http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_martin_mills RSS Feed for Inq Col Michael Martin Mills en-us Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:57:20 GMT http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20091113_Garden_Q_A.html Question: If you are trying to be organic and make your lawn soil self-sustainable, do you want to rake your leaves and use the compost from them in your garden or do you want to mow them where they lie on the grass and let them fertilize your lawn for next year? http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20091106_Time_to____.html Be selective when cutting back perennials. Leave part if not all of the growth on the following, which helps them survive winter: ornamental grasses, evergreen ferns, Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower), chrysanthemums, perennial geraniums, nepeta (catmint), euphorbia (spurge), Chelone lyonii (turtlehead). http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20091030_Garden_Q_A.html Question: Over the last several years I have had an increasing problem with mushrooms growing in my lawn. They are ugly looking things, 2 to 8 inches in diameter, brown or blackish in color rather than white. If I chop them out they return in a matter of weeks/months, and recur each year. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20091023_Time_to____.html Continue to divide perennials. Plant any new purchases promptly. Continue to plant deciduous shrubs and trees. Get those bulbs in the ground. Daffodils, tulips, et al, need time to put out roots. Tulips aren't as needy, so save them for last. But don't keep them in your hot, dry house; garage or porch is much better. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20091016_Garden_Q_A.html Question: Do you have any specific tips on techniques to wrap fig trees for the winter? - Heather MenzelAnswer: The lengths to which people in cold climes have gone to get a fig tree - so much happier in a Mediterranean climate - through a temperate zone winter are amazing. One elaborate idea is to dig up the fig, then dig a shallow trench http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20091009_Time_to____.html Be kind to houseplants that spent the summer outside. Frost may be weeks away (or just a few days), but the plants will do better if brought indoors now. Lessen the shock by putting them in the coolest room for several days. This weekend, wash them (use the shower) and examine each individually, removing bugs and yellowed growth. Ants living in the pots can be driven out by submerging the entire pot in water for several hours. Repotting can wait till spring. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20091002_Garden_Q_A.html Question: I would like to propagate my coneflowers by planting the dry heads or seeds now. But I read online some confusing reports about their having to go through a cold period. Can I plant the seeds now? http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20090925_Time_to____.html Start getting ready for 2010. Decide which projects you need to accomplish before the frost comes and which can wait. With weekends often fully booked and darkness now more than 12 hours a day, be realistic with your plans. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20090918_Garden_Q_A.html Question: I saw drifts of cyclamens in bloom in France, and I want them for my garden. Will they survive in the Philadelphia area? If so, where can I buy the hardy variety? Haven't seen them in any garden centers I've tried. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20090911_Time_to____.html Get back into planting mode. Longer, cooler nights greatly lessen the stress of summer heat. For existing flower and shrub beds, decide what needs to be removed, either because of decline over the weirdly wet summer or inappropriateness regardless of the