Hastings Nature & Garden Center

Any idea what the name of this plant is?

2010-07-22T11:43:00.000-07:00

Q. Any idea what the name of this plant is? It has made it through every winter I've lived in Decatur, GA. It's planted in partial shade, no special attention is given to it - actually, it's neglected. It was severely clipped by a groundskeeper in late June and it still made flowers in July! There are tiny thorns, spaced pretty far apart on the stems. Thanks for any help you can offer. I love Hastings! Leslie Decatur, GA.

A. It's Erythrina crista-galli or E. herbacea from North America. Commonly known as the Coral Bean Tree. A member of the pea family, it has beautiful panicles of bright red tubular flowers. These blooms will appear in late spring, and are pollinated by hummingbirds and perching birds. The Coral Bean Tree makes a nice small specimen tree or large shrub with trifoliate leaves that will twist and turn during the daytime to capture the correct amount of light needed. Although it has thorns along the stems, you will be rewarded all summer long with showy red flowers. It can reach 8-20' tall with a 5-10' spread. It's a perennial in zones 9-10, but some varieties make it in cooler temps. Grows best in full sun to part sun. I've added a file image, and as you can see, the blooms are identical with those in your photos. Thanks for the "Ask", Francesca

2010-07-16T17:50:00.000-07:00

Q. Will bee balm and cone flowers bloom again if they are cute back? from Mom G.
A. Thanks for asking... both will rebloom when deadheaded. There is a difference though.

The Bee Balm responds better to deadheading and will reproduce many mature flowers. Although Cone Flowers produce new flowers from their lateral buds, the new flowers will be smaller that the originals. If you dead head now this late in the season they might not produce new flowers. I usually either leave mine for the birds to enjoy the seeds, or when I deadhead, I turn the cones upside down in the soft soil of my garden, and love to see the new plants pop up in the spring. If the cone flowers I have are hybrids, there is always a surprise to the color of the blooms from my seedlings. One time I got a pale lime green from a coral original.

Soggy Ground II

2010-06-18T08:14:00.000-07:00

Q. When it does flood it is maybe 2 or 3 times a year and it goes down usually in a few hours - we live on lake /creek. Right now it is just a few patches of weedy grass with a lot of pine straw.
A. One of the best options is to plant Marginal or Bog Plants. They do well along a creek and can take the occasional flood. I wrote a section on our website - Water Gardens, with a page on Marginal Plants. Will be helpful with options: http://www.hastingsgardencenter.com/seedsofwisdom.asp?pid=39. Regards, Francesca

Soggy Ground

2010-06-18T08:10:00.000-07:00

Q. Hi! Could you recommend some plants for a semi shade area that sometimes gets flooded? Thanks so much. Raina R.
A. Before I reply, please let me know... are the plants submerged, if so for how long? Is anything growing there now? Francesca

Lily-of the Valley

2010-04-27T11:25:00.000-07:00

Q. Is there any secret to successfully growing Lily-of-the Valley in Atlanta? I live in Vinings, so I guess I'm zone 7A. I have all forms of sun > exposure on my property from deep shade to blazing sun. Thanks, Valerie

A. Valerie, Lily-of-the-Valley doesn't much care for Atlanta's summer heat. I have seen some lovely drifts in Atlanta gardens, but planting them is "iffy". If you want to experiment, find a spot with bright shade most of the day. Early day sunshine would be fine but not after noon. Amend the proposed bed with three inches of soil conditioner mixed ten inches deep.

BTW... Although we were recently changed to zone 8, I still think our season temps prove us to be in zone 7B.

Regards, Francesca

E-Specials 4/22-4/25

2010-04-23T08:29:00.000-07:00

Check out this weeks E-Specials - http://www.hastingsgardencenter.com/page.asp?pg=especials

Help, Grubs!

2010-04-23T07:41:00.000-07:00

Q. Help, I have grubs that ate all my tomatoes last year. Of course, I have put off taking care of this until I am about to plant this year. I am trying to keep my garden organic. I plan on planting marigolds around the edge of my 4 x 8 square foot garden bed. I added lime earlier to hopefully get rid of the brown spots that came on tomatoes last year too. I did this about a month ago when I was working the soil and before I planted my peas.... getting a late start this year.
Is Milky Spores the right product to use to get rid of the grubs and can I find it in a local store or do I have to order on-lline?
Thanks for your time.

A. Hi Todd and Ann. Milky Spore is certainly a remedy, and we carry it! There is also another organic product you may be interested in and that's Beneficial Nematodes... and we carry that, too! So stop by. BTW, you're not too late to get your garden started.

