♪ >> ANYTHING THAT I CAN DRILL A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM CAN BECOME A PLANTER.

>> GREAT FOR WILDLIFE.

THE BUMBLEBEES, THE TIGER SWALLOWTAIL'S.

>> WHEN WE MOVED HERE, THIS WAS JUST A HAYFIELD.

>> WHEN YOU ARE OUT, IT GIVES YOU INNER PEACE.

IF IT'S A BAD DAY, GET OUT IN THE GARDEN.

♪ SHARON: HELLO, AND WELCOME TO ANOTHER EPISODE OF "GREAT GARDENING."

I'M YOUR HOST, SHARON YUNG.

AS USUAL, WE HAVE OUR GARDEN EXPERTS WITH US.

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

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM GARDENERS ACROSS THE REGION WHO HAVE QUESTIONS FOR OUR EXPERTS.

VOLUNTEERS FROM THE ST. LOUIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS PROGRAM ARE HERE TO ANSWER THE PHONES WHEN YOU CALL IN.

CALL LOCALLY OR TOLL FREE 218-788-2847 OR 877-307-8762, OR E-MAIL US AT OUR NEW E-MAIL ASK@PBSNORTH.ORG.

LET'S TALK ABOUT OUR CURRENT CONDITIONS TODAY.

WE HAVE VIDEO AND THERE IS SOME GREEN ON THE GROUND AND THINGS ARE STARTING TO GROW.

BOB: IT'S NOT WHITE, IT HAS TURNED GREEN.

ACTUALLY THE LANDSCAPES ARE REALLY LOOKING GREEN RIGHT NOW.

THE POSEY WILLOWS ARE GORGEOUS RIGHT NOW.

AND OF COURSE, THE DAFFODILS ARE OUT.

THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL, FIRST TIME THIS SPRING.

THEY ARE ONE OF THE SPRING FLOWERING BULBS THAT NATURALIZE.

THE DEER DON'T LIKE THEM PARTICULARLY.

DAFFODILS AND NARCISSUS.

SO MANY VARIETIES.

SHARON: BEAUTIFUL.

.

LAST SUMMER, WE VISITED BARB ISAACSON OF MOOSE LAKE, MINNESOTA.

SHE SHOWED US HER FLOWER GARDEN THAT IS BUZZING WITH NATIVE BEES, AS WELL AS HER HOSTA SHADE GARDEN.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

>> HI, I AM BARB ISAACSON.

WE ARE IN MY YARD AND WE ARE LOOKING AT MY GARDEN.

WE HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE 1986.

WHEN WE CAME, THERE WAS A ROW OF PEONIES ALIGNING THE NEIGHBORS GARAGE AND ONE ROSEBUSH IN THE FRONT YARD.

WE HAVE ADDED ALL OF THE OTHER PLANTS THAT ARE HERE, AND GARDENS.

WHEN WE STARTED OUT IN THE BACKYARD HERE, WE BUILT A LITTLE DECK AND PUT A SCREEN HOUSE ON IT.

I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE A FEW FLOWERS AROUND.

SO THEN I STARTED WONDERING WHAT KIND OF PLANTS I COULD HAVE IN THE SHADE WHERE I WAS.

SO MY FRIEND SAID, HOSTAS ARE KIND OF PRETTY.

I THOUGHT, I WILL LOOK FOR SOME SHADE PLANTS.

I FOUND HOSTAS AND IS STILL THESE.

LATER WE PUT A SHED UP BECAUSE THE SCREEN GOT TIRED.

NOW WE HAVE A GARDENING SHED.

THEY ARE VARIEGATED, ALL KINDS OF COLORS AND SHADES.

I DID PUT IN DAYLILIES.

THAT'S ANOTHER FAVORITE OF MINE.

THEY GO WITH THIS BE BUMP.

IT IS APPROPRIATELY FULL OF BEES.

I LOVE BEE BALM BECAUSE THEY DO FEED THE BEES.

NOW WE ARE IN THE FRONT YARD WHERE THE SUN IS.

WE HAVE ALL THE THINGS THAT LOVE TO BE IN THE SUN.

