by Lee
Stewart
Colorado State University Cooperative Extension
Master Gardener
Larimer County
Q: My marigolds have very few blossoms the last
few weeks. Should I fertilize or water more often?
A: Marigolds don't require a lot of water or fertilizer. Hot weather stops heavy
blooming but plants should start flowering more as the weather cools.
Q: How do I build a rock garden that doesn't look like a pile of rocks?
A: Rock placement is important as well as plant and flower choices. A good rule
to follow is placing rocks to resemble the natural environment. Spend some time
out in the forest and study what has developed naturally. The more "designed"
it is, the less natural it will look.
Q: My lawn sprinkler system works well, but a couple of spots dry out
before the entire lawn needs watering. Is there anything that I can do short
of watering the spots by hand.
A: It's possible that the soil beneath the dry spots is more compacted than
the entire lawn. Try aerating the dry spots (this will be good for the entire
lawn as well) using a hose-end aerator for individual spots or rent a commercial
aerator to do the entire lawn. This will help eliminate soil compaction, increase
drainage and allow more oxygen to reach the grass roots. Fall is a good time
for lawn aeration.
Gardening and Insect Fact Sheets are available on-line by clicking HERE.
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