Deb Williamson of Santa Rosa asks: Do those roly-poly bugs cause any damage that I need to look out for in the garden? I see lots of them when I'm weeding.
Compared to other insects, roly-poly bugs, aka sowbugs, aka pillbugs, are low on the garden enemies list. They usually feed on decaying organic matter, so when you see them, it means that there is something decomposing.
But, unfortunately, they do also like to chew on tender stems and very young seedlings.
So, if you have a problem with your early spring or summer crops being munched on, you can sprinkle diatomaceous earth or washed crushed eggshells around the little plants.
Kathy R. of Windsor asks: My greens are just now ready to start harvesting, and here comes the warm weather. Is there anything I can do to keep them from going to seed, later, rather than sooner?
To delay the inevitable "bolting" process to your kale, lettuce, mustard, etc., keep the soil moist and cover the plants with a floating row cover. Even some window screening will do. If you don't have any, then use anything that will help keep the heat off the tender greens. You can remove it when it gets cool, and put it back on when it gets hot. This will help put a damper on the bolting process.
Patti S. of Healdsburg asks: Every so often, a shoot from one of my rose bushesgrows in a very distorted way ... . Like someone flattened it out with a roller. The shoot is thick and very odd looking. It doesn't happen very often, but when it does, it's quite noticeable. Is this from an insect or a disease?
Fasciation is one of the most unusual looking disorders that you'd ever see on plants. This strange phenomenon affects a wide variety of plants. The stems usually become enlarged and flattened, often developing a ribbed look to it. The flowers and developing buds can also be affected on those distorted, flattened stems.
It is thought that fasciation results from unusual activity in the growing tip. This could be caused by insect, disease, frost, or mechanical damage. It's also possible that a viral or other infection could be the cause. Although fasciation looks rather strange, it is harmless and will not affect the vigor or health of the plant. If you think it's unsightly, then just prune out the affected stems back to normal growth. There's no guarantee that other shoots will not be affected.
Sally P. of Sebastopol asks: Is it necessary to remove the spent flowers on my azaleas and rhododendrons, or can I just leave them?
It would be a good idea to deadhead (remove the flowers from) your Azaleas and Rhododendrons flowers once they've finished blooming. An estimated 70% of the rhododendron's energy goes into the formation of seed. So, that takes some energy away from the plant that would otherwise be directed into the growth of the plant itself.
Use a whisk broom to lightly dislodge the spent flowers of the azaleas. Use pruners to cut off the spent flowers, or your fingers to pinch them off the rhododendrons. Cut or pinch just above the two new leaflet buds that are at the base of the flower.
Send your gardening questions to The Garden Doctors at pdgardendoctor@gmail.com. The Garden Doctors, gardening consultants Gwen Kilchherr and Dana Lozano, can answer questions only through their column, which appears twice a month in the newspaper and online at pressdemocrat.com.
Send your gardening questions to The Garden Doctors at pdgardendoctor@gmail.com. The Garden Doctors, gardening consultants Gwen Kilchherr and Dana Lozano, can answer questions only through their column, which appears twice a month in the newspaper and online at pressdemocrat.com.
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