TALK ABOUT BEES.

THIS BEE BALM IS LITERALLY CRAWLING WITH BEES.

WOW.

♪ >> WE HAD A SLOPE HERE THAT WAS HARD TO MOW AND IT WAS KIND OF A PAIN SO WE DECIDED TO MAKE A TERRACE GARDEN.

WE FOUND OUT LATER ON IT WAS REALLY A BENEFIT, BECAUSE ALL OF THESE FLOWERS ATTRACT POLLINATORS FOR THE PEAS, CUCUMBERS, GREEN BEANS, AND TOMATOES AND EVERYTHING IN THE GARDEN.

I THINK WE GET BETTER PRODUCTION OUT OF OUR PLANTS, WHICH IS NICE BECAUSE A VEGETABLE GARDEN IS VERY SMALL.

I WOULD SAY IF YOU HAVE AN INCLINATION, PLANT A GARDEN.

IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE IF IT'S PERFECT OR NOT PERFECT.

ALL GARDENS ARE GREAT.

SHARON: NOW IT'S TIME FOR SOME QUESTIONS.

TONY HAS EMAILED US A QUESTION WITH SOME PHOTOS.

HE IS SAYING HE HAS AN ISSUE THIS YEAR WITH HIS TOMATO SEEDLINGS.

THE PICTURE OF THE TOMATOES, THE MAJORITY ARE FROM SEED WE SAVE YEAR AFTER YEAR.

THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR WE CAN REMEMBER HAVING A PROBLEM WITH STARTING TOMATOES.

WHATEVER AFFECTED THE STUPICE AFFECTED OTHER VARIETIES BUT NOT AS BAD AS THE PLANTS.

WE NOTICED THE BOTTOM TWO LEAVES ON THE STUPICE WILTED AND DRIED.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THIS BEFORE AND DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO REMEDY THIS?

THANK YOU, KATHY.

BOB: WE WILL TAKE A CRACK AT IT.

IT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE DISEASED OR THAT MEANS IT IS A GROWTH DISORDER OF ONE TYPE OR ANOTHER.

OFTEN TIMES YOU GET A CONDITION CALLED EDEMA WHERE THE PLANT HAS PULLED SO MUCH WATER UP, AND THEN IN A HUMID ENVIRONMENT, IT CANNOT GET THROUGH THE STOMA.

WHAT I WOULD DO, STUPICE IS ONE OF THE MORE VULNERABLE HEIRLOOM PLANTS, BUT THERE ARE OTHERS THAT ARE MORE VULNERABLE.

I THINK I WOULD PUT A FAN ON IT AND DROP THE HUMIDITY AND BACK OFF ON THE WATERING.

AT THIS POINT, THAT WOULD BE MY ADVICE.

ALTER THE GROWING CONDITIONS.

LESS WATER AND LOWER RELATIVE HUMIDITY.

SHARON: THANK YOU.

MARK IN WISCONSIN IS STATING LAST WINTER HE HAD BULLS AND/OR MICE EAT ALL THE BIKE -- BARK OFF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE APPLE TREES.

WILL THEY SURVIVE?

DEB: APPLE TREES ARE DONE FOR.

SORRY.

BOB: SORRY TO SAY THAT MIGHT BE ONE OF THOSE GROUND-LEVEL SITUATIONS.

HE WILL WANT TO GET ANOTHER PLANT IN THE GROUND RIGHT NOW.

.

MAYBE HE WILL GET LUCKY AND THEY JUST TAKE THE OUTER BARK OFF, BUT USUALLY THEY GO INTO THE INNER BARK AND THE TREE WILL POP BUDS, AND THEY THINK IT WILL, SURVIVE BUT USUALLY IT MEANS DEMISE.

SHARON: WE HAVE OF YOU ARE ASKING WHAT ARE THE BEST BUSHES OR PLANS TO PLANT ON A STEEP HILLSIDE TO PREVENT EROSION.

DEB: YOU DO FOR CYNTHIA.

I WAS THINKING HONEYSUCKLE, BUT YOU CANNOT DO THAT ANYMORE BECAUSE IT IS INVASIVE.

