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Ask Flora from the National Garden Clubs

Should Bare Root Maple Trees Be Pruned Before Planting?

by Ask Flora from the National Garden Clubs on October 22, 2010

Dear Flora: Last year I bought two little bare-root sugar maple trees and my father-in-law insisted that the upper portions be pruned away to balance the amount of roots. It seemed pretty wasteful to me but we did it. Now I’m not sure the trees are going to survive much longer. Is their poor condition [...]

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Ask Flora: Cool Mulch vs. Warm Mulch

by Ask Flora from the National Garden Clubs on October 15, 2010

    Dear Flora:  I’m a new gardener. I read that some mulches cool soil while others keep it warm. Would you please explain the difference between cool mulch and warm mulch? Answer: The main benefit of any mulch is to prevent sudden temperature changes as well as to protect the plants from the cold [...]

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Ask Flora: How To Fix Spindly Stemmed Peonies

by Ask Flora from the National Garden Clubs on October 1, 2010

Dear Flora: I planted 3 peony bushes a couple of years ago following the enclosed directions carefully. They did fine at first. But this year’s few blooms were on the spindly stems and less than expected, to say the least. I admit I haven’t given then a lot of attention. I have fertilized amply, but [...]

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Sugar Maple Trees Need High-Nitrogen Fertilizer

by Ask Flora from the National Garden Clubs on July 9, 2010

Dear Flora, Last spring we planted 2 younger sugar maples (Acer saccharum) and they have done well. But now I’m concerned about keeping them strong and healthy. My neighbor says they need “frequent” fertilizing, but he wasn’t more specific. Can you help? National Garden Club’s “Ask Flora” Answers… Sure. Your tree should be fertilized when it [...]

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Conifers Make Good Windbreaks

by Ask Flora from the National Garden Clubs on July 2, 2010

Dear Flora, We recently tore down an old barn just west of our house and now realize that it had provided a nice windbreak. Can you suggest some trees suitable as a windbreak replacement? – Indiana Homeowner National Garden Club’s “Ask Flora” Answers… Your Indiana soil is probably fairly sandy, so sturdy pine trees would [...]

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Add Bone Meal to Begonia Tubers

by Ask Flora from the National Garden Clubs on June 25, 2010

Dear Flora, Last spring I bought several pots of tuberous begonias and transplanted them into a window box on the east side of my house. They produced some blooms but were not as vigorous or abundant as I had expected. Do you have any suggestions for my plants this spring? National Garden Club’s “Ask Flora” [...]

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