FOOD FROM THE GARDEN, I JUST CAN'T SAY THAT ENOUGH.

>> THIS PARTICULAR PLANT WILL ACTUALLY SHOOT UP ADDITIONAL LEAF TISSUE.

>> THE PROGRAM WAS TO CREATE FOOD FOR THE PUBLIC.

THEY ARE PUBLIC ORCHARDS.

>> IT'S A LOT OF WORK, BUT IT REALLY IS WORTH IT WHEN YOU SEE ALL THESE BLOOMS, AND IT'S GORGEOUS.

♪ ASHLEE: HELLO, AND WELCOME TO "GREAT GARDENING."

I'M ASHLEE SMITH, DIRECTOR OF CONTENT HERE AT WDSE-WRPT, AND YOUR HOST FOR THIS EVENING.

WE HAVE WITH US OUR GARDEN EXPERTS WITH US TONIGHT.

THEY ARE HORTICULTURIST AND EDUCATOR BOB OLEN, AND GARDEN PROFESSIONAL DEB BYRNS ERICKSON.

THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

BOB: IT IS A PLEASURE.

ASHLEE AS ALWAYS, WE WANT TO : HEAR FROM GARDENERS ACROSS THE REGION WHO HAVE QUESTIONS FOR OUR EXPERTS ON ALL THINGS GARDENING.

VOLUNTEERS FROM THE ST. LOUIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS PROGRAM ARE HERE TO ANSWER THE PHONES.

SO, CALL LOCALLY AT 218-788-2844.

OR E-MAIL US AT ASK@WDSE.ORG.

NOW, LET'S TALK CURRENT CONDITIONS.

MY GOSH, IT IS BEAUTIFUL OUTSIDE.

BOB: WE HAVE WAITED LONG ENOUGH, BUT IT HAS BEEN MAGNESS PHEASANT -- MAGNIFICENT.

EVERYTHING IS BINDING AND BLOOMING.

THE LILACS ARE OUT.

>> THE FLOWERING CRABS AND PLUMS.

ASHLEE IT HAS BEEN PAINFUL FOR ME GETTING TO THE WINTER.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS BEAUTIFUL WEATHER.

IN 2020, WE SHOWED YOU THE BUILDING OF THE SUPERIOR COMMUNITY GARDENS, A PROJECT THAT BEGAN IN 2019.

TONIGHT, WE RETURN TO THE GARDENS TO LEARN HOW THEIR PLOT HAS BEEN DEVELOPING.

RUTH: RUTH LUDWIG.

I AM ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF SUPERIOR COMMUNITY GARDENS ASSOCIATION, AND I AM CURRENTLY A BOARD MEMBER AND TREASURER OF THE ASSOCIATION.

♪ WE ARE AT OUR OAKS AVENUE COMMUNITY GARDEN ON THE 2300 BLOCK OF OAKS AVENUE.

THE MASTER GARDENERS, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, THERE WERE A GROUP OF US THAT WERE SITTING AROUND THE TABLE THINKING -- WE HAVE PEOPLE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY THAT HAVE BEEN ASKING US IF THERE'S A GARDEN WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME IN AND GARDEN IF THEY DON'T HAVE ROOM IN THEIR YARD.

AND SO WE THOUGHT, WELL, WE SHOULD BUILD A COMMUNITY GARDEN FOR PEOPLE TO RENT PLOTS HERE IN SUPERIOR.

AND SO THE CITY DID APPROVE A FIVE-YEAR RENTAL AGREEMENT WITH US.

IN JUNE OF 2019, THEN WE BUILT THE FENCE AND STARTED BUILDING ON THE COMMUNITY GARDEN.

THINGS I HAVE SEEN GROWN HERE -- TOMATOES, PEAS, BEANS, PUMPKINS, SQUASH, BRUSSEL SPROUTS.

I'VE SEEN BRUSSEL SPROUTS, WHICH I HAVE NEVER GROWN BEFORE.

YOU KNOW, AND THAT'S PART OF THE FUN OF A COMMUNITY GARDEN, TOO, IS SEEING DIFFERENT PLANTS THAT PEOPLE GROW THAT MAYBE YOU'VE NEVER THOUGHT OF TRYING.

AND IT'S LIKE, OH, I REALLY LIKE THIS, I THINK I'M GOING TO TRY THIS NEXT YEAR.

WE HAVE GARDEN RULES, AND AS LONG AS THEY ABIDE BY THE GARDENING RULES, THEY CAN GROW WHAT THEY WANT.

WE DO HAVE RULES AS FAR AS TRYING TO KEEP IT AS ORGANIC AS POSSIBLE.

NO HERBICIDES, NO PESTICIDES.

WE PREFER ORGANIC FERTILIZER.

WE PROVIDE COMPOST.

IT IS LATE.

KNOW, IF YOU LOOK AROUND THE GARDEN HERE, YOU CAN SEE THAT THE MAJORITY OF OUR BEDS HAVE NOT EVEN BEEN PLANTED YET.

YOU KNOW, THERE IS STILL TIME.

HOPEFULLY, MOTHER NATURE WILL COOPERATE FOR US.

THERE'S STILL TIME TO GROW YET.

♪ WE STILL HAVE SOME GARDEN PLOTS AVAILABLE FOR RENT.

SOME OF OUR PERIMETER GARDENS ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR RENT.

YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS SAY THAT GARDENING TO ME IS THERAPY -- A PLACE TO, I GUESS, COMMUNE WITH NATURE.

I'VE BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH WHAT THIS GARDEN HAS ACHIEVED SO FAR.

WE CONTINUE TO GROW AND BRING CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE VALUE OF GARDENING TO THE COMMUNITY.

I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING ON GROWING THIS GARDEN AND EXPANDING INTO OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS WITHIN THE CITY.

DENNIS: IT ASKED ASHLEE: IT WAS GREAT TO SEE THE UPDATE ON THOSE GARDEN PLOTS.

ASHLEE: THEY ARE TO BE CONGRATULATED.

IT IS WONDERFUL TO HAVE A FACILITY LIKE THAT IN THEIR COMMUNITY GARDEN AND GARDENS THERE AT THE REGION.

YOU MENTIONED IT DOES BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND IT IS THERAPEUTIC, PARTICULARLY AFTER THE LONG, COLD WINTER.

ASHLEE: BOB, YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE SEASONAL OUTLOOK.

BOB: THIS IS KIND OF FUN.

WE CAME THROUGH A VERY COLD EARLY MAY.