BOB: YOU HAVE A LOT OF CHOICES, BUT I REALLY THINK I WOULD GET GRASS.

SO YOU CAN BUY THESE ROLES THAT ARE FILLED WITH EITHER STRAW -- OR STRAW MATS.

SOME SEED IMPREGNATED IN IT.

I WOULD STABILIZE SOIL FIRST.

GET TURF ON IT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER AND PREVENT EROSION, THEN YOU CAN PLANT FORSYTHIA.

SHARON: THANKS.

BOB, YOU WANTED TO TALK A LITTLE ABOUT RAISED BEDS.

BOB: A LOT OF FOLKS HAVE DIFFICULT SOILS THAT ARE HOT -- HEAVY CLAY AND ROCKY.

YOU DON'T NEED THE STRUCTURE NECESSARILY.

YOU JUST NEED SOIL.

DROP ADDITIONAL SOIL ON TOP TO IMPROVE DRAINAGE.

OR YOU CAN GO TO A STRUCTURE OF ONE TYPE OR ANOTHER.

DRAINAGE IS A BIG REASON.

YOU GET A JUMP ON THE SEASON BECAUSE THEY ARE UP AND DOWN THE WATER OFF.

WITH A RAISED BED, PARTICULARLY IF YOU HAVE A CONTAINER, IF YOU ARE ON THE GROUND -- OFF THE GROUND TO WERE THREE FEET, YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ANY STOOPING.

ANOTHER ADVANTAGE OF A RAISED BED IS YOU GET TO FILL IT WITH SOIL OF YOUR CHOICE.

.

YOU CAN MODIFY.

YOU CAN START WITH MINERALIZED SOIL.

YOU CAN USE PEAT.

YOU CAN HAVE A COMBINATION OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC SOILS.

YOU CAN HAVE VERY GOOD TEXTURE IN THE SOIL.

A SICKLY IT CAN BE WEED FREE.

YOU CAN PRETTY EASILY MANAGE THE FERTILITY, THE PH, AND ORGANIC MATH.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN CONTROL THE SOIL.

MANY ADVANTAGES OF RAISED BEDS.

WE GET THIS QUESTION MANY TIMES.

WHAT CAN YOU BUILD IT OUT OF?

WE LIKE SOMETHING NATURAL, CEDARWOOD, REDWOOD.

WHAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO DO IS JUST PUT A PINE.

NO TREATMENT, NO CONTROL, JUST PINE BOARDS.

THEY WILL ROT VERY QUICKLY.

YOU WANT TO LOOK AT THE TREATED ONES AS AN OPTION.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT IN A MOMENT.

AND THEN WE HAVE SYNTHETIC COMPOSITE MATERIALS MADE FROM RECYCLED PLASTICS.

THOSE ARE GOOD OPTIONS.

YOU CAN SEE DECKING MATERIALS.

YOU CAN USE CEMENT BLOCK.

YOU HAVE TO LOOT -- USE A LITTLE CAREFUL BECAUSE IT IS ALKALINE.

AS LONG AS YOU HAVE DRAINAGE IN THE BOTTOM -- PEOPLE HAVE A LOT OF OPTIONS.

IF YOU WILL USE TREATED WOOD PRODUCTS, USE ONLY THE NEWLY APPROVED MATERIALS.

WE HAVE ALKALINE COPPER CORE TO NERY.

IT IS A CQ APPROVED BY THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY.

APPROVED FOR RESIDENTIAL USE.

IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF COPPER, THAT IS A TRACE NUTRIENT ANYWAY.

YOU CAN USE LIKE A SWIMMING POOL LINER OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THEN YOU DON'T HAVE ISSUE.

DEFINITELY TREATED WOODS.

THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT TO STAY AWAY FROM.

THOSE OLDER TIMBERS.

THE USE WAS DISCONTINUED IN 2003.

STAY AWAY FROM ALL THE CREOSOTE TREATED MATERIALS.

WE USED TO BE ABLE TO TREAT WITH CHLOROPHYLL.

STAY AWAY FROM THAT AS WELL.

GO TO YOUR HOME CENTER AND TALK TO THEM.

