RON SMITH
Blanket is best way to winter strawberries 
Q: Two years ago, we planted strawberries in our garden. They produced a lot of strawberries in year two and are pretty thick. Last year, they were not as thick, so we just wintered them by covering them with straw. What do I do to winter the plants this year?
By Don Kinzler , September 10, 2010
Dab of cooking oil will suffocate insects
Q: My ficus tree has small drops of white wax on the bottom of the leaves. If left alone, the leaves turn yellow and fall off. Any suggestions on how to handle the problem are appreciated.
By Don Kinzler , August 27, 2010
Too much shade, fertilizer could harm plant
Q: I have two variegated weigelas. They were blooming when I bought them three years ago. However, they have not bloomed since. Any idea why?
By Don Kinzler , August 20, 2010
Fighting soil’s pH level is a losing battle
Q: I just purchased a house in Grand Forks that I want to begin landscaping. The soil is gumbo and has a pH of 7.5. One of the plants I want to establish is a rugosa rose (snow pavement).
By Don Kinzler , August 13, 2010
Pods could lead to problems for tiger lilies
Q: I have several problems with some tiger lilies. There are brownish pods on the plants, and they do not flower. Might these pods be an insect or disease problem?
By Don Kinzler , August 06, 2010
Variety of problems may be afflicting lilac
Q: We have a lovely, mature Japanese lilac in our backyard. Much to our dismay, limbs have started to die. We cut the dead limbs out, but more keep dying. The tree was in our yard when we moved here in 1988. Do you have any suggestions for saving the tree?
By Don Kinzler , July 30, 2010
Too much watering at once hurts tomatoes
Q: I have a tomato problem. We planted our tomatoes this year in large pots. We have three plants growing in each pot. They are now producing green tomatoes, but in one of the pots, the tomatoes are turning brown on the bottom. We have cages around them so the tomatoes are not close to the soil. I can’t remember the variety, but they will be about the size of cherry tomatoes.
By Don Kinzler , July 23, 2010
Drab hollyhocks may be biennial hybrids
Q: Why is it that whatever kind of hollyhocks my friends and I buy, they always seem to end up being drab pink flowers after a few years? I know it has to do with pollinating, but why always drab pink? Are the hollyhocks you buy pollinated under controlled conditions?
By Don Kinzler , July 16, 2010
Amur maple unlikely to damage or lift patio
Q: I am considering an amur maple near my slate patio because it would be nice to have a shaded area at the back of my house. I get high winds much of the year. What is the root system of the amur maple like?
By Don Kinzler , July 09, 2010
Pick smallest peaches to strengthen tree
Q: I planted a Georgia young belle peach tree last year. This year, it flowered and has many small peaches on it. The tree still is young and weak, so should I take some of the peaches off the tree so the branches don’t break? If I should, I’m not sure when to do it.
By Don Kinzler , July 02, 2010
Additional soil may hinder oak tree growth
Q: I am in a panic trying to figure out how to save a big oak tree in my yard. I believe it is a burr oak. Two years ago, I did some dirt work in the yard around the tree and increased the dirt level above the roots by about 6 inches.
By Don Kinzler , June 25, 2010
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