IT WAS FORECAST WE WERE GOING TO HAVE AT LEAST AVERAGE CONDITIONS AND THIS INFORMATION COMES FROM NOAA AND THEIR CLIMATE CENTER AND THIS IS WHAT THEY ARE SAYING IS COMING UP.

THINGS HAVE DEFINITELY WARMED UP, WARMER THAN NORMAL.

AS FAR AS PRECIPITATION, A LITTLE BELOW NORMAL.

AND IT IS THAT COMBINATION THAT WE EXPERIENCED LAST YEAR DURING ROWING SEASON.

AND IT MAY BE THAT THAT IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AGAIN.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER CAN BE GARY ABLE, BUT IT IS A GOOD THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE MORE CONDITIONS COME SO WE WANT TO FOCUS ON WARM-SEASON CROPS, GROWING PEPPERS, CARRYING IT PRICE IN THE GROCERY STORE.

PEOPLE ARE GROWING THEIR OWN.

SOME GOOD TOMATOES AND I THINK SOME OF THE VINE CROPS, MELONS, SWEET POTATOES, AS THINGS MAYBE WARM UP, THIS OPENS UP A NUMBER OF NEW VARIETIES FOR US HERE IN THE NORTH LAND.

>> PEOPLE HAD SUCCESS WITH THEM, THAT IS WHAT WE ARE SEEING.

BECAUSE IT WAS WARM AND DRY LAST YEAR AND IF IT WORK FOR YOU LESTER, IT IS POSSIBLE IS GOING TO WORK FOR YOU AGAIN.

BOB: POSSIBLY IS THE WORD.

ASHLEE: LET'S TALK CRAB APPLES.

BOB: RIGHT NOW, THE LANDSCAPES ARE JUST SO BEAUTIFUL.

WE HAVE SEVERAL VARIETIES THAT ARE MAGNIFICENT IN THE LANDSCAPE RIGHT NOW.

FLOWERING CRABS ARE BEAUTIFUL WITH THE SPRING KNOW HIM.

THEY ARE A GREAT SOURCE OF POLLEN FOR INSECTS.

THERE IS SO MUCH MORE INTEREST RIGHT NOW IN PROVIDING HABITAT FOR POLLINATORS AND THE FLOWERING CRABS DO THAT.

THEY ARE ALREADY AND LONG-LIVED ERIE TO BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR VARIETY AND SELECTION AND WE WILL POINT THAT OUT -- WE WILL POINT THAT OUT TO FOLKS.

YOUR EARLY PRODUCING APPLES, STATE FAIR OR PERHAPS FOR EVERY MAGIC THAT COME IN EARLY, THEY ARE BEING POLLINATED FROM THE POLLEN OF FLOWERING CRABS.

SOME OF THE FRUIT IS VERY EXCELLENT THAT IS EDIBLE, WHETHER FOR HUMANS OR BIRDS.

BIRDS LOVE THEM AND SOME OF THE FOLIAGE CAN BE VERY NICE LATER IN THE SEASON.

THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD REASONS TO LOOK AT FLOWERING CRABS IN THE LANDSCAPE.

THESE ARE THROUGHOUT OUR LANDSCAPES.

THIS IS RADIANT.

THESE ARE OLDIES BUT GOODIES.

AS I GET OLDER, I APPRECIATE THAT EXPRESSION MORE AND MORE.

[LAUGHTER] THESE WERE INTRODUCED IN THE 1940'S AND 1950'S, RADIANT CRAB IS THROUGHOUT OUR LANDSCAPE.

IT IS THAT DEEP RED COLOR ON A VERY HEARTY.

THESE ARE 40, 50 YEARS OLD.

THEY WERE INTRODUCED IN THE 1940'S, THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA INTRODUCTION IN THE LANDSCAPE IN THIS IS RED SPLENDOR, THIS IS A LITTLE PINKER AND COMES EARLIER.

THIS IS FROM SASKATCHEWAN, CANADIAN INTRODUCTION.

VERY HEARTY, ZONE THREE.

IT HAS DISEASE RESISTANCE AS WELL, ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL COMPONENT.

AT WE HAVE A WHITE THAT IS VERY ATTRACTIVE, ONE THAT I LOVE THIS EAST SNOWDRIFT AND YOU CAN SEE THE POLLINATORS, WE JUST SHOT THIS PHOTO, POLLINATORS ARE VERY ACTIVE.

AGAIN, A VERY HEARTY VARIETY.

THAT IS ANOTHER CANADIAN INTRODUCTION.

THEY LOOK NICE NEXT TO EACH OTHER, THESE COMPOSITIONS IN THE LANDSCAPE, AND THESE ARE VERY WINTER HARDY.

THE RADIANT READ SPLENDOR AND THE SNOW ARE THE SUGGESTIONS.

A LOT OF NEW VARIETIES.

THEY ARE LOOKING FOR COLOR AND DISEASE RESISTANCE, BUT YOU HAVE TO BE A LITTLE CAREFUL BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT NECESSARILY HEARTY FOR OUR ZONE THREE AREAS.

DENASHLEE: THOSE ARE BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS, MY FAVORITES, I THINK.

EVEN DRIVING AROUND THE AREA, YOU CAN PEOPLE SNAPPING PHOTOS.

BOB: YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL RADIANT CRAB OUTSIDE THE DOOR HERE AT THE STUDIO.

DEB, THE DARKER FOLIAGE IS VERY ATTRACTIVE AS WELL AND THAT IS A HEARTY VARIETY.

LOOK FOR THE HEARTY VARIETY ZONE THREE AND START THERE WITH YOU LANDSCAPE.

AND THEN YOU CAN EXPERIMENT.

DEB: GET THE POLLINATORS OUT.

DENNIS: THANK YOU.

WE CAN GET TO SOME VIEWER QUESTIONS, WE HAVE THEM POURING IN ON EMAIL AND PHONE.

IF YOU HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO CALL IN THE YOU CAN CALL OR SEND EMAIL TO ASK@WDSE.ORG.

DONNY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, HOW DO SEEDS KNOW TO GROW UP?

[LAUGHTER] DEB: CUTE QUESTION.

BOB: GOOD QUESTION.

IT IS RELATED TO GRAVITY NGO TROPISM.

THEY ARE WORKING WITH AN IN-DEPTH -- AN INBRED MECHANISM AT THE END OF THE SEED AND YOU HAVE A RETICLE THAT KNOWS HOW TO GO DOWN IN THE TOPSIDE THAT KNOWS TO GROW UP.

