Using dolomite as mulch

I would appreciate your comments on the idea of adding dolomite to the surface of the ground where I am thinking of planting a field of lavender. I want to reduce acidity in the soil, provide a reflective groundcover to raise summer temperatures around the lavender plants, improve drainage (south-facing slope) and deter weeds from growing. more...

Prune honeysuckle

I have a Lonicera 'Belgica' that is three years old. It has not been pruned since it was planted as I wanted it to grow up to hide a neighbour's hot tub. Problem is, now it is over seven feet tall, four feet wide and top heavy. It is on a metal trellis that blows in the wind now. How much should I prune it back (e.g. two thirds to the root, one third, etc). When should it be pruned? What would be another good way to support it? more...

Suggestions for drought-tolerant trees, plants and shrubs

We have a summer place near Hedley, BC. It is on a bluff with lots of firs and a few pines. Somebody in the past cut a 9-m-wide (30-ft.) swath through the trees down a bank 150 m (500 ft.) to the river. I would now like to plant trees and shrubs to give privacy, colour and interest. It will be difficult to irrigate the area, so I am thinking the plants need to be of a variety that is drought tolerant. more...

Gardening in very dry soil

I recently moved from the Fraser Valley to Grand Forks and the landscape is foreign to me. Our land is on the north slope facing south, very dry soil is mostly gravel to large rock. The plants recommended to me all died.the only flourish was the nurseries pocket. What can I try to use as spreading ground covers and also shrubs? We are short on water also. We also have a lot of warm wind.The rainfall in the last 4 months was practically non existent. more...

Companion plants for roses

Can you suggest some companion plants for roses in an east-facing garden? more...

Using Weed 'n' Feed on the lawn

My husband put "Weed 'n Feed" on our lawn in August. After mowing the lawn several weeks later, he put the grass clippings in the compost. Will this destroy the micro-organisms and beneficial insects in the compost? Should I dig out the compost and start again? more...

Putting bindweed in compost

Is it okay to put bindweed pieces with or without flowers in the compost, as long as there are no roots or seeds? more...

Red wriggler worms at the top of the compost bin

I have a found composter bin which has red wriggler worms. What does it mean when the worms make their way to the top of the bin? When I take off the lid to add more dead brown leaves/kitchen scraps, there are lots of the worms that have congregated around the edges of the lid. Are there too many worms for the composter? I have started moving some of them to a second composter bin. Or is my mix of stuff wrong? And, this seems like a silly question, but when the compost is ready, how do I get it out, yet still keep the worms for the compost bin? more...

Transplanting cedars

I have several rootbound 4 - 6 ft cedars in large containers that I'd like to replant in the ground. I live in the Lower Mainland and would like to know when is the best time to transplant these trees and how to do so. more...

Help with identifying a mystery flower

Here is a picture of a plant which arrived unannounced in our garden. It has grown to 5' in height on a stem about 1" diameter and has bushed out to about 3' across. It has required staking and has also shown a climbing habit by attaching itself to a nearby trellis. It has seed pods which look very like a Cape Gooseberry, though the fruit does not take on the orange hue expected of that plant, and stays a rather dull beige. The husks look similar to Chinese Lantern, but again without the colour. I have saved some seed pods and intend to try various methods of propagating, but don't know if the plant we have should be treated as an annual or a perennial. I have guessed that it is a variety of Physalis, but can get no closer than that. Any suggestions? more...