Q: How many days should one wait to mow the lawn after fertilizing? — Loren Strickland, e-mail
A: Long enough to go inside to get a glass of water and then return to start the mower. No delay is necessary.
Q: Is it possible to grow English walnuts here? — Renaud Williams, Lithonia
A: I think winter cold will be your enemy. English walnut can tolerate temperatures much below freezing, but it will come out of winter dormancy following just a few warm days in December or January. Cold temperatures following this will severely hurt the tree. Some hardiness can be gained by grafting English walnut to a black walnut rootstock, but I don't know if they have been found successful in Georgia.
Q: We saw a distinct blue flower blooming all over Savannah. The stalk is about 2 feet tall and the blooms are a 6-inch-diameter ball. What is it? — Janice Rowe, Monroe
A: You saw agapanthus, a great summer bulb for the lower South. It is native to southern Africa. Despite claims for "cold-hardy" types, it does not readily overwinter outdoors in Atlanta. The best idea is to put the bulb in a large pot and move it indoors when winter comes. Cut off the foliage and keep it inside until night temperatures are above 50 degrees in spring.
Q: Our first flower bed in Georgia last year was beautiful Wave petunias. Tried the same thing this year but lost many plants to slugs. The nursery said to spread diatomaceous earth around the plants. We did, and soaked it in with the hose, but it didn’t seem to help. — Noryne and Dennis Russo, Woodstock
A: Diatomaceous earth consists of razor-sharp microscopic particles that pierce an insect's skin. It becomes ineffective when wet. Further, I've seen a slug crawl unharmed over a razor blade, so I don't think DE would deter these slimy creatures, even if the powder was dry. Try an iron phosphate bait (Sluggo and Escar-Go!, etc).
Q: A friend is having problems with buzzards. Forty of them gather on her roof each day. They actually got into her garage and pulled the seal off the convertible top on her car. Any suggestions? — Alecia Provenzano, Jesup
A: Despite their unattractive countenance and none-too-delicate eating habits, buzzards (vultures) are federally protected. This means you can't kill them, though I'm sure that's what you'd like to do after one tears up your convertible. One way to make them feel less than welcome is to place a motion-activated water sprayer near where they land or congregate. Look for the Scarecrow (www.contech-inc.com) or the Havahart Spray Away (www.havahart.com).
Listen to Walter Reeves from 6 to 10 Saturday mornings on WSB-AM (750). Go to www.gardeningingeorgia .com for details on his TV show or visit his Web site, www.walterreeves.com.
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