollinate your Bing. Choose carefully, as not all varieties will pollinate a Bing.

CODDLING MOTH
My apples are full of coddling moth worms. How can I prevent this from happening again next year?

Unfortunately, controls used by large scale orchards such as pheromone confusion do not work very well in a home orchard. You can practice good sanitation such as cleaning up all dropped fruit, removing all debris around trees at the end of the season, and be willing to accept some damaged fruits. Spraying insecticides can be a tricky thing sometimes because
the activity of the coddling moth depends on several factors which can be difficult for the homeowner to monitor.  However, if you spray your apple trees on the first of May, June, July and August with an insecticide listed for coddling moth, your chances of having a pretty clean crop is very good.

CUCUMBERS
My cucumber plants have flowers but I am not getting any fruit. Why is this happening and what can I do about it?

Cucumbers as well as squash and melons have a flowering habit unique among vegetable crops. They bear two kinds of flowers, male and female, both on the same plant. In order for fruit set to occur, pollen from the male flower must be
transferred to the female flower. The pollen is sticky, so wind-blown pollination does not occur. Honeybees are the principal means by which pollen is transferred from the male to the female flower. Other insects cannot be depended on for
pollination.  Growers who produce these crops place hives of bees in their fields to ensure that pollination takes place. Wild honeybees are rare in some urban neighborhoods, and when bees are absent, fruit set on garden plants in the cucurbit family is very poor and often nonexistent. If only a few bees are present in the area, partial pollination may occur, resulting in misshapen fruit and low yield. When this is the case, the gardener can substitute for the bee by pollinating by hand. The pollen is yellow and is produced on the structure in the center of the male flower. You can use a small artists paintbrush to transfer pollen, or you can break off a male flower, remove its petals to expose the pollen bearing structure, and roll the pollen onto the stigmata in the center of the female flower. When hand pollinating, it is important to use only freshly opened flowers. Flowers open early in the morning and are receptive for only 1 day.

My cucumbers are bitter. Why?

While part of the answer to this problem is genetic and complicated, the amount of bitterness in cucumbers appears to vary from year to year and from location to location. Cool temperatures can enhance bitterness. Fertilization, plant spacing and irrigation frequency have exhibited little consistent effect on the number of bitter cucumbers produced. Also, varieties vary in their tendency to be bitter. Avoid growing cucumbers in cool or shaded locations and provide uniform moisture and
ample nutrients to ensure a good yield of quality fruit. Select the new hybrid varieties as they seem to have less of a tendency toward bitterness.

FUCHSIA GALL MITES
I have an infestation of fuchsia gall mites. How can I control this pest?

Fuchsia gall mites occur on growing tips year-round and in flowers during the blooming period. Because fuchsias grow best where summers are cool, this mite is a particular problem in Coastal California. To reduce problems with this pest,
plant only resistant varieties and consider replacing those that are susceptible. Prune or pinch off and destroy infested terminals. If damage cannot be tolerated, pruning may be followed with two applications of a miticide, applied two to three
weeks apart. Soap or oil sprays provide some control but are less effective than systemic insecticides.

HYDRANGEA
I have a hydrangea growing in my garden in full sun. The leaves are burnt and don’t look so great. Why?

Hydrangeas don’t like full sun exposure, especially when it gets hot. When it is dormant, move it to an area where it will have some protection from the sun, especially during the hottest part of the day.

LEMON
My Meyer lemon tree, which is grown in a container, develops very small fruit which begins to turn yellow and then drops off of the tree. What could be making this occur?

It's possible that your lemon tree is lacking enough nitrogen, but nitrogen deficiency would have to be VERY severe before it would affect fruit set. The fruit is set parthenocarpically (without the need of ovary fertilization), so it is not likely a pollination problem. It may be juvenility, but only if the tree is either young or very vigorous.

MAGNOLIA
My magnolia, grandiflora, is dropping a lot of brown leaves. Very messy. What can I do to stop the leaves from dropping?

Nothing. Magnolia grandiflora will naturally drop a lot of leaves from spring until autumn. That is just what they do.