THAT IS THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEA.

IT IS GENETICALLY PROGRAMMED THAT WAY.

DENNIS: FASCINATING -- ASHLEE: FASCINATING.

WE HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION -- I HAVE A RHUBARB PLANT INC.

STRIPPED OF NEW GROWTH LEAVES.

LACK OF LEAVES ARE STRESSING THE PLANT.

THOUGHTS?

BOB: THAT WOULD DEFINITELY STRESS THE PLANTS.

RHUBARB IS PRETTY RESILIENT.

IT COULD BE INSECT PRESSURE.

YOU CAN TELL, IF IT HAS A JAGGED EDGE.

THE DEER WILL TAKE RHUBARB VERY EARLY IN THE SEASON.

AT ACID BUILDS UP OVER TIME AND THEN, THEY DON'T WANT TO TOUCH IT.

BUT VERY EARLY, SO THAT MIGHT BE A POSSIBILITY.

BUT I WOULD LOOK FOR INSECT ACTIVITY.

WE HAVE A FEW PESTS THAT CAN ATTACK EARLY WITH THE WARM WEATHER AND I THINK THAT IS PROBABLY WHAT IS OCCURRING.

DEB: SOAP AND WATER AND HIT IT HARD.

BOB OLEN IF THEY STRIP IT DOWN AS BOB: IF THEY STRIP IT DOWN, YOU CAN GET SOME REGROWTH FROM THOSE RHUBARB PLANTS.

IT IS EARLY IN THE SEASON.

BUT IF THE LEAVES ARE GONE, TAKE THEM OFF AND LET THE PLAN REGENERATE.

DEB: AND IT WILL FOCUS ITS ENERGY ON HEALING RATHER THAN PRODUCING NEW STALKS.

ASHLEE: SAM FROM WASHBURN WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, WHAT IS THE LATEST DATE YOU COULD PLANT CARE EXCEEDS?

BOB: THEY WILL GERMINATE, THE LONGER YOU HAVE THEM IN, THE BETTER, BUT YOU CAN START THOSE IN EARLY JULY FOR A FALL CROP.

THE ROADS ARE NOT GOING TO BE QUITE AS LARGE, BUT YOU CAN START THOSE MIDSEASON IF YOU NEED TO.

AGAIN, IT TAKES EARLY MATURING AND SMALLER VARIETIES.

DEB: HAD WASHED FOR THE MOISTURE.

IF IT IS GETTING DRIER, IT IS GOING TO BE HARDER TO GERMINATE.

THEY MIGHT WANT TO DO THEM SOONER OR LATER, BECAUSE IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A DRIER SUMMER, BECAUSE IT WAS A PROBLEM LAST YEAR WITH GERMINATION, BECAUSE IT WAS SO DRY.

BOB: ABOUT A QUARTER INCHES YOUR PLANTING DEPTH AND I CAN DRY OUT VERY QUICKLY.

HAVE YOUR WATERING SYSTEM READY AND HIT IT EVERY MORNING.

MAKE SURE THAT SEEDBED STAYS MOIST.

ASHLEE: SPEAKING OF GROWING OUT -- GROWING EDIBLE PLANTS, WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF GROWING YOUR OWN FOOD?

IS IT MORE NUTRITIONAL?

DEB: MORE CONTROL.

YOU HAVE SO MUCH MORE CONTROL OF YOUR INPUT AND OUTPUT AND WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO GET OUT OF IT.

YOU CAN CONTROL THE VARIETY SELECTION.

THERE IS SO MUCH MORE CONTROL DOING IT YOURSELF, AND MUCH BETTER TASTE, AND A LOT BETTER FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.

BOB: ABSOLUTELY.

IT WASN'T ALWAYS ECONOMICS.

THEN, THE ECONOMICS WENT AWAY AND IT BECAME FOOD QUALITY.

IT BECAME FOOD SECURITY, BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE IN TERMS OF CONTROL.

BUT MANY ECONOMICS MIGHT BE COMING BACK INTO PLAY THIS YEAR, BECAUSE YOU GET A HIGH QUALITY, YOU STAY AWAY FROM YOUR PESTICIDES AND IT IS BASICALLY EQUIVALENT TO ORGANIC.

THEY CAN CARRY A HIGH PRICE.

ASHLEE: VERY TRUE, UNFORTUNATELY.

SERENE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, CAN SHE USE WOOD CHIPS FROM SPRUCE BALSAM TREES ON HER GARDEN?

DEB: A VEGETABLE GARDEN, RIGHT?

BOB: YEAH.

ALL WOOD CHIPS ARE HIGH IN CARBON SO AS A MULCH ON THE SOIL SERVICE, THEY ARE FINE.

THEY DO TEND TO PULL NITROGEN OUT OF THE SOIL AS THEY DECOMPOSE.

SO SHE MAY HAVE TO ADD SOME ADDITIONAL NITROGEN.

THE THING ABOUT BALSAM IF SHE HAS A LOT OF BALSAM IS NOT SO MUCH THE CHIPS, BUT THEY CARRIED THE FUNGI THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WHICH HIS BROOM ON BLUEBERRIES, VERY DESTRUCTIVE PAST.

NOT FOND OF BALSAM.

I AM REMOVING IF YOU BALSAM FOR THAT REASON, THE WHICH IS BROOM -- THE WITCH'S BROOM.

ASHLEE: ANY NEW STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH WITC'SH BROOM FOR BLUEBERRIES?

IT KEEPS COMING BACK.

DEB: THAT IS RIGHT UP YOUR ALLEY.

BOB: REALLY INTERESTING.

I DIDN'T KNOW THAT QUESTION WAS COMING.

WHICH'S BROOM HAS A CHARACTERISTIC FORMATION.

IT IS SYSTEMIC.

IN OTHER WORDS, THE FUNGI SPENDS PART OF ITS LIFE ON THE BALSAM TREE AND PART OF HIS LIFE ON YOUR NEWBERRY PLANT IN THIS CASE.

THEN, IT GETS THROUGH THE SYSTEM.

THAT IS WHY IT KEEPS -- YOUR BLUEBERRY PLANT IN THIS CASE.

THEN, A CUSTOM SYSTEM.

THAT IS WHY IT KEEPS COMING BACK.

WE DON'T OF THAT SOLUTION, WE DON'T HAVE A GOOD DECIDE I AM AWARE OF.

