My fiddle leaf fig is about to hit the ceiling. What would you do?
My fiddle leaf fig has grown much taller than expected and is nearly touching the ceiling. I’m considering pruning it, but I’d like to know what to expect…
Garden
What would you put in the strip by the fence?
I’m looking for a low-key, fairly durable way to stop the weed trimmer from damaging the fence along the sidewalk. The strip is narrow, and I’d like any…
What battery string trimmer would you recommend?
I’m looking at battery-powered string trimmers and trying to figure out whether it makes more sense to buy into a yard-tool system or stick with batteries I already…
Is my Echeveria stretching, and should I cut it back?
This is my first Echeveria. It has some stretched growth and the lower leaves look rough or are dropping. I’ve improved its lighting, but I’m not sure whether…
How can I tell which plants in this overgrown bed are weeds?
A vegetable and herb bed has been left to grow for a few weeks, and I can’t tell what’s planted and what’s a weed. How should I sort…
Why are my tree’s new shoots shorter and the leaves thinning?
I’ve had this tree for about four months. Its new shoots are much shorter than before, it looks less full, and a few leaves have fallen. I’ve also…
What should I do about this big root while edging around the tree?
I’m putting in a garden edge and have already come across a large, shallow tree root. Is it safe to cut, or should I change the layout?
My zucchini is growing almost white. Is it safe to eat?
One plant is producing very pale zucchini, even when the fruit is young, while the others are green. Could it be a different variety, and is the color…
Is my spring onion okay if it’s flowering?
My spring onion keeps growing upward, and one stalk has started flowering. Does that mean something is wrong, and can I still eat it?
What’s eating my lilies, and what should I do about it?
My potted lilies have chewed leaves and I’ve spotted bright red beetles nearby. There’s also a dark, messy-looking deposit on some leaves. Is this all from the same…
Should I stop work until someone checks this retaining wall?
We’re having a backyard leveled on a canyon slope, with pavers planned above a retaining wall that’s about four or five feet high at its tallest. The bottom…
How can I tell if these leaves were eaten by sawflies?
Something is chewing leaves off my plant, and I’m wondering about sawflies. What signs should I check before treating it?
What would you do with a dry patch by the driveway?
One sunny patch of my lawn has dried out while the grass around it is doing better. Watering is restricted here, so I’m wondering whether to try to…
What bulb would work for a low-key plant shelf?
I have tropical plants on shelves near south-facing windows, but I want the setup to stay fairly subtle. What kind of grow bulb should I look for, and…
Is my zucchini done, or should I give it more time?
My zucchini has barely put out new leaves or blooms lately, even though I water and feed it and it gets plenty of sun. I removed a few…
What should I do with these burro’s tail props now?
I put burro’s tail leaves on soil about six months ago. Some have little babies, but the roots don’t seem to be growing into the soil and a…
Can my storm-damaged apple tree recover?
Several trees fell into my yard during a storm, and one badly damaged my apple tree. The trunk was left split almost down to the roots, but it…
Why are my young pumpkins rotting when the vines look healthy?
The vines and leaves look healthy, but several young pumpkins have started to shrivel or rot before growing. What could cause that, and is there anything to try…
Can I save my struggling maidenhair fern?
My maidenhair fern has started looking rough even though I’m keeping the soil moist and giving it indirect light. It was previously kept in a more humid spot.…
Can I use bath water on the garden?
I’m thinking of using bath water to water the garden. Are ordinary soap and bath products okay, and is there a simple way to collect and use it…