[♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING, I'M SUSANS SPRING AND THAT MEANS DAFFS ARE BLOOMING AND TULIPS STD COMING UP.

IT IS ALSO A GREAT TIME TOT OUTSIDE.

YOU CAN CHECK ON YOUR TREED SLUSHES, CHECK OUT A PLACER PLANTING SOMETHING NEW ANDK ABOUT THE VEGETABLES AND FS YOU WANT TO GROW.

JOINING US TO SHARE THEIR EXPERTISE ON THAT AND ANSWR YOUR QUESTIONS ARE TWO EXP.

TOM BUTZLER, IS A PENN STAE EXTENSION HORTICULTURE EDUR HE WORKS WITH COMMERCIAL OPERATORS AND LANDSCAPERS N CLINTON COUNTY.

HIS AREAS OF EXPERTISE INCE VEGETABLE PRODUCTION AND BEEKEEPING.

ELSA SANCHEZ IS A PENN STAE PROFESSOR OF HORTICULTURE SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT AND WORN THE PRODUCTION OF VEGETABLE CROPS WITH THE FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILID SHE ASSISTS COMMERCIAL GRO.

YOU, TOO, CAN JOIN TONIGHTS CONVERSATION OUR TOLL-FREE NUMBER IS 1-800-543-8242.

OUR E-MAIL ADDRESS IS CONNECT@WPSU.ORG.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINS TONIGHT.

WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO LEN WHAT WE CAN DO THIS SPRINGO GET OUR GARDENS GOING.

IT'S BEEN A LONG WINTER FO.

AND I WANT TO KNOW LIKE, T, WHAT DO YOU DO IN LATE APRO GET YOUR GARDEN READY AND T EVERYTHING STARTED?

>> RIGHT WE ARE NOT IN THEK OF THE SUMMER SEASON WE ARN THE COOL PART.

THE COOL GROWING CROPS.

SO I JUST PLANTED LETTUCE,E OF MY KALE.

I PLANTED ONIONS.

THOSE THINGS LIKE THAT COOL WEATHER AND THEY ARE NOT YR HEAT LOVING PLANTS SUCH ASR TOMATOES.

THE OTHER THING IT'S NOT JT YOUR GARDEN.

OUR GRASSES ARE COOL SEASO.

SO THEY ARE GROWING IN THE SPRING AND THE FALL, DURINE SUM AMERICA THEY SLOW DOWN.

RIGHT NOW, IT IS ATIME TO W THE LAWN.

>> MY HUSBAND JUST MOWED I. ELSA, WITH OVERNIGHT FROSTS STILL A REAL POSSIBILITY, W LONG SHOULD GUARD ANDERS WT TO -- GARDENERS WAIT TO PUT IN TE WARM WEATHER VEGETABLES.

>> THIS IS A TRICKY TIME OR IF YOU ARE LIKE ME YOU WANO GET OUT INTO THE GARDEN.

YOU DO HAVE TO WAIT IT'S RY IMPORTANT TO WAIT UNTIL AFR THE LAST FROSTS IN ORDER TT KILL YOUR PLANTS.

SO, YEAH, IT IS A TRICKY TN THE GARDENING SEASON FOR S. >> WITH THAT IN MIND WITH E DIFFERENT WEATHERS TO THIN, WHICH IS IT THAT YOU SHOULY ATTENTION TO WHEN WE HAVE T DATES AND FREEZE DATES?

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

>> YEAH, WELL, KIND OF DEPS ON YOUR CROPS, TOO.

ELSA MENTIONED THE FREEZE S FROST DATES AND THAT'S REAY THAT CAN BE TRICKY WITH OUM SEASON OF CROPS.

SOME OF OUR COOL SEASON CRS CAN WITHSTAND A FROST EVENH AS LETTUCE OR ONIONS THOSEN WITHSTAND FROST.

NOW, A FREEZE IS HARSHER.

YOUR TYPICAL FROST FROM 36, AND YOU CAN HAVE A FROST ET BUT YOUR FREEZES IS WHERE E TEMPERATURES DROPS BELOW 3D THE WATER IN THE PLANT WILL FREEZE.

AND THAT MACERATES DESTROYE TISSUE IN THE PLANT.

SO AFTER THE SUN COMES UP EVERYTHING IS WILTED AND M. SO YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OFH OF THEM AND IT DEPENDS ON E CONTROL YOU ARE GROWING.

IT'S TRICKY BECAUSE PEOPLET TO GET OUT AND GARDEN WE'LT INTO THE 80° DAYS AND THEYL PLANT TOMATOES EARLY AND TN WE'LL HAVE THE FROST THAT L CREEP IN AND THOSE PLANTS E SUSCEPTIBLE TO A FROST.

>> AND THAT'S SO DISAPPOING WHEN YOU'VE PUT IT IN THERD PUT ALL THE WORK IN AND THU HAVE TO START ALL OVER AGA.

SO, ELSA, IF YOU'VE SEEN A DISEASE OR A PEST IN YOUR VEGETABLE GARDEN, AND THE PREVIOUS YEAR, WHAT IS THET WAY TO PREPARE FOR THAT PER SAY IT'S SOMETHING THAT ATD YOUR TOMATOES SHOULD YOU NO TOMATOES THE NEXT YEAR?

WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?

>> SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO TRO HAVE THAT PEST IDENTIFIED.

BECAUSE THAT WILL GIVE YOUE INFORMATION THAT YOU CAN DG INTO ABOUT WHAT TO DO NEXT.

IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S IE SOIL FOR EXAMPLE, YOU WANTO AVOID PLANTING THE SAME PLS OR MEMBERS OF THAT FAMILY N THAT SAME GARDEN SPOT.

YOU WANT TO ROTATE TO A DIFFERENT GARDEN SPOT.

AND THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT ID BE LOOKING AT.

IN MY GARDEN I HAVE SEPARAE AREAS FOR PEPPERS, EGGPLAND TOMATOES AND I WILL PUT THS IN ANOTHER SECTION AND I HE ANOTHER SECTION FOR MY LET.

AND I WILL ROTATE THEM THRH THE DIFFERENT SPOTS IN MY N AND THAT CAN HELP TO AVOID HAVING PARTICULARLY CERTAIN DISEASES THAT COME YEAR AFR YEAR FROM BEING AN ISSUE.

>> THAT'S SOMETHING TO KEEN MIND.

WE DO HAVE AN E-MAIL QUEST.

SO MARY WRITES: I HAVE VA LAYERIAN THAT COMES UP EVEY YEAR AND LOOKS GOOD AND AFR SOME GROWTH IT DEVELOPS BLK ALL AROUND THE TOP LEAVES D THE PLANT BECOMES SHRIVELED WHAT IS THE SPECIFIC THINGN DO TO CURE WHATEVER IT IS T IS HARMING IT?

WHO WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THAT QUESTION?

>> SO, I ONLY KNOW A LITTLT ABOUT THIS HERB.

ELSA DO YOU KNOW SOMETHINGT IT?

>> IT IS AN UNFAMILIAR ONEO ME, TOO.

>> THE ONLY THING I KNOW IT IT LIKES SUN.

SO I JUST WONDER IF IT'S IN AREA THAT IS NOT RECEIVINGA GOOD DOSE OF SUN SO IT'S NT THRIVING.

AND THIS IS WHERE I WOULD A PLUG IN FOR PENN STATE'S PT DISEASE CLINIC NOT SURE WHE ARE DEALING WITH AND IT ISA COMMON PLANT SO I DON'T KNL THE DISEASE COMPLEXES THATR ON THIS.

THE WE DO HAVE A SYSTEM HEE WHERE YOU CAN TAKE PLANTS O PENN STATE'S DISEASE CLINID HAVE THEM IDENTIFY SOME OFE PROBLEMS FOR YOU.

IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN THE CY WE HAVE MASTER GARDENERS TT RUN HOTLINES WHERE YOU CANE PLANT SAMPLES AND THEY WILY TO IDENTIFY IT.

