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Gardening Questions

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Q. Is there anything I can do to improve the germination of pea
seeds?

A. Because of their size, pea seeds need to soak up more water than
most seeds in order to germinate. One way to speed this along is to
soak the seeds overnight in warm water, then place them between
layers of wet paper towels for a few days in a warm location.
Gently plant them in the ground when you see signs of sprouting.

QUESTION: How can I help my cut flowers last longer in the vase?
ANSWER: Carry a bucket of warm water with you to the garden in the
morning before the dew has dried or in the early evening. Place the stems
directly into the bucket as you cut them with a sharp knife or flower
shears. Recut the stems indoors under running water and set them in
lukewarm water in a dark, cool place for several hours before arranging
them in a vase. (Some flowers, such as cockscomb and sunflowers, will
last longer if their cut ends are dipped in boiling water before they are
placed in a vase.) Remove any stems and leaves below the water line.
Change the water every couple of days.

Q. Will annuals such as cleome, snapdragons, marigolds, and
cosmos be able to self-seed in a garden that's mulched with bark chips?

A. Adding a new layer of mulch every spring can cover up the seeds
that were naturally sown by the plants the previous year. If possible,
wait until the seedlings are a few inches tall before mulching and use a
thin layer of mulch. You may have better luck with a mulch that contains
particles smaller than bark chips, such as wood chips or cocoa hulls.

Q. What could be causing my recently transplanted plants to keel over
at the soil line?

A. Cutworms are the likely culprit. They are little caterpillars that chew
the stems at the soil line. To prevent their damage, you can wrap the stems
of your transplants with strips of newspaper or surround the stems with plant
collars made from sections of paper-towel tubes. Make sure the collars
extend a couple of inches below the soil and an inch above.

Q. What kind of mulch is best to use around tomato plants?

A. Any kind of mulch will help maintain consistent moisture in the soil,
which is crucial for tomato fruit growth. But you can actually get earlier
and bigger fruit by using a red plastic mulch in your tomato bed.
Apparently, the wavelengths of light reflected from the mulch onto the
foliage trick the plant into perceiving that it's being crowded by other
plants. In response, the plant initiates a growth spurt.

Q. I've heard that collards are sweeter after the first frost. Is this true?

A. Cool weather does change the starches in the leaves to sugars, but an
actual 32 degree F frost isn't necessary. By growing your crop into the
fall, you can enjoy the flavor differences between summer and fall crops.

Question: What could have caused my leeks to grow thin as pencils last
year?

Answer: Lack of nitrogen or too short a growing season are two likely
causes. Amend the soil this year with a two-inch layer of composted
manure and then fertilize with nitrogen twice during the growing
season. Also keep your plants well watered and the beds weed-free.

Question: Do you have any suggestions for the care and feeding of
kohlrabi in containers?

Answer: Kohlrabi will adapt readily to growing in containers as long as
it receives enough water and sunlight. Plants in containers will need
more frequent watering than those in the ground.