Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 1, 1990 TAG: 9004120872
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: D-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: John Arbogast
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Research has shown that adding material to the soil seldom is beneficial and may even be detrimental. Thus, the old resommendation to use peat moss in the planting hole is no longer valid.
One danger of organically amending the soil at planting is that such soil holds water. This may be good when planting in a light sandy soil, but in the heavy clay soils that most of us around Roanoke have the organic matter may hold too much water and effectively "drown" the plant.
Another reason for not using organic matter in planting permanent plants (it is still needed for annuals and short-term plantings) is that organic matter naturally decays over time to humus and loses structure and volume. This causes the soil filled back in around plants to settle and decreases the air in the soil. This can be particularly damaging in deep holes where the plant settles in lower than is desirable, increasing susceptibility to crown rots.
Of course, we can't forget the long-term problem that can occur when landscape trees and shrubs are planted in amended holes. With all other conditions ideal, roots may grow well in the amended soil right around the origional root system but not grow into the native soil outside the origional hole.
The bottom line is that trees and shrubs should be planted in appropriate locations using the native soil removed from the hole. If the soil is so bad that plant failure can be expected, dig out a wide area but the replacement soil should be brought in from a nearby location.
Q: The last couple of years I have had a problem with my impatiens plants and begonias. They will be blooming and growing well but sometime during the night something chews them off at the top of the ground. I find them wilted and lying over the ground. It happens in the flower pots and beds. Mrs. S.C., Covington
A: Since the damage occurs at night and the chewed off plants are left lying, it sounds like cutworms are responsible. To prevent their damage, protect lower stems of bedding plants with a collar of cardboard, foil or some other material to keep the cutworms from getting at the plants. The other remedy is to use the chemical Dursban or diazinon according to label directions just after the ornamental plants are set out or as soon as damage starts. Thoroughly wet the soil with the spray as well as the young bedding plants. Apply this in the evening, since the cutworms feed at night.
Q: Your article on American boxwoods sounds like just what my partly frozen boxwoods need, but I cannot afford an expensive landscaper. I also have found that some lawn caretakers send out helpers who are not qualified. E.S., Roanoke
A: Cooperative Extension Service personnel cannot recommend workers or firms to anyone even though we get asked to from time to time. Unfortunately, except for persons applying restricted use pesticides, workers in plant nurseries, ground maintenance and lawncare do not have to pass any courses or show any credentials before they can be employed. Sometimes, community colleges or vocational schools are able to recommend students who have been through courses and should be capable of doing good work or you could ask at garden centers or nurseries and neighbors who have had yard work done may be able to make recommendations.
\ Got a question about your lawn, garden, plants or insects? Write to Dear John, c/o the Roanoke Times & World News, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke 24010.
by CNB