I WOULD SAY THAT I WOULD PRUNE OUT OLDER STEMS, PRUNE OUT ALL THE WITCH'S BROOM, THEN YOU GET THE YOUNG MATERIALLY AND YOU MIGHT JUST HAVE TO MANAGE -- YOUNG MATERIAL AND YOU MIGHT JUST HAVE TO MANAGE IT.

IF THEY ARE REALLY IN DECLINE, I WOULD BE INTRODUCING NEW PLANTS.

DEB: IF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT WITCH'S BROOM IS, IT LOOKS LIKE A WITCH'S BROOM AND IT HAS A LOT OF DISTORTED STEMS.

BOB: JUST KEEP PRUNING AND IF YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE PATCH OUT AND START OVER, YOU MAY HAVE TO.

BUT GETTING RIGHT OF THE BALSAM IS ONE SOLUTION, IF SHE HAS DONE THAT ALREADY.

ASHLEE: THANK YOU.

A GRIM OUTLOOK.

[LAUGHTER] ROBIN FROM PROCTOR ASKS, WHAT IS THE BEST GRASP TO GROW ON MY DECK IN MY PLANTER THAT IS 10 INCHES DEEP?

DEB: THE BEST GRASS?

BOB: ORNAMENTAL, MAYBE.

MOST OF US ARE GROWING GRASS OUT ON THE LAWN.

[LAUGHTER] DEB: I AM GUESSING IT IS NOT GOOD TO BE SOMETHING LARGE.

IT IS A 10-INCH DEEP.

SOME OF THE SMALLER PONYTAILS, ORNAMENTALS, A RUBRAM GUESS QUITE LARGE.

IT WOULD GET LARGE AND A PLANTER BOX, ESPECIALLY IF IT IS 10 INCHES.

AND IT IS NOT A REAL PLANTER, JUST A PLANTER ON THE DECK, CORRECT?

IF THEY CAN DO BIGGER CONTAINER, THEY CAN DO BIGGER GRASS.

GRASS CAN ALSO TOLERATE BEING DRIER, THEY ARE MORE DROP RESISTANT, SO THAT WOULD BE OK.

BUT IF YOU MIX IT WITH OTHER THINGS, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE MORE FAILURE.

YOU CAN LOOK AT OTHER THINGS LIKE A SPIDER PLANTER THINGS THAT RESEMBLE A GRASS THAT ARE NOT AS LARGE.

AND THERE ARE A FEW ORNAMENTALS.

BUT I WOULD GO FOR A BIGGER CONTAINER IF YOU WANT TO GROW ORNAMENTALS.

BOB: OR ARE JUST OPEN UP TO THE POSSIBILITY OF CLOVERS, WHICH ARE THE FOR POLLINATING RIGHT NOW AND MAYBE CONSIDER A COMBINATION, SOMETHING LOWER STATURE.

ASHLEE: WE HAVE A REQUEST FOR HELP WE NEED TO ADDRESS FROM CINDY.

SHE SAYS, I HAVE THREE ENDLESS SUMMER HYDRANGEAS THAT ARE ABOUT SIX YEARS OLD THEY HAD A FEW GNOMES THE FIRST TWO YEARS IN BLUE, NOW THEY HAVE BEAUTIFUL FOLIAGE AND NO BLOOMS.

I TRIED USING BOOM BLOOM WITH NO LUCK.

THEY FACED SOUTH-SOUTHEAST WITH A LITTLE SHADE IN FRONT OF A BRICK HOME WITH SANDY SOIL.

NOW -- HELP.

DEB: I HAD A CUSTOMER THAT HAD THE SAME QUESTION.

IT DIES DOWN TO THE GROUND AND THEY ENDED UP DIGGING THEM UP AND BRINGING THEM TO THEIR DAUGHTER IN LAW IN FARMINGTON.

BECAUSE IT IS JUST OLD WOOD, NOT HEARTY, AND DRYING DOWN.

BOB: REALLY INTERESTING.

BECAUSE THE ENDLESS SUMMER THAT HAS BECOME A SERIES FOR ONE OF OUR MAJOR WHOLESALERS, THE ORIGINAL THAT THE NAME CAME FROM, IT HAS BEEN AFFECTIONATELY CALLED ENDLESS BUMMER BECAUSE OF DIFFICULTY GETTING IT INTO BLOOM.

ONE THING I HAVE OBSERVED, AND SHE IS ACIDIC, BECAUSE IT WILL BLOOM LAVENDER OR BLUE IN ACID SOIL AND PINK IN ANOTHER SOIL.

IT IS POSSIBLE WITH THE BRICK FOUNDATION THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM.

IT ALSO MAY HAVE TO MUCH VIGOR.

I HAVE SEEN WHERE YOU CUT IT BACK A LITTLE, TREAT IT POORLY, AND SOMETIMES THAT TRIGGERS THE BLOOM.

MORE POTASSIUM, MORE PHOSPHORUS, LESS NITROGEN.

ASHLEE: GOOD LUCK, CINDY.

WE'LL BE BACK WITH MORE GREAT GARDENING SHORTLY, BUT LET'S FIRST, TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SENT-IN PHOTOS.

HERE'S THE LOCAL DIRT.

>> LET'S SEE WHAT'S GROWING IN ?

-- >> LET'S SEE WHAT'S GROWING IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, WITH THE LOCAL DIRT!

MIKE HEIM OF HAYWARD, WISONSIN SENT US AN IMAGE OF A HIBISCUS.

HE SAYS THIS ONE IS NATIVE TO MINNESOTA, AND HAS SUCH A LOVELY PINK BLOOM, WE'RE SURE GLAD TO CALL IT HOME!

NEXT, MICKY MCGILLIGAN SHOWED US AN ORANGE NASTURTIUM WITH A BRIGHT, BRILLIANT COLOR THAT LIGHTS UP ANY GARDEN!

♪ FROM THE GARDEN OF DON AND NANCY LARSON, WE SPOT A SPROUT OF SUBLIME CONEFLOWERS, AND A HYDRANGEA!

DON AND NANCY ALSO GREW A BEAUTIFUL PURPLE CLEMATIS, AND TO TOP IT OFF, A RAVISHING RED CHATERS DOUBLE HOLLYHOCK.

FINALLY, CHARLES CARLSON SENT US A PAIR OF VIDEOS FROM HIS GARDENS FROM LAST YEAR!

TAKE A LOOK!

WHAT A SIGHT!

SEND US PHOTOS FROM YOUR GARDENS!

