Q: I have a daylily that is about five years old. It is very big and has always had beautiful blooms. This year it does not have as many blooms as usual. What is wrong?

Answer: Many perennials must be divided after several growing seasons. Daylilies should be divided every three to five years. This can be done when the plant is through blooming, preferably in the fall. If the plant is really big, it will take two people with digging forks or shovels to get it out of the ground. Divide the clump any way that seems to work. You can put two digging forks back-to-back and pry the clump apart or you can use a sharp knife to cut the fleshy roots apart. Divide it into pieces, each with a nice-sized section of roots and sword-like foliage. Don't divide the clump into too many pieces as it will take them a long time before they bloom.

Q: I would like to fill in a perennial area with a few annuals for color. Is it too late to plant them?

Answer: The temperature has been hot, so planting during this time is risky. However, plants purchased from garden centers have roots which can do well if the plants are properly watered and mulched.

Q: My columbine grew tall and flowered early this year. Is it okay to cut them back?

Answer: Cutting foliage and removing spent flowers is routine maintenance for perennials. Foliage will grow and you may enjoy a second flowering in the fall.

Q: Some of my tomatoes have brown spots on the bottom. Is it a disease?

Answer: What you are describing sounds like blossom end-rot, a symptom that occurs when tomatoes are not evenly watered. With our dry conditions, be sure and keep the plants moist with regular irrigation. Place an organic mulch over the root system to hold moisture and prevent weeds.

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This page updated:  July 18, 2007