Garden Q&A: Seek tomato plants suited to temperatures
Q My four tomato plants did great at first, and I got a number of tomatoes on them. Now the blooms dry up and fall off. Any suggestions or cures?
A It’s the heat. Bloom drop occurs when nighttime temperatures exceed about 75 degrees, in combination with daytime temperatures above 92 degrees. By selecting early- to medium-maturing varieties adapted to our area, you can better avoid this. Small fruiting cherry tomatoes like the Juliet will produce almost all summer. Even they shut down in this heat.
Q What is the difference between mulch and compost?
A Not much, sometimes. Mulch is any product that is used to cover the surface of the soil the control weed growth, conserve moisture, keep fruits and vegetables out of the dirt or simply for decoration. Some are better than others, so ask questions to make sure what you are using is appropriate. Compost is partially decomposed plant materials or animal by products. Compost can be use as a mulch but is more frequently used as a soil amendment to improve the soil and or plant growth.
Q Can I plant around a tree or will it hurt the tree roots?
A Never raise the level of the soil around a tree because you will suffocate it. A healthy tree needs the root flare exposed. A good solution is to find small pockets of soil between roots and carefully dig a hole for shallow rooted plants (for example, winter creeper, Asian jasmine, or liriope ) Water well until established. Save the area well beyond the root zone for plants that need deep, amended soil. You can also plant shade-loving plants into containers and sink them partially into the ground to prevent them from blowing over.
Send questions about your lawns and gardens to ask.mastergardeners@gmail.com. McLennan County Master Gardeners will provide answers in this column every Friday. You also can call Ask a Master Gardener Help Line at 254-757-5180, 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
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Ask a Master Gardener Help Line
Spring gardening brings many questions, such as when should I fertilize my lawn, or which are the best vegetables for Waco? Get answers to these and other questions by calling the Ask a Master Gardener Help Line at 254-757-5180, 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