E-MAIL US AT GREAT GARDENING AT WDSE.ORG AND IT COULD SHOW UP ON AIR OR OUR INSTAGRAM FEED!

WELCOME BACK TO "GREAT GARDENING."

IN A MOMENT, DEB WILL TALK TO US ABOUT CONTAINER GARDENS.

BUT FIRST, LET'S GET TO MORE QUESTIONS!

DOREEN WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, WHAT KIND OF SOIL DO SWEET POTATOES GROW BEST IN?

BOB: OH, THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION, NOW THAT WE ARE GOING TO BECOME SWEET POTATO GROWERS IN A WARMING CLIMATE.

[LAUGHTER] I WOULD SAY WELL-DRAINED SOIL IS IMPORTANT.

THEY DO NOT LIKE THEIR FEET WET.

THEY DO NOT LIKE IT COOL AT ALL.

THIS IS DIFFERENT THEN AN IRISH POTATO.

YOU'RE GOING TO BE GETTING LIVING PLANT MATERIAL, WHAT WE CALL SLIPS THAT WILL COME FROM FARMS FARTHER SOUTH.

YOU NEVER REFRIGERATE THOSE PRE-JUST PUT THEM IN WATER AND WAIT UNTIL WE HAVE TEMPERATURES CONSISTENTLY ABOVE 40, 50 DEGREES.

IN THE SOIL, YOU PLANT THEM, A NICE MIX, MAYBE ORGANIC MATERIAL, A LITTLE.

BUT DRAINAGE IS THE KEY.

DRAINAGE AND FULL SUN AND DELAYING PLANTING UNTIL CONSISTENTLY WARM TEMPERATURES.

LIKE THE THIRD WEEK OF JUNE.

ASHLEE: SOUNDS GOOD.

THERE IS A QUESTION FROM DIANE THAT I DIDN'T KNOW I NEEDED TO KNOW UNTIL I READ IT -- WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GARDEN SOIL AND TOPSOIL?

DEB: WELL, GARDEN SOIL IS AMENDED.

IT HAS GOOD NUTRITION.

IT IS A REAL SOIL.

SOME OF IT HAS COMPOST AMENDED INTO IT.

IT IS LIGHTER.

IF YOU PICK UP A BAG OF GARDEN SOIL COMPARED TO TOPSOIL, TOPSOIL IS EXTREMELY HEAVY.

IT IS REALLY DENSE, WHERE GARDEN SOIL IS NICE, LIGHT, EASY TO WORK WITH, EASY FOR THE ROOTS AND THE PLANT TO THRIVE IN.

AND THE TOPSOIL IS NOT.

[LAUGHTER] IT IS DENSE.

BOB: TOPSOIL, I THINK THEY WERE REFERRING TO WHAT WAS IN THE BACKYARD, THE UPPER SIX OR EIGHT INCHES OF THE SOIL PROFILE.

THIS IS MINERAL SOIL.

IT CAME FROM ROCK AND BROKE DOWN OVER THIS IS MINERAL SOIL.

IT IS A LITTLE FRESHER, YOU GET DOWN INTO THE SUBSOIL.

GARDEN SOIL IS GOING TO BE LIGHTER.

IN MANY CASES, PARTICULARLY CONTAINER SOILS, IT WILL COME FROM AN ORGANIC SOURCE, A PEEPS SOURCE, AND MIXING THE TWO IS NOT A BAD IDEA.

WE CAN KIND OF MIX THE TWO AND GET A GOOD QUALITY, FRIABLE, OPEN DARDEN SOIL.

>> YEAH, THAT'S PERFECT.

DN -- DEANNE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW CALLY-OPE GERANIUM?

IS THAT HOW YOU SAY IT?

>> CALLIOPE.

>> I'M GLAD I ASKED YOU TO SAY IT.

CALLIOPE IS A CROSS BETWEEN THE UPRIGHT GERANIUM WITH IV GERANIUM GENETIC, SO YOU GET A FULL GROWN BALL AND YOU GET REALLY LARGE BLOSSOMS ON ME CALLIOPE.

TANGO IS TIGHTER.

IT IS NICE AND TIDY AND IT HAS DARK FOLIAGE AND THE FLOWERS ARE NOT QUITE AS LARGE AS THE CALLIOPE.

CALLIOPE IS GREAT FOR CONTAINERS .

TANGO IS A LITTLE BIT NICER FOR THINGS THAT ARE SMALL AND CONTAINED AND YOU DON'T WANT IT TO GET TOO BIG.

A CALLIOPE GERANIUM CAN GET HUGE, AND THEY ARE SPECTACULAR.

>> PERFECT.

THANK YOU.

MARY FROM GILBERT HAS ASKED, WHAT CAN I USE TO REMOVE LEAVES?

NOT ROUND UP.

-- ROOF WEEDS -- WHAT CAN I USE TO REMOVE WEEDS?

>> WHEN SHE SAYS REMOVE WEEDS, ANNUALS AND PERENNIALS, THAT IS SHALLOW CULTIVATION IS YOUR BEST CHOICE.

TALKING ABOUT A PERENNIAL WEED LIKE CRABGRASS, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO COVER, AND I THINK SOMETHING WHERE THE LIGHT CANNOT PENETRATE.

NOT ONLY DIG GOT THE UPPER PORTION OF THE PLANT, BUT MOST PERENNIALS GOT ROOT SYSTEMS AND UNDERGROUND STEM SYSTEMS.

IT ALL HAS TO COME OUT, BUT I THINK CULTIVATION IS GOING TO BE THE ANSWER IN MANY CASES, AND SHE CAN STAY AWAY FROM ROUND UP.

>> IT IS A WEED SEED.

SOMETIMES I GET LAZY AND DON'T WANT TO PULL AND THINGS ARE GETTING AWAY FROM ME.

IF YOU CAN GET A WEED THAT PROPAGATES BY NEED AND YOU CAN AT LEAST WEED WITH IT OR GET IN THERE AND CUT IT BACK BEFORE IT GOES TO BLOOM, THERE'S GOING TO BE SO MUCH LESS SEATING YOU WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

I KNOW IT IS LAZY, BUT IT WILL TAKE CARE OF A LOT OF THE WEED SEED BEFORE IT GETS INTO WEEDS.

>> IS WEEDING PART OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ASPECT OF GARDENING?

>> IT SHOULD BE.

>> EXCELLENT.

MIKE IS AN EXPERIENCED COMPOSTER .

