Question: I have been following your lawn care program and I have a few concerns as to when lawn weed killers can be applied. I purchased the Dimension (crab grass preventer) and the Confront (lawn weed killer) from you this spring and needed to know if I should wait any period of time between applying them.

Answer: Confront and Dimension can be applied at the same time, as can almost any lawn weed killer and crab grass killer. But check your label to be sure. Lawn weed killers of any type usually cannot be applied to new grass until it has been mowed 3-4 times. Again, this is a general rule and you need to check the label on your specific weed killer to see if there is any variation.

Normally the fertilizer would have gone down first, then the Dimension and usually 1 or 2 weeks later, the Confront. If you are a little behind schedule, they all can go down at the same time. What you cannot do is seed in the same season as the Dimension is applied. So if you put down Dimension this spring, you can not seed until fall.

Question: I have been using Super Bio and I guess I haven’t been shaking it well enough because I noticed a residue at the bottom of the bottle. Should I add some water and use up the residue?

Answer: I suspect the residue is the humates, not the beneficial microbes. But you can certainly rinse out the bottle with water, shake it well and pour the mix around some of your plants.  Super Bio should always be shaken well before use.

Question: In 2003 we had a drought; last year was very wet. Do you have any idea what to expect this year?

Answer: My experience has been that weather patterns tend to be about 5 years long. The drought period seemed to me to be about that long when the summers were warmer and drier than usual. I suspect we are in the beginning of one of the wet cycles. When we have a wet period, the west coast is usually dry and vice versa. And that seems to be the way it is out there now.

So, based upon the above 2 notions, I don’t expect to see any drought or water restrictions on the east coast this year. It should be a good year to establish new plants.

Question: I used the Turf Trust lawn food this spring and was really happy with the results. I definitely have the greenest lawn in the neighborhood. I know you recommend using various lawn foods, but I used the Turf Trust last fall and I used it again this spring and I really like the results. Is there any reason that I shouldn’t use Turf Trust for all my feedings?

Answer: Don’t feel like the Lone Ranger. I have had this question asked literally dozens of times over the past few weeks in the store. Turf Trust contains six sources of nitrogen, so in effect, there is a partially varied diet by using the one product. Although I feel more comfortable with a fully varied diet of lawn foods from several manufacturers, I think it’s reasonable to continue with the Turf Trust for all of your feedings, especially as you are having such good results. I know of no season: spring, summer or fall when Turf Trust would be an inappropriate fertilizer. And, I know customers have had excellent results applying Turf Trust during each of these seasons.

Question: I have been growing the winter hardy Camellias and I am really happy with these plants. I have them in pink and white. Are there any that are red in color?

Answer: Yes. It is called Korean Fire and as of this time I believe there are a few left at Carroll Gardens—a very few. I have not grown it myself; but I have heard it is one of the best winter hardy camellias and it is truly red. I believe it won a gold medal as an exceptional garden plant, selected by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.  (Camellia 'Korean Fire' is available in very limited quantities, call 1-800-638-6334 for more information.)

Question: On your radio show this past Saturday, you mentioned a Red Bud Tree that you particularly liked - I did not catch the name. I would like to know the name, how high this tree grows and the spread. Do they like full sun or will they tolerate some shade? What is the size of the tree when purchased and the cost? Are they available for purchase now?

Answer: The redbud I mentioned is Appalachian Red; it has significantly brighter, showier blooms than the common wild type--really a deep bright pink. It grows about 20-25 feet high and wide. They do fine in light shade or full sun. Our plants are about 9 feet tall and cost $228.85. They are available now until they are all sold out. We were only able to obtain 20 trees and about ½ of them are already sold. So if this is a tree you particularly want, you need to act quickly. The color is so much brighter than the common redbud that to see it is to want to own it.  (Appalachian Red is too big to ship, call 1-800-638-6334 for more information.)