Ask the Experts FRUSTRATING FUSSY HOLLY Question: I have attempted several times to grow ‘Sky Pencil’ Holly. Its narrow habit is perfect for the spot in my garden. So far, I have not been successful. Do you have any tips for this plant? Answer: Here is my take on ‘Sky Pencil’ Holly, Ilex crenata – it is a dud for Kansas City gardens. I tried to grow it at home and in our Extension Master Gardener gardens multiple times. Each time, the plant slowly declines over a few seasons or just ups and dies. Most hollies are fussy in our climate, but ‘Sky Pencil’ seems to be particularly touchy. My take is this plant has a shallow, weak root system that struggles in our heavy clay soils and uneven moisture patterns. Even under what I would consider good care, the plant hangs on for a few years before experiencing random dieback. No matter how much of a problem-solver it seems to be with its unique shape, I have quit trying to grow this plant. GROWING GARLIC Question: Growing garlic seems to be popular. I understand there are different hard or soft varieties. What is the difference, and which one should I try? Answer: My co-worker, Zac Hoppenstedt, is an avid garlic grower. He produces a few different varieties of both hard and softnecks. Here is his take. There are two main types of garlic to choose from, hardneck and softneck. Softneck varieties have no central seedstalk and usually stores longer after harvesting. Sometimes you will see the tops of the softneck braided. They are less winter-hardy and not as flavorful. Hardneck varieties have a solid central seedstalk. The more uniform cloves are larger and easier to peel. The hardnecks have variations in color, unique flavor differences, and winter hardy. Both are adaptable to our climate, so which to grow might be up
‘Sky-Pencil’ Holly
Tomato Hornworm
Garlic
Fall Armyworms
to you regarding flavor and uses.
planting time provides the necessary cold period and early growth in spring to produce large aboveground growth, supporting new bulb development. The plant will be ready for harvest from late June to early July. Research from K-State in Manhattan shows planting dates ranging from September 24 through November 24. These dates resulted in consistently good bulb size and yield, while plantings from late December through February correlated with decreasing to average bulb size.
MORE GARLIC Question: Garlic – Part 2: I hear September, October, and March is the time to plant garlic, but when is the best time? Answer: Fall planting (October-November) is best for our climate as bulb development is highly dependent on day length and temperature. Plant a single whole clove of garlic for each new plant. It takes about 1-2 months at 40 degrees to stimulate garlic to grow a new plant, producing a nice bulb. This
DENNIS PATTON Horticulture Agent 6
October 2021 | kcgmag.com
DISRUPTIVE ARMY WORMS OUT OF NOWHERE Question: I have never heard of fall armyworms, but suddenly social media gardening groups are filled with people posting their rage about the destruction to their lawn, especially in southern Kansas. Is this a new pest we must deal with in our area? Answer: Fall armyworms appeared to come out of nowhere in August. The Kansas City area did not experience a widespread outbreak like southern and central Kansas. Each year we deal with the
Dennis Patton is the horticulture agent for Johnson County K-State Research and Extension. For free information fact sheets, visit www.johnson.ksu.edu, or call the Extension office at 913-715-7000.