WHAT SHOULD HE BE DOING TO THE PILES IN THE SPRING?

>> DEPENDS HOW BIG THE PILE IS.

>> AND IT DEPENDS HOW FAR ALONG IT IS.

USUALLY WHAT HAPPENS IN AN OUTSIDE PILE IS YOU DRAW DOWN AND USUALLY IT IS HARD ON THE OUTSIDE, SO I HAVE BEAR MINIMUM, HE WANTS TO TAKE THOSE MATERIALS THAT WERE NOT COMPOSTED AND WORK THEM INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE PILE AND GET THINGS STARTED AGAIN.

THAT USUALLY DOES REQUIRE, UNLESS YOU GET A LOT OF RAIN, BUT NOW THAT IT IS DRIER, HAVE A HOSE THERE.

MAYBE SUPPLY A LITTLE ADDITIONAL NITROGEN TO GET THAT PROCESS STARTED AGAIN, BUT IT IS BASICALLY INCORPORATING THAT DRIED MATERIAL BACK INTO THE PILE.

>> GREAT.

I HAVE ANOTHER COMPOSTING QUESTION FROM BOB, WHO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, COMPOSTING EGG SHELLS -- CAN YOU THROW THEM IN THE GARDEN?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

EGGSHELLS, OF COURSE, CONTAIN CALCIUM, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF CALCIUM IN THE SOIL, SO ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, IF YOU FEEL REAL GOOD ABOUT ADDING CALCIUM, GET THE XO STUNTS.

IT IS NOT A REAL SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SOLUBLE CALCIUM.

ANYTHING LIKE THAT YOU WANT TO INCORPORATE, BUT IF YOU GOT A CALCIUM DEFICIENCY, YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR A CALCIUM SOURCE LIKE CALCIUM CARBONATE WHERE YOU CAN CORRECT THAT DEFICIENCY.

>> QUICKLY.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT COMPOSTING EGGSHELLS.

I HAVE ONE FROM JOHN TUNSTALL LUTHER WHO ALSO ASKED ABOUT EGGSHELLS, BUT ALSO COFFEE GROUNDS.

CAN YOU ADD THEM DIRECTLY TO YOUR SOIL?

>> I DO.

I DO TOP DRESS SOMETIMES MY SOIL.

I FEEL LIKE I'M DOING GOOD AND IF IT IS JUST A MENTAL BENEFIT THAT I'M USING UP MILD COFFEE GROUNDS, BUT I WILL EVEN TOP OFF SOME OF MY ACID-LIVING THINGS THINKING I'M DOING A GOOD JOB.

>> ANY MATERIAL, ANYTHING THAT IS ORGANIC YOU CERTAINLY CAN BREAK DOWN AND WORK INTO YOUR COMPOSTING SYSTEM.

USE IT ALL FOR SURE.

>> DEAD, YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO US ABOUT CONTAINER GARDENS.

>> EVERYBODY IS PUTTING CONTAINERS TOGETHER NOW.

EVERYONE KNOWS ABOUT THE THRILLER, THE FILLER, AND THE SPILLER.

THE NEW PROVEN WINNER, SATURN, SUNFLOWER.

THEN WE HAVE SOME ZESTY ZINNIAS AND SOME TRAILING SWEET POTATO VINES, AND THAT'S FINE, BUT FOLIAGE IS ALL SIMILAR SIZE.

THE FLOWERS ARE ALL SIMILAR SIZE.

THE NEXT ONE WE HAVE IS WITH KING TUT AS THE THRILLER AND THEN WE HAVE THE -- IT IS CALLIOPE GERANIUM IN THIS ONE AS THE FILLER, BUT WE'VE ALSO ADDED ON MORE FOLIAGE CONTRAST SO YOU ARE GETTING MORE CONTRAST WITH THE SIZE AND TYPE OF FULL YEAR JAN THE FLOWER SIZE IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT BETWEEN THE CALLIOPE AND THE LOBELIA.

WHEN THINGS KIND OF DON'T GO AS PLANNED, LIKE THIS CONTAINER HAS BLACKENED BLOOM SALVIA, WHICH IS GREAT AS A DEER RESISTANT THING, BUT IT'S ALSO GOT THE COLEUS, AND THAT HAS GREAT COLOR IN THE FOLIAGE, AND PEOPLE REALLY LOVE FOLIAGE COLOR, AND IT HAS TRAILING PETUNIAS.

THIS TRAILING PETUNIA I FEEL LIKE IS GETTING OUT OF CONTROL ALREADY AND IT'S ONLY BEEN THE NINTH OF JUNE.

IF YOU'RE THINKING OF CUTTING BACK YOUR PETUNIA, YOU SHOULD.

PEOPLE ALWAYS DELAY.

NO, CUT IT BACK.

IF YOU THINK IT SHOULD BE CUT, CUT IT AND GIVE IT GOOD FERTILIZATION, TOO.

THE NEXT ONE, WE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS GOING ON HERE, DIFFERENT FOLIAGE COLORS, DIFFERENT SIZES OF FLOWERS AND DIFFERENT SIZES OF FOLIAGE.

NICE RED FLOWER, GREAT STRUCTURE, AND THEN WE HAVE MORE SUN PATIENTS WITH THE BICOLOR FOLIAGE AND MORE SWEET POTATO VINE AND THEN SOME BOKO BOOK, TOO, SO YOU ARE GETTING ALL DIFFERENT FLOWER SIZE, ALL DIFFERENT COLORS AND FOLIAGE, AND EVERYTHING.

IT IS GREAT TO HAVE FILLER, SPILLER, THRILLER, BUT YOU SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER THE FOLIAGE COLORS AND FLOWER SIZES WHEN YOU'RE PUTTING TOGETHER COMBINATIONS.

>> THAT'S GREAT.

I REALLY LOVE THE DIFFERENCE IN THE SIZES OF THE FLOWERS AND THE HEIGHT.

>> IT IS HUGE.

IT IS HUGE.

>> THANK YOU FOR SHARING WITH US.

WE CAN GET BACK TO SOME QUESTIONS NOW, AND DON'T FORGET TO MAKE YOUR CALL OR YOUR EMAIL RIGHT NOW.

YOU STILL HAVE TIME TO GET YOUR QUESTIONS IN TO OUR GARDEN EXPERTS TONIGHT.

JIM FROM ASHLAND HAS ASKED, HE PLANTED A GARDEN, SQUASH, AND PUMPKIN, 3000 SQUARE FEET.

