Q: A few years in the past, I wrote to you concerning the unhappy state of my Japanese weeping maple tree. You informed me to chop the useless half off and see what occurs. Effectively, it’s one breath away from heaven. How do I dig it up and take away it from the mattress? I wish to substitute it with one other however haven’t any clue how one can get it out of the bottom.
A: You will have a few choices. If you’re wanting to interchange it with a reasonably large Japanese maple, you would possibly let the nursery you purchase it from dig up the previous one and replant the brand new one for you. Some tree firms have tree spades, which make the digging up course of fairly straightforward. The spade goes down across the tree and lifts it up, making a gap for the brand new one. If you wish to do all of it your self, begin by getting a pointy shovel and start root pruning — making straight cuts down within the soil in a circle across the base of the tree. After getting a whole circle, go down deeper and attempt to wedge up underneath the tree, going round and round till you possibly can “carry” the tree and rootball. I’d counsel chopping the highest all the way down to make it a bit extra manageable; go away a 3-foot trunk to seize onto. It will not be straightforward, because the root techniques are fairly tenacious, except the tree died resulting from root rot. Do take a look at the roots while you dig it as much as see if there have been any drainage issues.
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Q: Proper after the chilly hit in December I noticed a bit of injury on my azaleas, however it did not look terrible. As soon as we had hotter climate, I assumed they might look higher, however they appear even worse. I scraped some branches and there could also be a little bit inexperienced down low, however on the high they’re crispy critters. Do you suppose they’re useless, and I ought to substitute them now? They’re so ugly.
A: Brown is the brand new inexperienced this yr. I do know it’s exhausting to have a look at all of the plant harm in virtually each yard, however simply ignore it for now. I do suppose we could have some plant alternative in retailer for us within the spring, however how badly yours are broken is anybody’s guess at the moment. Do not scrape on bark or do any pruning now, as a result of winter is not over. Let’s get by the winter and see what begins to develop subsequent spring earlier than we begin digging up “useless” crops or pruning them.
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Q: My fig tree must be shortened, and I am questioning when is the very best time to try this in Central Arkansas.
A: I would not be a bit shocked if Mom Nature did that for you already this season with the bitter chilly we had in December. Do not prune the fig now, however wait till spring and see the place it begins to develop. In some instances, that might be the soil line. If you’re fortunate and haven’t any harm, prune as quickly as you see new development, since figs produce fruit on the brand new development. If you happen to prune now, you might be chopping off any safety the plant might have if we get extra wintry climate.
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Q: I need to attempt rising purple/crimson cabbage for consuming. I’ve not seen crops or seeds right here. I stay in Little Rock and grew inexperienced cabbage for the primary time in 2022. I solely want about 10 seeds or crops (favor crops). Are you aware the place I can get these? Thanks for any allow you to can provide me.
A: It takes 6-8 weeks to develop a cabbage transplant from seed. Seeds ought to be accessible at many plant shops, however in late February by March it is best to be capable of discover transplants of purple cabbage to plant wherever vegetable transplants are bought — nurseries and backyard facilities. Except they’ve a greenhouse, I discover that almost all house gardeners do higher beginning with transplants reasonably than seeds for long-growing greens like cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower for the cool-season crop, and tomatoes, peppers and eggplants for warm-season greens.
Retired after 38 years with the College of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Janet Carson ranks amongst Arkansas’ finest recognized horticulture consultants. Her weblog is at arkansasonline.com/planitjanet. Write to her at P.O. Field 2221, Little Rock, AR 72203 or e mail [email protected]