IF THEY DON'T KNOW IT GETST UP TO PENN STATE.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A LIE SAMPLE.

WE CAN TAKE DIGITAL PICTURF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON TAKA PICTURE AND SEND IT OFF.

AT LEAST IT GETS US ONE STP FURTHER INTO DIAGNOSING WHT PROBLEM YOU HAVE.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK IF YU NEEDED TO HAVE IT IN A PLAC BAG?

>> THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

YOU GET INTO THE SUMMER SOMETIMES PEOPLE PUT THE SS IN THE PLASTIC BAGS AND MAE IT'S OVER THE WEEKEND AND T COMING UP TO THE CLINIC INH IT'S LIQUID.

THERE ARE INSTRUCTIONS HOWO PACKAGE THE SAMPLES IF YOUD IT THROUGH THE MAIL.

BUT IT'S FREE, TAKE ADVANTF IT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IT IS A GOOD SERVICE.

SO I HAD ANOTHER QUESTION T COME PAN I DON'T KNOW PLAN.

LIKE SOME PLANTS YOU SAID E YOU WOULD PUT DIFFERENT THS IN YOUR GARDEN THERE ARE PS THAT YOU WANT TO HAVE CLOSO EACH OTHER OR DON'T?

I KNOW WE HAVE HERBS GROWIG UNDER THE WINDOW SILL AND Y HUSBAND SAYS MY MINT IS ATTACKING HIS PLANTS.

THAT'S JUST OUR MARRIAGE.

[LAUGHTER] >> THAT IS A REALLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MINT.

IT'S ONE OF THE PLANTS THAL TAKEOVER THE WORLD IF WE L. >> SO DO YOU HAVE A RECOMMENDATION OF WHAT PLAS YOU WOULD GROW CLOSE TO EAH OTHER?

I KNOW THERE USED TO BE THE THREE SISTERS.

>> RIGHT.

I THINK THERE IS A COUPLE S THAT I MIGHT APPROACH THIS QUESTION AND ONE IS LOOKINT PLANTINGS BY THE FAMILY THT THEY ARE IN.

OFTEN PLANTS IN THE SAME FY HAVE THE SAME PEST ISSUES.

SO PLANTING THEM TOGETHER D THEN USING A GAUDREAUTATIOO AVOID HAVING CERTAIN PROBLS BUILDUP.

AS FAR AS COMPANION PLANTI, THE SCIENCE WITH PENN STATE EXTENSION SCIENCE BASED INFORMATION THERE IS NOT AT OF SCIENCE TO SUPPORT PLANG LIKE FOR EXAMPLE MARY GOLDT TO YOUR TOMATOES.

HOWEVER, THERE IS A LOT OF GUARDERS WHO DO THAT AND ST WORKS FOR THEM.

BY ALL MEANS IT IS WILL MAE YOUR GARDEN MORE BEAUTIFULI DON'T THINK YOU HAVE ANYTHO LOSE BY DOING THAT.

>> YEAH, ONE OF THOSE THINS THAT COMES UNDER NO HARM T, BUT PROBABLY NO SCIENCE BED IT, RIGHT?

I KNOW THERE IS A LOT OF FERTILIZER FOR SALE IN THE GARDEN HOW DO YOU DECIDE WH FERTILIZER AND MAKE SURE YE NOT OVERFERTILIZING YOUR G?

TOM DO YOU HAVE RECOMMENDA?

>> SO I THINK THE WAY TO ST ON THIS QUESTION IS TO TAKA SOIL TEST.

OTHERWISE, YOU DON'T KNOW T YOU ARE DOING.

THERE MAYBE ENOUGH PHOSPHES OR MAGNESIUM IN THE SOIL WY WOULD YOU WANT TO ADD MORE?

THERE IS A POTENTIAL WHEREU ARE ADDING MORE FERTILIZERN IS NEEDED AND THE PLANTS WE AFFECTED NEGATIVELY.

TAKE A SOIL TEST I THINK TR $10 OR $11.

PENN STATE HAS A SOIL LAB D THEY CAN RUN THAT ANALYSISR YOU.

AND FROM THAT, THEN YOU CAO TO THE STORE AND BUY THE APPROPRIATE FERTILIZER.

>> I KNOW THAT WAS A REAL E WHEN I USED TO LIVE NEAR A WATERWAY TO HAVE THAT EXTRA FERTILIZER GOING INTO THE WATERWAY.

>> THAT IS ANOTHER DETRIMEO OVERFERTILIZER YOU HAVE THT EXCESS THAT RUNS OFF AND TS ISSUES WITH AQUATIC LIFE IA GOOD IDEA INSTEAD OF GUESS, GET A TEST DONE ON IT AND U CAN PUT THE APPROPRIATE AMT DOWN.

>> MORE IS NOT BETTER?

>> YES.

>> THERE'S A ACTUALLY THATS DON'T GUESS, SOIL TEST.

>> I LIKE THAT.

DON'T GUESS, SOIL TEST.

USE THAT WITH MY STUDENTS.

SO WE HAVE ANOTHER E-MAIL QUESTION.

CAROL WRITES I'VE NEGLECTEY FLOWERBEDS THIS SPRING.

FIRST THINKING OF GOOD INSS BELOW THE LEAVES AND LATELY BECAUSE IT'S BEEN COLD, WED RAINY.

I'M WITH YOU CAROL.

BULBS HAVE COME UP THROUGHE LEAVES BUT I'M WONDERING HW GOOD OR BAD THE HEAVY OAK S ARE FOR THE BULBS AND PERENNIALS?

WOULD YOU LIKE TO THAT THAT QUESTION?

ELSA?

>> I THINK THAT IS A TOM QUESTION.

>> THAT'S FINE.

SO LEAVES ARE -- IT IS INTERESTING WATCHING HOMEOWNERS THEY WILL RAKE E LEAVES OFF AND PUT THEM ING AND REMOVED FROM THE PROPE.

IT GOES TO WHERE THEY ARE RECYCLING AND I THINK THATA VALUABLE RESOURCE.

SO PUTTING THEM ON THE LANE ON THE BEDS IS A MULCH IS D THING.

HOWEVER, AS THAT E-MAIL MES SOMETIMES THOSE LEAVES IF Y ARE NOT GROUND UP SHREDDEDY CAN FORM REALLY DENSE MATT.

AND IF IT'S DENSE ENOUGH YU MIGHT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH E PERENNIALS COMING UP.

YOU MIGHT HAVE AN ISSUE WIH EXCHANGE OF GASES OUR ROOTO BREATHE.

IF YOU CAN, MAYBE GET THOSE LEAVES IN A PILE IN THE FAD THEN RUN THE LAWN MOWER AND THEM UP AND PUT THEM ON TOE BED THAT WAY THEY WILL BREN EASIER AND IT ALLOWS THE VEGETATION TO COME UP THROH THE SPRING.

THAT BEING SAID I SOMETIMES CHEAT AND PUT DOWN WHOLE LS AND PERENNIALS PUSH UP THRH THEM.

SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO EXPET WITH.

>> MY FRIEND BETSEY STEALS LEAVES FROM HER NEIGHBORS.

>> I'M WITH HER.

WHEN I'M DRIVING DOWN THE D WITH MY NEIGHBORS AND I SEE BAGGED LEAVES I STOP AND I, HEY CAN I TAKE YOUR LEAVESD THEY BAG IT I ALWAYS GIVE M BAGS FOR NEXT YEAR.

I'VE GOT THESE RECURRING CUSTOMERS.

YES.

>> THAT'S GREAT.

EXCELLENT.

SO I WAS WONDERING IF YOU E TIPS FOR PLANTING VEGETABLD SHRUBS AND TREES YOU BUY FM THE STORE SOMETIMES THEY CN THE POT AND THEY ARE QUITET BOUND HOW DO YOU RECOMMEND HANDLING THAT, ELSA?

>> YEAH, THAT IS A COMMON PROBLEM.

