Every gardener, from novice to master, has gardening questions form time to time. Here is a collection of the most frequently asked questions we are hearing right now. If your concern doesn't appear on the list, you can look at the Plants tab at the Growing & Maintenance portion of a plant record for specific care instructions, or Contact Us with your specific questions.

When should I fertilize my plants? Early sprint is a great time to fertilize your plants. We recommend using a granular, slow-release, balanced (10-10-10, 12-12-12 or similar) fertilizer. Follow the directions on the package, and you should not have to fertilize again until next year! The one exception to this is roses, who need a specific rose fertilizer...look for a 3-in-1 variety that also includes ingredients for disease resistance and pest resistance.

Is now the time to prune my shrubs? That depends...most spring-flowering broadleaf shrubs like azaleas and rhododendrons should be pruned immediately after blooming. Fall pruning would remove the buds for the next year. Varieties that bloom later in the summer, like hydrangeas and weigelas, should be pruned in early spring.

I have a butterfly bush..do I really cut it back to the ground in early spring? Yes! Pruning them down to 6-12" in early spring will promote vigorous growth and flowering. They grow quickly, and will soon return to their former size, and in most cases come back larger every year.

My lilac never blooms, why is that? There are several reasons the lilac it isn't blooming. It might not be getting enough sunlight (they require 6 or more hours daily). Are you pruning it in spring? You may be removing buds, it is better to do major pruning in midsummer, after the bloom. Also, fertilizers with high nitrogen content may be to blame, encouraging lush foliage growth but not blooms. Try a balanced (10-10-10, 12-12-12 or similar) instead.

I just purchased a fruit tree or small fruit...does it need another variety for pollination? See our Pollination Chart under the Resources tab for answers.