PEARS
I have too many pears all at once. Can I freeze them?

You can freeze anything, but you won’t be very happy with the taste or texture when you defrost and eat them. Other options are better, like sharing them with friends and neighbors, or maybe making something like pear butter.

When should I harvest my pears?
Bartlett and other European pears should be harvested when the seeds are dark brown and the fruit begins to naturally fall off the trees. Then put them in the refrigerator for at least 2 weeks. Asian pears are really good tasting right off the tree.

PLUM
The fruit on my plum trees are splitting. I water every other day for 20 minutes and then give them a deep watering once a month. What could be causing my problem?

Too much water is making your plums split. Cut back on the watering to twice a month next year and you won’t have so many split fruits.

STRAWBERRIES
My strawberry plants have put out a lot of runners with new plants. Should I remove them, and if so, can I plant them somewhere else?

Runners should be removed on a consistent basis. Runners take a lot of strength, which is needed to produce a good crop, from the plants. You can most certainly re-plant these new plants in other areas. When you cut the runners off – they are
very tiny and do not have any roots yet - so they will not grow. If you leave them long enough to root – you have major competition on the mother plant. Just cut them off and let them dry out on the ground. Buy new virus free plant every 2-3 years.

TOMATO
A few of the green tomatoes on my plants have developed an area which looks whitish and papery. What is causing this problem?

If you observe where this problem is occurring, you will notice that it happens on the tomatoes which are exposed to the most sunlight. Look at the tomatoes which are protected by leaves or that are on the North side of the plant. They will be
fine. This is sunscald and should only affect a few of the most exposed fruits.

TURF
Now that we have grandchildren around our house a lot, we would like to plant a small lawn area so that they have a place to play outside. However, we would like to plant a type of grass that won’t require a lot of water during the summer months. We have no other grass areas on our property. What would be a good choice for our project?

The toughest grass that will get by on the least amount of water is a type called Tall Fescue. There are some that are dwarf and that have narrow grass blades intended to look like the nicer lawn grasses, but the regular tall fescue is the least water dependent choice and should work out fine for your purposes.

AVOCADO
I planted an avocado seed from a store bought avocado. How do I graft it so that it will bear fruit?

Avocados are grafted onto very specific root stocks depending on variety, climate, size, etc. Once you figured out the correct root stock which might fit your  circumstances, you would have to special order that rootstock. Because of the total effort and expense of this whole process, it makes much more sense for a backyard gardener to locate and buy the correct plant from a nursery. Also, grafting evergreen plants is very difficult as the leaves and green tissue on the scion piece respire and dry out quickly. You would need to have a special growth chamber to control temp and humidity and light.

BIO BAGS
Can bio-bags be used in a home composting bin?

Yes. These bags should not be placed into recycle bins which are picked up and hauled away, but they can be used in a home composting system.

CLIMBING CECIL BRUNNER
Several years ago, I planted a climbing Cecil Brunner rose. It has taken over a barn and is beginning to cause damage to the structure. Can I prune it back hard now to control its growth?

YES. Prune it as needed. It will put on new growth quickly and resume eating your barn.

COMPOST
I filled up my newly built raised beds with “ALL GREEN COMPOST” that I purchased from Grab’n Grow. My vegetable plants are not doing very well in this soil. Why?

This product is not soil. It is compost and is meant to be worked into the garden soil. You should have at least 50% soil in the mix. Straight green compost can be too hot to grow plants and get the desired results. In addition, some of these mixes contain high levels of undecomposed organic matter like sawdust and small wood chips. If they do, then these high carbon woody pieces get attacked by the soil microorganisms and tie up all the available nitrogen. This leads to yellow leaves and poor growth. You could try to add lots of N fertilizer in the form of calcium nitrate or ammonium sulfate, or urea. If that does not work, clear it out and start over with a “better” soil mix.

DILL
I am growing dill in containers inside the house. I water the plants everyday but they are wilting and not growing very well. What should I do?

Dill is best grown outdoors. It is not a house plant. Also, you are most likely over watering which is causing the plants’ roots to rot. Plant some more dill outside, in full sun and regular watering, which should not be everyday.