FIRST OF ALL WHEN YOU ARE SELECTING ANY TREES, SHRUB TRANSPLANTS LOOK FOR THE OS THAT LOOK THE BEST.

YOU WANT TO START OFF WITH SOMETHING GOOD.

THAT'S THEY CALL IT LIKE CP INSURANCE IF YOU START OFFH SOMETHING GOOD.

IT'S DIFFICULT TO START WIH SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T LOOK GREAT TO GET IT TO LOOK GO.

AS FAR AS THE ROOT BOUND PM FOR VEGETABLES WHAT I'LL DI WILL TAKE THE PLANT OUT OFE POT THAT IT'S IN.

AND I WILL JUST PHYSICALLYR APART THE ROOT BALL A LITTT BEFORE I PUT IT INTO THE G. WITHOUT DOING THAT THE ROOS WILL KEEP GOING ROUND AND D EVEN IN THE GROUND.

IT'S LIKE ALMOST LIKE THEYE THEY ARE STILL IN A POT.

IF YOU BREAK IT UP A LITTLT THEN THE ROOTS WILL EXPLORE SOIL AND YOU WILL HAVE A BR SHOT AT SUCCESS.

>> DO YOU RIP IT WITH YOUR HANDS?

OR I USED TO TAKE A KNIFE I WOULD SLASH IT A COUPLE TI.

>> YEP, THAT WORKS FINE, T. IT MAYBE NOT AS A BIG ISSUH VEGETABLES IN THE SENSE MOT VEGETABLE ANDS IS AN ANNUAL PLANT.

IT DOESN'T PERFORM THE BESD YOU TRY AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

BUT WITH TREES AND SHRUBS U ALLOW THAT CONTINUE THAT TE WILL GROW FOR THREE OR FOUR YEARS AND THE ROOTS WILL GE THE STEM AND ALL OF A SUDDT GUYS BECAUSE IT'S GIRLLED.

LIKE ELSA WAS SAYING THAT N EXPENSIVE GOOF OR MISTAKE.

THE IDEA IS BUY PLANTS THAK GOOD AND IT IS A CHEAP INSURANCE.

>> EXCELLENT.

IF YOU ARE JUST JOINING USM SUSAN AND THIS IS WPSU'S CONVERSATIONS LIVE.

GET YOUR GARDEN ON.

WE ARE TALKING WITH TWO GARDENING EXPERTS AND WE WD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU.

OUR TOLL-FREE NUMBER IS 1-800-543-8242.

OR E-MAIL US AT CONNECT@WPSU.ORG.

SO I WAS WONDERING WE HAVEA QUESTION, TOM, ABOUT MILK .

SO IF YOU TRIED TO GROW MIK WEED A LOT IT SEEMS TO POPP WHEREVER IT WANTS.

IS THERE ANYWAY TO DIRECT T MILK WEED GROWTH?

>> SO MILK WEEDS ARE PEREN.

IF YOU DON'T WANT IT IN THT LOCATION THEY GET UP AND ME IT.

BEING A PERENNIAL IT HAS TT UNDERGROUND ENERGY RESERVE.

AND DURING THE DORMANT SEAN THEY GET UP AND MOVE IT.

OTHER THAN THAT IT'S GOINGO REMAIN IN THAT AREA AND THS LITTLE THAT YOU CAN DO.

SO THAT VEGETATIVE STRUCTUS HOW IT PROPAGATES AND THENT PRODUCES THE SEEDS AND THAS HOW IT STARTS FURTHER AWAYM THE PLANT.

YEAH, DIG UP THAT STRUCTURE UNDER THE GROUND AND MOVE .

>> YOU JUST PLOP IT BACK I.

DOES IT NEED ANY HELP?

>> IN IT'S BEEN ESTABLISHER A COUPLE YEARS THAT STRUCTS ROBUST.

THEY ARE PRETTY HARDY.

IT'S NOT LIKE YOU CAN TAKEA SLEDGEHAMMER TO IT AND LEAT OUT IN THE SUN FOR 10 DAYSY ARE PRETTY ROBUST.

THAT SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM MOVING AN ESTABLISHED MILK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTIONR ELSA.

WE TALKED I ASKED YOU ABOUT HAVING A DISEASE AND SHOULU GROW THAT SAME PLANT AGAIN.

BUT IF YOU HAVE INSECTS AND DISEASES ON YOUR VEGETABLED THERE IS OPTIONS YOU DON'TT TO USE CHEMICAL HERBICIDE R PESTICIDE LIKE IF YOU ARE GROWING CUCUMBERS DO YOU HE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PEOPLE?

>> SO THIS IS A GREAT QUESN THAT IT COMES UP QUITE A B.

YOU NEED TO DECIDE ON YOUR PHILOSOPHY AS A GARDENERS.

YOU ARE NOT USING CHEMICAL.

WHAT I WOULD DO IN THAT SITUATION IS KEEP UP CLOSEE ON MY PLANTS.

IF THERE IS AN INSECT, IF U CATCH THEM EARLY, YOU CAN E PHYSICALLY TAKE THEM OFF TE PLANT.

SQUASH THEM OR WHATEVER.

IF IT IS A DISEASE AND YOUH IT EARLY, YOU CAN TAKE OFF LEAVES AT LEAST INITIALLY.

AND GOING FARTHER BACK FOR DISEASES YOU CAN SELECT CULTIVARS THAT HAVE RESISTE TO AVOID PROBLEMS.

FOR SOME OF THE PESTS YOU N PUT LIKE FOR EXAMPLE, A ROW COVER OVER THE PLANT SO THE INSECTS PHYSICALLY CAN'T GO THE PLANTS.

BUT IF IT GETS TOO BAD MY GARDENING PHILOSOPHY I DONT LIKE TO USE PESTICIDES IN Y GARDEN AT THAT POINT.

I WOULD PROBABLY GETS TOO I WILL PULL OUT THE PLANT IFS A TOMATO AND START BUYING M AT MY FARMER'S MARKET OR GY STORE.

>> THERE'S ALWAYS THAT OPT.

>> SAME PHILOSOPHY, TOO.

IT'S INTERESTING, I GROW AT OF KALE MY WIFE LIKES KALED KALE SALADS AND LAST YEAR D A HAR LICK QUINN BUG INFESTTATION AND IT GOT AHF ME AND I HAD TO RIP THEM OI BOUGHT ROW COVERS AND I WIE THE PHYSICAL BARRIER TO GRE KALE UNDERNEATH AND AIR MOT GETS THROUGH THERE BUT THES INSECTS WILL NOT BE ABLE TT TO THE CROP.

>> SOUNDS SO LIKE DRAMATICE HARM LA QUINN BUG.

WE STARTED CUTTING THE KALD IN THE SALAD THERE WERE INS MY WIFE IS NOT GOING TO BE EXCITED.

>> THAT WAS NOT THE PROTEIU WERE LOOKING FOR.

>> NO.

>> WE DO HAVE ANOTHER E-MAL QUESTION.

KATHLEEN WRITES: MOSS IS STARTING TO TAKEOVER MY FLOWERBEDS WHAT IS THE BESY TO GET RID OF IT WITHOUT HG THE FLOWERS?

WHO WOULD LIKE TO FIELD THT ONE?

>> SO MOSS OCCURS THREE RES THEY OCCUR.

ONE IS IT'S TOO WET.

OR THE SOIL IS TOO ACIDIC R THAT SITE IS GETTING TOO MH SHADE.

YOU HAVE TO ADDRESS THOSE E ISSUES THERE.

IF IT'S GETTING TOO MUCH S, MAYBE YOU LIMB UP THE TREET IS THROWING THAT SHADE SO THERE'S MORE SUNLIGHT THATS IN THERE.

IF IT'S TOO ACIDIC YOU DO L TEST AND FIND OUT WHAT THAH IS THAT TELLS YOU THE LEVEF ACIDITY OR AND THEN YOU NEO ADD LIME TO IT.

YES, YOU NEED TO ADDRESS OF THOSE THREE ISSUES THERE.

>> I HAVE A LOT OF MOSS.

