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Frequent Local Questions
Q NEW item (6- 21-07): Is there anything I can do to protect my ash trees from the emerald ash borer? Is there anything new to apply to/around the tree to protect it?
A Yes! There is something you can do to protect your Ash Trees. You need to immediately apply a product called Bayer Tree and Shrub Insect Control. It is a systemic insecticide that will protect your trees for 12 months. It is available in liquid or granular form. The liquid is not sprayed on the tree. Simply mix it with water in a watering can and pour at the base of the tree. Michigan State University has published research that the chemical, Imidacloprid, in this product will kill Emerald Ash Borer. (Click image to go to Bayer page for more information.)
Q What can I do about rabbits eating my plantings ?
A Rabbits are one of the most frustrating problems for any gardener. There are several things that you can do:
1) Repellents like Liquid Fence, Repels All, No Deer Zone, etc., can be great but they have to be applied as directed and they should be rotated. If you always stick with the same repellent the rabbits will get used to it.
2) Traps - You can buy small traps for rabbits and live-trap them. Rabbits should be let go in Scott County Park or another wildlife area.
3) There is a product called Mole Max that can be used on rabbits if you know where their burrow is. The product is sprinkled at the entrance to the burrow. The rabbit gets it on his coat and then when he cleans himself, he gets sick and dies.
4) Plant rabbit resistant plants - True, no plant is rabbit-proof, but many things are less tasty to rabbits than others. When planting bulbs, plant grape hyacinth and daffodils rather than tulips. For perennials and annuals, use plants that are fuzzy, silver-foliaged or that have an odor to them. Also, plants with thorns may discourage browsing.
5) Put up rabbit fences around valuable plants. They are not always attractive but most of the time you just have to have them up for spring and can take them down in summer.
None of the above solutions is 100% guaranteed and gardeners will always struggle with rabbits, but the tactics above should help deter some of the damage you are incurring.
Q Are mums considered perennials or annuals?
A The question of whether mums are perennial or annual is very common and the answer is- a little bit of both.
The garden mums that we grow and sell are Zone 5 hardy mums which would make them perennial in this area. Mums can have trouble overwintering and many people experience losses in their mums every year.
The biggest problem is that mums tend to 'frost heave' which means as the ground freezes and thaws, the root ball shimmies out of the ground and the roots are killed by the freezing temperatures.
There are a couple of things you can do to help mums survive the winter.
1) plant as early as possible. Mums planted in mid to late October don't have enough time to establish themselve before the ground freezes.
2 ) Do not cut back mums after they finish blooming. Leave the foliage up until Spring.
3) Check periodically throughout winter to see if mums have heaved up. If so, use your boot to press the rootball back into the soil.
Use these tips and you should be successful in over-wintering your mums.
Q How can I get rid of Creeping Charlie? (An Autumn response)
A Thank you for visiting the Wallaces Website. Creeping Charlie is a frustrating turf problem for many people. Many weed killers are not strong enough to work on Creeping Charlie. You need to use a product that contains Trimec. For this time of year (fall), the best product is Weed Free Zone by Fertilome. It is a proven performer in cool weather. Weed Free Zone comes in a Ready to Use Spray bottle for $9.99 or an 8 oz Concentrate for $11.98.
Remember to apply at least three hours before any rainfall.
Q What is the best way to get rid of "Creeping Charlie"? (A Spring response)
A Creeping Charlie (small light blue flower) is very aggressive. When it is actively growing in early spring, begin spraying with one of the following products following the container's instructions. Multiple applications are a must, because new weed growth can continue to appear.
• Fertilome Weed-Free: This is the stronger product. Use it away from trees and shrubs.
• Ortho Weed B Gone for Chickweed, Clover, and Oxalis: This is a milder product that may be used around your trees and shrubs.
Q How can I keep squirrels out of my plants? I heard that coyote urine will do the trick. Do you sell it?
