1. What does soil pH mean? - On a scale with the number 7 being neutral, any number above 7 is alkaline, and any number below 7 is acidic.

2. What does "deciduous" mean? - This term applies to plants which will shed their leaves annually.

3. What can I do to get rid of aphids? - Aphids are a "sucking" insect that is usually green, but can also be red, or black. When your plant has aphids, you will need to start a spray program using an insecticide such as Orthene, Insecticidal soap, or another that lists aphids as a control.

4. What is this black stuff on my plant's leaves? - This is called "black sooty-mold", it's a non-damaging fungus that will adhere to an insects secretion (honeydew). When this is present you will need to spray with an insecticide that controls these insects.

5. What is making my lawn die in spots? - This may be brown patch. "Brown patch" is a disease that will attack St. Augustine grass when it's cool and wet, or humid. It appears in circular patterns, with the circles growing larger in size. Use a lawn fungicide labeled for this disease.

6. What is a "fungicide" used for? - A fungicide is used to kill, or prevent the growth of fungi.

7. What are fertilizers used for? - To provide one or more nutrients to our plants that nature can no longer provide, or has been leached out of the soil. Fertilizers are usually composed of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in a form that can be readily used by plants.

8. What does a "Soil acidifier" do? - When your plants are recommended for acidic soil (lower pH), then using soil sulfur, or a liquid acidifier containing sulfur will correct the alkaline conditions by lowering the pH.

9. What does annual and perennial mean? - An annual plant is one that sprouts, grow, flowers, then dies in one year. A perennial will return each season.

10. What should I do to improve my soil? - Adding plenty of organic matter, with humus, manure, gypsum, mulch, and extra top soil will improve drainage, soil life, and assure success.

11. What does "hardening" mean?- A process of gradually preparing plants to harsher conditions from sheltered locations such as a greenhouse, or indoors.

12. What is organic matter? - Any substance which is the remains of some form of life. Example: PEAT-partially decayed organic matter from ancient swamps.

13. What does "variegated" mean? - Different colors on the same leaf, or flower.

14. What can I plant in shady spots for color? - Begonias (some are sun tolerant as well), impatiens, caladiums, calico plant, chocolate plant (pseuderanthemum alatum), coleus, columbine, purple shield (strobilanthes dyeranus), nicotiana, are just some.

15. What is scale? - an insect (sucking) that is oval in shape, with a shield-like protective coating (covering). Comes in many forms.

16. What is a "surfactant"? - a substance added to a chemical solution which helps the solution to adhere evenly to whatever it's sprayed and will keep the solution from beading up.

17. What does "broadcast" mean? - When you evenly scatter seed or any granular substance it is called broadcasting.

18. What does "chelate" mean? - a form of a minor nutrient, such as iron which is readily available to the plant.

19. What will get rid of these weeds in my lawn? - A herbicide that is listed for use in warm season grasses like St. Augustine that will kill broadleaf weeds without harm to the grass can be used. Example: (Ortho Weed-b-Gone for Southern Lawns).

20. What can I do for my plants when it freezes? - Most hardy plants will be able to handle the freeze if they are watered well to keep their roots warm. Most tropicals, and more tender plants should be watered, and covered up well with burlap and plastic over the burlap. Cacti, however, should be kept dry before a freeze.

21. What is organic gardening? - This means growing things in harmony with nature--using naturally occurring materials to add to our soil and as plant fertilizers that are safer to our environment.

22. What can we do to prevent worms in our fruit (peaches)? - This can be accomplished with dormant oils while your trees are in their deciduous state. And you can use a fruit tree spray when most of the flowers from the tree have fallen.

23. What can I do to prevent insect and disease problems? - Practicing good maintenance such as proper cleaning, spacing, mulching, and fertilizing your plants to keep them healthy is the strongest defense against pests and disease.

24. What are some good shade trees for Houston? - Green ash, chinaberry, drake elm, American holly, live oak, red oak, water oak, southern magnolia, red maple, sycamore.

25. What should I keep in mind when choosing plants? - Remember what soil types they need, amount of sun, water, and their mature size. Also if it's going to be in a high traffic area.

26. What are some good groundcovers for Houston? - Asian jasmine, ardisia, liriope, monkey, and mondo grass, verbena, wedelia, and the low growing junipers do well too.

27. What are some good hardy shrubs for Houston? - Indian hawthorn, holly (many varieties), barberry, abelia, viburnum, nandina, boxwood, cleyera, are just some.

28. What is powdery mildew? - White powdery film on leaves, parasitic. A fungicide should be used when present.

29. What are some good indoor low light plants? - Dracaena "Janet Craig", D. "Warnecki", D. "massageana", Sansevieria, Spathiphyllum, ferns, spider plant, certain palms, ivy.

