Gardening Daily Tips
For You
Tuesday January 26, 2010 |
Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides) | Today's Featured Plant
Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides)
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Q&A: Using Railroad Ties to Edge Bed Question: I have read two different points of view on the use of railroad ties to edge raised beds. I have read you shouldn't use them, and I recently read that it is fine if the ties are old, but you shouldn't if they are new. What do you think?
Answer: Some forms of creosote and/or components of creosote are known human carcinogens, so contact with the compound is not recommended. Aged ties are less likely to have volatile components that can irritate the lungs and mucous membranes, but you should wear gloves and long-sleeved shirts to prevent skin contact. However, there are so many other options for edging beds, from including stone, brick, concrete, and plastic, that you might consider these options instead. |
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Q&A: Cutting Back Rose of Sharon Question: I have several hibiscus (Rose-of-Sharon). When is the best time to cut them back--or should I cut them back at all? I would like the plant to be nice and full.
Answer: Rose of Sharon, Hibiscus syriacus, may be cut back in late winter or very early spring before the new growth begins. Remove any winter damage, and then trim to shape as needed. The plant can also be renewed by cutting it back very hard. The amount to prune is a matter of personal taste; the bush can be left to grow into a small tree or sheared as one would a hedge. It blooms on new wood of the season, so should not be pruned when in active growth as this will remove flowering wood. |
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Tip: Apply Dormant Oil Sprays Spray deciduous fruit trees with horticultural oil to kill any over wintering insects such as scale and aphids. Spray on a calm, dry, day with temperatures above 45F. Spray until the oil begins to drip off the branches. |
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