Columns

IN THE GARDEN: Simple steps will help reinvigorate older slow producing asparagus bed Q I have a 12-year-old asparagus bed which has been producing fewer spears the past two years. There are also some empty spots; the bed is 4-by-8-feet, but ther... by JANET B. CARSON Special to the Democrat-Gazette - June 15, 2019

IN THE GARDEN: Turning pink hydrangeas blue Q I am trying to turn my pink hydrangeas blue. I know it all has to do with the pH of the soil. My hydrangea bush is nestled nicely under a cedar tree, has been... June 8, 2019

Jonquil leaves ready to trim six weeks after bloom Q A different type of spring season for sure, but the jonquil greenery is still so green and yet it has been six to eight weeks since they bloomed? Can we cut t... June 1, 2019

Arkansas gardeners should tackle these chores in June JUNE by JANET B. CARSON Special to the Democrat-Gazette - June 1, 2019

Breaking ground It has been one of the prettiest springs on record here in Arkansas. Our gardens have gone from bloom to bloom, and it gets prettier every day. by JANET B. CARSON Special to the Democrat-Gazette - May 4, 2019

JANET B. CARSON: In the Garden Q I was wondering if you have ever seen bumblebees making a nest in a decorative birdhouse? Last summer some bumblebees decided to raise their baby bees in our ... May 4, 2019

IN THE GARDEN: A camellia that drops its buds before bloom, palm not performing as well as neighbors Q I have had a camellia — don't know the variety — for at least 12 years. It was given to me by a friend here in Sheridan. It is probably 12 feet tall. It sets ... by Janet Carson - March 23, 2019

In the garden Q We have a birch tree in our front yard that I am considering removing. I don't like cutting down trees but this one sheds its limbs year-round and is destroyi... by Janet Carson - February 9, 2019

IN THE GARDEN: It's hard to say why Phalaenopsis, or any orchid, blooms, or not Q Thank you for the informative article recently in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette about orchids [see the Jan. 19 Style section]. I've dabbled in Phalaenopsis fo... by Janet Carson - February 2, 2019

IN THE GARDEN: Ornamental pears will not set edible fruit, but eager birds still spread its invasive seeds Q I have a large pear tree in my backyard that has been there for more than 25 years and has been trying to yield pears for the past 15 years. In the early spri... by Janet Carson - January 26, 2019

Growing orchids at home can be easy Orchids are among the world's oldest flower groups and one of the largest, with more than 30,000 species. They emerged about 100 million years ago -- 30 million... by STORY AND PHOTOS JANET B. CARSON Special to the Democrat-Gazette - January 19, 2019

Not quite time to prune confused early-blooming roses Q I know you always say that late February is the time to prune roses, but my Knockout roses already are blooming. Have I missed out on pruning for this year, o... by Madeline Allin - January 19, 2019

IN THE GARDEN: Is it too late to divide hostas? Q Have I missed my window of opportunity on dividing/moving my hostas? We live in Conway. by Janet Carson - January 12, 2019

Arkansas gardeners should prepare for just about anything with state's unpredictable January weather JANUARY Happy New Year! 2018 was a year of extremes, from an extremely dry January to a wet February and an even wetter fall, but overall we had a pretty good ... by JANET B. CARSON Special to the Democrat-Gazette - January 5, 2019

Key to overwintering tropical blooming plants is to prevent them from freezing Q A couple of years ago I bought a Bougainvillea in bloom. It was very nice and at the end of season I brought it into my garage. The first thing it did was los... January 5, 2019