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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Are Frogs Bad for Gardens?
No, frogs are generally not bad for gardens; in fact, they are highly beneficial and considered a valuable ally for gardeners. Frogs (and toads, which are often grouped with frogs in gardening discussions) are voracious insectivores, consuming a wide range of common garden pests, thereby providing natural pest control and reducing the need for chemical interventions. Their presence indicates a healthy and balanced garden ecosystem.
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What Conditions Are Ideal for Overfertilization Damage?
Overfertilization damage is most likely to occur and be severe under specific conditions that enhance nutrient concentration or plant vulnerability. The ideal conditions for overfertilization damage include dry soil, young or sensitive plants, heavy application of high-salt fertilizers, poor drainage in pots, and hot weather. These factors combine to create an environment where excess nutrients quickly become toxic to plants.
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Do Dwarf Alberta Spruce Need Sun?
Yes, Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca 'Conica') does need sun, specifically full sun to partial shade, to thrive. While it appreciates some protection from intense afternoon sun in very hot climates, it requires several hours of direct sunlight daily to maintain its dense, conical shape and vibrant green foliage. Insufficient light will lead to sparse growth and a weakened appearance.
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Do Trees Grow Outward?
Yes, trees primarily grow outward in girth (increasing in circumference and diameter) from their trunk and branches, while also growing upward in height and outward from their root tips. This radial growth is driven by a specialized layer of cells just beneath the bark. Understanding this outward growth is fundamental to appreciating how trees age, gain strength, and interact with their environment.
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Does Hibiscus Grow in Florida?
Yes, hibiscus absolutely grows exceptionally well in Florida, thriving in the state's warm, humid, and often subtropical to tropical climate. Various species of hibiscus, both native and introduced, are common and beloved ornamental plants throughout Florida, celebrated for their vibrant, showy flowers that can bloom almost year-round in the warmest zones.
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Can You Trim Ash Trees in the Summer?
Yes, you can trim ash trees in the summer, and for specific purposes, it can actually be an advantageous time to prune. However, summer pruning is fundamentally different from dormant (winter) pruning and should be approached with caution, focusing on light maintenance rather than heavy structural cuts. It's especially useful for reducing vigor or addressing immediate health concerns.
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Do Magnolia Trees Attract Birds?
Yes, magnolia trees do attract birds, offering various resources that cater to their needs throughout the year. While not their primary food source, the seeds, insects found on the tree, and the tree's structure for shelter and nesting all contribute to making magnolias a valuable addition to a bird-friendly landscape. Certain magnolia species are particularly attractive to specific bird populations.
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Can You Put Two Plants One Pot?
Yes, you can absolutely put two or more plants in one pot, a practice commonly known as companion planting in containers or creating mixed planters. This can be a beautiful and efficient way to maximize space and create stunning displays. However, success hinges on choosing compatible plants with similar care requirements and providing an adequately sized pot. Simply combining any two plants can lead to competition and decline.
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How do You Add Silica to Plants?
You add silica to plants primarily through liquid supplements applied as a foliar spray or mixed into nutrient solutions for hydroponics and soil drenching. While silicon (the element found in silica) is not considered an essential nutrient for all plants, supplementing it can significantly improve plant strength, stress resistance, and overall vigor. The key is using a bioavailable form, often derived from sources like potassium silicate or diatomaceous earth.
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Do Grasshoppers Eat Lemon Tree Leaves?
Yes, grasshoppers do eat lemon tree leaves, especially if other preferred food sources are scarce or if their population is very high. While citrus leaves, including lemon, contain compounds that can deter some pests, grasshoppers are generalist feeders and will consume a wide variety of plant material. Their chewing mouthparts enable them to cause significant damage to foliage.
