Art Knapp Help Centre

This section was compiled from questions asked to ArtKnapp.com. Remember, if you can't find the answers you are looking for, please ask us your question by filling out the form to the right!

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(Due to the climatic changes and different zone types in Canada, we suggest you ask for advice from professionals in your local area if you live outside of the South Okanagan.)


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Annuals/Perennials

Are there different kinds of geraniums such as annual and perennial? What is the difference between seed geraniums and the other kind? Can I winter seed geraniums? ANSWER

I bought two hardy cyclamen tubers in April and planted them as soon as I got home. They have yet to show anything. Is it possible I planted them upside down?ANSWER

Do we need to mix soil with Nature's Gold when planting annuals?ANSWER

Could you please tell me what kind of insects go after zinnia's, some of my plants are drying up and going brown.ANSWER

What can be done about maple bugs? Can I spray them?ANSWER

Could you please tell me what to do about tiny caterpillars eating the leaves of morning glory? ANSWER

I have a covered deck and I find alot of flies fly around in the centre of it and they are annoying, especially since we like to entertain there. Are there any outdoor plants that I could plant in a container on the deck that would ward off flies? ANSWER

How do I get rid of sow bugs - they are under every scrap of woody material and in roots! ANSWER

We have just bought a house that came with a garden of Tiger Lillys and Irises. Can you please tell me what regimen is required to maintain them; if and when to prune the folliage etc?ANSWER

We have just purchased a stargazer lily. We were wondering if we have to wait until it is finished blooming until we plant it outside, and if we do, how long after blooming should we wait?ANSWER

What can I do with the potted daffodils that I purchased back in February? Will they bloom again if I plant them outside? ANSWER

Compost (back to top)

What is your opinion on using rhubarb leaves, tomato stalks and other materials considered toxic, in the compost? ANSWER

Containers (back to top)

When can we start planting our containers?ANSWER

My pansy hanging basket is getting long and droopy. Can I cut it back and if yes how much can I take off?ANSWER

I have so many pots for outdoors that I was thinking of using soil from the garden in them. Is this a good idea? ANSWER

Fertilizers (back to top)

When is the right time to begin to fertilize the lawn in the spring? ANSWER

When the tag says to fertilize perennials & shrubs in the spring, what is the suggested fertilizer?ANSWER

What is the best food to use this spring for young shrubs planted last fall?ANSWER

What kind of fertilizer should I use when I plant my tomato plants?ANSWER

Fruits/Vegetables (back to top)

I would like information on pruning summer bearing raspberries and what attention strawberries might need? ANSWER

I was told that that you have to plant peppers close together in a row for best results. Is this true. I have always planted 2 together, to hold each other up. I do not get very many peppers this way. What is the best way?ANSWER

I grew Beefsteak tomatoes from seed. 6 are planted in the garden (covered with styro huts on cold nights) & 10 are still in pots & put back into the (heated) greenhouse overnight on the cold nights. The garden ones first started with the leaves appearing to loose their green colour & turned white. Now those leaves are drying up.ANSWER

I have a packet of Cucumber seeds. It suggests using garden netting to ensure more slender and smooth fruit. What is Garden Netting and how does it help? ANSWER

We have a few asparagus plants in our garden. They are now in seed and I would like to know if we can cut down the tall fern like growth or not?ANSWER

Our tomato plants (Fantastic variety) are not doing well. They are very small when ripe and have very tough skins. What are we doing wrong?ANSWER

Groundcovers (back to top)

I'm looking for ideas for what to plant beneath a large fir tree in our south facing front yard. There is about a 2 foot ring around the tree that looks really bare, then the lawn. ANSWER

Hedges (back to top)

I have a tall cedar hedge running along the border of my property. When is the right time to fertilize it, and what should I use? ANSWER

We want to plant a hedge (100 feet) of pyracantha (untrimmed). How far apart should they be planted? ANSWER

I want to plant a cedar hedge along the front of my property. When is the best time to plant cedars? ANSWER