MAPLE
I have a ten year old Japanese Maple tree which has begun to produce a bad smelling sap like substance from an old wound which was caused by a branch breaking. What could be causing this problem?

Most likely, your tree has wetwood or slime flux. These are bacterial infections but infections rarely cause serious harm to the tree. If the wound is small, you can control the infection by opening the wound so that it is exposed to the air so the liquids don’t accumulate. Avoid making large wounds.

PLUM
I have a two year old plum tree that has set a lot of fruit. How many plums should I leave to mature on the tree?

A two year old tree does not have branches strong enough to support a heavy load of fruit. Remove most of the fruit and leave just enough so that you can enjoy a few. The goal with young trees is to let the plant develop a good strong structure for future years. If you leave too many fruits to develop, you will most likely lose branches due to breaking under the weight of the developing fruit. Staking the branches can help prevent unwanted breakage. Too many fruit will also stunt the trees growth.

POPPIES
I put 30,000 poppy seeds on an uncultivated pasture with clay soil. I got very poor results with only a few seeds germinating. Why?

Poppies need well drained soil in order to perform well. Your poppies just don’t like the conditions in your pasture. Lots of things could have happened. 30,000 seeds may sound like a lot, but in nature plants put out millions of seeds per acre. We don’t know how big the area was where the seeds were spread. The seeds should be covered with 1/8 inch of soil or organic matter and just the right rain and weather combination are needed for good germination and growth.

POTATO
I am going to plant some red potatoes this year. How deep should they be planted?

Plant your potatoes at least three inches deep and about one foot apart. When the plants get about six inches tall, begin to “hill up” the plants by using soil between the rows. The goal is to provide enough soil on top of the potatoes so that they are not exposed to sunlight. If exposed to sunlight, the skin on the potatoes will become green. A poisonous alkaloid makes green potatoes bitter and they should not be eaten.

RAISED BEDS
I am going to build some raised beds for vegetables. I have a gopher problem and know that I need to use some type of wire on the bottom of the beds to prevent their entry. What material should I use?

While more expensive than some other materials, the best and most reliable material used to prevent gopher entry is ½ inch, 19 gauge, galvanized hardware cloth.

SLUGS AND SNAILS
I have a lot of slugs and snails eating up my strawberries. I don’t want to use anything too toxic to control them. Would Sluggo be a good choice to use in my beds?

Yes. Sluggo is an excellent product. While it may be more expensive than some other products, it dogs or other wildlife. Any Sluggo which is not consumed will break down and become part of the soil.

SPINACH
What is the best time to plant spinach in this area?

Plant spinach in the fall and or early spring. During these cooler periods, spinach will mature slowly. During warm weather, as in late spring or summer, it will mature too fast and go to seed quickly. Parts of County that are cool all summer can plant spinach in the summer too.
 
CITRUS
I am interested in planting some citrus in my home orchard. What citrus would be good choices to plant?

The only citrus that do really well in Sonoma County are Meyer lemon and the two mandarins, Satsuma and Clementine. Everything else suffers from thick rinds and or freeze dieback or even death due to cold winter weather. Protected spots, electric lights or heaters, and the use of enclosures to protect the trees during cold weather can be of some help.

DAFFODILS
Should I cut the flowers from my daffodils off the plant after the bloom dies?

That is not necessary unless you just don’t like the look of the faded blooms. Don’t ever cut back the rest of the plant until it is completely dry. The dying back and drying process is very important for next year’s growth and bloom.

GERANIUM
Last year my geraniums developed round discolorations on the leaves. They vary in size from very small to about ½ inch in diameter. The spots have a brown, rusty color dot and then fade to tan. What is this problem and what can I do about it?