First Veggie Garden

2010-04-22T10:32:00.000-07:00

Q. I took your class about two weeks ago and you suggested I build a raised garden because I was just starting out. I have been doing a lot of research on line on how to do it. My questions...
1. I wanted to know about planting Marigolds. Can I plant the marigolds outside the raised garden all around the perimeter or plant them inside the box?
2. This garden will be 8 feet long and 4 feet wide, any suggestions on what to plant? I’ll list the vegetables I like and please tell me which ones I should focus on. Also, please tell me what seeds to buy.
a. Marigolds
b. Tomatoes
c. Onions
d. Hot green peppers (don’t know the name)
e. Greens, maybe Collards, Mustard Greens, or Turnips
f. Spinach
g. Green Peppers
h. Lettuce
i. Peas
A. Hi Erika, glad you've opted for a raised bed. The best placement of marigolds is around the edge, inside the raised bed. You'll create a barrier this way. It will be best to use transplants, and not seeds for your first attempt. Yes, grow tomoatoes, peppers and other summer veggies as I listed in my Grocery Garden publication. It's a little late for the cool season (or spring and fall veggies). Lettuce is OK if you plant it in area that is either partially shaded or shaded by other veggies, like in front of your peppers and tomotoes. Typically, they are a cool season vegetable and don't do well with our hot Atlanta summers. Please refer to my lists... as a first time gardener, you can plant and enjoy green beans, cucumbers, zucchini and summer squash and even okra from seed at this time.

Critters in my Veggies

2010-04-08T11:32:00.000-07:00

Q: Hi Kate! Your blog is wonderful! I've lurked through some of the topics trying to find ideas about keeping squirrels and chipmunks from snacking on tomatoes and blueberries. See attached photo of last summer's culprit! Last year I used a plastic fencing wrapped around the pots. Of course they can get through that. This year I planted tomatoes and blueberries in the ground. Got any ideas? Thanks so much for your blog and service and friendly customer service, Susan
A: Dogs, cats and repellents, such as commercially made repellents or homemade varieties such as soap bars, human hair, and pepper sprays, can help deter chipmunks and squirrels. Castor oil spray is a repellent that works, too! Underground barriers such as wire mesh or hardware cloth around bulbs and new plantings can prevent access to your plants. Barriers block them and can include fencing and netting to control their access. We offer a few good animal repellents... so stop by!

Sawdust from felled tree

2010-04-08T11:21:00.000-07:00

Q: We recently had lightning strike a tree in our yard. After the stump was cut and ground down, there is about 1 ½ feet of sawdust remaining over the whole area. Should we completely remove that from the pine island or just rake it around so it is spread out? What effect will all this sawdust have on tree growth? Thanks. Barbara
A: The saw dust formed due to a stump grinder or from general tree removal is actually a good mulch. It can be used in a variety of gardening purposes. Aesthetically, because it's fresh, the sawdust may retain a lighter color, so it's best to rake it in. It will decompose quickly. If by chance, the tree was diseased, it would be best to apply a fungicide to be sure that fungus are removed and cannot infect newly planted trees.

Too early to plant?

2010-04-08T11:02:00.000-07:00

Q: Is it too early to plant porch window boxes with annuals and too early to plant my vegetable garden? I have tomatoes, cucumbers squash and peppers. Do you think there will be frost in April? If so, when is the best time to begin planting? Thanks so much for your thoughts and wisdom.
A: Thanks, Susan. To address your questions - Annual plants, including most of the vegetables you've mentioned prefer a soil temperature of 60 degrees. Exception, tomatoes can take a lower ground temperature. Although the temps are rising, it's still around 55 degress. It's a little tricky predicting frost dates, but a conservative date is April 15th.

Hydrangea for cutting.

2010-03-21T10:26:00.000-07:00

Q: I am looking to plant 4 to 5 hydrangea bushes in my front hard. Is it ok to plant them in the spring or do I need to plant in summer? Also, can you recommend a type I always get some overwhelmed with all the varieties. I want big blooms every year, so I can cut and put around the house.

A: Endless Summer, Penny Mac or Mini Penny would all give you good blue flowers throughout the summer. Blushing Bride would be great for white blooms. All of these are good rebloomers.

Now is a great time to put them in the ground, but don’t forget to add aluminum sulphate to enhance the blue color of the blooms!

Name That Plant

2010-03-21T06:52:00.001-07:00

We have a winner for this week's Name That Plant contest, Dallas B. of Atlanta got it right with Japanese Magnolia! Way to go Dallas!

2010-03-15T13:34:00.000-07:00

Q: The last few summers my hydrangeas get a fungus ... the leaves have spots and someone told me it was a fungus and I should spray them in early spring.

Can you recommend something for them I can spray now?

A: You could treat the stems and any mulch underneath with a fungicide right now, but honestly it’s the heat and humidity in the summer that do it.

