Q. Two weeks ago we planted two 5-6″ caliper, 14′ Thundercloud Plums. We dug very wide holes, dug as deep as the root ball, cut off all the burlap, refilled the dirt with 1/3 organic compost to 2/3 original soil, stamped and watered down the replacement soil, and covered with 3″ bark mulch. Two weeks…
Category: Northwest U.S. Gardeners
Gardening questions from WA, OR, ID, MT & WY
Fruit Tree Pollination
Q. In one of your answers: Shinseiki Asian pear is “considered nearly completely self pollinated” Does it mean there is no need another pollinator? Lisa- from New York A. A little background – most fruit trees have a built in mechanism to prevent self fertilization – presumably because self fertilization similar to inbreeding reduces the…
Mulching with Weeds
Q. Your web site is very informative and inspiring. I try to follow your advice as much as I can. We had good year so far..specially in green house..lots of cabbage, cauliflower, salad, lots of peas and lots of tomatoes are coming…My question is I have lots of weeds in my garden.. what I used…
Rhododendron Yellowing Redux
Q. I have 2 rhodies that both have leaves that are looking chlorotic with leaves that are yellowing between the veins. I have fertilized like I should, I have bark mulch on them and they still dont have the dark green they should. I did do a soil test with a PH tester and it…
Vigorous Asian Pear
Q. Hi Peter, we started a new orchard in the spring of 2009. Planted 5 asian pears, including a Mishirasu. The growth on that tree is ridiculous! I call it the octopus tree. The new shoots are over 3 feet long, and they are not growing up (like with the other asian pear varieties we…