Your plants have bacterial stem rot and leaf spot. This is a common disease which is caused by bacteria. It develops most rapidly when the plants are growing vigorously and when there is warm, moist weather, which is what we have been experiencing this spring. The bacteria decay the leaf tissue, causing the wilting and rotting. Infection spreads to healthy plants when bacteria are splashed onto healthy plants. The bacteria can live in plant debris and in the soil for three months. Not all plants are killed by this disease. They often remain weak, stunted and disfigured. Remove and destroy infected plants. Clean up plant debris. Avoid overhead watering. Sterilize cutting tools by dipping them in rubbing alcohol. Wash your hands after handling infected plants. In the event that you want to keep the plants, do a general cleanup to minimize the bacteria and do not water overhead, which will help contain the spreading of the bacteria.

JAPANESE MAPLE SEEDLINGS 
I have a lot of little seedlings coming up under my Japanese maple tree. How can I prevent these seedlings from sprouting?

Unless the entire area under and around the tree is treated with a pre-emergent, all you can do is treat the seedlings like you would any other weed. Another option is to carefully dig up a few of them and pot them up. These seedlings make nice new plants to share with other gardeners. Or just cut them off one or more times and they will die. PV

LANTANA
I have a hedge of lantana. It is getting too tall and leggy. Can I prune it back?

Yes. Prune lantana hard in the spring, after all danger of frost is past to remove dead wood and prevent woodiness.

MULCH VS ROCK
I want to place some type of material under my fruit trees to help keep the weeds from taking over. I am considering using either a mulch or some type of rocks. Which would be better?

Use a good organic compost or mulch. These products are available at several locations locally and are fairly inexpensive. A good organic mulch will add a lot to the soil over the years and is great for your trees. Any weeds that do grow are easily pulled. Rocks add nothing to the soil and will just be another obstacle to work around.

NEW SOIL 
My gardener put soil into my new raised beds. Nothing is doing very well in this soil. Why?

Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon problem. The quality of topsoil can vary greatly depending on the source. It could be other things, but the most common problem is amended soil mixes that contain lots of undecomposed organic matter like sawdust.  The problem is that the organic matter in the process of breakdown robs all the nitrogen. If there ever was a use for conventional nitrogen fertilizer, this is it. Add lots of calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate, urea or ammonium sulfate and see what happens. It’s tricky, because if you add too much, it can burn the plants (also, it is not considered organic). In future, Good quality compost added yearly to your beds can really make a big difference in the performance of your plants. 

ONION
Do onions need regular watering to bulb up properly, or is it better to let the soil be on the dry side?

Onions are shallow-rooted and need moisture fairly near the surface. When most of the tops have begun to yellow and fall over, dig the bulbs and let them cure and dry on top of the ground for several days. Cover the bulbs with the plant tops to prevent sunburn. When the tops and necks are completely dry, pull off the tops and brush the dirt from the bulbs. Store bulbs in a dark, cool, airy place.

ROUNDUP
Can I spray roundup on the weeds growing under my fruit trees?

Yes. As long as you spray when it is not windy and avoid any over spray, roundup will not cause any damage to your plants. It only kills what it is sprayed on.

TRANSPLANTING
I have a four foot tall rose plant which is now all leafed out and full of buds. Could I transplant this bush safely now?

Probably not. If you were able to get a large rootball with a lot of soil to work with, you might be ok, but this is difficult to do. You would be much better off to wait until next winter and move the plant after it is pruned during the dormant period.

WILD FLOWERS
Where can I buy wildflower seeds locally?

Several nurseries carry an assortment of wildflower seed. Try Harmony Farm, LaBalisters, of Sonoma Mission Gardens. Also, you can purchase them by mail, or over the internet.

WINE BARRELS 
I have been growing vegetables in half wine barrels for the last few years. Last year they did not do very well, even with ample water and some fertilizer. Why?

Soil in containers needs refreshing every year. Add lots of good compost and work it into the soil well. You should see a big improvement in the performance of your plants this year.

BARK MOLD
I put down some bark as mulch last May. I am now noticing a white powdery film that makes a
cloud when the bark is disturbed. What is the film and cloud all about and is it a problem?