ALL RIGHT.

THE SECOND PART OF KATHLEES QUESTION WAS MY NEIGHBOR'SD IS FULL OF WILD ONIONS ANDM STARTING TO SEE A FEW IN MY LAWN.

HOW CAN I GET RID OF THEM D IF YOU PULL THEM OUT THE BS JUST SPREAD MORE WIDELY.

ELSA LOOKS LIKE SHE IS REAO ANSWER.

>> IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE I WAS TALKING TO OUR GREENHOUSE MANAGER TODAY EXACTLY ABOUS QUESTION.

BECAUSE WE WERE LOOKING ATD ONIONS ON CAMPUS.

AND HE WAS TELLING ME I FEL LIKE WILD ONIONS ARE ONE OF THOSE THINGS YOU HAVE TO LN TO LOVE THEM.

BECAUSE AS THE QUESTION ELS TO THEY CAN BE TRICKY TO GD OF UNLESS YOU WANT TO USE E ARE HERBICIDES THAT YOU CAE TO GET RID OF THEM.

AND THEN IF YOU CAN PULL OS MUCH OF THE BULBS AS POSSIE AND THAT CAN ALSO HELP.

IN TERMS OF ANOTHER WAY MAE YOU CAN MOW IT BUT YOU WOUD HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH IT BEE IT WILL COME BACK AND IF IT COMES BACK YOU GO TOO FAR E BULB WILL INCREASE IN SIZED YOU MOW IT NEXT TIME AND IT COMES BACK AGAIN.

IF YOU MOW IT AND MOW IT AT WILL START TO USE UP ENERGY RESERVES AND YOU CAN GET RO HAVE THAT WAY, TOO.

>> TOM ANY OTHER THING YOUT DO?

>> IN THE E-MAIL MENTIONEDT PULLING THEM UP.

PART OF THE PROBLEM IS WHEN PEOPLE PULL THEM UP OUT OFE LAWN THE GRASS ROOTS FORM A FIBROUS NETWORK SHE IS PULG UP THE FOLIAGE AND FEW AREE BULBS AND THAT IS WHY IT IA RECURRING PROBLEM IN THIS SITUATION.

YOU ELUDED TO DEAL WITH IT, BECAUSE IT IS AN IT DOESN'E THE HEAT IN THE MIDDLE OF E SUMMER, IT'S GONE.

THAT BULB GROUND FOLIAGE IS GONE.

THAT ESTHETIC ISSUE IS NOTS BIG OF AN ISSUE.

>> YEAH, I HAVE MY METHOD.

I HAVE BROKEN SEVERAL STEAK KNIVES AND I GO AROUND IN E GARDEN USING THOSE.

ASK MY HUSBAND HE DOESN'T E THAT.

THE TIP IS GONE.

MY WIFE WOULD PITCH A FIT.

I GET IT.

>> SO I WAS THINKING ABOUTE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE CHAS IN THE WEATHER.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE PARTS OF PENNSYLVANIA ARE EXPERIENCG DROUGHT OR NEAR DROUGHT.

ARE THERE STEPS THAT GARDES CAN DO TO PLAN FOR WHAT MIT HAPPEN AS IT GETS WARMER?

WHICH ONE OF YOU WOULD LIKO TAKE THAT QUESTION?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF THINGU CAN DO.

I THINK ESPECIALLY FOR VEGETABLES OR PLANTS THAT T [INAUDIBLE] YOU WANT TO MAE SURE YOU HAVE A WATER SOUR.

NEARBY MAKES IT EASIER.

YOU CAN USE MULCHES IN YOUR GARDEN TO HELP TO HAVE MORE UNIFORM AND MAINTAIN MORE MOISTURE WITHIN YOUR GARDE.

IF YOU USE LIKE GOOD SPACI, YOU CAN HAVE SHADING THAT N ALSO HELP TO MINIMIZE THE D FOR WATER.

ANOTHER THING YOU CAN DO IS MANAGE YOUR WEEDS SO THE WS ARE NOT USING WHAT LITTLE R IS AVAILABLE IN DRY PERIOD.

AND THEN MY FAVORITE IS TOE SOME SORT OF A DRIP IRRIGAN SYSTEM WHICH THEY HAVE KITR GARDENERS AND YOU USE WATER EFFICIENTLY.

AND YOU CAN EVEN PUT A TIMN THESE SYSTEMS TO TAKE SOMEF THAT WORKOUT OF WATERING YR PLANTS.

I THINK THAT IS HOW I WOULD APPROACH IT.

>> THAT SOUNDS GOOD.

WE DO HAVE A CALL.

WE HAVE A CALL WAITING FOR.

THIS IS ROB FROM ALTOONA.

HI, ROB.

>> HI.

I'VE BEEN WANTING TO GROW E YELLOW SQUASH MAYBE ZUCCHIN MY GARDEN.

BUT I'M WONDERING WHAT IS D TIME TO START GROWING IT CI GROW IT NOW?

WHAT WAS A GOOD TIME TO DO?

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE ?

>> YEAH, I DON'T MIND TAKIG THIS ONE IT IS A VEGETABLE.

WITH THE SQUASH AND ZUCCHIR CUCUMBERS THEY START REALL, REALLY QUICKLY FROM SEEDS.

AND SO IF YOU ARE GOING TOD TRANSPLANTS, IT WOULD BE A LITTLE BIT TOO EARLY AT LEN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA.

HERE WE TEND TO THINK OF OR LAST FROST DATE TO BE AROUY 15TH.

SO WE WOULD GO BACK TWO TOE WEEKS FROM MAY 15TH.

MAYBE SOMETIME NEXT WEEK OR EARLY IN MAY START THOSE S. INDOORS AS TRANSPLANTS ANDU CAN SET THEM OUT AFTER THET FROST.

OR THOSE ARE ALSO EASY TO T SEED.

YOU WAIT UNTIL THE LAST FRO SET THOSE SEEDS OUTSIDE.

IT IS A LITTLE BIT TOO EARO START AT LEAST IN OUR AREAH THOSE PLANTS RIGHT NOW.

>> I ALWAYS START MY BIG GARDENING OUTSIDE MOTHER'SY WEEKEND THAT IS MY MOTHER'.

I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE ELSS THAT.

BUT THAT'S WHEN I START GEG MY FINGERS DIRTY.

SO I WAS ACTUALLY GOING TOK ABOUT SEEDS.

BUT WE JUST HANDLED THAT.

I WAS GOING TO ASK ABOUT INVASIVE PLANTS WE TALK A T ABOUT INVASIVE PLANTS AND T YOU DON'T WANT IN YOUR GARN AND WHAT YOU MIGHT WANT TOT RID OF ENTIRELY OUT OF YOUR YARD.

CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT T INVASIVE PLANTS IN TERMS OF LANDSCAPING?

>> SURE.

SURE.

YEAH, INVASIVE PLANTS POSET OF PROBLEMS.

AND ONE OF THE BIGGEST ONES THEY CROWD OUT OUR NATIVE PLANTS.

I WAS IN A STATE FOREST LAT YEAR, DOING HIKING.

AND THE AMOUNT OF BARBERRYS COVERING ACRES AND IT WAS DISAPPOINTING TO SEE THE BARBERRY CROWDING EVERYTHIG ELSE OUT.

SO PENNSYLVANIA'S RESPONDIO SOME OF THESE INVASIVE ISSY CURTAILING THE SALE OF THE.

SO YOU CAN NO LONGER BUY BARBERRY IN PENNSYLVANIA YU CAN'T BUY THE PEARS AND THY HAVE A LIST OF PLANTS NO LR AVAILABLE IN THE NURSERIESN THE INDUSTRY.

AND INSTEAD THEY ARE PROMOG SOME OF THESE NATIVE PLANT.

IN FACT THEY HAVE A PROGRAM RIGHT NOW I SAW WHERE A COE AREAS ACROSS THE STATE WHEF YOU TAKE A PICTURE IN OF SF THESE INVASIVE PLANTS THATU CUT DOWN THEY WILL GIVE YOA NATIVE PLANT IN RETURN TO N THAT AREA.