TREATED MATERIALS.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SOMETHING.

YOU WILL GO TO ALL THE EXPENSE AND TROUBLE OF CREATING A RAISED BED, I SURE YOU HAVE QUALITY MATERIALS.

SOME COMPOSITE SO IT CAN LAST A LONG WHILE.

SHARON: THANK YOU.

LET'S GET BACK TO SOME MORE QUESTIONS.

TERRY AND RAISA LAKE HAS AN INFESTATION OF NIGHT CRAWLERS IN THE YARD CAUSING IT TO BE REALLY BUMPY.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT?

HOW TO REMOVE THEM?

BOB: THEY ARE NOT NATIVE AND THAT HAS BEEN SOME OF THE CONTROVERSY.

THEY WILL MAKE A MESS OUT OF THINGS.

THEY TEND TO AERATE THE SOIL.

THEY HAVE SOME OPTIONS THAT WAY.

TRYING TO FORCE THEM OUT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT ELECTRIC PROBES THAT HAVE BEEN USED.

THEY ARE CREATING A PROBLEM.

THEY ALSO CAN PLUG AERATE.

OPEN IT UP AND PUT IN ORGANIC MATERIAL AND THAT WILL OFTEN TAKE CARE OF THE SITUATION.

SHARON: GREAT.

ROY IN TWO HARBORS WANTS TO KNOW IF MASON BEES ARE VIABLE IN THE REGION.

HE HAS HEARD THEY ARE EXCELLENT POLLINATORS.

BOB: SURE.

DEB: YOU WILL HAVE TO HELP THEM OUT OF IT.

BOB: YOU MIGHT THEY ARE IN THAT MADE GROUP OF NATIVE BEES.

THEY ARE GREAT POLLINATORS.

WE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

LEAVE AN AREA THAT IS COMPLETELY UNDISTURBED.

THERE'S AN AREA THAT WILL GROW WILD SO THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO NEST AND OVERWINTER PROPERLY IN THE DEBRIS AND SOIL.

MASON BEES, THEY ARE AMONG THE NATIVES IN OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.

SHARON: CAL IN DULUTH HAS A LILY OF THE VALLEY PATCH INVADED BY MOSS AND DANDELIONS.

DEB: MOSS AND DANDELIONS?

THAT'S REALLY INTERESTING.

MOSS WOULD BE FOR THE MOISTURE AND THE DANDELIONS FOR WHEN IT'S FULL OF SUNSHINE.

BOB: RIGHT.

THAT'S A DIFFERENT KIND OF COMBINATION.

DEB: HE CAN MOVE THEM.

IF THEY ARE REALLY BEING INVADED.

BOB: BUT IF IT'S REALLY INVASIVE -- BUT MOSS IS NOT PARTICULARLY INVASIVE.

HE CAN CAREFULLY DIG IF HE WANTS TO TAKE THE DANDELIONS OUT OF THE PEER THAT IS AN UNUSUAL COMBINATION.

USUALLY YOU SEE MOSS AND THERE'S SO MUCH MOISTURE.

I GUESS THAT COULD OCCUR.

SHARON: THERE IS A CALLER THAT WANTS TO START A NEW GARDEN THAT IS CURRENTLY LAWN IN THE YA RD.

HOW TO PREPARE THE SOIL?

DIG DOWN OR MAKE RAISED BEDS?

DEB: IF SHE'S DOING BOTH, SHE WILL HAVE TO DO BOTH.

.

REMOVE THE TURF.

THEN BRING IN SOMETHING TO RAISE THE BEDS.

SOMETHING TO PLANT INTO, ESPECIALLY IF IT IS HEAVY.

BOB: THAT'S A GREAT USE I THINK FOR THE RAISED BEDS.

REALLY HEAVY CLAY, FOR A LOT OF PERENNIAL MATERIALS, IS A PRETTY GOOD SUBSTANCE.

RAISING IT UP FOR VEGGIES AND ANNUALS ADDS SOMETHING TO IT.

OR BUILDING A STRUCTURE.