The film is a mold which develops as part of the breaking down of the material. If the cloud is
minimal, it should not be a problem. However, here is an experience that I, (JIM), had a few years
ago. A tree trimmer that had previously done some work for me stopped by with a load of about 10
yards of wood chips and asked me if I wanted to use it for mulch. Sure, what a deal. He dumped the
load in my parking area. It was a couple of months before I had the time to deal with spreading it, so it
just sat there. When I went to work on spreading the pile with a wheelbarrow, I noticed that as I
loaded it into the wheelbarrow a dark cloud of mold was produced. It made me cough. Dummy me
kept at the job. By the end of the day, I could hardly breathe and felt terrible. It took a few days
before I felt well again. So, if you ever experience that problem, wear a mask in order to prevent
exposure to the mold.

FORSYTHIA
When should I transplant Forsythia?

 Forsythia is deciduous and should only be transplanted when it is dormant, unless
you are buying a plant in a container – then it could be transplanted anytime as long as it is kept very
moist if there is hot weather.

LIME
I have a three year old lime tree that is healthy but has never produced fruit. Why?

Citrus trees take a few years before they start producing fruit. Non-fruiting could also be due to cold temperature as the lime is the most cold-sensitive of all the citrus.

PESTICIDE DISPOSAL
I have some containers of unused pesticides which I want to dispose of. What is the preferred
method of disposal?

The County dump on Mecham Road in Petaluma accepts hazardous materials on certain days of the
week. This is a free service. Call for days and times.

POMEGRANATE
How and when should I harvest my pomegranates?

Pomegranates ripen in the fall. Harvest them when they reach full color, but before they start to split.
Splitting significantly reduces storage life. The best time to eat pomegranates, however, is in the early
splitting period. Unfortunately, this fruit needs a very hot climate and a long growing season in order to properly ripen the fruit. Since we do not have this in Sonoma County, we often get semi-ripe to green pomegranates
that crack with the first fall rainTo harvest, cut the fruit from the stem with shears. Avoid pulling the fruit from the
tree as you are likely to break fruit spurs. Pomegranates will shrivel if stored at room temperatures for
extended periods. Cold storage is recommended. Avoid storing split or damaged fruits.

ROSE
I have an established rose bush which is planted in a gopher basket. The plant just shriveled up
and died quickly. What could cause this to happen?

Most likely, if a plant is healthy and dies suddenly, a gopher is usually the cause. Gopher baskets can
be helpful in discouraging gophers, but gophers can go over the top of the basket and still get your
plant. Lift or dig the plant up and check to see if the roots have been eaten.

ROSA MUTABILIS
I live in Santa Rosa and have a drought tolerant garden. I would like to plant a Rosa Mutabilis
against a south facing wall. I read that it can take quite a bit of heat and I could give it some
extra water during the summer months. Would this be a good choice for my garden?

Rose Mutabilis is a good xeriscape plant that withstands extreme heat and drought. This rose has
survived for generations with minimal care and will bloom all season long without supplemental
watering. Plant it where it can do its thing without having to be heavily pruned. It is a fast grower and
needs a lot of space, both in height and width. Go for it.

SAPSUCKERS
I.D. from counter specimen. Small holes are being made by something. Sap is running from the
holes and attracting wasps. What could be causing this damage and what to do about it?

Most likely this is damage from a type of woodpecker. There are several woodpecker type birds that can
drill holes and eat or suck up the tree’s sap – some are called sapsuckers, some are flickas/flickers,
some are woodpeckers – all common names.To avoid further damage from these birds, wrap the trunk
of the tree with hardware cloth or burlap. That should discourage further damage. If enough holes are made, the trunk can be girdled and the tree will die. 

TOMATO SEEDS
I saved seed from my heirloom tomatoes, but I left them in water for too long and now they are
starting to sprout. Can I plant them now?

Not outside in the garden, butyou can grow them in a green house and not transplant them outside until mid April.

ACORNS
My large Valley Oak produced a tremendous amount of acorns this year. What problem causes this to happen?

There is no problem. Oaks can produce large amounts of acorn some years when the conditions are to their liking. The only problem this causes is a lot of young oak trees sprouting next year.

APPLES
I am going to harvest my apples soon. How long can I expect them to last in my refrigerator?

