If the weather is mild the grass will soon be on the way, so it is best now to check over your lawnmower for defects before you begin. Check for blade wear, oil bearings and on electric lawnmowers check the cables for damage. Remember when working on your mower, always remove the spark plug lead on petrol mowers and always unplug electric tools.

If taking an early spring cut on your lawn it is best to use a rotary mower, set the blades fairly high to avoid pulling the grass out by the roots. This type of damage is more prone to happen with a cylinder mower.

For the really keen gardener this is the time to sow vegatable seed and some varieties of annual flower seeds. The soil in the garden, is often wet and cold at this time of year , so one should always choose a good drying day for seed sowing. Nothing will be gained sowing early if the seeds rot away in wet soil. So if conditions are not right, it is better to sit in front of the telly rather than waste your time and money.

So that you don't lose valuable time due to wet conditions, many early vegetables can be started in boxes in a cold greenhouse. Alternativly, there are many cold frames on the market with which to cover and protect the young plants against the worst of the weather, if you do choose to sow outside.

Now is the time to split that large bog of snowdrops, snowdrops are best replanted straight after flowering. Do not allow the bulbs to dry out before planting them in their new location..

March is the last opportunity to prune back unruly growth on your shrubs, before leaf growth begins. In order to retain the flowering buds, do not prune the early flowering rhododendrons magnolias camelias and azaleas until the Autumn. Theses four shrubs along with heathers will benefit from an application of peat around the base of the plant. The peat not only keeps the ground damp but also makes the soil acid for theses lime hating plants.

Question
I have a Methley Plum tree that is about 5 years old. It products profuse blossoms every year. The blossoms turn into thousands of tiny fruit. Then when they are about the size of a large marble they all fall off in the same week.
Any thoughts on what the problem is? Thanks Joe

Answer
This could be caused by a low water table in your area, the tree being unable to take up enough water to support the rapid growth of the fruit. Or more likely the fruit has not been pollinated at the flower stage, due to lack of the required insects for that tree.

Another possibility is late frost, but this would only happen in certain years, not every year. A companion plum tree may be necessary too aid fertilisation.

Question
I would greatly appreciate your help. I keep buying books and searching for when I can plant some perennials.

I live in Boston (in zone 6) and the packages say that some daylilies, irises, and some annual seeds) need to be planted in February through April. But other resources say I need to wait till May. Do you know the answer or where I can find one? Thank you so much, happy spring!!!
Christine

Answer
Hi Christine, in your first sentence you mention perennials, these can be sown May to July for flowering next year, you are too late now for this year flowering.

Daylilies, irises, if you are planting bulbs, can be planted now if the snow has gone and the soil is dry, and by dry I mean dry.

Annual seeds can be sown any time from now onwards, but the soil must be warm and dry. If sown in cold wet soil the seeds will rot away. A few days delay waiting for the right conditions will pay big dividends in the long run.

Question
Hello,
I have a houseplant that has developed a cotton wool like growth on new shoots and most growing points. It's been several weeks and besides spreading, it doesn't look like it's harming the plant- so far!! I sprayed it with a general fungicide but it doesn't look to have reduced the growth at all.

I am pretty certain it's not a pest (I couldn't see anything) and I don't think it's over watering because it's not on the soil. Do you have any ideas what it could be and do you have any home remedies I could use to get rid of it? Thank you!! Emily

Answer
This sounds like red spider mite. These little pests are microscopic and can be found hiding under the leaf. Try washing off with insecticidal soap.

Failing this spray with a systemic insecticide, systemic insecticides are absorbed by the plant and kill the pests when they eat the plant or suck out the sap.

Question
I have a cumquat in a large pot with some herbs around it; the bush had lost all its leaves in the last few days. I live on the Gold Coast of Australia. Is it normal for cumquats to loose all their leaves?
Regards A H

Answer
I regret I have no knowledge of citrus growing in Queensland. Your state agricultural department issue growing information. Or try The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Agriculture department.

As a general guess, you could be suffering from leaf miners, which eat into the area between the outer skins of the leaf. Also citrus do not like other plants competing for the available water.

Question
I am trying to maximise slope stability in my Western Washington neighborhood. One neighbor is clearing out box hedge, salal, and quince from their yard.

The salal is good for slopes, does the box hedge establish deep roots, or shallow? Will the quince grow greater than 15 feet tall? And are its rooting characteristics worth planting on the hillside? Thank you, Lynne.

Answer
Box is only shallow rooted. Quince will root well and if you peg down outlying branches and cover with soil where you peg it down, it will root advantageously. Quince will take quite a while to gain any great height, but does not mind cutting back. Vinca Major would be a good spreading plant for your purpose.

Question
Hello. My name is Debi. I live in Pennsylvania. My question is. Can I cut my hyacinths to display inside, or will it hurt it from blooming again next spring?

They are glorious, and I too would like to enjoy their fragrance, not just for the birds. Thank you so much.
Debi bye

Answer
Hi Debi,
You can certainly cut your hyacinths for indoor display. But cut only the flower stems do not cut the leaves.

The leaves absorb the energy of sunlight; take in carbon dioxide and other gasses from the air, all to provide the food needed for the bulb to grow next year's flower bud.

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