SO FOR EXAMPLE, CALORIE PE.

YOU SEE IT ON THE ROADS RIT NOW IT'S IN FULL BLOOM THEY WEREN'T PLANTED BY ANYBODY.

THEY HAVE BEEN DISPUTED BY.

WILDLIFE.

BUT IN THE LANDSCAPE, IF YU WANT CUT DOWN YOUR CALORIER IN THE CITIES YOU CAN BUY SOMETHING LIKE THAT THEY WL GIVE YOU, A SERVICE BERRY.

IT FLOWERS.

WHEN IT FLOWERS IN THE SPRT IS WHITE AND IT HAS OFTEN L CHARACTER RISKS TO IT TRYIO PROMOTE THIS IDEA OF MOVINY FROM SOME OF THESE MAYBE ON MENTALLY VERY NICE TO LOOKT BUT PROBLEMATIC IN OUR NATL ECOSYSTEMS.

>> THAT IS GOOD TO KNOW.

YEAH.

I DO LIKE GOING TO THE NATE PLANT SALES THEY HAVE SOME.

WE HAVE AN E-MAIL JIM WRIT WE PLANT BEET SEEDS IN THE SPRING.

LOOSEN THE SOIL, FERTILIZEE BEET SEED TAPES OR THIN THE SEEDLINGS AND THE BEETS GRO A SMALL SIZE.

HOW CAN I GET LARGER BEETS?

IN THE FALL WE ADD GROUND P LEAVES TO THE SOIL AND COVT AND ADD LIME IN THE SPRING.

AND LAST YEAR WE ADDED MUSM COMPOST.

ELSA, SINCE IT IS A VEGETAE QUESTION?

>> I WILL TAKE A STAB AT I.

SO OFTENTIMES WHEN THE BEEE SMALL IT HAS TO DO WITH SPG BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU AREG EVERYTHING RIGHT IN TERMS F USING THE TAPES AND DOING E THINNING.

ANOTHER THING THAT MIGHT LO SMALLER SIZE WOULD HAVE TOO WITH POVERTIER.

I MIGHT CHECK THAT AND MAKE THAT THE PLANTS ARE GETTING ENOUGH MOISTURE.

A LOT OF VEGETABLES AND IN GENERAL ARE WATER.

A LARGE PERCENT IS WATER.

I WOULD LIKE AT THE WATER .

AND THEN MAYBE ALSO THE CULTIVARS YOU ARE GROWING O MAKE SURE THEY ARE LARGE SD BEETS.

THAT'S ALL THAT IS COMING Y MIND RIGHT NOW.

TOM, CAN YOU THINK OF ANYTG ELSE?

>> YES TWO THINGS CAME TO Y MIND.

IF THEY ARE USING THAT TAPE SPACING IN ROW IS PROBABLY CORRECT BUT WHAT ARE THEY SPACING BETWEEN ROWS?

IF THEY ARE ONLY SPACING FR INCHES OR FIVE, SIX INCHES BETWEEN THE ROWS, THAT'S NT ENOUGH.

BEETS NEED A LITTLE MORE RM THERE.

THE INROW SPACING MIGHT BE CORRECT BUT MAYBE NOT THE SPACING BETWEEN ROWS.

WITH THAT COMPETITION, YOUE GOING TO GET SMALLER BULBS.

THE OTHER THING ON THAT E-L WAS THEY ADD LIME IN THE S. ARE THEY ADDING THAT EVERYR IN THE SPRING OR JUST A ONE EVENT THEY ADDED THE LIME?

AND THE REASON I'M ASKING F THEY ARE ADDING LIME EVERY SPRING THAT SOIL CHEMISTRYT BE TOO HIGH FOR OPTIMAL GRH OF THE BEETS.

>> THAT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHG THAT THEY NEED TO TAKE A LK AT.

WE DO HAVE A CALL.

WE HAVE KIMBERLY FROM BRADD ON THE LINE.

HI KIMBERLY.

>> HI THERE.

I AM CALLING BECAUSE I LIVA WOODED AREA AND MY HOUSE IS WOOD.

BUT I'M HAVING A REAL PROBM WITH THE SUMAC.

IT IS TAKING OVER MY BACKYD THE ROOTS ARE CLIMBING EVERYWHERE.

AND I'VE LIVED HERE FOR SEL YEARS AND WE'VE TRIED EVERYTHING.

HOW DO I GET RID OF IT ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE A SNEAKING SUSPICION THAT ITE POISONIOUS SUMAC.

>> WHEN YOU SAY YOU'VE TRID EVERYTHING WHAT HAVE YOU TD SO FAR?

>> WE TRY MOWING IT.

WE TRIED BURNING IT.

WE'VE TRIED CUTTING IT.

WE'VE USED SOME KILLER.

BUT IT IS SPREAD ALL ALONGR BACKYARD.

>> RIGHT.

SO CUTTING WILL WORK IF YOT STAY ON TOP OF IT EVERY TIW GROWTH COMES UP.

BECAUSE IT'S GOT THIS NO DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE MILK WEET HAS THE STORAGE STRUCTURE UNDERNEATH AND IT IS A LARE ENERGY RESERVE AND CUTTINGT YOU ARE TRYING TO DEPLETE T ENERGY RESERVE IT HAS TO SP NEW GROWTH AND THAT THAT SY DEPLETE IT IS AND YOU CUT , AND IT SENDS UP A NEW FLUSF GROWTH AND DEPLETES IT OVER TIME.

AND THE OTHER THING THERE E GOOD DON'T WANT TO GO THATE THERE ARE GOOD HERBICIDES T THERE.

AND YOU CAN APPLY THEM TO E FOLIAGE.

I WOULD THINK THE BEST MODF ACTION TO BE CUT IT AND APT TO THAT STUMP.

OR TO THE STEM OF THE PLAND ABSORBED INTO THE PLANT AND TRANS LOCATED THROUGHOUT TT ROOT SYSTEM AND HOPEFULLY L IT.

BUT THAT WOULD PROBABLY BEE WAY I WOULD GO.

SOMETHING WITH WITH 24D OR TRICKLE PEER.

GET TO GO INTO THE PLUMBING SYSTEM OF THE PLANT.

>> THAT IS THE WAY TO PUT .

IF YOU ARE JUST JOINING USM SUSQUEHANNA AND THIS IS -- SUSAN.

GET YOUR GARDEN ON.

WE'RE TALKING WITH TWO GARG EXPERTS AND WE WOULD LIKE O HEAR FROM YOU.

OUR TOLL-FREE NUMBER IS 1-800-543-8242.

OR YOU CAN E-MAIL US AT CONNECT@WPSU.ORG.

SO YOU ARE A BEEKEEPER ANDT FASCINATES BECAUSE IT'S ALO TERRIFYING BUT AS A GARDENR WHAT ARE THE PLANTSES THATE REALLY IMPORTANT FOR HONEYS AND WHAT ARE THE THINGS THT GARDENERS CAN DO TO HELP TE HONEYBEES AND OTHER POLLIN?

>> HONEYBEES PLAY AN IMPORT ROLE IN AGRICULTURE.

I DO WANT TO PUT A PLUG INR OUR NATIVE BEES.

THEY ARE VERY EFFICIENT ANY DO A GOOD JOB.

IT'S JUST NOT HONEYBEINGS R THINGS ARE POLLENATING.

AND THIS YEAR, EVERY YEAR Y DO AN ANNUAL SURVEY ON HONE LOSSES AND THIS YEAR IT LOS REALLY BAD.

THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT 70%S OF HONEYBEE COLONIES THROUT THE UNITED STATES.

AND IT'S GOING TO BE INTERG TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

SOME OF OUR VEGETABLES, REE BEES TO MOVE THE POLLEN AR.

AND ONE OF THEM ELSA MENTID IS YOUR SQUASHES.

THAT POLLEN IS HEAVY.

