Ask the Expert

I planted an azalea last summer, and its leaves turned brown. They're still brown. Is the plant dead? Or do I need to cut it back? FRANCES WOODS

ITASCA, TEXAS

The Expert has carefully analyzed your testimony and determined the chances of your azalea being dead at approximately 99%. But still there's a sliver of hope. Scratch the bark to see if you can find a green layer beneath it. Or wait until April to find out if new green leaves appear. If you don't see green either way, buy a new azalea.

We recently moved into a new home that has several large trees and a few small ones in the backyard. There is some grass and also moss. What kind of grass seed would you recommend so that we can have a thicker lawn?

ANGIE SMITH

KINGSPORT, TENNESSEE

Moss likes shade. Grass doesn't. So unless you can get more sun hitting the ground, you'll have a hard time growing a lawn. One way to do this is by removing the lower limbs of big trees up to a height of at least 10 to 12 feet and also cutting down some of the small trees. Then seed this month with a fine-bladed, tall fescue mix at the rate recommended on the bag. Tall fescue stays green year-round and actually prefers light afternoon shade in the Middle South. Seed again in early September to thicken your lawn.

My father-in-law cut his oleanders to the ground, and they are coming back up. Is now a good time to transplant them?

ANDREA HAYWOOD

GRIFFIN, GEORGIA

Yes, because the weather is cool and he won't have such bulky plants to move. Tell him to dig as big a root-ball as possible for each shrub to minimize transplanting shock, and then plant in a sunny, well-drained spot.

The squirrels and I are in a hot race to see who will get the most pears from my tree. Last year, I got only one. I tried tying aluminum pieplates all around the tree, but the squirrels just used them for their personal grooming. I would like to actually enjoy eating some of my own pears this year. What do you suggest for me to do?

JEANETTE JONES

GAYLESVILLE, ALABAMA

The Expert, too, has experienced the joy of squirrels pillaging his fruit trees. He has discovered that if your yard has the only fruit trees in the neighborhood, these rat fink rodents will leap through fire in order to get to them. Covering the branches with nylon netting may work if the tree is small enough. You can also station a hungry badger beneath it. Have a better solution, faithful readers? Please let His Expertise know.

TIP OF THE MONTH

Young tomato, eggplant, and pepper transplants can be set out early when protected with 1-gallon milk jugs. Cut the bottoms from the jugs, and place jugs over the plants. Unscrew the caps on mild days to release excess heat.

JOHNNY CARTER

FORT VALLEY, GEORGIA

ACCORDING TO STEVE

I once had a siding contractor who had a blind spot when it came to plants. While working on a job, he simply did not distinguish between the ground and the flowers and shrubs growing in it, so he matter-of-factly stomped them flat as if they didn't exist. Well, here's the perfect plant to drive such plant-destroying contractors nuts. It's a great little ground cover called mazus. Only 1 to 2 inches high, it creeps prostrate across the ground and bears showy, purple-blue or white flowers in spring. It's quickly gaining favor for filling in the gaps between stepping-stones. And guess what-if you miss a stone and step on this plant, it forgives you and keeps on growing. This will come as quite a shock to Mr. Insensitive Siding Guy, who takes his monthly carnage quota very seriously. He may even require psychiatric care. I hope they make him lie on a bed of mazus. -STEVE BENDER

* FOR MORE INFO

Sources: southernliving.com/march2007

Tips of the Month are ideas readers say work for them. We do not test them. Submit tips on a postcard with your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address to Garden Tips, Southern Living, P.O. Box 523, Birmingham, AL 35201 or by e-mail to southernliving@customerservice.com. For each tip published, you will receive a copy of The Southern Living Garden Book.

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