Q. I think my Meyer lemon tree is confused! It is flowering and has baby lemons started in winter. I pruned it last January, hoping the new growth would stimulate flowers in April, but just got more green foliage. What do I do? -- Kristen Herndon, Buford
A. It's not confused, it's blooming naturally! Unlike most plants, which bloom in warm weather, Meyer lemon blooms sporadically throughout the year but usually in winter. Meyer lemon was a major crop in California until the 1940s, when the tree was found to be a symptomless carrier of a deadly citrus virus. As a result, most were destroyed. A grower found a virus-free tree in the 1950s and ‘Improved Meyer’ lemon trees came back on the market. Your lemon does not require insects to pollinate the flowers, although an occasional light tapping of the flower clusters will improve fruit set.
Q. Our garden center is no longer carrying any basic fertilizer with phosphorus. They have 10-0-10, etc. Their explanation is that it's more friendly to the environment. What is your take on this? -- Evelyn Brown, Conyers
A. I think the phosphorus pollution in Florida waters has affected fertilizer manufacturers in the Southeast. Our neighbor to the south has naturally high phosphorus levels in the soil. In addition, Florida has plenty of cattle operations, agricultural lands and lawn owners applying fertilizer indiscriminately. The result is lots of phosphorus in streams and lakes. There, this plant nutrient makes algae grow rapidly, which degrades the waterways. Phosphorus levels are generally in the medium to high range in metro Atlanta soils, so adding more doesn’t do much for plants. If your lawn has the proper pH of 6.0–6.5, grass plants can extract all of the phosphorus they need. The only way to know your soil pH level is to get a soil test done. Details at www.georgiasoiltest.com.
Q. Can I grow barley here? -- Ron Mitchell, Cobb County
A. My guess is that you’re trying to brew beer, right? Barley can grow in Georgia but it is raised more by hobbyists rather than farmers. The seeds are used for beer making, but others harvest the green shoots for juicing. Barley for juicing can be planted anytime because the technique involves planting lots of seed in a plastic tray and raising them indoors. Outdoor cultivation is more problematic. Barley sprouts very well in October but cold weather can kill it. If you want to grow it for grain, the best planting time is February. You'll be able to harvest the golden seeds in summer.
Q. How long can I wait before planting a new tree where we have had a stump ground? -- Jeanette Crissey, e-mail
A. It all depends on how many wood chips are left mixed with the soil. If there are a lot, the soil will lack nitrogen for a year. You can remedy that by mixing a pint of 10-10-10 or some leftover turf fertilizer into the 10-foot diameter area, then plant your tree. If the soil is soft below the new tree’s rootball, compact it thoroughly to avoid subsequent sinking.
Listen to Walter Reeves Saturday mornings on AM 750 and now 95.5 FM News-Talk WSB. Visit his website, www.walterreeves.com, or join his Facebook Fan Page at xrl.us/wrfacebook for more garden tips.
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