For optimum flavor, if picked at the correct time for the variety, you can expect the apples to be at their best for eating fresh for a week or two. They should remain satisfactory for baking for up to two months. Apple varieties that keep well can be kept for several months in a refrigerator. Quality deteriorates over time.

BOUGAINVILLEA
When is the proper time to prune Bougainvillea?

In frost free areas, do any major pruning after flowering has ceased, or as early as possible in the spring after frost danger has passed in areas that experience frost. During the growing season, prune as needed to direct growth.

COCOA MULCH
Would cocoa shells be a good choice for using as a mulch around my fruit trees?

Cocoa shells are very attractive and smell nice, but they tend to pack down after a while and can shed water. The biggest problem with this material is that it is toxic to dogs who are very attracted to it. All things considered, there are better materials to use for mulching, such as compost, wood chips, sawdust, rice hulls, or grass clippings.

COMPOST
I have a lot of maggots in my compost pile. What can I do to avoid this problem?

Do not add things that flies like to lay their eggs into. Meat and fish are the main items to avoid. Also, do not put any dog or cat feces into your pile. If you use the proper combination of green and brown materials and avoid the above mentioned items and build your pile properly so that it heats up, maggots won’t be a problem in the future.

HEBE
How and when should I prune my Hebe?

Prune after bloom, shortening stems that have flowered by about half to keep plants compact and bushy. Rejuvenate ragged plants by cutting back severely. They will re-sprout easily from old, leafless wood.

LAWN DAMAGE (SEVERAL CALLS)
Something is tearing up my lawn from the surface. What would cause this damage and what can I do to
prevent it?

Most likely, this damage is being caused by raccoons. They are digging up the turf looking for insects and grubs. Possums are another possible culprit. Your options depend on the size of the lawn area that you want to protect. For small areas, insecticides that kill off any lawn insects eliminate the food source, so the critters move on. Nematodes are also available for purchase which helps eliminate grubs. If dealing with a large area, these
approaches to the problem would be very expensive. Exclusion is another possibility, but a difficult one to achieve. Trapping with Have A Heart traps also can be an effective solution and not an expensive one. While insecticide may do what you say, which is to kill the critters that the raccoons are eating, it is quite disturbing
to the environment and I would not recommend it. Sometimes they are going after earthworms and we would not want to kill them. Also, imagine the potential for runoff and percolation into our waterways. Covering the area temporarily with bird netting will work as another alternative.

PINE TREE
I have a Pine tree that is getting too tall for the location where it is growing. Would it be alright just to top the tree in order to limit its height?

Topping a tree is often referred to as “the cruelest cut”. Topping a tree is not a standard practice and should be avoided. If the tree is too tall for its location, then you would be better off removing it and plant a tree that is suitable for your situation.

SUNFLOWER SEEDS
I have some large sunflowers. I would like to save the seeds for eating. How do I properly do this?

Once the seeds appear to be dry, cut the flower off with about one foot of the stalk. Put the flower into a paper sack or one made from cheese cloth. Hang the flower upside down in a warm, dry, sheltered place until the seeds are fully dried. At that point, just rub the seeds off the flower and you can roast them for eating.

ZINNIAS
I planted some zinnias this year that I purchased in a flat from a nursery. They did not perform very well and when I dug them up, I noticed that the roots were in the same shape as when I planted them. Why?

The roots on plants started in cell packs tend to grow around in a circle within the cell. When planting, you need to disturb the root ball so that they are no longer in a ball or circle. Doing so will cause the roots to grow outward into the surrounding soil and the plants will perform properly.

ALUM
I have been told that I can dip hydrangeas into alum in order to preserve the flowers. Is this true and if so, where could I find alum?

Alum powder is found among spices at grocery stores. It is used in pickling recipes as a preservative to maintain crispness and has other uses also like an ingredient in play dough. There are commercial products used to dry flowers which can be found at craft stores or flower marts. If you want to try alum, try it on a couple of stems to make sure that it works in the desired manner.

CORN
How can I tell when my corn crop is ready to harvest?

