Monthly Gardening Q&A – October 2023
Introduction
Do you have gardening questions that you’ve been itching to ask? Our team of horticultural experts is here to help! Each month, they answer a selection of your questions and share their expert advice.
October’s Q&A
Here are the questions that our experts answered in October 2023:
- How can I prevent pear midge from damaging my pears?
- Is it possible to move a young acer tree that I recently planted?
- What’s the best way to get rid of mealybugs on my orchids and streptocarpus?
- How can I improve the flowering of an old climbing rose?
- What’s the best way to eliminate worm casts from my lawn?
November’s Q&A
Here are some of the questions that our experts will be answering in November 2023:
- How can I reuse old compost?
- Why have my runner beans failed to produce pods?
- How often should I water my dahlias and sweet peas?
- Why are my vegetable plants producing all leaves and no fruit?
- Are the long, non-fruiting stems on my summer-fruiting raspberries for next year’s harvest?
Expert Answers
October’s Questions
- How can I prevent pear midge from damaging my pears?
Pear midge is a small fly that can cause significant damage to pear trees. The larvae of the fly feed on the developing fruit, causing it to become misshapen and inedible. To prevent pear midge damage, you can:
* Remove any fallen fruit from around your tree, as this can attract the flies.
* Apply a sticky band around the trunk of your tree to trap the flies.
* Use pheromone traps to attract and trap male pear midge flies, reducing the population.- Is it possible to move a young acer tree that I recently planted?
Yes, it is possible to move a young acer tree that you recently planted, but it’s important to do so carefully to avoid damaging the tree. Here are the steps to follow:
* Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball of the tree and just as deep.
* Carefully lift the tree out of the ground, taking care not to damage the roots.
* Place the tree in the new hole and backfill with soil, tamping down gently to remove any air pockets.
* Water the tree deeply and regularly for the first few weeks after transplanting.- What’s the best way to get rid of mealybugs on my orchids and streptocarpus?
Mealybugs are small, white insects that can infest orchids and streptocarpus plants. They can cause damage by sucking the sap from the plant, leading to yellowing leaves and stunted growth. To get rid of mealybugs, you can:
* Remove them manually with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
* Spray the plants with a solution of insecticidal soap or neem oil.
* Use systemic insecticides that are absorbed by the plant and kill the mealybugs.- How can I improve the flowering of an old climbing rose?
As climbing roses mature, their flowering can decline. To improve the flowering of an old climbing rose, you can:
* Prune the rose regularly to remove dead or diseased wood and to encourage new growth.
* Fertilize the rose regularly with a balanced fertilizer.
* Water the rose deeply and regularly, especially during hot and dry weather.
* Provide the rose with plenty of sunlight.- What’s the best way to eliminate worm casts from my lawn?
Worm casts are the droppings of earthworms, and they can be unsightly on a lawn. To eliminate worm casts from your lawn, you can:
* Use a lawn roller to break up the worm casts and distribute them evenly over the lawn.
* Apply a top dressing of compost or manure to the lawn to help break down the worm casts.
* Water the lawn regularly to help dissolve the worm casts.November’s Questions
- How can I reuse old compost?
- Why have my runner beans failed to produce pods?
- How often should I water my dahlias and sweet peas?
- Why are my vegetable plants producing all leaves and no fruit?
- Are the long, non-fruiting stems on my summer-fruiting raspberries for next year’s harvest?
Check back next month for the answers to these questions!
Submit Your Questions
Do you have a gardening question that you’d like our experts to answer? Submit your question by email, and we’ll select a few to answer each month.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve found this Q&A helpful. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our team of horticultural experts. Happy gardening!