A Squirrels and other rodents eating and digging up our plants is one of the annoyances we have in the garden. They always seem to find the most expensive plants too. Coyote urine or fox urine can be used a deterrent or we do also have other animal repellents such as Bonide Shot-gun Repels All or Bonide Hot Pepper Wax Animal Repellent (both in Ready to Use 32 oz bottles for around $10). The Animal Urines are a little more at $17 for an 8 oz bottle.
I don't recommend any one thing over another. The key with animal repellants is to change it up. Most repellants work for 4-6 weeks and then need to be re-applied. I recommend changing repellant every time you re-apply. If you use the same product over and over again, the pests get used to it and it loses its effectiveness.
The other option is to use small fences or chicken wire around the plants. Household cats and dogs can also be a deterrent for rodent pests.
Q I am interested in the list of "perennials of the year" for the last ten years or so. Would you happen to know where I could find this?
A The “Perennial Plant of the Year” is a distinction awarded by the Perennial Plant Association. The PPA is made up of industry professionals, students, university professors, growers, retailers, breeders and public garden personnel. All the members of the PPA vote to select the Perennial Plant of the Year. Because its members are all over the country, you can rest assured that only the best performers are chosen. You can find the list on their website www.perennialplant.org. Select “Perennial Plant of the Year” from the orange menu bar. The list will appear in a white column on the right hand side of the page. Visit Wallaces to pick up your favorite PPOY plants. (April 2006)
Q What application is best for killing off a weed known as goosegrass or quackgrass?
A Quackgrass/goosegrass is a very pesky weed. The best application for killing it off depends on whether it is in your lawn or in your flower beds. In lawns, use 'Weed Out Plus' from Fertilome; it comes in a 16 oz bottle for $10.99. It is a concentrate so follow label instructions for mixing. For flower beds, use 'Over the Top Grass Killer' by Fertilome. It is available in a ready-to-use spray for $7.98 and also available as a concentrate. 'Over the Top' should be sprayed when plants are 6-10 inches high for the best results. (April 2006)
Q When I seed new grass, I know that it needs water every day for awhile, and then at least a few times a week so as to encourage root growth. How long do I need to water daily and how much each day? And then when do I switch to less frequent watering and how much each day?
A This is a great and very timely question as a lot of homeowners are trying to overseed and repair their lawns after last year's drought. When planting grass seed, the seedbed should be kept constantly moist to start germination (Germination can take up to as much as 2 weeks depending on the seed). You should water often rather than deeply and only the top 1" of soil needs to be kept moist. This means you will have to check the soil bed everyday to see if it needs to be watered. I recommend checking when you get up in the morning. If it's dry, water until you leave for work (around an hour). Also, always check when you get home in the afternoon or evening. On hot sunny days you may need to turn the sprinkler on more than once per day. After the seeds have germinated you can decrease to once per day or every other day or so. With the seedlings up, the seedbed is shaded by the new blades of grass and takes longer to dry out. After you perform your first mowing on the new grass you can reduce your watering to 1" per week as you would do for an established lawn. For other lawn care information, feel free to visit Wallace's or the Scotts Lawn Care website at www.scotts.com. (April 2006)
Q What type of fertilizer should I use on my yews? The deer have eaten off a lot of their leaves. I've used Miracle Gro in the past and they have come back really well. I just can’t remember if I used Miracle Gro or the one with the acid base…Miracid?
A There are many types of fertilizer that will work great for your yews and other trees and shrubs. If you have been successful in using Miracle Gro in the past, you can always keep up with it. The Miracid is formulated for use on Evergreens and does help acidify your soil. Both the Miracle Gro and Miracid are water-soluble products (You have to mix them with water). You may also use a granular fertilizer like Scotts Fertilizer for Evergreens, Flowering Trees and Shrubs. That is a slow release product that you sprinkle on top of the soil that feeds continuously for about 4-6 weeks. (April 2006)
Q Can you use Ortho Weed B Gone around flowers, trees, and shrubs?
A Ortho Weed B Gon should not be used for controlling weeds in vegetable gardens, flower beds, or around shrubs or ornamental plants. It is safe for use on lawns - except for floratam (a variety of St. Augustine grass).
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