House plants (back to top)

There is a fig tree in the Sacristry of our church. I noticed that some of the leaves appear shiny and sticky. What is happening? Will using Trounce be of help? ANSWER

I had my lawn dethatched last spring. Is it necessary to do it every year? ANSWER

Should I be applying dolomite lime to my lawn in spring? ANSWER

What kind of grass should I be looking for as far as turf is concerned here in the Okanagan? ANSWER

Pruning (back to top)

I just moved into a new house, and there are quite a few clematis. I don't know how to prune them. What should I do? ANSWER

What if a rose bush is old and all the canes are thick and brownish/grey? Should I prune them way back anyways? If so, how far from the bottom? Thanks for your help. ANSWER

How do I prune lilac bushes. Where to lop them off, timeof year?ANSWER

Each year when I prune my walnut tree in March it "weeps" quite badly. What am I doing wrong? ANSWER

My friend bought me miniature roses for my birthday But the instructions don't say if they can stay outside all winter. They are about 5' from the house, in a fairly sheltered spot, and I can certainly cover them if necessary. ANSWER

How can I tell if my rose bush has gone wild?ANSWER

I moved into my new home in Summerland last June and inherited a beautiful garden. However, the soil is rock-hard and I don't know how to treat it. I've tried digging in order to turn the soil, but no luck. Should I fertilize? ANSWER

I have a sandy bank, approx. 60 degrees, when I dig into it, it tends to collapse. I want to plant it with evergreens, but it's hard to keep it wet, it dries out so quickly. What can I use? ANSWER

When can the soil be dug in the spring? ANSWER

My back yard has an approx. 4ft retaining wall as there is a tall hill behind our house.The soil is very hard clay that is hard to keep moist. I would like to plant something on the hill for esthetic reasons as well as to make the hill more stable(gets washed away each spring from melting snow). ANSWER

Trees/Shrubs (back to top)

What trees or shrubs in the six to ten foot range can I leave in large planters or pots on my patio all year long? ANSWER

I would like some suggestions on any type of evergreen that can be planted in pots getting morning sun only. ANSWER

I have to move a peony. When should I do this and are there any special considerations. I understand they DON'T like to be moved. Also, is there any location it would prefer in our Okanagan climate? ANSWER

I would like very much to plant a Hydrangea and understand that the red mopheads do take sun. Can you confirm this?ANSWER

I have a rododendron that does not seem to be doing too well. What type of food should I be giving it and how often? ANSWER

My cedar trees are turning rust colour, what can I do to correct this problem? ANSWER

What kind of fast growing shade tree can we plant and when is the best time of year to do it? ANSWER

My cedar trees have seed on them. Sould I cut them off. Also how long to I water the cedar? ANSWER

We have two large cedars in our front garden that are turning brown - is this normal - should we cover them - is there some nutrient they are lacking or have the caught some disease? ANSWER

What is the best food to use this spring for young shrubs planted last fall? ANSWER

I just moved into a new house, and there are quite a few clematis. I don't know how to prune them. What should I do? ANSWER

I would like to know whether I should dead head my Honeysuckle? ANSWER

How should clematis be trimmed in the fall in order to get the maximum foliage and flowers in the spring? ANSWER

We're having a problem with our purple clematis. It appears to be perishing from the roots up. The leaves at the base of the plant started turning brown The whole plant seems to be under stress. ANSWER

How can I get rid of goutweed? I've tried ripping it out, smothering it with black plastic but it continues to suffocate other plants and take over the garden bed. ANSWER

Wildlife (back to top)

If many of my perennials have been sampled by the big horn sheep, will they(plants) likely come back in the spring? Do sheep eat things that deer do not? ANSWER

I am having a problem with mice eating the bark off at the root level of my junipers. It looks like it is epidemic in the area. I have used posion set out in little containers with access holes for mice only. I am not winning. ANSWER
We thank you for all of the questions you have asked us, and hope you have been able to learn from our answers. -
Your Art Knapp team