I would suggest spraying them monthly with a systemic fungicide once the leaves are out. That would be the easiest and most effective way to control the bacterial spot and powdery mildew hydrangeas are prone to.

Rain, rain go away!

2010-03-14T12:32:00.000-07:00

These drizzly days are no fun! But why not cozy up to some good advice from our website? We have great articles and information for Atlantans. Here's a smattering:

Things to Do in March
Rose Care
Herb Container Recipes

And you can find the main page for these articles and tons more Here!

Winter Window Boxes

2010-01-02T07:56:00.000-08:00

Q: I hope you are enjoying a wonderful holiday season. If I could trouble you for a bit of advice, I have a quick question. What do you recommend for outdoor containers this time of year? I have three large window boxes that I'd like to add a punch of texture and color to, but I'm not sure what will do well this time of year (aside from traditional pansies and violas). I would be tickled to death with any suggestions you could send my way.

A: Because the sun is less intense this time of year, there are a lot of shade perennials that you can plant in your boxes now, and then move to shadier spots in the spring. Heucheras, hellebores, autumn ferns, cast iron plant all work well. You can also spice it up with herbs- parsley, rosemary, lavender, sage and thyme all look good even in the winter.

A rose by any other name...

2009-12-21T13:05:00.001-08:00

Well, as the Christmas season rapidly draws to it's climax, my mind turns to .... roses. The promise of fat leaf buds swelling and turning pinky-red in February makes my heart glow.

Name That Plant!

2009-11-13T14:33:00.000-08:00

We have a winner! Laurie C. hit the nail on the head with Viburnum awabuki. Great job, Laurie.

If you need a large screening plant, and want to avoid conifers, this is the plant for you! Come on in and I'll tell you why it's one of my favorite plants.

Keep the guesses coming!

2009-11-13T08:06:00.000-08:00

Name That Plant has really stumped you guys this time! Into the second week, with an increased prize ($75 Gift Card!!) no one seems to be able to figure this one out. The inclusion of a picture of the bloom has led to an interesting trend.

Last week, everyone thought it was a magnolia. This week, tea olive is the strong favorite. Unfortunately, it's wrong! Keep trying!

Name That Plant is a Boggler This Week!

2009-11-06T10:11:00.000-08:00

Well, the Name That Plant section of our weekly e-blast is boggling everyone this week!

Can you figure it out?

Leggy Paperwhites?

2009-10-31T09:08:00.000-07:00

Did you know paperwhites like a nip of the good stuff too? Check out this fun article. I've posted this before but I think it's a great idea!

Pickling Your Paperwhites

Halloween Fun!

2009-10-26T07:46:00.000-07:00

Another beautiful day!

2009-09-28T13:11:00.001-07:00

Hastings-To-Go!

2009-09-21T12:32:00.000-07:00

Did you know you can order beautiful benches, arbors, firepits, bird feeders, stepping stones and more on our website and have them shipped right to your door?

Check it out!

Hostas Heading South

2009-09-18T09:15:00.000-07:00

Q:
I have a bed of hostas that has performed less and less well over the past few years so that this year it appears most of them may be dead or dying. When first planted six years ago, they had a deeply dug large area amended with good soil and compost.

They flourished in the morning sun and afternoon shade. Years two and three they were bigger and it appeared everything was going well so I just maintained with fertilizing, mulch, water, etc. Year four they didn’t look as good, so I pulled all mulch away, applied some new compost around all plants and provided all new mulch.

Last year almost every plant was a good bit smaller. This year several of the hostas have died. Of those still standing, the leaves are yellow, drooping, and it appears unlikely that any of them will return for a seventh season. Any ideas?

A:
Your hostas need to be divided! They form a large root crown, almost like a giant potato, and over several years it chokes itself. You want to dig up each hosta, divide it into at least four sections, and replant them about a foot apart (or more, if you like.) You may be able to 'tease' out individual plants, but don't be afraid to cut the large crown with a spade or shovel.

Unfortunately, you are a little late this year to divide them. Anytime from early spring (when you first see new shoots coming up) until August will be fine.

2009-08-23T07:35:00.001-07:00

Follow Hastings on Twitter!

You'll be the first to hear about special deals, incredible plants, and more!

Garfunkle!

2009-08-23T07:25:00.000-07:00

Click the fish!

Delicate Daphne

2009-08-07T10:13:00.000-07:00

Q:
I have 3 daphne’s planted less than a yard from each other. One is doing well. One is wilted. The third is dead.

The dead one replaced another that died in the same spot.

They get a lot of morning sun, full shade from the house the rest of the day. I’ve got a drip irrigation system that runs each night. What am I doing wrong that these plants (now 2-1/2 years in the ground) are struggling so?