WHEREAS SOMETHING LIKE CORN POLLEN THE WIND BLOWS THAT AROUND AND IT POLLENATES DS ITS THING.

BUT THIS POLLEN IS HEAVIERD STICKIER IT REQUIRES INSECO MOVE IT FROM THE MALE FLOWO THE FEMALE FLOWER.

POLLINATION IS VERY IMPORTT FOR VEGETABLE PRODUCTION IE OF OUR TREE CROPS TOO.

WHAT CAN A GARDENER DO?

REDUCE THE USE OF PESTICIDN THE LANDSCAPE.

USE THEM MORE JUDICIOUSLY.

BE CAREFUL HOW YOU USE THEN THE SELECTION.

GO WITH SOMETHING THAT IS R IF YOU CAN.

READ THE LABELS THERE IS AT OF INFORMATION OUT THERE.

AND PUT A LOT OF FLOWERS AD THE LANDSCAPE.

BEES NEED THE NECTAR AS A CARBOHYDRATE OR ENERGY SOUE AND THEY NEED THAT POLLEN S PROTEIN SOURCE.

IF YOU PLANT THE VARIETY OF FLOWERS AND TREES AND SHRUS THAT ARE FLOWERING THROUGHT THE SEASON YOU DON'T WANT O PLANT SOMETHING THAT FLOWEE FIRST WEEK OF JUNE AND YOUR LANDSCAPE IS BARREN.

YOU WANT FLOWERS THROUGHOUE GROWING SEASON SO THE VARIS OF POLLINATORS HAVE SOMETHO VISIT.

>> ARE THERE GROUND COVERST YOU WOULD RECOMMEND?

>> THERE'S GREAT GROUND CO. ONE OF THE NICE ONES GROUND COVERS IS CLOVER.

PEOPLE LIKE THAT LAWN TO LK JUST LIKE PERFECT.

AND SO THEY WILL SPRAY THIO GET SPRAYED TO GET RID OF DANDELIONS AND CLOVER.

THOSE CAN SERVE AS A FOOD E FOR POLLINATORS.

IT DEPENDS WHAT LEVEL OF PN CAN YOU WITHSTAND LOOKING T YOUR LAWN.

MY LAWN I DON'T CARE WHAT T LOOKS LIKE AND I HAVE WEEDS AMONGST MY GRASS AND SOMETS IT ANNOYS ME BUT I JUST MOW ABOUT IT AND GO ABOUT MY BUSINESS.

>> WE LET IT GROW.

SO I KNOW WE HAVE SOMEONE E LINE.

WE HAVE SUSAN FROM REYNOLDSVILLE.

HI SUSAN.

>> HI.

>> DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION R US?

>> I HAVE A QUESTION.

I HAVE A FEW FLOWERBEDS ANE OF THEM HAS BEEN INVADED BG WORTH.

SO I COVERED IT LAST YEAR D IT'S BEEN COVERED ALL SEAS.

BUT I'VE NOTICED THAT I HAA FEW OF THOSE NOW MUG WART S CROPPING UP IN OTHER AREAS.

I'VE TRIED TO IRRADICATE TE WITH A BURNING SYSTEM.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTION?

>> MUG WART.

IT LOOKS LIKE A COUNTRIES N MUM.

SOME MIGHT NOT THINK ABOUTT UNTIL IT GETS A TOE HOLD IA PERENNIAL AND IT'S HARD TOT RID OF YOU HAVE TO KEEP AT.

TALKING ABOUT THE EARLIER L ABOUT THAT SUMAC IS THAT IS UNDERGROUND ENERGY RESERVED YOU'VE GOT TO DEPLETE IT OT TO KILL IT.

SO SOMETHING COVERING THE D WITH IT, I DON'T KNOW IF SE MEANT PLASTIC OR WHAT IT W. YOU MIGHT HAVE TO LEAVE THN PLACE FOR A COUPLE YEARS OR THE WINTER IS PROBABLY NOTG TO DO IT.

I KNOW IT WON'T DO IT.

THE OTHER OPTION IS TO USEN HERBICIDE, AGAIN, TO GET IO THE PLUMBING SYSTEM SO IT N GET DOWN INTO THE ENERGY RE AND KILL IT OFF.

BUT IF THAT'S NOT SOMETHINT YOU WANT TO USE, THEN YOU E GOING TO HAVE TO DEPLETE TT UNDERGROUND RESERVE AND KET IT.

LABOR INTENSIVE.

>> DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, SUSAN?

IS SHE STILL THERE.

OKAY.

SO I WAS WONDERING FOR THIS YEAR, WE HAD A BIG WE HAD G FOR SPONGY MOTH AND IT WAS AROUND THIS TIME BECAUSE OE WAY THEY COME OUT.

IS SPONGY MOTH A CONCERN TS YEAR?

ARE WE THINKING IT'S NOT GG TO BE A TOUGH YEAR?

HAVE WE SEEN ANYTHING WITHE EGG SACKS OR COUNTS.

>> THE COUNTS ARE OUT AND E HAVE PEAKED.

WE HAVE PEAKED.

NOW, IT WAS ABOUT THREE YES AGO THEY HAD RECORD AMOUNTF ACREAGE THAT THEY SPRAYED N STATE OWNED LAND WE KEEP TK OF THAT.

IT'S UP TO THE PRIVATE LAND OWNERS TO DEAL WITH SPONGYH IT USED TO BE CALLED THE GY MOTH THEY ARE SPRAYING ACRS AGAIN THIS YEAR BUT IT'S DRASTICALLY DROPPED OFF.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE HISTOF THE SPONGY MOTH IT WILL PER THREE OR FOUR YEARS AND ITL COME BACK DOWN FOR SEVERALS AND IT WILL PEAK AGAIN.

IT IS THIS DPLUKSIATION OF POPULATION.

IT IS SOMETHING TO KEEP ANE ON.

I REMEMBER LOOKING AT THE P AND I DON'T THINK THERE'S H SPRAYING GOING ON AROUND FM CENTRE COUNTY.

THERE'S SOME IN WILLIAMSPOD ALTOONA.

BUT SPRING AND IT'S BEEN GY REDUCED.

>> IT WAS BAD.

>> IT WAS TERRIBLE A HILLSS WERE DEFOLIATED HERE IN CEL PA. >> I HAD TREES I WASN'T SUE THEY WERE GOING TO MAKE ITT THEY MADE IT.

WE HAVE AN E-MAIL TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.

RICK WRITES: HELLO, WHEN E BEST TIME TO DEFACH AND SCY THE LAWN?

AND WHAT NEXT OVERSEEDING?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

FOR THE MOST PART HERE IN PENNSYLVANIA, THATCHING IST NEEDED UNLESS, UNLESS YOU W YOU HAVE KENTUCKY BLUEGRAS.

MOST OF OUR GRASSES ARE COL SEASON OUR COOL SEASON GRAS THEY ARE THE BUNCH TYPE PERENNIAL RYE GRASS THEY DT CREATE THATCH.

THATCH IS A LOT OF RYE ZONS ACROSS THE SURFACE AND IT CREATES A DENSE MAT OF DEAD MATERIAL AND IT ACCUMULATER TIME.

AND IF THE THATCH GETS TOOK THEN YOU CAN DID RUN INTO PROBLEMS.

WITH SOMETHING LIKE KENTUCY BLUEGRASS YOU MIGHT NEED TO DETHATCH.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO DO THAT?

DETHATCH SOMETHING A DESTRE PROCESS.

OUR COOL SEASON GRASSES GRN THE SPRING AND THE FALL SOY ARE ABLE TO RECOVER FROM A DESTRUCTIVE PRACTICE.

I WOULD TRY TO DO IT IN THE FALL.

IF YOU DO IT IN THE SPRING YOU'RE OPENING UP THAT CANF THOSE GRASSES.

THINK OF WALKING IN A FORE.

