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 to you regarding flavor and uses.

‘Sky-Pencil’ Holly

Garlic

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 Tomato Hornworm

Fall Armyworms

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. 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 Horticulture Agent

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.

spring version of armyworms that feed mainly on our germinating vegetables, including Kansas wheat and corn.

Considered tropical, the fall species will overwinter in regions of Texas and southern Oklahoma. The adult is a small brown-grayish moth. With each generation, they work their way north, moving on wind currents. Why, after one of the coldest winters on record in Texas and a cool spring, did this moth find its way north this summer? That is a good question. The good news is this pest is not new for our area. The last major outbreak in KC was back in 2000. It took 21 years for them to return. The bad news is with climate change and warmer winters, we may have to learn to deal with fall armyworms more frequently.

TOMATO HORNWORMS, A VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR

Question: What should I do about tomato hornworms? Some say squish the caterpillars, while others say don’t kill them. What is your take?

Answer: I understand your confusion. I am also struggling with this very hungry caterpillar. Here are the pros and cons.

Tomato hornworms consume a lot of foliage, reducing photosynthesis and opening the fruit up to sunburn. Their feeding frenzy happens almost overnight. While some defoliation will not set the plant back, several feedings on the same plant will cause stress. The solution for many gardeners is to drop them to the ground to step on them. Chemical control is not necessary. Hand-picking does the trick if you can find them as they are camouflaged.

Hornworms are the larval stage of the sphinx moth. This large dusty brown and gray moth is an excellent pollinator. Some even call it a hummingbird moth as they are about the same size. More and more people will tolerate this feeding to save the pollinator. Another option is to plant a sacrificial tomato plant. When you find the hornworms, move the caterpillar to this plant and let them complete the feeding and drop to the ground to pupate over winter. A cherry tomato works excellent for this host. Once you appreciate the adult moth, it makes it much harder to step on them!

From the Summer’s Garden presents

2021 HOLIDAY SALE

12 Days Over Three Weekends in November Complete info: fromthesummersgarden.com

8601 Barkley Street Overland Park, KS 66212 913-579-5395 summersgarden@everestkc.net

• Since 1927 • Retail • Wholesale Lawn • Garden • Farm

513 Walnut, KCMO • 816-842-3651 Mon-Sat 8am-5pm, Sun 9am-3pm

Plant Fall Bulbs Now! Free Naked Lady

Surprise Lily Amaryllis Belladonna with a $25 purchase

Mention this offer at time of purchase to receive free bulb.

2022 Vegetable, Flower and Herb seed packets have begun to arrive.

Grass Seeds of All Types • Fertilizers • Mulches • Bulbs • Bird Supplies Best Quality of “Locally Grown” Bird Seed! October Planting Dates

Plant Above-Ground Crops: 6-9, 12, 13, 16-18 • Plant Root Crops: 21-23, 26, 27 Transplant: 26, 27 • Plant Flowers: 6-9 • Control Plant Pests: 1-5, 29-31

Often Copied NEVER DUPLICATED

Covers 10,000 SQ FT

Accept only Original Earth Right products for the health & beauty of your lawn & garden.®

PREPARE FOR WINTER BY USING EARTH RIGHT AND MUSHROOM STUFF NOW!

In KC we never know what fall & winter will bring. Protect all of your lawn & landscape from harsh weather.

DON’T BE FOOLED BY PRODUCTS THAT CLAIM TO GIVE YOU THE SAME RESULTS AS EARTH RIGHT PRODUCTS.

What will fall and winter bring this year? Mild, cold, ice storms, snow? We just never know ahead of time. If you have not applied Earth Right Super Stuff® yet this fall, now would be a great time to put it down. Keep your soil loose & take advantage of potential winter snows to create better soil at deeper levels this winter. Use Mushroom Stuff® two weeks later around all of your trees, shrubs & perennials to protect them from a potentially harsh winter. Help your plants grow well in early spring. The combination of the beneficail bacteria in Earth Right Super Stuff® & the beneficial mycelium in Mushroom Stuff® will maintain the microbiome in your lawn and landscape.

Root Starter and Enhancer

Increase Root Mass after Overseeding Use When Transplanting Covers 20,000 SQ FT Protect Roots Over the Winter Establish, Improve & Restore Root Structure

NATURAL OR 6-7-6 Covers 10,000 SQ FT

Keep Soil Loose and Increase Nutrient Uptake! Gardens; Turf; Herbs; Veggies Trees; Flowers; Roses, Shrubs Perennials; Containers

Need Help with Your Lawn?

Tobin Lawn & Landscape (816-765-5565) or Big Green Turf Management (816-600-4936)

Earth Right 913-492-2992 - www.superlawnstuff.com mobile web site: www.earthrightproducts.com

PERFECT FERTILIZERS, SOIL CONDITIONERS, & ROOT STARTERS FOR ALL LANDSCAPES! CONTAINS MICRONUTRIENTS! PET SAFE!