Ah, the joy of daphne ownership…
Such an incredible plant, who hates Atlanta soils. Daphne odora absolutely requires moist, well-drained soil. That is almost impossible to provide in our heavy clay soils. Even three days of rain will kill these fragrant winter bloomers.

I would highly recommend planting your daphne in pots, rather than the ground. It’s a bit more maintanence for you (watering during dry periods,) but you can pull it under an eaves or in the garage during a rainy week, and let’s face it, a good potting mix is going to drain a lot better than even the most well-amended bed.

If you are dead set on having daphne in that spot, I would build up the area with quality top soil to about 6” higher than the surrounding area. This should allow their roots to drain even when we have extended rains.

Basil Problems?

2009-08-02T09:41:00.000-07:00

Does your basil get brown streaks along the stems, look wilty or stunted? You may have fusarium wilt. Check out this great site for more info!

Fusarium Wilt on Basil

Fried Green Tomatoes!

2009-08-02T07:34:00.001-07:00

Are all of the lovely local critters getting to your tomatoes before you can pick them? We've all been there: You watch a tomato grow, you just begin to see a little color and think, "I'll pick that in a couple days." Invariably, the next morning you find that tomato on the ground, half-eaten.

Well, luckily we southerners have a great solution. Just pick them when they are still bright green and fry 'em up!

Fried green tomatoes are very very easy to make, and delicious. Follow the links below to some great recipes. I personally cut my flour with cornmeal, about 50/50. It makes for a nice grainy texture that I love!

I also like making a sourcream/horseradish dip for them. If you have any great dip recipes for fried green tomatoes, I'd love to hear them!

Recipe 1 - a great recipe with good tips about prepping early in the day.

Recipe 2 - Paula Deen style

Recipe 3 - Whistlestop Cafe

August Garden Tasks

2009-08-01T06:19:00.001-07:00

Ever wonder what you should do around your garden in August?

Check this out!

Propagating Rex Begonias

2009-07-20T11:03:00.000-07:00

Q: Could you explain the exact process of propogating leaf cuttings from rex begonia's. I have one of the new "mini's and I would really like to get a few new ones going. They are such an attractive foliage specimen. Thanks for your help.

A: Check out this page for excellent instructions and great pictures!

Composting Woes

2009-07-20T10:53:00.000-07:00

Q: We have a batch composter - which we have probably been doing wrong because we just keep adding stuff all the time to it. But every time we open it to add stuff,
it is so creepy. All these gnat things fly out !! And it doesn’t smell so great. Is this normal??

A: This is a common mistake, batch composting is meant to be done 'in batches.' Most composters just speed up the process of composting, but daily scraps must be collected elsewhere until you are ready to start a new batch.

The bad smell and gnats mean you have too many kitchen scraps and not enough garden trash. If you don't have grass clippings, dead leaves, etc. you can always supplement with wheat straw.

We have a couple great pages on our website that will help you compost like a pro!

Composting FAQ

Composting 101

Tomato Trouble

2009-06-23T08:08:00.000-07:00

Q: Some of my tomatoes have black spots on the bottom of them. What can I do? I am trying to be organic.

A: You have blossom end rot, which is caused by a calcium deficiency in your tomato plants. This is most common in containers, but can also happen in the ground.

At this point you need to begin spraying with Rot-Stop. You will spray your tomato plants once a week. This is simply calcium that has been dissolved into water.

Next year, you can avoid this problem by mixing a cup of hydrated lime into the soil with each tomato plant when you first plant them.

Wasted Space in Containers

2009-05-26T05:35:00.000-07:00

Q: I have a medium size plastic planter that resembles a wine keg. I would like to plant it but would like to know if there is something I can put in the bottom to keep from using so much soil to fill it.

A: This is a great question! So often, the container is much larger than the plants need. There are many things you can use to take up some volume in the bottom of your container. Packing peanuts, empty water or soda bottles (with the caps on!) or smaller plastic pots turned upside-down are all great lightweight solutions. You can also use gravel, broken pottery shards, or even bricks or cinderblocks if you want to stabilize top-heavy pots.

Organic Flower Care

2009-05-22T07:17:00.000-07:00

I planted zinnias from seeds and they were coming up great. The are about 2 or 3 inches tall but now I see that something has been eating their little leaves.

I have a natural garlic spray that I made up and sprayed on them. What else should I do??? I want to have the garden organic.. Also some of my plants have some yellow on their leaves - what does that mean??

Your garlic spray should be an excellent repellent. The real trick is to be consistent with it, spray weekly and after any substantial rains.

The yellow is most likely your seedlings telling you it’s time to fertilize! You can use Plant-Tone every six weeks, or fish fertilizer monthly, and still be organic!

