Minetry Apperson, a woman with 10 dogs AND a beautiful yard, wants to contact other gardeners with multiple dogs to find out how they keep their pets and their plants. Chris featured Minetry in her newspaper column a couple of months ago.
She writes:
I need to photograph some other yards with pets, mutiple hopefully, and find out what other people are doing. I have been asked to put together a presentation.
People can call me at 767-5378 or e-mail me at
<minetry@midsouth.rr.com>

Hey Christine,

You had early written about one of the area gardeners that had a source for composted manure or screened compost, but did not mention the actual source. I am having trouble finding a local source here in Cordova.

Would you happen to recall anyone who would have either old manure, composted manure, and/or screened compost.

Thanks so much,

Jeff Golladay

You can buy composted yard waste at Mulch Works at the Agricenter. Leaves, grass clippings and branches collected from Germantown yards are taken there, ground up and composted.
Call 758-9072

Hi Chris.

A few questions: I've always had beautiful elephant ears, but this year they were pretty pitiful. We divided them two years ago, and although they weren't as big last year as they'd been previously, we expected them to flourish this year. We were so disappointed to see these limp plants instead. I know it's been dry, but we've watered faithfully.

Second question is about my upright elephant ears, which are magnificient. Do I have to lift them, or can I mulch heavily instead? I'm seeing conflicting reports on the Web. AND--if I leave them in the ground, will they be as lush next year as they are now?

Next question: Do you have suggestions for an inexpensive greenhouse, some place I can store my tropicals over the winter? Or do you know if anyone rents greenhouse space?

Finally, have we changed to Zone 8?

Thanks!

Jenny

Jenny, As many Memphians know Elephant Ears (Colocasia) have proven to be hardy in our gardens, especially if they are in a protected area of your garden. However, the Alocasia tends to be more tender than the Colocasia thus needing more care when considering what to do with them during the winter months. At the Dixon Gallery and Gardens we have often potted the Alocasia in 3 to 5 gallon pots and 'planted' the pots in the ground for the growing season. When fall arrives we simply pop the pot out of the ground and stored it in a cool area (55 degrees) during the winter, watering it slightly once a month until growing season returns. This process can also be used for caladium, however i would let the caladiums remain dry all winter instead of watering them once a month.
Remember, after lifting the pots in the fall, to allow the leaves to die back then cut them off before storing.

Ellen LeBlond

Hi Chris - A curious thing happened this year to my young coral bark Japanese maple tree, and I am wondering if any of your expert contacts could help me understand it. Maybe this has happened to others as well.

This tree has been doing fine in my garden for 3-4 years, but this summer it has developed a most uncharacteristic weeping habit.

The new growth is long and flimsy so that the branches droop, although the leaves are healthy and I do not see any evidence of insects or disease.

The only clue I have is that this was the first year we used a new irrigation system, so it has probably received more water than in previous years, despite our lack of rain.

I am not sure what to do to get it back to looking like it should. Can you help?

Thanks,
Robyn Cox

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I have mushrooms sprouting in my Bermuda lawn as well as in my flowerbeds (particularly under bushes near the trunk). What causes this and how can I get rid of? Thanks!

Lou Ann

Do you know a local nursery where I can get the giant red mustard that was in Dr. Dirt's article this summer in the BHG Perennials? Would I have to order seeds, or will a nursery have seedlings?

Melissa Bridgman

To further follow up, I found pots of giant red mustard with 2 plants in each at the Home Depot in Collierville when I was there with my mother. They were about $1 each. -- Melissa

I am wondering if any of my fellow gardeners can recommend any landscape design software?
A. Davis

I've been in Memphis for 22 years now and I've never found a good source of full flowered cannas. I've bought different plants from different nurseries and grown them well, but I've always admired the flowers on other's plants, in strangers' yards or even commercial plantings. We've recently moved and I wanted to try again to get some plants. I haven't noticed as many plants in yards as I remembered years ago. Do you have any names of growers in town that I might communicate with about trading or purchasing plants. I'm looking for full flowering forms and either dwarf or small to medium ht. One location could use a max of 5'. Thank you for any help.

Alan Jaslow

Can anyone answer a question for me? Every year I have lovely fall anemones. I spray neem and sometimes dysyston to prevent the inevitable. Just when I think it wont happen this year...BAMM! Beatles eat them up. Ugly grey beatles. What can I do? Over 10 years of this now. Oy. Help! Diane

My crape myrtle (planted last year) has not set any buds yet. The big pink ones outside my office are not blooming well either. Would love some feedback on why.
Kitty J.

Q - Since Memphis has had little rain, our maple trees (3-4 years old) are starting to show signs of stress with yellowing leaves. I've watered them (via slow trickle) but the yellowing continues and some of the leaves are falling off. Help!

Lou Ann

I would like to find someone who rakes and bags their pine needles. Would like to buy them or trade for them.
Diane Meucci
Contact Diane at diane@gardensoyvey.com

Q - My Big Boy tomatoes have wonderful foliage and blossoms but they don't seem to set fruit. What do I need to do to get some tomatoes to pick?

Mrs. Burns

Q -A Carolina jasmine planted on the east side of a 6' wood fence has half green leaves and half brown leaves. New growth is green. Two other jasmines planted on the north side of the perpendicular fence look fine. All plants are 5 years old and this is the first time to have brown leaves. What is the problem?

Thank you.
Peggy Kissell

Q - I have some crape myrtle trees planted in containers on my pool deck. Last year the trees bloomed well but this year none have flowers. Do I need to fertilize or put them into bigger containers?

P.K.