CROWS WALKED FROM HILL TO HILL AND ATE THE SEEDS.

WHAT CAN HE DO?

>> RIGHT NOW, YOU CAN REPLANT.

THAT'S THE FIRST THING.

>> OUCH.

>> THERE'S A THOUGHT FOR HIM.

>> IF HE HAS A MAJOR BIRD PROBLEM, I WOULD BE CEDING THOSE IN SO YOU COULD JUST USE YOUR POTTING SOIL, AND ABOUT 7, 8, 9 10 DAYS FROM NOW, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A TRANSPLANT, SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE CROWS PULLING THE SEAT UP, THEN I WOULD DROP THOSE PLANTS IN -- CAREFULLY BECAUSE THEY ARE STILL SENSITIVE -- BUT THEN HE DOES NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THOSE SEATS BEING PULLED UP.

>> EVERY HILL, YOU JUST START ONE CONTAINER.

>> ONE SEED, ONE CELL IN A CONTAINER OR ONE SMALL POT.

THEN LIFTING IT OUT VERY CAREFULLY.

PUT IN A TRANSPLANT.

>> GREAT.

THANK YOU.

WE HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT YOUR CRAB APPLES.

TOM FROM DULUTH WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW LONG DO CRABAPPLE TREES LIVE?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

THEY LIVE A LONG TIME.

>> THEY DO.

THEY DO.

>> WE'VE GOT THEM IN THE LANDSCAPE, 50, 60 YEARS OLD, AND THEY PROBABLY WILL LIVE LONGER THAN THAT, BUT YOU ARE PROBABLY PUSHING IT WHEN YOU GET AROUND 70 OR 80 YEARS.

THERE ARE SOME TREES THAT LONGER THAN THAT CERTAINLY, BUT IN THE APPLE FAMILY, I THINK IF YOU HAVE DONE THAT -- WELL, PROTECT THEM FROM DEER, GET THEM OFF TO A GOOD START, AND PRETTY SOON THEY ARE RESILIENT.

>> AND KEEP CLEANING UP THE SUCKERS.

THEY WILL LIVE AND LONG TIME, BUT YOU HAVE TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF THEM.

>> GREAT.

PERFECT.

DON WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO WATER MY GARDEN?

>> WELL, NUMBER ONE IS MORNING.

THE BIG THING IS YOU DON'T WANT THE FOLIAGE WET WHEN THE TEMPERATURES COOL DOWN.

PEOPLE WORRY ABOUT WATERING THEIR GARDEN AT HIGH NOON.

SOMETHING ABOUT THE WATER DROPLETS.

THAT IS AN URBAN MYTH.

HIGH NOON IS BETTER THAN LATE-NIGHT BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO LOSE A LITTLE BIT TO EVAPORATION.

TRY TO KEEP IT OFF THE FOLIAGE IF YOU CAN.

>> I WOULD SAY IF IT IS GETTING HOT, THERE IS A BENEFIT TO APPLICATION IN THE NEW JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN DROP THAT BASIL LEAP TEMPERATURE DOWN AND THEN THEY ARE NOT AS STRESSED.

IF YOU CANNOT GET THEM IN THE MORNING AND YOU ARE STARTING TO GET TO WILT, YOU SHOULD GET SOME WATER ON THEM HOWEVER YOU CAN DO THAT BECAUSE THEY ARE SO MUCH MORE PRONE TO DISEASE OF ALL KINDS.

>> SO ARE YOU TELLING ME THAT WHEN I WAS GROWING UP AND MY MOTHER SAID TO GET UP EARLY AND WATER THE PLANTS, IT WASN'T IMPERATIVE?

>> WELL, IT IS MOST BENEFICIAL.

>> MOTHERS ARE ALWAYS RIGHT.

>> ALL RIGHT, MOVING ON, WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM JODY.

I HAVE LILAC BUSHES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN TRIMMED IN OVER 15 YEARS.

THEY LOCKED THE SIDEWALK TO MY FRONT DOOR, SO I HAVE TO TRIM THEM THIS SPRING.

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE?

I'M A NOVICE AND CLUELESS.

WHAT TOOL SHOULD I USE?

>> I LIKE THAT COMBO, NOVICE AND CLUELESS.

I KNOW THAT FEELING.

IF SHE HAD BLOOM UP NEAR THE TOP OR IF IT HAS A LONG, WOODY STEM -- SOMETIMES, YOU MIGHT HAVE TO TAKE THEM RIGHT AT GROUND LEVEL AND LET THEM RE-SPROUT AND REGROW.

THAT TAKES A FEW YEARS TO GET REESTABLISHED, BUT IF THEY ARE BLOOMING, SO LARGE AND NEVER BEEN PRUNED AND BLOOMING AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL, YOU KIND OF HAVE TO START OVER.

>> I REMEMBER WATCHING "GREAT GARDENING" MANY YEARS AGO, AND BOB SAID YOU TAKE 1/3 DOWN TO THE GROUND IF YOU WANT TO CLEAN IT AND FLUSH IT.

1/3 EVERY YEAR AND BY THE TIME THAT YEAR COMES, YOU'VE GOT A BRAND-NEW, ESTABLISHED, BEAUTIFUL LILA.

IF SHE'S TRYING TO TRIM IT JUST TO GET THROUGH THE DOOR, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS IT.

BUT SHE COULD TAKE THAT 1/3 DOWN.

BUT I REMEMBER THAT AND I TELL PEOPLE THAT ALL THE TIME.

>> WHAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET AWAY WITH IS JUST CUTTING THEM ON THE READY -- THE ROOTY STEM.

PIC 1/3 DOWN TO THE GROUND.

>> YEAH, NOT OFF THE HEIGHT.

I WAS NOT SAYING THAT.

I TELL PEOPLE THAT ALL THE TIME.

I DO.

>> FANTASTIC.

THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR ANSWERING ALL THESE QUESTIONS FOR US.

"GREAT GARDENING" WILL BE BACK SOON, SO LET'S TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT YOUR SENT-IN PHOTOS.

>> NOW, MORE WITH THE LOCAL DIRT.

MAKING ME GILLIGAN SENT US A PHOTO OF SOME STUNNING SALVIA -- MICKEY MCGILLIGAN.

NEXT, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT HARDY CACTI.

MIKE ALSO GREW THIS EVERGREEN GINGER, WHICH HE SAYS HE IS USING IN A SHADY REGION OF HIS WOODLAND GARDEN.

NOW WE ARE OFF TO THE GARDENS OF BOB AND ISABEL.

