Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Gardening archive
John Arbogast
Landscape consultant John Arbogast answers your questions every Thursday. Send questions about your lawn, garden, plants, or insects to:
Dear John
5102 Greenfield St. SW
Roanoke, Va. 24018
Or send an e-mail. Answers will be given only in this column. Please don't send pictures or samples.
Recent columns
Lily of the Valley trees and testing pH in soil - 10/30/2008
Dealing with English Boxwood Decline and spined soldier bugs - 10/23/2008
Stinkbugs relative newcomers to Virginia - 10/9/2008
New herbicide unlikely to help in Roanoke area - 10/2/2008
Japanese Pagoda tree is a great option - 9/25/2008
Sampling English boxwoods - 9/18/2008
Multiple factors affect weed growth in grass - 9/11/2008
Look for these warning signs in maple trees - 9/4/2008
Careful use of chemicals can kill locust trees once and for all - 8/28/2008
Trimming an iris, prepping a poinsettia - 8/14/2008
Maintaining boxwoods, killing locusts - 8/7/2008
Daylilies need constant work - 7/31/2008
Wet's bad for dogwoods, sap's fine by maples - 7/24/2008
Making vines grow their best - 7/17/2008
Fencing out varmints - 7/10/2008
It's too late to cut back rhododendrons - 7/3/2008
Lots of factors can cause azaleas to yellow - 6/26/2008
Determine the right strategy for repelling moles or voles - 6/20/2008
Keep boxwoods free of mulch, organic material - 6/13/2008
Seek professional advice on weed identification - 6/5/2008
Size matters when treating for white grubs - 5/30/2008
Wait for new growth to appear before declaring plant's demise - 5/22/2008
Several options exist for moving daffodils - 5/15/2008
Hire an expert to identify grass varieties - 5/8/2008
Pampas grass should be cut now - 5/1/2008
Check with state officials on Dogwood pruning - 4/24/2008
Wiregrass is tough to kill - 4/17/2008
Mixes take advantage of fescue, bluegrass strengths - 4/10/2008
Lose the pines, trim the boxwoods - 4/3/2008
Drying out moss - 3/27/2008
Blame it on moles, or the drought, or worms, or leaky pipes ... - 3/20/2008
Prune yews with care; seed grass at your own risk - 3/13/2008
Cutting may root - 3/7/2008
Try selective pruning method - 2/27/2008
Weeding advice for a new lawn - 2/21/2008
Consider some factors before pruning damaged tree - 2/14/2008
Follow these tips to battle climate change - 2/7/2008
Fig tree move will require strength, diligence - 1/24/2008
Seeding methods can vary - 1/17/2008
Small deciduous trees ideal for planting in Virginia - 1/10/2008
Mulch choice depends on climate, topography and traffic - 1/9/2008
Boxwood trimming can be done in early spring - 12/27/2007
Several factors could be affecting cucumbers - 12/20/2007
Cut back dahlia stems after chilly nights - 12/13/2007
Clean violets to remove indoor pests - 12/6/2007
Expect mixed results for transplanting old oak trees - 11/29/2007
Find sunny window space for wintering geraniums - 11/23/2007
Is it OK to pour salt water on the soil? - 10/19/2007
Be sure to get all of the roots when moving oak trees - 10/11/2007
Seek help from Web sites, extension agents for grass suggestions - 10/4/2007
Buffalo grass is worth a try in Roanoke - 9/27/2007
Determine the origin of unwanted tree sprouts before eliminating them - 9/19/2007
Early fall to-do list: Transplant hostas, fertilize fescue and plant ground cover - 9/12/2007
When to plant spider lily bulbs? - 9/6/2007
One promising plant, one not so - 8/29/2007
Fighting the unequal fight against life cycles - 8/22/2007
Eliminate bagworms with early summer control; get rid of pesky locust trees - 8/15/2007
Plant shrubs high in sunny areas that don't drain well - 7/23/2007
Use synergy to kill white clover - 7/19/2007
Signs of death - 7/12/2007
Start with state agency to find pick-your-own farms - 7/6/2007
Use terracing and outdoor decor to make a steep slope more interesting - 6/28/2007
