Ask a Master Gardener

Question: How do I tell moles from voles and determine which of these pests is damaging my lawn or garden? Moles and voles are often confused with each other but their appearance, diet and behavior are quite different. Adult moles…

Question: I need to mulch my vegetable garden.  What is the difference between straw and hay?  This is a frequently asked question, as folks tend to “intertwine” the two names loosely. They’ll say, “We’re going on a hayride,” when in…

Question: I’ve heard that pruning oaks in spring and summer is not recommended. Why? Pruning oak trees during the growing season exposes them to a high probability of contracting oak wilt. Caused by a fungus (Bretziella fagacearum), oak wilt disease…

Question: The burning bush (Euonymus alatus) is a bush of choice in many neighborhoods. I’ve heard that I shouldn’t plant it because it’s invasive. Why and what are some alternatives? With its striking bright red or purplish fall foliage, red…

Question: I have some rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Arp’) and English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’), which have some dead stems and branches, perhaps due to the harsh winter weather.  About half of the stems are affected.  Will they come back?  Should…

Question: What is Organic Gardening? Many of us are interested in organic gardening as a way to produce healthy fruits and vegetables in an environmentally responsible way. Definitions of this type of gardening vary but are all based on the…

Question: When and where do I go to find spring ephemerals and can I grow them in my garden?  Here Today, Gone Tomorrow Spring ephemerals are flowering plants that emerge from the forest floor in late winter or early spring…

Question: What kind of flowering shrub would you recommend for a sunny, low lying wet area bordering my yard? A Beautiful Plant for Wet Areas One shrub that comes to mind is Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), also known as button ball,…

Question: A friend told me that the Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) in my yard is an invasive species and said I should get rid of it. Is that true and why? If so, what are recommended replacement trees? Ailanthus altissima, commonly…