ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, January 28, 1996 TAG: 9601300050
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: D-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: DEAR JOHN
SOURCE: JOHN ARBOGAST
Now is an excellent time to look ahead to the coming growing season and consider some yard-care practices that are critical in protecting the quality of groundwater and streams.
This concern is based on studies of pesticide and fertilizers that have entered local water bodies and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.
Lawn-care practices that have been measured by the Extension Service to improve water quality and ones that we all should follow are: using soil test results to determine proper fertilizer rates; adopting fall fertilizer schedule for bluegrass and fescue lawns; identifying all pests in the lawn and landscape before selecting a control and deciding when to make applications; and composting leaves and grass and using them as a resource rather than adding them to the landfill.
Lawn-care attitudes that have shown significant increases following participating in Extension residential lawn-care/water-quality efforts in another part of Virginia are: linked excessive fertilizer with Chesapeake Bay problems; believed pesticides should not be used regularly; and considered lawn appearance to be very good or excellent after following Extension's recommendations and reducing impact on water quality.
Q: We had a problem with something in our lower level between the paneling and the wall. My husband thinks that it is squirrels on the outside. We set traps inside the house in case of mice. What do you think this is and what can we do? G.L., Roanoke
A: This could be squirrels, rats, mice or possibly some other critters in the walls. I would suggest that you remove a small section of the wall where the sounds seem to be coming from and set a medium-sized box trap there baited with a nut product to find out what the culprit is.
Devise specific control strategy based on what you get in the box trap. Consider all potential ways the critters could have gotten into your walls and have heavy-duty carpentry repairs made to prevent it from happening in the future once all the current critters are evicted.
Q: Our maple tree that was trimmed two years ago has black bark at the base and also one large limb with white growth on it. Please give your advice.
A: The black bark at the base is likely the result of sap seepage or sap accumulation from drips or runs above the area. This happens with various trees, especially maples that are heavy bleeders of sap, and generally is nothing to worry about. However, carefully examine the area of blackened bark for wounds that could be the source of sap running. It may reveal spots that have started to decay.
Usually, sap that is running from any plant should be allowed to flow, because attempts to block it might result in moisture buildup and rotting.
The white growth on the limb is likely a harmless growth called lichen, if it is dry and papery. To be sure, take a sample of bark with the growth to your local Cooperative Extension Office for specific diagnosing.
Send short questions about your lawn, garden, plants or insects to Dear John, c/o The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491. We need your mail, but this column can't reply to all letters. Those of wide appeal will be answered during the weeks that the subject is timely. Personal replies cannot be given. please don't send stamps, stamped envelopes, samples, or pictures.
Gardener's checklist
Jobs for late January and early February:
Start tubers of tuberous begonias indoors now if you want to have summer-long flowering in pots, beds, or hanging baskets in shady spots outdoors this coming season; cut, pull, and remove honeysuckle and other weedy vines from deciduous plants while the host plants are still leafless; take soil tests now as soon as the ground is workable from gardens and flower beds if this job was not done last fall.
Flower conference
The 1996 Virginia Cut Flower Growers Conference for commercial growers, potential growers and dedicated hobbyists will be held in Roanoke on Feb. 16 and 17. Contact Jon Vest in the Roanoke County Extension Office at (540) 772-7524 for information and registration.
LENGTH: Medium: 78 linesby CNB