Atlanta Botanical Gardens Satellite Garden

2009-05-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

Q: Several years ago, I read that an estate had been given or purchased for a public garden somewhere in the area of Cherokee County, or perhaps farther east, and was being readied for opening. I thought that it was to be the northern campus of either the Atlanta Botanical Garden or some other organization. Do you have any info on that particular project? I would enjoy finding a public garden close to my home in Woodstock.

A: This garden is in Gainesville, Georgia. It looks like a great find!

Smithgall Woodland Garden

Johnny Appleseed!

2009-04-26T05:49:00.000-07:00

Q: My five year old son would like to grow an apple tree from apple seeds. I am thrilled that he has an interest and would like to encourage my junior gardener.

Is there a book, website, etc on how to go about the process in a step by step fashion elementary enough that we can discuss on his level. I have heard that not all apples have seeds appropriate for planting (i.e.. hybrid apples, etc.) Also, is the Georgia climate and soil appropriate for apple trees?

A: What a fun project! You can absolutely grow apple trees from seed. There is some preparation you must do with the seed before you plant it, called stratification. Basically this will mean chilling the seed in your fridge for a few months. I'm going to link to a few sites on the web with more info. Good luck, and thanks for encouraging your son's love of nature!

E-How Video

WikiHow

ArticleBase

CNN Guest Appearance

2009-04-14T10:11:00.000-07:00

Check it out! Here is part of the CNN Weekend Newsroom show I was on this past Saturday.

Click on the CNN video graphic below!

Calling All Veggie Gardeners!

2009-04-06T14:11:00.000-07:00

CNN is going to do a segment on the rise in vegetable gardening due to the economic crunch we are all dealing with.

They are looking for someone with a home veggie garden that would like to be on TV! They would need to come out to your home this Wednesday or Thursday (preferably Wednesday morning) shoot a bit of film and ask you a few questions.

Looks like I will be on the air with them this Saturday for some Q & A at 4pm, I don't know if this will air at the same time, but I would assume so.

So! If you are interested shoot me an email, we can have our fifteen minutes of fame together!

kateg@hastingsgardencenter.com

A/C Unit Water for Veggie Garden?

2009-03-16T11:41:00.000-07:00

Q:
I would like to put a raised bed garden on the side of my house. Its going to have to be next to the A/C units, which will be about 2 feet away. The A/C units tend to trickle out water as part of their cycle. Is this water safe to have in the ground next to my raised bed garden. Is it safe to eat the veggies?

A:
Absolutely! That water is completely safe for your garden; in fact, many people run a tube to a drip hose or a bucket to collect that water for their gardens.

Flower Beds from Seed?

2009-03-02T06:36:00.000-08:00

Q:
My husband wants to start a garden along the front of our house and he wants to start it from seed. When is the best time of year to do this and how do we prepare the soil. The sunlight this area gets is a mixture of sun/shade.
We have successfully planted impatiens (from flats) in this area but they did not reseed. Again he wants to start this garden from seed. Any suggestions?

A: Impatiens would be a great choice to try from seed. They are very easy to grow, however the seeds often freeze here in Atlanta, and that is why the seeds dropped from the year before often do not sprout the following year.

I would recommend incorporating some fresh compost in the area, after clearing away any old mulch. Worm Castings is my favorite compost for refreshing beds! You can start some impatiens indoors now and plant the young plants mid April, or you can wait until mid April and plant the seeds directly in the bed.

2009-03-02T06:31:00.000-08:00

Are you one of the millions that will try your hat at growing your own veggies this year? Looks like you are not alone!

Findings from the National Gardening Association’s (NGA) new survey, The Impact of Home and Community Gardening in America , indicate food gardening in the United States is on the rise as 7 million MORE households plan to grow their own fruits, vegetables, herbs or berries in 2009—up 19% from 2008. This anticipated increase is nearly double the 10% growth in vegetable gardening activity from 2007 to 2008.

Check out our Seeds of Wisdom page for tons of great tipsheets that will help you "grow like a pro!"

Square Foot Gardening

2009-02-22T17:37:00.000-08:00

I know so many of you are thinking about growing your own veggies this year, and all I can say is... Do It!

There is nothing more rewarding than watching plants grow, eating the fruits of your own labor, and connecting with nature.

Check out Mel's site, Square Foot Gardening, for the scoop!

Also take a look at Tim's webpage on square foot gardening. What an inspiration!

Don't forget Hastings has five types of compost (!!), peat moss and vermiculite to get you started. I'm looking into getting premade raised gardening structures also, but for now we can certainly point you to the right source for easy materials to make your own.

More Victory Gardening!

2009-02-20T12:27:00.001-08:00

More Fun With Victory Gardening!

