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to the maple question above, water deeply to soak the root system. Unfortunately, if it is brown, you must cut it down.

Magnolia Cycles Through Noticeable Leaf Drop

Question: I need help with my Brackens Brown Beauty Magnolia. This spring, it dropped so many brown leaves that I thought it was dead. The tree is an evergreen, so why did it drop the leaves, and should I cut it down?

drop just before the emergence of new growth. The drop does not mean the tree is dying. It could signal stress.

It is only necessary to cut the tree down if you cannot deal with the messy nature of the tree. If you like the tree, you must learn to live with the seasonal drop. You cannot prevent it; deal with it.

On the flip side, several Brackens did die. All the leaves turned brown and usually hung on the tree and did not drop. The main rea-

Plants that flower often set seed. Even though we plant potatoes from pieces of potato, it does not mean the plant does not flower or fruit.

The fruit looks a lot like a small tomato. Potatoes and tomatoes are plant cousins. Thus, the fruit is similar. A NOTE OF CAUTION— Please do not eat the fruit of the potato as it contains toxic compounds. These plants are members of the nightshade family, many of which are poisonous.

Answer: I received several questions about this magnolia this spring. I have this tree in my garden, so I fully understand your concerns. Brackens is an evergreen tree, but like all evergreens, this does not mean they hold their leaves or needles “forever.” Most evergreen plants keep their foliage for one to two years, then naturally fall off or drop. This is often referred to as a seasonal drop. This can happen in either fall or spring, depending on the growth cycle. Sometimes it is very heavy and noticeable. Other times not as much.

This past spring was one of the more noticeable leaf drops for Brackens. They dropped numerous older leaves all at once, creating a stir. The other issue is that the foliage is so large and coarse that it is very noticeable lying on the ground. This tree also has a yearly son for the death? You probably guessed from reading this Q-and-A section. The issue is the drought. Like many plants, this one does not tolerate long periods of drought.

Potato Sets Flower

Question: I noticed that my potato plants have flowers and even a few round green fruits. Is it common for potatoes to flower and set fruit?

Answer: Potatoes will often set a flower. Some people think it is a sign to harvest or that a plant must flower for a good harvest. Flowering has nothing to do with the quality of the harvest of the potato tubers. Flowering is a natural process of the plant life cycle. Harvesting the tubers is based on the vine growth. When the vines are about half yellow, the potatoes are mature and can be dug.

How To Care For Inherited Asparagus

Question: I moved into a home that had a planting of asparagus. I harvested earlier this spring. What do I do with the asparagus planting now that summer has arrived?

Answer: Asparagus is a lowmaintenance crop. During the summer and fall, we allow the fern growth to grow. The green makes energy for the plant and next year’s harvest. During the summer, control weeds, water, and wait. Once the foliage browns in the fall, it can be cut down. A light application of fertilizer will promote more growth. The more energy the plant makes during the summer, the bigger and better the next season’s harvest. The common mistake people make with asparagus is cutting the foliage off during the summer.