Ask Monty’s:
“I planted my iris, crocus and tulips when we first moved into our house almost ten years ago. Although they have spread out quite nicely from their original site, they haven’t been producing the abundance of flowers they produced in the first five years or so. Do they all need a good fertilizing routine – something I never really do?”
Ansel,
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Ansel:
Fertilizer never hurts, especially if you’re not one who consistently does it. However, I think what you really need to do to rejuvenate your old perennials is simply divide them. Once you’ve dug them up, divided them and moved them, amend the old site with organic matter to replenish the oil. You should see your plants revival in the spring once the have room to stretch out again.
Ask Monty’s:
“My pink Magnolia tree is in trouble! I planted it in the spring and now the leaves are turning yellow and brown and dropping off. I know it is late summer, but isn’t it a little early for the tree to start losing its leaves?”
Cassandra
Absecon, New Jersey
Cassandra:
Magnolias like moist well drained soil. The symptoms you are describing indicates droughty and waterlogged soil. Water the tree thoroughly when the soil at the base of the tree is crumbly and dry. Then spread wood chips, shredded bark or mulch around the base of the tree to help keep the moisture in, the grass at bay and soil temperatures more even. The best part about the mulch breaking down is it will nourish the soil to, so replenishing it should be routine.
Ask Monty’s:
“When you pick tomatoes is it better to put them in the refrigerator crisper or leave them out on the counter or a table?”
Ryan
Hopkins, Minnesota
Ryan:
Tomatoes that are not fully ripe will ripen best on a counter or table all on their own. I’m not shy about picking tomatoes that aren’t quite ripe, so you shouldn’t be either. From a taste standpoint refrigerated tomato flesh loses its softness and sweetness. Do a concentrated taste test and decide for yourself. I sometimes will put my very ripe tomatoes in the refrigerator if I’m not going to get to canning right away, but I even try to stay away from that if I possibly can.
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