FIRST IRIS GROWN IN THEIR FRONT LAWN.

NEXT, A DOUBLE LIGHT.

ANY BUSH -- DOUBLE LIGHT PN ANY -- DOUBLE LIGHT PEONY BUSH.

DOUBLE LILIES.

FINALLY, AMAZING HOLLYHOCKS.

SEND US PHOTOS FROM YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

IT COULD SHOW UP ON AIR OR ON OUR INSTAGRAM FEED.

LET'S WRAP THINGS UP WITH MORE QUESTIONS.

MARTY FROM DULUTH ASKS -- RABBITS ATE THE LOWER BRANCHES OF MY ARBORVITAE.

WILL THEY GROW BACK?

BOB: I WISH WE COULD TRAIN THOSE RABBITS TO DO THE PRUNING FOR US.

I'M AFRAID THAT IF THEY HAVE TAKEN THEM ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE STEM THAT THOSE STEMS WILL NOT GROW BACK.

THE TREE WILL GROW CERTAINLY ABOVE IT, BUT IF THEY HAVE JUST TAKEN PART OF THE GREEN GROWTH, THAT WILL REFLASH MORE, BUT IF IT HAS TAKEN IT DOWN TO THE STEM, I'M AFRAID NOT.

WILL NOT KILL THE PLANT, THOUGH.

WILL NOT KILL THE TREE.

>> TRISH WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, CAN YOU USE UP SOME SALT AS FERTILIZER FOR TOMATOES AND FLOWERS?

>> OK, WE ARE GOING TO DISAGREE HERE.

I KNOW THIS.

WHEN I'M DOING TRANSPLANTING, WHEN I TRANSPLANT MY TOMATOES FOR A REALLY QUICK FLUSH OF GREEN, SO THERE'S NO TRANSPLANT SHOT, I DO USE EPSOM SALTS IN MY TRANSPLANTING OF TOMATOES.

>> BUT BOB?

>> EPSOM SALTS HAVE FIREPLACE.

>> IN THE BATHTUB.

>> THEY ARE NOT KIND OF THE CURE-ALL THAT PEOPLE THINK, BUT THEY DO PROVIDE A SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF CALCIUM, SO I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT TOMATOES AND PEPPERS AND WARM SEASON CROPS.

WE HAVE SEEN SOME CALCIUM DEFICIENCIES.

PARTICULARLY IN GARDEN SOIL MIXES.

I THINK SOME EPSOM SALTS, IF YOU ARE GROWING PEPPERS AS AN EXAMPLE, WILL HELP GROWTH FOR THAT PLANT AND PREVENT SOME OF THIS TISSUE DECAY FROM CALCIUM DEFICIENCIES.

GOOD ORGANICS, A GOOD FERTILIZER REGIMEN BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT THE CURE-ALL, BUT THEY DO SUPPLY A PORTION OF THE CALCIUM THAT WARM SEASON CROPS CAN USE.

>> GREAT.

>> THERE WE GO.

SO WE AGREE.

>> OK. LET'S GO BACK TO CRAB APPLES, WHY DON'T WE?

TERESA WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT CRAB APPLE TREE SITE PREP.

SHE SAYS SHE HAS OTHER PLANS TO CROSS POLLINATE, BUT WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR FULL-SIZE AND WHAT TO PUT IN IT.

>> OH, THAT REALLY IS A GOOD QUESTION.

>> IT IS A REALLY GOOD QUESTION.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY DEPENDS WHAT YOUR NATIVE SOIL IS.

HOW MUCH SPACE YOU ARE GIVING IT, THE MORE YOU AMEND AND MAKE IT EASIER ON THAT TREE TO GET STARTED, THE BETTER IT WILL BE, BUT IT DOES DEPEND A LOT ON WHAT YOUR NATIVE SOIL STRUCTURE IS.

>> THAT'S A REALLY GOOD POINT.

THE WORST THING YOU CAN DO IF YOU HAVE A HEAVY CLAY SOIL AND JUST DIG A HOLE AND BACKFILL IT WITH COMPOST OF SOMETHING AND PLANT IN IT, THE PLANT WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO ACCLIMATE.

IT WILL COME UP AND HIT THE BARRIER OF THAT CLAY AND GET THESE ENCIRCLING ROUTES WHICH COULD BE DANGEROUS.

I WOULD SAY THAT A SHALLOW HOLE RATHER THAN A REAL DEEP HOLE, AND IF YOU WANT TO USE SOME ORGANICS, THE MINERAL SOIL THAT YOU TAKE OUT IN A PILE WHERE YOU HAVE DUG THAT WHOLE, MIX IT IN VERY THOROUGHLY SO WE DON'T REALLY HAVE ANY BARRIER -- WE DON'T HAVE A BARRIER BETWEEN THE ORGANIC SOIL AND MINERAL SOIL, AND BACKFILL AND MIX WITH SOME OF THE ORGANIC.

WHAT WE DON'T WANT TO DO IS JUST DIG A DEEP HOLE, FILL IT WITH COMPOST OR GARDEN SOIL, AND THEN PLANT THERE.

INSTEAD, A MIXTURE -- >> IN A BOWL.

>> YOU WANT TO BE VERY CAREFUL.

SHE'S GOING TO LOOK WHEN SHE COMES DOWN.

GO DOWN INSIDE THAT CONTAINER AND LOOK FOR THE FIRST FLARE ROOT.

THAT'S THE FIRST WORD THAT COMES OUT RIGHT BELOW THE SURFACE, AND THAT GOES IN PLACE RIGHT BELOW THE SURFACE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND THANK YOU ALL FOR TUNING IN TO "GREAT GARDENING."

IF YOU WANT MORE, YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM, SUBSCRIBE TO US ON YOUTUBE, AND LIKE WDSE W RPT ON FACEBOOK.

IF YOU MISSED ANY PART OF THE SHOW, IT WILL BE POSTED ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND THE PBS APP TOMORROW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, BOB AND DEB.

YOU GUYS WERE FANTASTIC.

I LEARNED SO MUCH FROM YOU TONIGHT.

BOB: WE SURE ENJOYED THE PROGRAM, AND ONCE AGAIN, THANKS TO OUR VIEWERS.

GOOD STUFF FOR US AND FOR THE COMMUNITY FOR SURE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND WE WILL BE BACK LATER THIS YEAR.

FROM ALL OF US HERE, THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND ENJOY THE GARDEN.

♪