Gardening Q&A

Last year I planted annual flower seeds (zinnias, cosmos) according to the package directions. The seeds sprouted, but even after a couple of months the plants were less than an inch tall. They just wouldn't grow. What did I do wrong and how can I prevent it this year?

I've had the same thing happen. I planted the seeds as directed, gave them good soil, plenty of water, ample light. I didn't think anything could go wrong. But my seedlings never grew more than an inch or so tall, even after two months of pampering. I traced the problem to old, out-of-date seeds. Some seeds deteriorate with age—use fresh packets of seed this year. Once you get your annuals going, let some go to seed. Either collect the seed to plant the following spring, or just let the seed naturally fall where it will. Next spring, you'll be surprised at where the plants come up.

Everyone else's forsythia is blooming. Mine isn't. I pruned it in January just like I do every year, but it never blooms.

If you want your forsythia to bloom, you have to wait until after it blooms to prune it. By pruning before spring, you are cutting off all of the branches that bear the flowers.

Some of my succulents turned to mush this winter. What happened?

If these are succulents that normally survive your winter climate, then it's the freezing weather combined with too much water. I liken it to the water inside the plant freezing and turning to ice and sort of bursting. The result is a mushy mess. Water your succulents sparingly during the winter, and not at all before frosty weather.

I want to plant grapes along a fence line because I think they will look great. What should I plant?

I agree, that is a wonderful idea. I would lay weed cloth down first, and cover it with mulch. Then you can cut a slit to plant the grapevines. Make sure you provide a strong support system for the vines. End posts should be sunk in concrete so they don't bend or rot. Most people think they will plant winegrapes and make wine, but they rarely follow through. And if you're just planting a few vines, you likely won't have enough for making wine. I'd plant table grapes. It's a crop that you will always be able to share with family and friends. Another plus to planting grapevines is that you can make decorative wreaths in the fall when you prune the vines.

I just bought an old craftsman-style house. In the front is a really large camellia planted almost against the house. It is over 50 years old and blooms each year, but there is a lot of dead wood and it is so close to the house that it is rubbing the siding. The blooms don't last long—they get brown and mushy and fall off almost as soon as they bloom. Should I cut it back?

Unfortunately, there are times a plant cannot and should not be saved. I think you have answered your own question. Knowing that it is too close to the foundation will mean nothing but trouble in the future. It sounds like it has fallen victim to the petal blight that strikes so many old camellias, and I doubt cutting it back will solve any of those issues. It is time to take it out and put in something that pleases you. I expect you will be surprised at how much more light comes into the house once this plant is gone. I suggest you stay away from camellias in this area. Try gardenias or sweet box (Sarcococca) for an evergreen hedge or planting.

What bulbs can I plant that neither the gophers nor the deer will bother? I planted three dozen tulips last year, and two came up.

Ah, the joys of living amongst Mother Nature! The only solution for problems with gophers is to plant things in a raised bed with hardware cloth (a fine-meshed wire product) on the bottom that the gophers cannot get into. I know gardeners who plant their tulip bulbs in hardware cloth-lined holes. That is a lot of work. I say: If you want tulips, plant them in pots.

While gophers don't bother muscari or lilies, deer sometimes nip at the flowers. So as far as what to plant that the varmints will not bother, daffodils top the list. Deer, squirrels and gophers leave them alone. Daffodils are easy to grow and multiply each year with no effort on your part. They are cheerful and beautiful, and there are varieties that bloom from February to May.