Question Answer Gardening Tips and Plant Care
Got a question about growing vegetables, caring for houseplants, or fixing lawn problems? This Q&A section shares quick, practical answers from real gardening experiences. Learn how to keep roses blooming, stop pests from eating your lettuce, and choose the right soil for potted herbs. Whether you’re curious about composting tips or need help reviving drooping leaves, you’ll find simple, step-by-step advice here. Each answer is designed to save you time, prevent mistakes, and make gardening more enjoyable. Explore topics for every season, from spring planting to winter plant care, so you can grow healthier, more beautiful plants all year long.
Recent Question Answer - Plant Care Tips
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How do You Fertilize a Mammoth Sunflower?
To fertilize a Mammoth sunflower effectively, it's essential to start with nutrient-rich, well-draining soil, as these giant plants are heavy feeders. Supplement initial soil preparation with a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer at planting, then side-dress with a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus, and potassium formula (like 5-10-10 or 8-20-20) once the plant is established and beginning to form its flower head. This encourages robust stem growth and large, healthy seed heads.
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Can You Eat Arp Rosemary?
Yes, you absolutely can eat 'Arp' rosemary, just like any other common culinary variety of rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus, formerly Rosmarinus officinalis). 'Arp' is a popular cultivar known for its cold hardiness and robust growth, making it a favorite among gardeners in cooler climates, but its aromatic needles carry the same distinct flavor and scent profile that makes all rosemary varieties prized in cooking. There is no toxicity difference that prevents its culinary use.
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Do Moss Roses Spread?
Yes, moss roses do spread, primarily through self-seeding and, to a lesser extent, by their low-growing, mat-forming stems rooting where they touch the soil. While they aren't aggressively invasive, their ability to produce numerous seeds means that if growing conditions are favorable, you can expect new moss rose plants to appear in the same area (and sometimes nearby) in subsequent years, creating a colorful, spreading carpet.
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Can You Eat Peas from Sweet Pea Plant?
No, you cannot eat peas from a sweet pea plant (Lathyrus odoratus) because the seeds, pods, and other parts of the plant are toxic to humans and animals if consumed in significant quantities. Despite their alluring fragrance and beautiful blooms, sweet pea plants are ornamental flowers and should never be confused with edible garden peas (Pisum sativum). Ingesting sweet pea seeds can lead to a serious condition called lathyrism.
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Can Weeds Grow into Trees?
Yes, weeds can absolutely grow into trees, but it's important to clarify what we mean by "weed." Many plants commonly considered weeds are actually the seedlings of woody plants, including trees and shrubs, that are growing in an undesirable location. These opportunistic seedlings, if left undisturbed, will mature into full-sized trees, potentially causing significant problems in gardens, foundations, or cultivated areas. The term "weed" often refers to context rather than inherent botanical classification.
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Can We Grow Plants in Coconut Shell?
Yes, you absolutely can grow plants in coconut shell halves, transforming them into unique, rustic, and eco-friendly planters. While not suitable for all plant types due to their limited size and natural drainage, coconut shells are particularly excellent for small houseplants, succulents, air plants, orchids, or starting seedlings. Their natural aesthetic and sustainability make them a charming and practical choice for creative gardeners looking for an alternative to traditional pots.
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How do You Fertilize Weigela?
To fertilize weigela effectively, begin with a soil test to determine specific nutrient needs, then apply a balanced slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring, just as new growth begins. For weigela to thrive and produce abundant blooms, use a general-purpose shrub or flowering shrub formula with an N-P-K ratio like 5-10-5, 10-10-10, or 5-10-10. Always follow application rates carefully to prevent over-fertilization, ensuring a strong bloom display and overall plant health.
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Can You Grow Pomegranate in Washington State?
Yes, you can grow pomegranate in Washington State, but success depends heavily on choosing the right location, selecting cold-hardy varieties, and providing specific care to mitigate the state's cooler, wetter climate compared to pomegranate's native arid regions. The warmer, sunnier parts of Eastern Washington offer the best potential for outdoor cultivation, while gardeners in Western Washington may find container growing or protected microclimates more successful for consistent fruit production.
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How do You Get Rid of Chicory Weeds?
To get rid of chicory weeds, the most effective long-term strategies focus on consistent removal of its deep taproot and preventing seed production. Manual extraction with a weeding fork or dandelion digger is crucial for young plants, while diligent mowing to prevent flowering, broadleaf herbicides for larger infestations, and improving turf density are key components of a successful control plan. Understanding chicory's growth habit is vital for its eradication.
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Can You Plant Dill in Pots?
Yes, you absolutely can plant dill in pots, and it's a fantastic way to keep this versatile herb readily accessible for culinary use. While dill is known for its long taproot, selecting the right pot size and providing proper care can lead to a thriving container plant, even allowing you to grow it indoors or on a patio. Container growing offers flexibility and allows you to control the environment more closely, which can extend your harvest.