Check your crop when the ears are plump and the silks have withered. Corn is usually ready to eat about three weeks after the silks first appear. To check, pull back the husks and try popping a kernel with your thumbnail. It should squirt milky juice. Watery juice means that the corn is mature, while a doughy consistency indicates over-maturity.

GARDENIA
The buds and flowers on my gardenia plant are falling off. Why?

Gardenias have certain requirements which if not met make for an unhappy plant. Check out these conditions and see if you are providing what your plant needs to thrive.
1. Summer heat to thrive and bloom well.
2. Does not like adobe soil. Wants fast draining but moisture retentive soil conditioned with
plenty of organic matter.
3. Likes to be planted high and well mulched.
4. Except for during the bloom period, likes to be misted in the early morning.
5. Likes high humidity.
6. Does not like low light intensity.

LEAF CUTTER BEES
Leaf cutter bees are doing some damage to the leaves on some of my roses. How can I get rid of
these bees?

Leaf cutter bees are beneficial insects and you want them in your garden. The damage they do is minor and does not harm the plant. Even if you did want to get rid of them, it would be very difficult, so, let them BEE.

MEXICAN LIME
My Mexican lime is not doing very well and does not produce flowers or fruit. Why?

Mexican lime is very sensitive to cold and is normally grown in areas which do not experience any frost. You would be better off to try growing a variety more suited to Sonoma County.

NECTARINE
Some of the fruit on my nectarine tree is split open. What could cause this problem?

Many things can cause this problem. Any type of injury, branches rubbing on the fruit for instance, but the most common cause is excessive soil moisture during pit hardening. Over-watering is the likely culprit. Some varieties, for example Heavenly White, split a lot. - as much as 50% of the crop. So it can be a varietal phenomenon too.

OAK
I have a young oak tree about six feet tall growing in the ground. I would like to transplant it to another area of my garden. What would be the best way to do this transplanting?

Oak trees do not transplant well once they are established and have any size to them. Only with very small seedlings are you likely to be successful. You might be successful if you remove a whole lot of soil with root ball with a back hoe into a new site with a hole 3ft deep x 4ft x 4ft--but that's a pretty expensive  proposition. It may be easier to just remove the tree and start
in the new location with another tree.

PEAR
When should I harvest my European butter pears? I have tried harvesting at different times, but if I pick them green they don’t ripen, and if I pick them once they start to get soft, they are
already going bad inside.

European pear varieties are harvested green when they begin to fall off the tree. They are then stored at 33 to 45 degrees for several weeks. As the fruit is then brought up to room temperature, it softens and turns buttery. If allowed to ripen on the tree, certain cells within the fruit called stone cells develop
and make the fruit gritty. Since all of the fruit will not be ready at the same time, when the first ones fall from the tree, harvest the large ones and wait until the smaller ones get larger.

SQUASH
The blossoms on my squash plant are falling off and not producing any squash. What is the problem and what can I do to solve it?

Squash, melons and cucumbers belong to the same family and they have a flowering habit unique among vegetable crops. They bear two kinds of flowers, male and female, both on the same plant. In order for fruit set to occur, pollen from the male flower must be transferred to the female flower. The pollen is sticky, so wind-blown pollination does not occur. Honeybees are the principal means by which pollen is transferred from the male to the female flower. Wild honeybees can be rare in some urban neighborhoods, and when bees are absent, fruit set is very poor. If only a few bees are present, partial pollination may occur, resulting in misshapen fruit and low yield. When no bees are present in the garden or the population is too low for good fruit set, you can substitute for the bee by pollinating by hand. This can be a tedious chore. The pollen is yellow and is produced on the structure of the male flower. You can use a small artist’s brush to transfer the pollen, or you can break off a male flower, remove it’s petals to expose the pollen bearing structure, and roll the pollen onto the stigma in the center of the female flower. When hand pollinating, it is important to use only freshly opened flowers.
Flowers open early in the morning and are receptive for only one day. The female flower can be recognized by the presence of a miniature fruit at the base of the flower. Male squash flowers are
borne on a long, slender stem, while the female flowers are borne on very short stems.

