Gardening Q & A: Bulbs, Bamboo Sticks and more

Q: I just had a large tree removed and the stump ground, how long do I have to wait to plant anything in that spot?

A: Generally, it pays to wait a few months, because all those wood chips can zap nearly all the nitrogen in the soil during the process of decomposition, and that makes it tough to grow anything. What's more, some chips may release chemicals as they decompose that are toxic to plants, so you have three choices:

A: I've been creating several mini-gardens around my yard, including a dwarf conifer minigarden. I must say it turned out better than I expected. The centerpiece of the garden is a dwarf hemlock called 'Jeddeloh', which forms a "bird's nest" in the center. In the foreground are a number of other dwarf conifers including pines, spruces, cypresses and some young grasses.

Q: I planted lots of bulbs in my lawn, and now I'm told I shouldn't mow the lawn until all the bulbs foliage fades. The grass is now so tall that it looks awful. What should I do?

A: Seeing those beautiful pictures of daffodils or Spanish bluebells naturalized in a lawn can be very inspiring, but the beauty doesn't last forever. The combination of faded flowers and overgrown turf can be ugly. You're right--it's best to let the foliage of spring-flowering bulbs die back completely so the plants can continue to photosynthesize and energize the bulbs for next year. The problem is, by the time the foliage fades completely, the grass may be up to a foot tall; when you mow the grass, you risk stressing it to the point where it never fully recovers.

If you want to plant bulbs in the lawn, I recommend putting them primarily along the perimeter of the lawn and established flowerbeds. That doesn't completely solve the unsightly issue, but it confines it somewhat.

Q: How do you grow those cute bamboo sticks that are seen in stores everywhere?

A: First, let me tell you that strictly speaking, those sticks you see aren't bamboo. They are a type of dracaena much like the common houseplant of the same name, although they're nicknamed 'Lucky Bamboo'. Regardless of what you call them, they are undemanding and easy to grow. In fact, they grow in low light, bright light and everything in between. They adapt well to average household temperature and humidity levels, and they don't need any fertilizer. All they need is fresh water each week .

A: Nepeta is also known as catnip or catmint, and many cats do find its aroma enticing--so much that they even sleep in it at night. In fact, the cats in my neighborhood--at least those that are allowed to roam freely at night by their owners--sleep in mine. To keep them out, put a dozen or so cloves of garlic in and around the plant, and the stray cats stay away.

Nepeta is one of those great perennials that you can cut back after the first bloom period. That will allow the plant to resume it normal shape; if you are lucky, you may actually get a second bloom.

Q: I want to create a container garden on my apartment balcony. How much weight can it support?

A: Good question, and unfortunately it's one that only your apartment supervisor or maintenance folks can answer with certainty. But I can give you some tips for lightening the load as much as possible:

• Use only plastic or fiberglass pots rather than clay. They're much lighter, and you can find ones that are attractive.
• Use the lightest potting mix you can find, and don't add any sand to it. Instead, blend in some vermiculite or perlite--both are extremely lightweight.
• Don't put all the pots in one corner of the balcony. Instead, spread them out so that you distribute the weight more evenly.

Q: Which of the culinary herbs grow best in the shade?

A: The list is short. Among culinary herbs, only chervil actually requires shade. If you can provide your herbs at least two or three hours of sun, you can grow a good crop of basil, dill, fennel, mint, parsley, rosemary, tarragon and thyme; however, don't expect the plants to be as robust as those grown in the full sun.

Q: A friend said that because I spend so much time in the garden I should get a tetanus shot. Is that true?

A: Yes, it's true. Although most people associate tetanus with rusty nails, the germ responsible for tetanus actually lives in the soil and may be more prevalent in soils that are routinely amended with horse and cow manures. The germ can enter the body through the tiniest of scratches. This is why I think all gardeners should be immunized against tetanus. The series of shots and boosters provide immunity for ten years, and side effects are rare.