2009-02-20T12:14:00.001-08:00

I can't resist; the old war posters are just too much fun to look at!

Victory Gardens!

2009-02-20T12:05:00.000-08:00

Reviving the movement of the 1940's, Victory Gardens are taking root!Consumers, challenged by today's economic demands to cut back on budgets, can save money, get better tasting fruits, herbs and vegetables, and protect the environment with a home garden!

Having been Seedsman to the South for 120 years, we want you to grow your own with confidence and ease!

Come to our Seed Starting Seminar, this Saturday at 11 A.M. and get the lowdown! If you can't make it for the seminar, come in anytime and view our seed-starting demonstration, extensive supply selection and wonderful seed choices!

Homey Valentine's Day Dinner for both Lovers and Singles!

2009-02-11T12:49:00.000-08:00

Georgia Organics has put together a great event for all those who want to go green on Valentine's Day! Reservations are required to explore this great event NOW!

Support Historic Oakland Cemetery!

2009-02-09T10:35:00.000-08:00

Many of you probably saw the devestation caused last year by the tornado that moved through downtown, Grant Park and Cabbagetown.

Oakland Cemetery lost many of their beautiful trees to the tornado, and we need to help them move forward. While FEMA helped them clear away the debris, the Historic Oakland Foundation has to find new ways and means to replace them.

So how better to raise money for new trees and plantings than by... throwing a Shindig! Nestled among some of the quirkier, fun-loving neighborhoods of Atlanta, this night is sure to be some great fun. Please check it out!

2009-02-09T10:11:00.000-08:00

Q: I would like to plant a Ginkgo tree in memory of my mom (it was her favorite). When is the right time to plant this tree - and the time I would be able to find it at the nursery? Also, what are the soil and light conditions it needs?

A: Now's a great time to plant a ginkgo! We some beautiful specimens in the nursery yard. Ginkgos can tolerate almost any type of soil, from dry to moist to acid to basic, ginkgos will grow anywhere they get good sun.

While slow growing, ginkgos get huge over time (50- 80 feet huge!) so make sure they are in a spot that won't get crowded by nearby trees.

Black Spot on Indian Hawthorn

2009-02-09T10:01:00.000-08:00

Q: For the past two years I have been fighting what appears to be a losing battle with black spot on my Indian Hawthorn. I noticed a couple of days ago that it has retuned with a vengeance.

Last spring I pruned affected leaves and branches, removed the mulch, sprayed the plants and the ground, and replaced the mulch. I did spray periodically, as recommended by the manufacturer. That seemed to minimize the problem. But now it is worse than ever. Any suggestions?

A: Black spot is a relentless problem with Indian Hawthorn. Treating with a fungicide regularly can help control the problem, but unfortunately there is not a permanent solution. The disease is most active during late winter and spring. This is when you will have to be really conscientious about spraying during these coming months.

There are a few ways to help the plant, in addition to treating with a fungicide. Make sure the plants are not getting wet at night from irrigation. If they are in a shady area, consider limbing up your trees or moving the hawthorns.

You may have an iron deficiency that is weakening the plants, making them more susceptible to disease. Use Ironite or liquid iron to correct this.

Victory Garden

2009-02-02T09:14:00.001-08:00

Our friends at Johnson Nursery in Ellijay have clued us in to an exceptionally useful web link!

Check it out here!

A truly extensive collection of extension publications for HOMEOWNERS. From veggies to apple trees, you can bookmark this page and start your next answer hunt on this page.

Princess Trees

2009-01-29T17:16:00.000-08:00

I've been researching a common, pest tree that was unwittingly brought into the Southeastern landscape due to its fast growth. The history of this tree goes far beyond Southern lore; in fact one history I had heard, and attributed (by my source) to Southern culture, is actually Chinese in origin.

I had heard that when a daughter was born, a father planted a sapling of this tree, and upon her betrothal, he cut it down to make her bedroom suite. To read the real history of this tradition click here. The use of the downed tree far transcends the making of a bedroom suite; even small boxes and tinder were made of the tree. A resting place of the mighty pheonix; nothing was left unused.

The lore of this tree, that we all have noticed but few will remember, always interested me. The reality of its extremely viable seeds have taxed the nerves of endless southern gardeners.

Many may recall that this very tree graced the back cover of countless Readers' Digest, promoting the boons of shade in summer and incredible growth. In Southern culture, it is indeed something that many embraced, and now we see in endless urban roadsides, low hollows and undeveloped backyards. I myself, a transplant from Florida, first noticed it on I-20 between East Atlanta and downtown, injected among apartment back-forties and forgotten tracts of land in the heart of our city. The beauty of their spring candelabras of purple blooms at that first view outweighed their insidious nature in uncontrolled areas. This one plant alone truly made me realize the need for responsible gardening. Beauty does not always equal sustainability, and often condems equally (while perhaps more understated) beauty of native stalwarts.