Kill locust tree by stripping bark early in the season - 6/20/2007
No need to deadhead day lilies; Bamboo is a low-maintenance border option - 6/14/2007
Pruning tomato plants and growing bamboo trees - 6/7/2007
Dig up daffodil bulbs for replanting in the fall - 6/5/2007
Give hollyhocks room to grow - 5/24/2007
Diagnosing boxwoods' death; Summer flowerbed suggestions - 5/17/2007
Buy mom a new ornamental grass plant; Tomatoes need calcium, too - 5/10/2007
The benefits of crown vetch -- and when to cut white pines - 5/3/2007
Over-pruned cypress must be removed - 4/26/2007
Save hill by nurturing trees - 4/25/2007
Have professionals remove maple tree - 4/12/2007
Be careful of Fusilade II's firepower - 4/5/2007
Reasons vary for lack of crocus blooms - 3/29/2007
Deer may favor crown vetch - 3/22/2007
Balance expense with maintenance for boxwoods - 3/15/2007
Wiregrass removal takes diligence and patience - 3/8/2007
Prepare the soil before planting clematis plants - 3/1/2007
Prune boxwoods in early spring - 2/22/2007
Signs of recovery can come quickly - 2/15/2007
Most vines can hurt you before a tree - 2/9/2007
Try physical barrier to deter deer - 2/1/2007
Curses of water - 1/25/2007
Know your seeds - 1/18/2007
Plant hardiness zone changes - 1/11/2007
How to march soldier beetles out the house - 1/4/2007
Boxwood options aren't cheery - 12/28/2006
Winter growing techniques - 12/21/2006
Be sure to spread mulch evenly - 12/14/2006
Use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of stink bugs - 12/7/2006
Killing wild onions takes persistence - 11/30/2006
Prune rhododendrons after the flowers bloom - 11/23/2006
Killing clover takes time - 11/16/2006
Killing clover takes time - 11/16/2006
Look for clues behind moss growth - 11/9/2006
Keep an eye out for plant crowns - 11/2/2006
Protecting trees from the frost pocket - 10/26/2006
Use several layers to seal in moisture - 10/19/2006
Potting tips for small, all-weather plants - 10/11/2006
There is a way to make Slate Hill attractive - 10/5/2006
No definitive way to repel rabbits - 9/28/2006
Large and aging trees often need special care - 9/21/2006
Divide and conquer when it comes to seeding grass in large areas - 9/14/2006
Designation marks entry-level position - 9/7/2006
All's fair in war against warm-weather grasses - 8/31/2006
Plan now for future garden business - 8/25/2006
Tree fertilizing, Southern grasses, holly trimming, composting - 8/17/2006
Of lousy soil and too-bright glads - 8/10/2006
Crabgrass vs. wiregrass - 8/3/2006
Wilting can indicate many problems - 7/27/2006
A little bit helps when curbing global warming - 7/20/2006
Try shading your lilac to help with wilting leaves - 7/13/2006
French drains could help a leaky basement - 7/6/2006
Kudzu may be the culprit - 6/29/2006
Check for ''candles'' before pruning White Pines - 6/22/2006
You'll have to live with slow grower - 6/15/2006
Proper pruning, tomato tips, bulb blooming - 6/8/2006
Plant a Row for the Hungry still exists - 6/1/2006
Try Japanese Zelkova trees for a fast-growing option - 5/25/2006
Seek pro advice on tree identification - 5/18/2006
Mix different plant species to provide screening and informality - 5/11/2006
A fescue, bluegrass blend would thrive in Roanoke - 5/4/2006
Read killing applications closely - 4/27/2006
Best holly for the region - 4/20/2006
Leave the lichen alone - 4/13/2006
How to beat back smelly bugs, weeds - 4/6/2006
Canada Green could go brown - 3/30/2006
Application times change - 3/23/2006
Pampas grass follows natural cycle - 3/16/2006
Be skeptical when mulch is cheap - 3/9/2006
Consider the outcome when pruning roses - 3/2/2006
Gardening classes offered - 3/1/2006
Prune grape plants now - 2/23/2006
To grow grass, go deep - 2/16/2006
Few remedies exist for shield bug prevention - 2/9/2006
Keep blades sharp in the off season - 2/2/2006
Beetle wars have many targets - 1/26/2006
