ArcaMax

Q: I took your advice and tried some new vegetables in my garden this year. I have several colors of tomatoes that are not red. I am new to gardening, so how do I tell when the various colors of tomatoes are ripe?

A: Even though everyone thinks they know how to pick red tomatoes, I would guess that many people pick them at the wrong time. ...Read more

Next year you will get a great opportunity to Jazz Up your baskets, containers and boxes with a new Supertunia Vista petunia.

Mention Supertunia Vista petunias and the first to come to mind is the obvious, Bubblegum. I remember years ago giving presentations for Mississippi State University and showing the new Supertunia Vista Bubblegum and ...Read more

Q: Our HOA is sponsoring a plant swap in a few weeks. People can dig up plants in their gardens or divide houseplants. Do you have any tips for the proper way to prepare the plants?

A: Let's take the plant groups one at a time. First, the outdoor perennials: Most perennials rarely need dividing, but for many perennials, the fall is a good time ...Read more

This was a leap year for several of my Luminary tall garden phlox in more ways than one, as I’ll explain shortly.

For those newbies to the world of perennials, we always explain that in year one, they sleep. This means they are there and will bloom, but they are getting those roots established. Year two they creep, meaning they put on some ...Read more

Q: The leaves on my newly planted oak tree have numerous holes, and the edges of the leaf are missing. I do not see any insects, but I am worried about the tree. Most of the tree is like this.

A: Oaks are pretty tolerant of many insect pests. Holes in the leaf can be caused by insects or by diseases such as anthracnose that kill areas of the ...Read more

Logic would tell you that if you put the magic in pink lemonade, you can do it to grapefruit too. That’s just what happened, and the horticultural blogosphere is rumbling with excitement.

Superbells' Magic Pink Lemonade calibrachoa has been out for a couple of years and has won awards like Perfect Score, Top Performer. Director’s Select ...Read more

Time sure flies when you aren't looking. I started writing a weekly newspaper column on landscaping, gardening and wildlife 35 years ago this week. I think I have helped a lot of people with their problems. How can I help you?

Q: My gladiolus bulbs have not bloomed well this year. Any ideas on what I did wrong?

A: These bulbs are usually a ...Read more