TREE WOUNDS
A lower branch broke off my plum tree. Should I use that wound sealer compound that I see for
sale on this wound?

No. Trees have their own healing ability and do not need a sealer.

APPLE
I have a young apple tree which has some fruit on it. The branches are drooping down to the ground. What should I do?

Remove most or all of the fruit if this is a young tree. Don’t worry about fruit production for the first couple of years. Concentrate on developing a strong, healthy tree. Prune to develop strong, evenly
spaced scaffold branches. Keep narrow-angled crotches from developing. Don’t let side branches  outgrow the leader or secondary branches outgrow the primary branches. By concentrating on developing a strong, healthy tree the first few years, you will be assured of a bumper crop for many
years in the future.

CLAY SOIL
We are planning to put in a nice sized garden. Our soil is clay. What can we do besides adding horse manure and compost in order to improve the quality of the soil?

Clay soil cannot be changed in one year into ideal, loose soil. However, you are doing the correct
thing by adding manure and compost--add lots. Do this annually, and in a few years you will have good soil. Another good alternative is to build up berms--to 2-3 feet of good soil on top of the clay, and plant in those. The drainage in the berms for the new plants will be good, and over time worm, microbial and root activity will begin to increase the quality of the clay underneath. You almost always see advice for clay to add gypsum.   But adding calcium sulfate (Gypsum) to clay soil in Sonoma County where we do not have salt (sodium) problems does nothing to help improve soil structure. All it does is add cost.

CONTAINER GARDENING
It has been suggested to me by a gardening friend that some of my containers in which I have plants could use a soil change. Why would this be necessary?

Any sized container has limited space for the plants root system. The contained plant is going to deplete the nutrients of the soil over time. Add compost and/or complete slow release conventional fertilizers and use the soil as a medium to support the plant. If this is done well, the soil should last quite a while.

CUCUMBER BEETLES
Cucumber beetles are really destroying the blooms on my roses. Is there anything I can do to get
rid of these pests?

For a pesticide-free approach, and if the infestation is not too intense, cucumber beetles are easy to remove by hand if you do so early in the morning before it warms up. They are slow to move until it warms up a bit. Another approach is to place protective cloth over emerging plants and remove it when plants are old enough to tolerate damage.There are insecticides that are helpful in controlling cucumber beetles on ornamentals. If spraying to control this pest, you only need to spray the tops of the plants where the buds or blooms are, so you do not have to use a lot of toxic material to accomplish your purpose.

IRIS
When should I cut back the leaves on my iris plants?

Unless you are dividing your plants, there is no real reason to cut them back. Just remove any dried or
dead leaves. If dividing, trim the leaves and roots to about six inches in length. Let the cut ends heal
for several hours to a day before replanting.

MAGNOLIA
I have a large magnolia tree growing adjacent to a newly planted sod lawn. This lawn has been
being watered twice a day for several weeks and now the tree’s leaves are turning brown and the
tree appears to be dying. Could there be a connection between all the watering and the decline
in the health of the tree?

While magnolias make good lawn trees, being watered twice a day for weeks is not in their best
interest and certainly could be what is affecting their health. By now the sod lawn should do ok with a
regular watering schedule. Let the soil dry out for a while and hopefully the tree will recover.

MULBERRY
Branches are breaking off my mulberry tree. It has not been pruned back for many years.
What should I do?

It sounds like your tree could use some pruning. Sometimes branches can get so long that they break
from their own weight. Shorten the branches to a well placed, outward growing eye. Hopefully,
getting some of the weight off these branches will stop them from breaking.

RHUBARB
When and how do I harvest and divide my rhubarb plants?

Let the plants grow for two full seasons before you start harvesting. In the third season, you can pull
off leafstalks for four to five weeks in the spring. Older, huskier plants can take up to eight weeks of
harvesting. To harvest leafstalks, grasp them near the base and pull sideways and outward. Do not use
a knife to cut stalks because cutting leaves a stub that will decay. Never remove all of the leaves from