30. What are some good indoor high light plants? - varieties of ficus, bromeliads, orchids, cacti, yucca, African violets, crotons, are just some.

31. What are some good plants for hanging baskets? - Spider plant, ferns, ivy, nephtytis, wandering Jew, begonia, geranium, impatiens, burro's tail, purslane, verbena, lantana, chenille.

32. what are some good plants for outdoor shady spots? - Kurume azaleas, pericat azaleas, Rutherford azaleas, abelia, aucuba, camellia japonica, cleyera, nandina, are just some.

33. What are some good plants for sunny locations? - roses, Indian hawthorn, Texas sage, gardenia, bridal wreath (spirea), oleander, are just a few of many.

34. What are some signs of nutrient deficiencies? - Nitrogen: older growth turns yellow, stunted growth. Iron: leaves turn yellow with green veins. Phosphorus: leaves turn blue-green, then a bronze, and finally turn brown-black.

35. What are some good vegetables for the spring garden? - Artichoke, snap beans, sweet corn, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, onion sets, pepper, radish, spinach, tomato.

36. What are some good vegetables for summer? - Artichoke, eggplant, okra, hot pepper, sweet pepper, spinach (climbing), sweet potato.

37. What are some good vegetables for fall? - asparagus, beans, beet, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, collard, cucumber, lettuce, onion, spinach, tomato.

38. What are some of our native edible plants? - blackberry, dewberry, mayberry, mulberry, horsemint, marigold, nasturtium, dandelion, purslane, are just some. Please ask for further information before ingesting parts of these plants.

39. What can I do to prepare an herb bed? - Good drainage is essential! Herbs can survive in less than perfect soil, but not if it remains soggy. Raise the bed 6-8 inches above soil level, add peat moss, gypsum, mulch, cow manure, top soil, and some lime. Mix evenly, and let settle for a few days.

40. What can I do to attract wildlife? - Planting trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and providing a birdbath is all that's required. The old saying goes "if you plant it, they will come!"

41. Why should I fertilize? - Plants need more than a dozen nutrients. When these are no longer available in the soil, they can be replaced by adding fertilizer.

42. Why do I need to prune? - Pruning is done: to correct growth direction, to remove dead or weak branches, to thin, to increase bushiness, and to promote new growth.

43. Why are my plant's leaves turning yellow? - Sometimes a change in leaf color can be caused from one or more of the following: nutrient deficiency (iron, nitrogen, etc.), over or under watering, pests, improper pH. When in doubt, bring samples to Teas.

44. Why is my plant always wilting? - Too much, too little water; too hot, or too dark for the plant, are the more common reasons.

45. Why do I need to improve my soil? - Most of Houston has black gumbo (alkaline) clay soil. Many plants will just not do well in this type of soil. Adding organic matter to improve its drainage and make it "friable" (crumbly) is very important. For sandy soil adding organic matter helps, too.

46. Why should I worry about where I place my plants? - Plants which do well in bright sunny spots, will get leggy and weak in a shady location. Plants will also need room to grow, so consider the mature size the plant is capable of attaining.

47. Why doesn't adding more fertilizer get better results? - Too much of any plant food or chemical we apply to plants does more harm than good. Plants can be severely burned from too much fertilizer.

48. Why should I wait to feed new trees and shrubs? - Feeding too soon before the plant is well established may easily burn the roots. It is best to use a "root stimulator" rather than ordinary fertilizer on new transplants.

49. Why should I use "root stimulator"? - This helps quicken the plants growth (roots) below ground to help it get established. Lessens stress, and is also used to perk up a weak plant.

50. Why are my bedding plants getting all chewed up? - This is caused by slugs and snails. Apply slug/snail bait around the garden, but not in with the flowers. Apply it to areas where they may be hiding, under decks, etc.

51. Why should I worry about "insects and disease"? - When your plants are infested badly enough, it usually results in poor plant health and possible death, when left untreated. Caught soon enough, plants treated with insecticides and fungicides most often are cured of these problems.

62. Why should I mulch? - This prevents rapid evaporation of the soil, keeps down weeds, and prevents excessive soil temperatures that slow down plant growth.

63. Why should I worry about "soil pH"? - When a pH reading is too high or too low, plant nutrients in the soil become unavailable, and in some instances can become toxic. A reading of 6.5 is usually ideal.

64. Why can't I plant certain shrubs, trees, etc. in areas like Houston? -Our climate (hot, humid), rainfall, or lack of, and type of soil are not preferable to plants that require cooler weather or different soil makeup.

65. Why should I worry about frost on plants? - Even though our climate is nearly tropical year round, we do get an occasional cold period. These cold periods usually are not gradual, and can harm plants that have not been hardened off. It's best to rinse frost off plants early in the morning after a freeze.