As responsible landowners now, we should perhaps consider removing these spring blooming trees to make way for native trees, and to prevent the spread of innumerable saplings sure to spring forth in the path of our rain runoff.

It's Time for a Gameplan

2008-12-29T06:05:00.000-08:00

After all the rush of the holiday season, I'm sure many of you are just as happy as me to curl up on the couch, relax, and think ahead. While you are pondering your New Year's resolutions (or pretending to...) why not think about next year's garden?

This is a great time to mull over what worked (and didn't) last year, what you would like to change, and how you can go about doing that.

I came across a great article about convenience gardening. It is a point often forgotten, but if it isn't simple to use, play in or access, most things will fall into disuse, including your garden. So if a straight path works better for you, by all means make a straight path. Keep hoses easily available, and plant things with higher water needs closer to your hoses.

Choose plant material that will be easy to maintain. Xeriscaping is still a great way to reduce your workload and is also a fantastic ecobooster. Planting natives give local wildlife better nesting, and food choices. Increasing your wildlife population cuts down on insects and other pests, thereby reducing the need for chemical controls.

Consider more container gardening; this keeps the most interesting (and often the most needy) plants close to your patio or front door.

Also consider mixing your vegetable and herb plants into your existing flower beds, rather than have a separate veggie plot. Many herbs, such and oregano and thyme make fabulous groundcovers, and dill is always a welcome addition to a reseeding wildflower bed.

2008-12-24T06:46:00.001-08:00

Keeping Your Greenery Green

2008-12-11T13:03:00.001-08:00

Mist your greenery like you mist your ferns, and they will reward you with great scent, beautiful color, and more needles on the stems, and fewer needles on the floor!

Garland on the fence? Pull out your trusty hose (remember those?) and give it a quick spray. You only need to just wet it, it won't use very much water, or time, at all!

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!

2008-12-05T08:48:00.001-08:00

Everyone knows Hastings is Atlanta's #1 garden center.
Don't they?

We need you....
to help us spread the word! Voting is now active for the 2008 Atlanta Hotlist. Check it out at

Pickling Your Paperwhites!

2008-12-05T07:58:00.000-08:00

Tired of floppy paperwhites that have to be tied up just when they enter full bloom? Have too many top-heavy amaryllis? Well check out this amazing article!

Pickling Your Paperwhites

And here is a link to a blogger who has some great time lapse video of his experiment on amaryllis!

The Amaryllis Experiment: Part 1

Treat Yourself to a Little Beauty

2008-11-09T06:04:00.000-08:00

Well, I for one think we have been graced with the most stunning show of fall color we've seen in years. The fiery reds, blazing oranges, deep plums and shocking yellows in the landscape have my imagination in overdrive.

Why not take this time to play with color yourself? Container gardening can be very rewarding during the dull winter months. Come by today and let us show you how leaf color, flower shape and size and texture can make even a small container on a balcony a true work of art!

Take a look here for some expert advice from our own Potting Shed experts.

Tulip Time!!

2008-10-27T12:35:00.001-07:00

Everyone knows you plant your tulips in December, right? Oh, you didn't?

Well, yes, that is the right time. Plant them sooner and they have a chance to rot before the ground cools.

Now what else does everyone know? (wink, just play along this time) Yes! That down here in the South, we need to prechill our tulips to get the most out of them! Putting them in the fridge for four to six weeks before you plant them outdoors will ensure beautiful blooms next spring.

So stay with me, here. If you plant in December, and you need to chill them for four to six weeks, everyone knows when you should be buying your tulips, right?

That's right! Now is the time to buy your tulips, and luckily, Hastings has an outstanding collection of top-quality bulbs!

Pruning Knockout Roses

2008-10-17T08:24:00.000-07:00

Q: Hi. When do I cut my Knock-Out roses back, and how?

A: Knockout roses will throw up tall canes which then will bend over at the top. Many will simply grow sideways so all you have to do it make the bush look tidy with an attractive shape. This rose can be kept at 3 feet tall or even 6 feet tall so before a hard freeze, just cut any taller canes back even with the other canes. This will stop them rocking in the winter winds and exposing roots which may freeze.

The general rule for any rose is to let it grow for three years the way it wants too and only cut the wayward long canes. Rose nurseries have found that a rose needs all the growth and leaves for this period to grow into a sturdy bush.

The spring is the time to decide how tall you want the rose to grow and the pruning should be done then. Also if a cane is starting to get too tall during the summer, cut it back even right then. This is actually the best time to cut them - late March through mid-April. 'Knock Outs' are so tough that you could whack their heads off with a farm flail (which is what some growers do to them), and they'd be just fine.