IF YOU WALK IN A DENSE FORT YOU HAVE THE TREE CANOPY AD EVERYTHING UNDERNEATH IS S. SAME THING OCCURS WITH GRAF YOU HAVE A NICE DENSE CANOY THAT GROUND IS SHADED.

AND A LOT OF OUR WEED SEEDD SUNLIGHT TO START THE GERM NATION PROCESS.

NOW YOU COME IN AND DETHATD YOU OPEN UP THAT CANOPY THT SUNLIGHT CAN HIT THE SOIL D THE WEED SEEDS SAY I HAVE N AND CAN START GERMINATING H AS CRAB GRASS.

YOU CAN DETHATCH IN THE SPG BUT YOU ARE OPENING A CAN F WORMS WITH THAT PROCESS.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO IT O IT IN THE FALL.

AND AFTER THAT OVERSEED AFR THAT EVENT.

>> YES WE HAVE NOT DONE ANG LIKE THAT IN A WHILE.

>> THE ONE THING I DO, DO O AERATE.

THAT IS WHERE YOU ARE PULLG PLUGS OUT OF THE SOIL THATA DESTRUCTIVE PROCESS SO THAT SHOULD BE DONE IN THE COOLT OF THE SEASON.

>> YOU DON'T USE THE SHOESD RUN AROUND?

>> NO, I RENT A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT.

YOU CAN DO YOUR LAWN QUICKY THOSE SPIKE THINGS ON YOURS IT DOESN'T REALLY ACCOMPLI.

>> IF YOU HAVE A TEENAGER O TORTURE MAYBE.

SO WE HAVE A CALL SO RANDYM SOMERSET WHAT IS YOUR QUES?

>> HELLO AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING MY CALL.

I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO GET F HEDGE BIND WEED.

>> ELSA?

CAN YOU TAKE THIS ONE?

>> I'M GOING TO DEAVER TO .

DEFER TO TOM.

>> IS THIS IN A GARDEN OR N SOME OF YOUR ROW CROPS?

>> IN THE LANDSCAPE.

>> OKAY.

>> RHODODENDRONS AND ALL MY LANDSCAPE I DON'T KNOW HOWT IT BUT I WANT RID OF IT.

>> NOT A LOT OF GOOD ANSWEN THAT ONE.

>> I WAS AFRAID SO.

>> AND SO PART OF THAT IS T HARD WORK.

YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PL THOSE OUT.

ALL FLOWERING PLANTS PRODUE SEED IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED BY SEED YOU HAO CONTINUALLY PULL THAT OUT E LANDSCAPE BEDS.

AND WE TALK ABOUT THIS EARR ABOUT MULCHING FOR CONTROLG SOME MOISTURE ISSUES.

GETTING READY FOR THE SUMMT MULCH IS A WAY TO CONTROL S IN OUR LANDSCAPE BEDS.

AS MENTIONED BEFORE A LOT R WEEDS NEED SUNLIGHT TO GERE IF THERE'S WEED SEED IS THF YOU PUT A LAYER OF MULCH IT SMOTHERS THEM AND THEY NEVE THE LIGHT OF DAY THAT MIGHE THE OTHER THING IS MAKE SUU ARE PRACTICING A MULCH APPLICATION ON A REGULAR B.

FOR NOT ONLY MOISTURE CONTL BUT FOR CONTROLLING SOME OF THESE WEED ISSUES IN OUR LANDSCAPE BEDS.

YOU MULCH EVERY YEAR?

>> I'M NOT SAYING EVERY YET CLOSE TO IT IT DEPENDS WHAE DISTRACTS ME OUTSIDE.

YEAH, I LIKE TO PUT A THINR OF MULCH DOWN EVERY YEAR.

>> EVERY YEAR.

>> YES.

>> I HAVE A NEW TO DO LIST.

I HAVE A QUESTION ELSA FOR VEGETABLE GARDEN BECAUSE IE I HAVE LAND I HAVE TWO ACRT I HAVE DEER.

SO I GROW MOST OF MY VEGETS ON MY DECK IN CONTAINERS.

AND I HAVE CONTAINERS THATE LIKE TWO FEET BY THREE FEE.

AND I'M NEVER SURE LIKE HOY TOMATO PLANTS I CAN FIT INE OR IF I CAN PUT A TOMATO PT AND A CUCUMBER PLANT IS THA GOOD IDEA?

I DON'T KNOW.

>> YEAH, THAT IS A PERFECTY GOOD IDEA.

IN TERMS OF THE NUMBERS OF PLANTS THAT YOU WANT TO PUN THERE, THERE ARE RECOMMENDS FOR SPACING ALL CROPS.

BUT LIKE FOR TOMATOES IT'SO 24 INCHES APART.

THAT IS A GOOD STARTING PO.

BUT IF YOU ARE USING STAKIF YOU ARE PLANTS ARE SMALL OR WHATEVER YOU COULD PUT THEA LITTLE BIT CLOSER IN YOUR CONTAINERS.

AND IT'S PERFECTLY FINE TOO SOMETHING LIKE A DOUGH MAYW AND A CUCUMBER TOGETHER INA POT.

THAT'S PART OF THE FUN PART ABOUT GARDENING.

IS BEING CREATIVE AND WE SE THAT IN GARDENS WE SEE THAN FARMS ALL THE TIME.

>> THE NICE THING ABOUT GRG THE CUCUMBERS IN THE POT WD BE THAT NECESSARILY WOULDNT NEED THAT WHOLE POT SURFACU CAN ALLOW THAT PLANT TO FAL OVER BECAUSE IT IS A VINING PLANT YOU CAN UTILIZE THE K SPACE OR WHATEVER.

IT MAY NOT BE COMPETING THT MUCH WITH THE TOMATO PLANT.

>> I USUALLY, THE CUCUMBERS UP OVER THE RAILING.

I PUT IT NEXT TO IT THAT W. IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE ANOTR E-MAIL QUESTION.

SO JULIE WRITES: MY HUSBAD I RECENTLY MOVED INTO OUR RETIREMENT HOME.

AND THINKING INTO THE FUTUE DECIDED TO GET TALL LIKE 3H HIGH RAISED BEDS.

HOW DO I ADAPT MY GARDENING ROUTINE FROM INGROUND GARDG TO RAISED BEDS?

AND THEY ARE FILLED AND I'M STARTING TO PLANT.

BUT DON'T FULLY UNDERSTANDE DIFFERENCE WE HAVE FOUR BYT FOOT METAL RAISED BEDS.

THAT IS A LOT OF GARDEN.

WHAT DO YOU THINK, ELSA?

>> I LOVE RAISED GARDENS.

I ALSO GROW GARDENS IN THE GROUND AND I DON'T DO MUCH DIFFERENT BETWEEN MY RAISES AND MY INGROUND BEDS.

THE REASON I LIKE IT IS BEE WHEN YOU ARE DOING THINGS E WEEDING YOU CAN SIT ON THEE OF THE BED AND IT IS A LITE BIT EASIER PHYSICALLY.

I REALLY LIKE THAT.

I DON'T MAKE ANY ADAPTATIOI WILL DO A SOIL TEST FOR MY GARDEN BEDS I WILL GROW THE PLANTS.

I DON'T ADAPT THE WAY THE MANAGEMENT IN ALL OF MY GAN PLANTS IN A RAISED BED.

>> OTHER THAN I DO THINK TH WITH A RAISED BED, YOU MIGT WANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO TE WATERING ISSUE MORE BECAUSS ELEVATED YOU HAVE ON A HOT SUMMER DAY YOU HAVE THE SIN THE ATMOSPHERE INSTEAD OF E GROUND WATERING MIGHT BE MF AN ISSUE.

IF YOU ARE USING MULCH YOUD MULCH IT LIKE YOU WOULDN'T MANAGE IT ANY DIFFERENT THN THE GROUND.

YOU SHOULD MULCH YOUR PLANN THE GROUND AND IN A RAISED.

>> DOES IT GET COLDER FAST?

IF IT'S UP HIGH AND IT'S NT DOWN ON THE GROUND?

>> MAYBE A LITTLE BIT.