66. Why should I prune my hedge a certain way? - Most hedges we see in peoples homes etc. have hedges sheered straight across the top and the sides. This does not afford the plant needed sunlight for lower branches. It's best to have a rounded top and sloping edges, not a squared off rectangle in shape.

67. Why should I plan out my garden? - Keeping plants in an area that have different watering needs, planting a tall plant in front of smaller ones, placing plants too close, or not giving proper light can all ruin all your hard work.

68. Why should I read chemical labels? - Never guess on how much of a product to use. Labels furnish to the user all requirements and precautions you will need to follow to assure plant health and user safety.

69. Why should I water a certain way? - Good deep soakings that can penetrate to the lower levels of soil, rather than light sprinkling, will assure deep root growth and healthier plants.

70. Why should I worry about winter protection? - Abrupt drops in temperature can severely damage most plants. When possible, a good watering, and covering of the plant is best protection.

71. How do I apply liquid pesticides?--- Some of these insecticides and fungicides come in a ready to use spray bottle. But when they don't, sprayers are available that hook up to the garden hose. Each product label will list uses, directions, and precautions to take.

72. How do I check for chinch-bugs? - These pests are very damaging to our St. Augustine lawns. Large areas of grass will die and continue to spread outwards. Place an empty bottomed out coffee can 1 inch in the ground where the green grass is meeting the dying grass. Fill can with water. Small insects will float to the top. Larval staged bugs will be small with a black band across their back. Adults have folded white wings with black diamond shapes on their backs.

73. How do I check for aphids? - These will come in different colors either in light green, red or black. They will be present in large numbers, and are usually located on the new growth of the plant, easily seen with the naked eye.

74. How do I check for whiteflies? - These pests will fly away from the plant when it is shaken or disturbed. They will fly sideways. They are pure white in color, usually many are present. They often leave a black mold that is a result of their secretions. (Aphids will also do this.)

75. How do I check for spider mites? - Very difficult to detect with the naked eye. But one clue is many tiny punctures on the leaf surface, with a discoloration giving a salt and pepper appearance to the leaf.. When there are many you can see a thin webbing.

76. How do I apply lawn fertilizer? - Measure your lawn by length and width and multiply together. This gives you your lawn's square footage. If applying a granular fertilizer, use a lawn spreader. Often there are spreader settings on the fertilizer bag. Water in fertilizer after you have applied it.

77. How do I protect plants from cold.? - If they are indoor tropical type, they should be moved inside in fall. Most plants that are fairly hardy such as hollies, ligustrum, etc. can be watered well and covered with sheets, burlap to prevent excessive cold wind damage. Remove after freeze.

78. How do I feed my flowering shrubs? - Granular fertilizers are usually the most economical to feed established plants. Identify your shrub and choose the correct food. Evenly broadcast recommended amount, keeping it away from leaves and stems and on the "drip line." This is the area at the edge of the leaves. Be sure to water in well after this application.

79. How do I feed my trees? - The tree's height and trunk size will determine how much fertilizer is needed. Fertilizer is first applied in the spring, and can be repeated at a later time. There are spikes, root feeder devices, and granular fertilizers available. each product will explain how and when to use it.

80. How do I check for brown patch ? - This is a lawn disease which will appear in cool wet or humid conditions and attacks St. Augustine lawns. Circular in shape, it will continue to grow larger, with new circles appearing brown in color. Grass blades will easily separate from the stolon (runner) when pulled.

81. How do I check for scale? - Easy to see with the naked eye, they will appear as small circular bumps on the stem or leaves. White to brown in color, usually in large numbers on the underside of foliage, they can also be found on top. There can also be a crawling stage which is smaller and easier to treat.

82. How do I prepare a new garden? - Lay out an area which will enhance your landscape, but will be easy enough to reach into when pruning or feeding. Choose plants desirable for the area (size, light requirements, watering needs). Till up existing ground, and remove obstacles such as rocks, grass, etc. Remove excessive clay lumps. Add in plenty of organic matter such as cow manure, peat, gypsum, fine bark mulch, and extra top soil if needed to raise the level permanently. Combine with existing soil to raise this new bed above surrounding soil level. You may also work in some bone meal, granular fertilizers or time-released nutrients at this time. Water in and let settle.

83. How do I choose the right plant? - Look for healthy specimens to start with, usually ones with no sign of nutrient deficiency or disease. Remember the plant's mature size in years to come. Be sure each plant is right for your soil or garden bed and it receives the correct light exposure.

84. How do I test my soil pH? - There are many soil test kits which are available now for the home. Or you may wish to gather samples from your lawn or garden and have them tested by Texas A&M lab.

85. How do I know when to water my indoor plants?- The size of the container will determine how fast each plant will dry and need watering. The type of soil medium (well draining bark, or rich in peat, etc.) can also influence dryness. When watering plants, feel the soil, or buy a soil water meter. Letting the soil go slightly dry between good waterings is the best. Usually the lighter in color the soil appears, the more dry it is.