BUT RIGHT NOW THIS TIME OF YEAR, SHE WILL HAVE TO CUT THE TURF AND GET THE SUNSHINE OUT OF THE RE.

CUT THE SUN OUT, RAISE THE BED AND SHE WILL DO JUST FINE.

SHARON: GREAT.

THIS VIEWER IS ASKING, HOW CAN I KEEP SQUIRRELS AND CHIPMUNKS FROM BURROWING UNDER MY BULBS AND EATING THEM?

SHE TRIED COVERING THEM UP BUT THE VARMINTS GET THEM ANYWAY.

SHOULD SHE USE BLOOD MEAL OR SOMETHING TO THROW OFF THE SCENT?

DEB: I WONDER IF SHE MEANT COVERING WITH A WIRE CLOTH OR HARDWARE CUSTOMER WHAT DID SHE MEAN BY COVERING IT?

HARDWARE CLOTH WOULD BE EASY TO USE AND APPLY AND STAKED DOWN AND GIVE REALLY GOOD CONTROL.

MAKING SURE IT IS COMPLETELY COVERED.

BOB: THAT IS TRUE.

THAT IS QUARTER INCH, HEAVY GALVANIZED.

CHICKEN WIRE, CANNOT DO THE JOB.

BEFORE THEY SPROUT, THAT IS A GOOD CONTROL.

SHARON: A VIEWER IN SUPERIOR IS ASKING WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO PLANT VEGETABLES IN THE GROUND.

IS IT WARM ENOUGH?

NIGHT TEMPERATURES READY?

DEB: NO.

BOB: [LAUGHTER] NOT FOR A LOT OF THINGS.

AT THE TWO INCH LEVEL WHERE YOU WANT TO TAKE TWO INCH TEMPERATURES, 48 DEGREES IS NOT BAD FOR GERMINATING A LOT OF THINGS.

YOU GET DOWN FOUR OR FIVE INCHES AND IT IS STILL 43.

SALAD GREENS, LETTUCE, SPINACH, RADISH, THOSE CROPS, FROM -- THE WARM SEASON CROPS LIKE CUCUMBERS, PEAS.

PEAS YOU CAN PUT IN THE GROUND NOW BUT THE WARM SEASON, YOU WANT TO WAIT UNTIL THE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 50 DEGREES AT TWO INCHES.

SHARON: THANK YOU FOR THE INSIGHTS.

NOW, LET'S CHECK OUT YOUR SENT IN PHOTOS WITH THE LOCAL DIRT.

♪ >> LET'S SEE WHAT'S GROWING IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WITH THE LOCAL DIRT.

MIKE FROM HAYWARD, WISCONSIN SENT THREE PHOTOS.

♪ AND FROM INSTAGRAM, BRENDA SENT US PLENTY OF PHOTOS.

TAKE A LOOK.

SEND US PHOTOS FROM YOUR GARDEN.

EMAIL US AND IT CAN SHOW UP ON AIR OR THE INSTAGRAM FEED.

SHARON: NOW WE HAVE TWO PHOTO QUESTIONS TO ANSWER.

QUESTION NUMBER ONE.

I HAVE AN OLD HARALSON APPLE TREE THAT CAME WITH MY HOUSE THAT IS ON ITS LAST LEGS.

IS IT WORTH SAVING, OR SHOULD I REPLACE IT?

BOB: I LOOK AT IT AND I SAY IT IS STILL PRODUCING, STILL PRODUCTIVE.

THE MAINSTEM WAS ON TOP.

AS LONG AS IT IS PRODUCING, ENJOY IT, BUT PLANT ANOTHER TREE BECAUSE IT TAKES SEVERAL YEARS FOR A NEW TREE TO COME IN.

.

BY THE TIME THE NEW ONE COMES IN, YOU MIGHT WANT TO TAKE THAT ONE OUT.

DEB: YES.

ONCE IT STARTS TO GET MORE PRODUCTIVE THAN THE OTHER, YOU WANT TO TAKE IT OUT.

IT DEPENDS ON HOW MANY OTHER TREES YOU HAVE.

BOB: AND THE SPACE YOU HAVE AND SO FORTH.

