Gardening Q & A: Watering Newly Seeded Lawns and more

Gardening by the Yard : Episode GBY-909 -- More Projects »

Master gardener Paul James answers gardeners' questions:

Q. What's the best way to water a newly seeded lawn?

A. Whether the seed has been sown in bare soil or over-seeded on existing turf, the best way is to water three times a day for about 10 minutes each time. Watering frequency is important because the seeds need to absorb moisture to start germinating. If they dry out, they won't germinate nearly as fast.

Now clearly this is a case where the best way isn't the most practical way, given a busy schedule, so at the very least I suggest you water early in the morning for about 10 to 15 minutes before you go to work. Then, water another 10 to 15 minutes when you get home from work. An alternative is to use an automatic sprinkler system or timer that allows you to water more than once a day. When the grass is finally up and growing--in a week to 10 days--you can then switch to a regular watering schedule, deep soaking each time you water.

Figure A

Figure B

Q. How hardy is pampas grass?

A. Pampas grass (figure A) is fairly hardy to Zone 7, but during severe winters-- especially cold, dry ones--it might not be a bad idea to give it a thick layer of mulch. In the past couple of years, I've seen this plant sold in nurseries in Zone 6, where in my opinion, it should almost certainly be mulched during the winter. But even if you grow it north of Zone 6 as an annual, it's worth it because the plumes it produces are among the most beautiful (figure B). A word of caution, however: this grass is considered invasive in some parts of the country. Those of you who live in more northern climates might consider growing what's sometimes called hardy pampas grass, it's in the genus Erianthus and is sometimes sold as ravenna grass. It's not as pretty as the true pampas grass, but it's the next best thing, especially if you like grasses that can grow eight to ten feet tall.

Q. What do you think of plants grown in peck and bushel baskets?

Figure C

A. I think they're awesome because for just a few bucks more than you'd pay for the plant itself, you get a ready-to-use, floral display, complete with a container and potting mix, which means no work (figure C). The baskets themselves, whether bushels or pecks, lend a rustic look to the landscape, which happens to be my favorite look. The only real downside to these baskets is that they tend to dry out quicker than conventional containers, so you may find that you have to water the plants a bit more frequently. And, in my experience, the baskets tend to rot within a couple of months, which is why it's best to fill them with annuals or perennials designed to provide a short blast of seasonal color.

Figure D

Figure E

Figure F

Figure G

Q. I don't care much for store-bought garlic. Where can I find tastier, more exotic varieties?

A. A number of catalogs or websites offer dozens of different varieties or great garlic, and the time spent searching them out is well worth it, especially if you're a garlic lover like me. Here, for example, are three different varieties I bought online (figure D):

'Silver Rose' is a soft-neck variety best for garlic braids (figure E).

'Musik' is a hard-neck variety that's hot, pungent and peels easily (figure F).

'Italian Purple', another soft-neck variety, produces big solid heads with several small cloves, and it lasts longer in storage than any other garlic (figure G).

Hard-neck varieties of garlic send up a stiff flower stalk that you should remove so that the bulb has a chance to develop fully underground. Hard-neck varieties also tend to perform best in areas with frigid winters. Soft-neck varieties, which are the type most commonly found in stores, don't send up a flower stalk and tend to perform better in warmer regions of the country. They also last a lot longer in storage. Regardless of the types of garlic you choose, plant individual cloves of garlic in the fall, four to six weeks before the first hard freeze. I plant mine two inches deep and six inches apart in rich, well-drained soil. By the middle of next summer, when harvest time rolls around, they'll be ready to enjoy.

Q. Which is better for plants--fish emulsion or liquid seaweed?

A. Fish emulsion, liquid seaweed and kelp meal are all natural products derived from plants and animals that inhabit the ocean. They all have their place as fertilizers, so I'm not really sure I can say one is any better than the other. They all offer a mix of macro- and micronutrients in a slow release form. Although fish emulsion typically has a higher dose of the big three nutrients--nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium--I think the best way to use them is as foliar fertilizer rather than a soil drench. When used in such a way, some research suggests these products may help prevent fungal diseases in addition to boosting plant growth.

Q. I heard that the bio-insecticide Bt is practically the same thing as anthrax. Can that be true?

A. Well, in a sense, it is true. Bt, the most widely used biological control for caterpillars of all kinds, is a sort of anthrax for insects. And at the molecular level at least, it's closely related to the anthrax Bacillus. However, that's where the similarity ends because Bt is harmless to humans.

Q. I just bought a new house. Can I take a few prized plants from the old house with me?

A. The answer varies from state to state, depending on local laws. Generally speaking, you first need permission from the buyer before you remove any plants. After all, chances are that the buyer is buying the home not only for the home itself but for the landscape as well.

Q. Can I grow agave in Michigan?

Figure H

A. Assuming you live in the southern portions of Michigan, you might just get away with it if you select one of the species of agave that is hardy to Zone 5. As a matter of fact, I bought this Agave neomexicana (figure H) just a few months ago, and I've been babying it in this container ever since. Just in case you have high hopes of growing agave to produce a spirit for which it's famous--namely, tequila--you're out of luck. That species of agave won't grow in Michigan or here at my place for that matter!

Figure I

Q. I took your suggestion and planted Persicaria 'Lance Corporal' two years ago. I love the plant, but now it's taking over my garden. Help!

A. Persicaria 'Lance Corporal' is indeed a beautiful plant, and generally speaking, it's a "major" addition in my garden (figure I). However, it does have a tendency to re-seed pretty readily, and I'm sorry if I failed to mention that fact. So this year, go ahead and enjoy all the gorgeous red flowers, but make sure to prune the flower stalks before they have a chance to set seed; that will keep the plant from spreading.

Q. Why don't you tape an episode at my house?

A. You know, I've been asked that question at least 1,000 times. And while I certainly appreciate the offer each time it's extended, I always graciously decline. You see, the reason is simple: the only way to make this show as real as I want it to be is to shoot it where I live and garden.

Also in this Episode

Gardening by the Yard : Episode GBY-909
•	Gardening Q & A: Watering Newly Seeded Lawns and more
•	Backyard Tropicals
•	Protecting Your Pet
•	Sharp Drainage

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Gardening Q & A: Watering Newly Seeded Lawns and more

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