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Question: Soil Problems. We just moved into a 10 year old house last summer and we have problems with the soil. It is like clay and very difficult to work with. Water just seems to stay on top and does not drain anywhere, no matter whether it is dry or rainy. Our lawn is like a marsh. What can we do to rectify this?? Mrs Denholm, Scotland -- MCCANNC195@aol.com 19 Jan 2003 (Ref:0916)
Answer: Ref. 0916 Soil. Sounds as though your soil is very compacted or you have lost a lot of your top soil when they installed the yard. Adding lime (preferable in the fall) will sweeten the soil. You need to incorporate any type of humus whether it is rotting leaves, manure, etc. into the soil. If you do not want to tear up the yard to incorporate humus, you can go to a local store and purchase manure and compost in a bag. Here is it approximately $1.29 a bag. Hand broad cast it over the lawn. It is a slow process. What you are doing is slowly building up the topsoil, this in turn goes through the deeper layers of your soil. It may take a complete summer but you do not want to put so much on that it kills your grass. -- Janice Murphy 4 Sep 2003
Question: Chrysanthemums. What time of the year should I cut back my Chrysanthemums - kenbar@internixnet.com 4th Feb 2006 (Ref:1080)
Question: Pine cones. I want to regenerate a small scots pine wood using the fir cones from the existing pines. I believe you have to stratisfy the cones to get them to germinate. Can any one tell me how to do this. All help will be gratefully received -- Rory RORYFOR@aol.com (Ref:0683)
Question: Killing grass Grass is suddenly taking over my garden. I currently hand pull it out, but it is too much. How can I kill it and not damage my flowers? Roberta Fry momfry1957@cox.net (Ref:0644)
Question: Anthurium Can someone tell me why my Anthurium plant has dark brown spots developing on the leaves? Nusrat.Khan (Nusrat Khan) email me at nusrat_khizar@hotmail.com (Ref:0650)
Question: Query on plants I have an indoor money plant. When i water it the water just comes off from the other end without the plant absorbing it. It has stopped growing. Could you help me please. lalitha73@yahoo.com (Ref:0657)
Answer: Repotting with fresh compost. -- Kim Laithwaite Hartlepool England
Question: Black Spot. Would like to know what is causing black spot on shrubs and trees. R. M. Foster. --" Reta Foster" fosterr@mail.ocis.net (Ref:0017)
Question: Gardening. We are having trouble with our neighbours male dog urinating on our hostas, etc. What can I do or put on or near the plants to keep him from doing this? I heard there is some kind of hot red pepper solution mix or using moth balls. Also, will this same solution keep squirrels, etc., from eating off these plants?. -- lstamm@icss.net (Ref:0018)
Question: Rodents I think that squirrels or some other rodent is nipping buds off my tulips and poppies. What can I do? -- Craftygirl14@aol.com (Ref:0671)
Answer: Pepper or chili powder is effective at discouraging small mammals. I know it succeeds with cats and dogs. -- Davina Martin
