Answers to gardener's questions

A nun's orchid. Photo by Darrell Blackwelder, for the Salisbury Post.

A nun's orchid plant. Photo by Darrell Blackwelder, for the Salisbury Post.

By Darrell Blackwelder

For the Salisbury Post

With the weather we've experienced in the past few days, it's hard to imagine that the month of February is a transitional month for home gardeners. Many are preparing for spring maintenance chores for February and into March.

Below are a few questions received during the past few weeks that may be of interest to home gardeners in Rowan County.

Q: You spoke about an orchid that was easy to grow on your radio program a few weeks ago. I seem to kill all the ones I try to grow. What type did you say was easy to grow?

A: Nun's orchids are the easiest orchids to grow. They grow in potting soil rather than bark as most orchids. Treat them as you would a normal houseplant. They bloom once a year, usually in February.

Q: Can I apply a weed and feed fertilizer to my lawn and reseed later?

A: It's best not apply fertilizers with herbicides now if you plan to re-seed. Both pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides cause problems, especially pre-emergence herbicides, if you reseed. If your lawn is in good shape with no over-seeding then you may apply them.

Q: With all the warm weather, I have chickweed in my lawn. Can I apply herbicides to control the weed now?

A: Yes, chickweed is easily controlled when the weeds are young and not blooming or too large. It's best to control this weed early when the plant is small.

Q: Is now the time to apply dormant oils to my fruit trees?

A: Yes, dormant oils and/or liquid lime-sulfur are sprayed on trunks and scaffold limbs to control mites, scales and some fungal diseases. Apply these pesticides when temperatures are above 40 degrees and below 65 degrees. Avoid applications when buds have swelled and are showing flower color.

Q: What is the best way to control Bermuda grass in my garden?

A: The best way to control Bermuda grass in a garden is to kill the weed outright, usually in late August or during the peak growing season, usually when it is hot and the plant in aggressively growing. Till the garden under in the fall and plant a cover crop. Cover crops reduce weeds in the spring and will help control the weed.

Q: Should I cut back my ornamental grasses now? I have pampas grass and other smaller grasses that have turned brown and the tops are dead.

A: Ornamental grasses such as pampas and other grasses can be pruned now. Electric shears or chainsaws greatly facilitate the pruning process.

Darrell Blackwelder is an agricultural agent in charge of horticulture with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Rowan County. Call 704-216-8970.http://www.rowanmastergardener.com

http://rowan.ces.ncsu.edu

www.rowanextension.com