86. How do I know when to water my outdoor gardens? - When we go from season to season, from cool to very hot, our plant's water needs will change. When no rainfall is received we should provide most plants with an inch of water per week. Some shallow rooted plants like bedding plants, azaleas, etc. may need up to two inches per week.

87. How do I know when to water my lawn? - St. Augustine is a very drought tolerant grass, but now and again in the hot summer months a good soak is needed. When you walk on your lawn and your foot prints remain, you need to get the sprinkler out.

88. How do I know what weed killer to use? - Weed killers are described as either "non-selective", or "selective", Pre-emergent, or post emergent.
Selective means one that will eliminate undesirable weeds while not harming other wanted plants. For example: Ortho "Grass-B-Gone" will destroy grass in and around certain listed groundcover plants, Asian jasmine, etc.
Non-selective herbicides will destroy any plant they are sprayed onto. Example: Monsanto's Round-up.
Pre-emergent weed killers will destroy weed seedlings before they mature.
Post-emergents will destroy existing bothersome-weeds.

89. How do I know which plant food to choose?- Many fertilizers specify for which plants they are intended. Ask your nursery professional if you are in doubt.

90. How do I know if a plant is poisonous? - Many of our favorite plants are potentially harmful and could prove fatal if eaten. Symptoms of poisoning include: nausea, vomiting, headache, disorientation. Should these symptoms appear you should immediately call a doctor, induce vomiting unless the person is unconscious, and bring a portion of the plant in question with you. Having a list handy of poisonous plants, and knowing what they look like is your best defense.

91. When should I prune my plants? -Azaleas, bottlebrush, camellias, climbing roses, dogwood, gardenias, and redbud should be pruned after they have flowered. Roses and fruit trees should be pruned by February 15th for the roses and January 15th for the fruit trees. Crepe myrtle, oleander, and most trees should be pruned December-February.

92. When should I feed my azaleas? - After their spring bloom period has finished, they should be fed. Once in April, once in May, and once more in June if it's not too hot. Years when it's been warm in winter you may be able to start in March.

93. When should I plant my annual color? - In Houston, you will always be able to plant one thing or the other, but prime months are February-April, and in fall September-November.

94. When should I feed my indoor plants? - Most plant's growing season April-September is prime feeding time. Although you may feed every time you water with certain plant foods. Be sure to read each plant fertilizer product label before using.

95. When should I bring in my tropical plants? - Most will need to be brought inside in late October-early November, but some of the more cold hardy ones like Norfolk pines, etc, can stay out a bit longer and be brought indoors before a FREEZE.

96. When can I plant St. Augustine sod? - In Houston you can plant sod all year round. The sod will look dormant in the late fall and winter. Keep sod well watered, especially if planted in the hot summer months.

97. When should I test my soil pH? - You should test at times when you have just moved into a new home, or starting a new garden, or if you notice plants in ill health. Each January is a good time as well.

98. When should I check out my garden tools? - Every new year is a great time to sharpen old tools, oil up those old shears, sharpen worn lawn mower blades. That way everything's ready for spring use.

99. When should I start spraying for "black-spot" on roses? - in periods of cool and moist weather starting early and spraying weekly in these periods is best. This helps prevent the occurrence of this disease.

100. When can dormant oil be used? - More often when your plants are in their winter dormant state, but if your plant has an insect infestation in other months, these oils can be used at weaker solutions. The label will tell how.

101. When should I worry about "brown-patch"? - In cool spring and fall months when it's humid or wet. And especially if there was an occurrence the past year.

102. When should I repot a plant? - Although some plants enjoy being root-bound, many do not. When the height of the plant far exceeds the size of the pot, and when there are many roots coming out of the pot and hardly any soil is present, it's time to repot.

103. When should I feed my lawn? - If it's been a warm winter, you can start early March, again in summer, and finish in the fall.

104. When should I worry about insects? Sad to say, but most of the year in Houston our plants will need to be monitored for an insect problem. But using good plant cultural practices will keep your plants healthy, and that's the best defense.

105. When should I plant vegetables? You can grow veggies three times a year in Houston. You can start in late February for the spring garden, May for the summer garden, and September for the fall. The exact time will vary each year, but starting early is usually better, and you can always protect them with a light cover.

106. When should I plant tulips, and other spring flowering bulbs? tulips: New Years, or late December. Daffodils: November-December. Hyacinths: October-December.

107. When should I feed bulbs? - At time of planting, and once again when they have started to sprout.

108. When should I plant roses? - bare root-Jan-Feb. Container: February-November.

109. When should I feed roses? - 4-6 weeks after good new growth for new ones and late February - September for established ones.