The Fayette Citizen-Special Sections
Wednesday, March 24, 1999
Home & Garden

Consumer Questions


Q. Last year I bought over a $100 worth of ornamental plants for my yard and most of them died. I watched over these plants like they were my children. What do you think went wrong?

A. Sometimes, we can literally kill plants with kindness by applying excess quantities of fertilizer and water. Planting too deeply is also a common mistake. When plants are set too deeply in the soil, the lower portion of the root system becomes deprived of oxygen and dies. Before you attempt to replace the ornamental plants you lost last year, contact your local county extension office for assistance.

Q. My centipede lawn has been damaged by this year's weather cycle of cold, warm and then cold again. Will my lawn come back?

A. Damage from late spring frost results from the fact that initial spring growth must be made from food reserves stored in live portions of the plant. When frost kills new spring growth, this reserve is destroyed. A number of frosts separated by warm periods, which permit new growth to take place, may completely exhaust the food reserves and kill the plant. In less severe cases, the root system does not develop sufficiently to absorb adequate water and, minerals to the turf becomes thin and unattractive. If the deficiency is not too severe, the grass may gradually recover. Centipede lawns damaged by late spring frost or our cold, warm, cold weather cycles usually respond well to added iron.

Q. Last year I ordered some trees and plants from a mail-order nursery and received only dead, dried up sticks. When I contacted the company they extended their condolences but refused to give me a refund or additional plants. What should I have done?

A. Garden catalogs are blooming in mailboxes all over the state, but before you place an order there are a couple of things you should do. Only order seeds and plants from established nurseries with proven track records (If you're not sure that the nursery has a good reputation contact our Nursery and Plant Protection Office for assistance.) Also read the company's guarantee or it does not offer to give your money back, a credit, or a free replacement for their stock that is not of good quality, do not order.

Q. My home has been treated for termites and I have a good repair contract. What else can I do to prevent a termite infestation?

A. Do not store or put wood scraps, cardboard, paper and other cellulose debris in the crawl space of your home. Do not store firewood, lumber, or other wood on the ground under or next to your home. Make sure that your pest control company conducts a thorough inspection of your home every year.


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