Plant spring bulbs now - 1/19/2006
Cutting ivy, doing the nitrogen math - 1/12/2006
More on boxwood pruning - 1/5/2006
Baby beetles and cutting back shade trees - 12/29/2005
Some plants struggle after move indoors - 12/22/2005
Controlling English boxwoods, wild violets and white clover - 12/16/2005
Attack Japanese beetles using different methods - 12/8/2005
Weeding out the garden - 11/30/2005
Tips for caring for your tomatoes, getting rid of slugs and snails - 11/23/2005
Rooting out raccoons and choosing your insecticide - 11/16/2005
White clover can take years to eliminate - 11/10/2005
Rhododendron should survive fall pruning - 11/3/2005
Dogwoods need attention to thrive - 10/27/2005
Environmental stresses and controlling weeds - 10/21/2005
Moles are digging up the yard - 10/13/2005
Dampness draws pests - 10/6/2005
Fight crabgrass now - 9/29/2005
How-to's for now; winning plants for next season - 9/22/2005
Trimming trees, planting a water garden - 9/15/2005
How to make a good new lawn, kill whiteflies - 9/8/2005
Starting over - 9/1/2005
Sick oaks, even sicklier gardens - 8/25/2005
How to build a better lawn in lousy soil at a new house - 8/18/2005
Curing a half-and-half lawn - 8/12/2005
How to 'double dig' - 8/3/2005
How to transplant bulbs - 7/28/2005
Making the best against tough foes - 7/21/2005
Maple tree girdles and planting trumpet vines - 7/14/2005
What to do with brown, dead trees - 7/7/2005
Plant a tree -- it'll make you feel good - 6/30/2005
Four simple rules for cutting down a tree - 6/23/2005
Trimming rhododendrons, drugging tomatoes, stout maples - 6/16/2005
Salt and water - 6/9/2005
How to trim big pines - 6/2/2005
Investigating sick hollies - 5/26/2005
When to mulch - 5/19/2005
How, when to trim pampas grass - 5/12/2005
Caring for poinsettias during summer - 5/5/2005
Spongy ground, spring garden work - 4/28/2005
How to move a big tree - 4/21/2005
How to do in locust trees - 4/14/2005
Springtime grass advice - 4/7/2005
Pool plantings - 3/31/2005
Spring planting tips - 3/24/2005
Protecting your hemlocks - 3/17/2005
How to kill moles - 3/10/2005
Winter grass seeding is no joke - 3/3/2005
From Haiti to stink bugs - 2/24/2005
Adventures in rhododendrons - 2/17/2005
Curing unseen diseases - 2/10/2005
Of earth, wind and fire - 2/3/2005
A pruner's primer - 1/27/2005
Crape myrtles won't graft - 1/20/2005
How to fool the wedding guests - 1/13/2005
Don't be fooled by mild winter - 1/6/2005
Winter grass, overgown trees, bulb care - 12/30/2004
Work your lawn like a golf course superintendent - 12/23/2004
All America selection winners for 2005 - 12/16/2004
Winter bulb care, rake up dogwood leaves - 12/9/2004
Of thinning birch and low bushes - 12/2/2004
Feasting on sawdust leads to yellowed grass - 11/24/2004
Fencing ivy - 11/18/2004
A quirk of nature - 11/11/2004
Banishing bees - 11/4/2004
Killer ivy, pretty shade, soggy summer patio - 10/28/2004
Don't freak over tree fungus - 10/21/2004
Apples, lime, chickweed, yellow jackets and stumps - 10/14/2004
Bittersweets need fertilization for berries - 10/7/2004
To prune or chop down? - 9/30/2004
These trees stink, by any name - 9/23/2004
Further details on beating wiregrass - 9/16/2004
How to force long-overdue hydrangeas - 9/9/2004
Prune or move when plants go dormant - 9/2/2004
Pricing an oak tree - 8/26/2004
How a cigar can have seeds - 8/19/2004
All manner of disease amid the flowering - 8/11/2004
Killing wiregrass, saving Bleeding Heart - 8/5/2004
Call out the trumpet - 7/29/2004
Trimming and topping - 7/22/2004
Getting rid of the bad stuff - 7/15/2004
Keep your clematis blooming - 7/8/2004
It's rot, not raisins on the vine - 6/30/2004
Easing the itch and animal damage - 6/24/2004
Too wet, too tall - 6/17/2004
How to care for strawberry plants - 6/10/2004
Those summertime bugs - 6/2/2004
This is no place for tropical fruit - 5/27/2004
Newspapers still make good mulch - 5/20/2004