To keep 'Knock Outs' compact, take them down to about one foot. You can either shear everything down with power clippers or take the nice approach and use hand pruners to thin out some of the older canes and then shorten the remaining branches to just above outward-facing buds. Either way, in a few weeks your plants will be growing nicely and blooming like crazy.
'Knock Outs' even do fine with no pruning at all.

The only drawback for some people is that instead of topping out at about 4 feet by season's end, they'll start at 4 feet and grow to 5 or even 6 feet tall. You can also size-control 'Knock Outs' by shearing or pruning them back by about a third after the first main flush of blooms is done in June.

What to do, what to do...

2008-10-13T08:13:00.000-07:00

October is a great month for gardening! The cooler weather, the changing leaves, and the approaching holiday season all combine to inspire us to get back out into our gardens!

Check out our October To Do List for a guide to October tasks!

Houseplant 411!

2008-09-18T12:11:00.000-07:00

Question:
I inherited a variety of houseplants when a friend moved to another country and I rented her house. They range from violets to big leafy, dangling plants, to what look like tall corn stalks, and some really tropical looking plants with fronds and white flowers.

I’m not a plant person, so all this is new to me. I am leaving them exactly where she had them (sun, shade, etc.) but is there a rule of thumb I can use to know how much to water them? Is there a general rule to let me know when to water, or whether I’ve over-watered? Do I have to feed them anything or move them around?

I guess what I am asking for is basic plant care.

Answer:
Lucky you! It sounds like you have a lot of lovely plants to grace your new home. It also sounds like most of your houseplants will require the same care instructions. It's a little late in the year to worry about fertilizing your houseplants. I would just wait until spring.

I am going to teach you an easy trick to telling if your plants need water! Push your index finger a couple inches into the soil. If it feels room temperature, the soil is dry. If it is cool to the touch, then the soil is moist. You want to let the top inch or two of soil always dry out between waterings.

Depending on the size of the plant, and the size of the pot, most of your plants won't need to be watered more than once a week, and especially with some larger ones, they can go a couple weeks between watering.

For more information, check out our online tipsheets! Here's one for houseplants!

Fall Fever, Anyone?

2008-09-09T10:20:00.000-07:00

If you are anything like me, these cooler nights have you feverishly planning your fall garden! We have a great selection of cool season veggies, seeds and seed-starting supplies.

A few of my favorite fall vegetables:

Beets
Carrots
Kale
Broccoli Raab
Brussels Sprouts
Broccoli
Onions
Leeks
Lettuce

Fall is also a great time to refresh and revamp your flower gardens and landscaping. Check out our September Checklist.

Troubled Cherry Tree

2008-07-28T08:31:00.000-07:00

Q: I have a beautiful tree that has light pink blossoms in mid to late February each year. It's the first thing to bloom toward the end of the winter. I've tried to find out what type of tree this is, but can't seem to find anyone to identify it. I know you've seen these before because I see them all over Atlanta.

Anyway, the leaves are falling off of it now, and I'm afraid it is sick or is dying. What should I do about it? Not all the leaves are gone, but they are shriveled up even though some are still green. Over half are gone or are still on the tree but completely brown.

A: Well, first of all, I believe you have a flowering cherry, probably a Yoshino or Kawnzan. It is almost certainly the drought that has caused the decline of your tree. Cherry trees are very susceptible to drought stress. When weakened in this way, they can also be attacked by insects called borers that disrupt the sap flow to the branches and leaves. You can check for borers on the trunk about a foot from the ground, if you see small holes you have borers. You can contact an arborist to treat for them, but they are very hard to control and success is usually pretty limited.

The best thing you can do for your tree is to provide more water and fertilize appropriately (but only if you can water!) A deep soaking at least once a week is necessary, and you could water up to three times a week. I would suggest about 20 gallons per ten feet of height each time you water.

Infestation!

2008-07-23T08:13:00.000-07:00

Q: There are a bajillion bugs smothering my plant! They are red and black and big. Did I mention there are literally a bajillion? I can barely see the plant underneath it. It doesn't look like they are eating the plant but I'm seriously creeped out by the sheer numbers. What is this and will it hurt my plant?

A: This is one of my favorite questions, and I get it about twenty times every year. What you have is assassin bugs, and they are beneficials. They eat almost any other kind of bug, but you will often see them stacked up on plants aphids like to colonize. When you see hordes of them on one plant, what you are actually seeing is an assassin bug nursery. What we see most often in Atlanta is the milkweed assassin bug. Everyone should welcome these bugs into their garden; they are great at reducing the numbers of bad bugs like aphids, leafhoppers and more.