Callers:

• Gary – He had a 20 foot Blue Palo Verde Tree fall down last fall & his neighbor told him to split it into two and plant them. He doesn’t like how it looks, but is wondering if he should be patient or start over?

Recommendation – It probably would grow back, but it’s going to look like a bush and not look very nice, even after a ton of work. A new plant is probably the best plan.

• Dave – His hibiscus plant seems to be growing well, but as soon as the leaves fully mature, they’re turning yellow and dying. What should he do?

Recommendation – Hibiscus need a lot of nutrients and are “Hungry Plants.”  Many plants this time of year are low on nitrogen, so fertilize more regularly. Jay likes using “Rose Plant Food.”

(Congratulations to Gilbert on winning tickets to the Phoenix Suns game!!!)

After talking about fertilizing roses, Romey shares the benefits of Bonide Rose Shield.

Find Bonide Products at Summerwinds Nursery in Glendale or Civano Nursery in Tucson or Watters Garden Center in Prescott.

*Jay talks about identifying bugs in your yard and what he usually recommends to homeowners who stop by his nursery.

Callers:

• Tim – He has 9 squares of Mel’s Square Foot Gardening and wants to know if he needs to add more Mel’s mix and fertilizer before the summer.

Recommendation – He needs to add fertilizer for sure! The kit is just a start and will need to be maintained to have a successful annual garden.

• Christine – She has 5 new hollyhock plants and the leaves are turning yellow?

Recommendation – This is common and she just needs to add fertilizer.  Make sure to read the instructions to make sure it’s applied properly & not a waste of time.

• Greg – He has a 19 feet by 5.5 feet wide south facing space and wants plant recommendations for the space.

Recommendation – Try Orange Jubilees plant, Common Myrtle or Japanese Privet should work great!   A metal trellis with vines could be great too.

• Scott – He has two hedges on either side of his sidewalk, but one side is doing well. The other is struggling. He’s treating them similarly, so what could be causing it?

Recommendation –  Jay would check the irrigation systems. Even if it is running the same, the sprayers might be off on one side. There could be something in the soil one one side, not the other. It sounds like an irrigation issue to Jay.

Callers:

• Greg – He’s putting in a 10 x 10 Foot Strawberry patch and wants Jays opinion on the best strawberry variety and soil treatments.

Recommendation – Strawberries don’t grow that well here, so shade is a key for part of the year.  He’ll need really rich and moist soil. Lots of organic material and gypsum continually added to cancel out the natural soil deficiencies in our soil.

• Jim – His agave and saguaro plants have worms into the roots that are killing it.

Recommendation – It sounds like the larva of the agave snout weevil and is usually discovered after its too late.  Preventative treatments in the fall and spring are key to preventing it. Jay’s never heard of this same problem with saguaro’s, so he might want to verify that something else isn’t going on with that plant.

If you have a question for Jay during the week or need supplies, visit Harper’s Nursery & Landscape Company!