I GUESS TECHNICALLY, MAYBEU GET IN A COUPLE DAYS EARLIR BECAUSE THE SOIL WOULD WARM EARLIER.

YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GEN WEEKS AT A TIME IF YOU ARE PLANTING IN A RAISED BED VS IN THE SOIL.

SO, YEAH.

IT MIGHT GET A COUPLE DAYS.

>> WELL, WE HAVE A CALL WEE TOM FROM PORT MATILDA.

WHAT IS YOUR QUESTION?

>> HI.

SO I WANT TO PUT DOWN SOMED IN A VERY SHADY AREA AND IT THINK THAT THE SOD THAT YOY IN THE STORE THE GRASS IS L ADAPTED TO SHADY AREAS.

I WAS WONDERING IF YOU HADY ADVICE?

>> SO I MEAN THERE ARE A CE SPECIES OF GRASS THAT CAN WITHSTAND SOME SHADE.

BUT IT DEPENDS HOW DENSE TE SHADE IS.

WHAT IS GROWING IN THERE RT NOW?

>> TO BE HONEST, ABOUT A YR AGO IT WAS OVERCOME BY MOS.

SO WE RAKED THAT UP IT'S DT RIGHT NOW.

>> RIGHT.

SO, YEAH, EARLIER WE DID TK ABOUT THE MOSS ISSUE AND TT MOSS IN NATURE, SOMETHING O OCCUPY THAT SPACE THE SAYIS NATURE YEAH.

I FORGET THE SAYING NOW.

THAT MOSS IS THERE FOR THRE REASONS: ONE IT'S TOO WETE SOIL IS TOO ACIDIC, ONE THS TAKE A SOIL TEST.

AND THEN THE THIRD ONE IS T IT'S TOUCHEDDY WHERE NOTHIG ELSE GROWS.

YOU NEED TO GO OUT AND EVAE THAT DO THE SOIL TEST AND E HOW MUCH SHADE IS THERE ANU CAN CORRECT SOME OF THOSE.

IF IT'S THE SOIL IS TOO ACC ADD LIME.

IF THERE'S TOO MUCH SHADE E SOME OF THE LIMBS OF THE TO IT'S NOT AS DENSE OF A SHAE IT'S LIGHTER SHADE AND YOUT FILTERED SUNLIGHT IN.

BUT THERE ARE SOME SPECIESF GRASS THAT ARE A LITTLE MOE ADAPTED TO SHADE BUT NOT DE SHADE.

>> THANK YOU.

SO IF YOU ARE JUST JOINING, I'M SUSAN AND THIS IS WPSUS CONVERSATIONS LIVE GET YOUR GARDEN ON.

WE ARE TALKING WITH TWO GARDENING EXPERTS AND WE'DE TO HEAR FROM YOU.

OUR TOLL-FREE NUMBER IS 1-800-543-8242.

OR E-MAIL US AT CONNECT@WPG WE HAVE AN E-MAIL QUESTION.

BETTY WRITES: IS LEAF MOLR ALMOST DECAYED LEAVES SUITE AS MULCH AROUND CABBAGE AND OTHER PLANTS?

I REALIZE ANY MULCH SHOULDT BE TOO TIGHT UP AGAINST THE PLANTINGS.

>> I THINK THAT IS TOTALLYE TO USE AS A MULCH.

I'VE SEEN FOLKS USE GRASS CLIPPING, NEWSPAPER, MARK .

ANYTHING LIKE THAT WILL HEO WITH THE SOIL MOISTURE ANDS TOM WAS MENTIONING IF YOU A THICK ENOUGH LAYER IT CAN P WITH WEEDS.

YEP I WOULD DO THAT IN MY GARDEN.

>> DO YOU EVER WORRY ABOUT DISEASES WITH THE LEAVES UG LEAVES?

ANY MILDEW OR ANYTHING.

>> NO.

NO.

NO, LEAVES TAKE ADVANTAGE F THOSE LEAVES IT IS A FREE RESOURCE.

THERE IS NOT ANYTHING THATS GOING FROM TREES OR THE LES ON THE TREES TO VEGETABLE .

>> ELSA, WHAT ARE YOU LOOKG FORWARD TO WITH THIS GARDEN SEASON?

>> YOU KNOW I'M GOING TO TO GROW GINGER IN MY GARDEN TS YEAR.

I GOT ORGANIC GARDEN FROM E GROCERY STORE AND I'M GOINO START IT INSIDE SOON AND IM GOING TO GROW THAT IN MY GN CONTAINERS AND I'M EXCITEDO SEE THAT.

WE GROW IT IN ONE OF MY HYDROPONICS CLASS AND IT DS GREAT SO I WILL TRY IT IN Y GARDEN.

>> DO YOU COOK WITH GINGER?

DO YOU MAKE A TEA?

>> USUALLY MY YOUNGEST DAUR LOVES FRIED RICE IT WILL GN THAT.

>> EXCELLENT.

TOM, WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?

>> I DON'T THINK I'M TRYING ANYTHING NEW OR DIFFERENT E GARDEN THIS YEAR.

LAST YEAR WAS THE FIRST YEI GREW CARROTS AND I WAS SURD HOW EASY IT WAS TO GROW CA.

I HAVE A GREAT CARROT CROP.

IN FACT, I DUG UP CARROTS M LAST YEAR AND COOKED THEM .

SO WITH CARROTS YOU DON'T E TO HARVEST THEM IN THE FALU CAN LEAVE THEM OVER WINTERD LET THEM SIT IN THE SOIL BASICALLY.

AND AS THE SPRING UNFOLDEDS DIGGING UP CARROTS TO BRINO THE HOUSE FOR SALADS AND CASSEROLES AND STUFF.

SOME OF YOUR ROOT CROPS YOU DON'T HAVE TO DIG UP RIGHTY YOU CAN USE THE SOIL AS A REFRIGERATOR.

>> THEY SURVIVE THE WINTER?

>> IF YOU GO TOO LONG THEYL GET WOODY OVER TIME.

TWO YEARS AGO I LET BEETS O LONG AND THEY WERE WOODY AD THEY DIDN'T WORK.

CAN YOU LEAVE THOSE ROOT CS IN.

JUST -- NOW I DIDN'T HAVE THEM EXPD TO THE OUTSIDE WINTER ENVIRONMENT.

I TOOK SOME OF THE LEAVES I COLLECTED FROM MY NEIGHBORD ONCE NOVEMBER HIT I PILED E LEAVES ON TOP OF THE FOLIAD THE CARROTS AND BEETS WERER THE LEAVES AND THEY DID FI.

>> I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT CS AND BEETS TOO NEEDED LIKE A SANDY SOIL.

DID YOU HAVE TO ADD SOMETHO YOUR SOIL?

>> YOU NEED A SOIL THAT IS FRIABLE THAT THE ROOTS CANW THROUGH.

SO IF YOU HAVE CLAY SOIL, U WILL HAVE PROBLEMS.

BUT I'VE BEEN WORKING THESE GARDENS FOR TWO DECADES PLD I'VE USED A LOT OF ORGANIC MATTER.

I COMPOST THE STUFF IN THE KITCHEN NOT MEAT AND THINGE THAT.

BUT JUST VEGETABLE CUTTINGD SO FORTH AND YOU ADD THAT E SOIL AND IT MAKES A NICE ENVIRONMENT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JG US.

OUR GUESTS TONIGHT HAVE BEN PENN STATE EXTENSION EDUCA, ELSA SANCHEZ AND TOM BUTZL.

I'M SUSAN AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US WPSU'S GET YOUR GARDEN ON AND PLEASE JOIN R THE NEXT EPISODE OF CONVERSATIONS LIVE, MAY 15T 8:00 P.M.

WHEN WE'LL TALK ABOUT ARTIL INTELLIGENCE.

[♪♪] REWATCH THIS AND PREVIOUS EPISODES OF CONVERSATIONS E AND MORE OF YOUR FAVORITE U PROGRAMS ON THE PBS APP.

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