Q&A: Broccoli Produces Flowers Question: In early fall, my broccoli plants were growing beautifully, but then the heads of broccoli were covered with yellow flowers. Why, and what can I do to prevent this from happening again?
Answer: Your plants bolted, perhaps because of high temperatures, lack of moisture, or poor soil conditions. Broccoli grows best in cool weather. When it gets too hot the flower buds that make up a head of broccoli quickly open up into the yellow flowers you see. There's no way to save your plants once they've bolted. In the future plant your broccoli when it can grow during moderate to cool temperatures. |
Q&A: Flowers Deer Avoid Question: We have a summer house located in zone 5 in upstate NY, and have several areas that would be great for naturalizing perennials and bulbs. What plants would be good for this location, and would be somewhat deer/rabbit resistant? Do any of the repellent sprays really work?
Answer: Deer are crafty, and if they're hungry, persistent. This is to say, take all "deer resistant" recommendations with a grain of salt. That said, here are some choices that would work where you live: astilbe, bee balm, bleeding heart, columbine, coreopsis, crocosmia, crocus, daffodil, dahlia, foxglove, gloriosa daisy, hellebore, lupine, moss pink, pincushion flower, poppy, purple coneflower, and thyme.
Many gardeners use repellent sprays with varying success. Rain will wash them off, meaning reapplication is necessary. Soap and some organic fertilizers are also recommended from time to time. The only guaranteed solution is a fence -- one tall enough that deer can't jump, and buried deep enough so rabbits can't burrow under it. |
Happy Thanksgiving from ArcaMax! The ArcaMax.com family wants to wish your family a very happy Thanksgiving, and a safe and fun start to the holiday season.
Be sure to keep visiting the site for free holiday recipes, decorating and gift buying tips, and more as the season goes on.
-- From the ArcaMax editors |
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