WHEN YOU HAVE A VARIETY LIKE HARALSON APPLE THAT IS LONG-LIVED, IF IT IS PRODUCING, KEEP IT COMING BUT GET ANOTHER ONE READY TO GO BECAUSE IT IS ON ITS LAST LEGS.

SHARON: QUESTION NUMBER TWO.

WE HAVE THESE TREES SPROUTING UP THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

WE THINK THEY ARE POPLAR TREES.

THEY ARE BECOMING VERY INVASIVE AND I WONDER HOW WE CAN GET RID OF THEM.

I'VE BEEN ABLE TO PULL OUT VERY SMALL ONES, BUT THE BIG ONES HAVE LARGE ROOTS.

DEB: MOW.

BOB: YES.

LOP THOSE OFF, GET A CHANCE.

THEY HAVE THIS VERY AGGRESSIVE UNDERGROUND ROOT SYSTEM.

WHEN HARVESTING FOR FIBER, THEY WILL CLEAR CUT AND COME BACK AND REGENERATE.

YOU WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE TO MOW.

DEB: AND DON'T LET IT GO TO SEED.

SHARON: MOVING ON, DEB, YOU WANTED TO COVER AN INTERESTING TOPIC TONIGHT, RIGHT?

DEB: THE MINNESOTA TIP.

WE DISCUSS THIS A LOT RIGHT NOW.

PEOPLE ARE BUYING THEIR MOTHERS ROSES FOR MOTHER'S DAY.

YOU HAVE HYBRID, BEAUTIFUL ROSES, BUT THEY ARE NOT HARDY.

THE MINNESOTA TIP, THE SIMPLIFIED VERSION, YOU CAN DIG A TRENCH.

IT SHOULD BE LIKE A FOOT DEEP AT LEAST, UP TO 18 INCHES DEPENDING ON HOW COMFORTABLE YOU ARE WITH THE SIZE.

DIG A TRENCH AND CAREFULLY DIG UP THE ROSE AND GIVE US MUCH OF THE MATERIAL AS YOU CAN TO FIT INTO THAT TRENCH.

COVER IT COMPLETELY WITH SOIL.

YOU CAN PUT OVER IT MULCH OR BAG LEAVES.

THAT WILL HELP PRESERVE IT AND KEEP THE TEMPERATURE CONSISTENT INSIDE OF IT.

THIS IS KIND OF MY HACK.

WE SELL A LOT OF TREE ROSES PEOPLE WONDER WHAT TO DO WITH IT.

YOU CAN KEEP NON-HARDY ONES IN THEIR POTS.

IF YOU DID THE MINNESOTA TIP WITH A TREE ROSE OR ANNUAL ROSE, YOU KEEP THEM IN THE POT AND DIG THE GRAVE, IT IS EASY TO GET IT AND PUT IT RIGHT IN.

WHEN THE FROST STARTS TO PUSH UP THE POT, YOU KNOW IT IS READY AND THE FROST IS PUSHING OUT.

.

THAN YOU CAN DIG IT OUT.

I HAVE A FRIEND AND SHE HAD A ROSE TREE THAT SHE FORGOT IN A GARDEN SHED ALL WINTER.

REALIZED IN FEBRUARY THAT IT WAS NOT PROTECTED AND IT HAD BEEN SITTING OUT THERE, BUT HER SHED NEVER GOT BELOW ZERO.

ZERO IS THE CRITICAL FACTOR FOR MOST OF THOSE.

IF YOU CAN KEEP IT IN A POSITION WHERE IT IS NOT GOING TO GET BELOW ZERO, SHE HAD IT AND BROUGHT IT INTO HER SUN PORCH.

SHE LET IT START GREENING UP AND IT'S DOING GREAT RIGHT NOW.

YOU CAN MANIPULATE THEM ALSO WITH TEMPERATURES AND IN A NICE CONTAINER.

FOR TREE ROSES IN A CONTAINER, MAKE SURE IT IS BIG ENOUGH YOU CAN WATER IT.

.

ONCE IT STARTS TIPPING OVER THREE OR FOUR TIMES, IT IS TIME TO INCREASE THE POT AND GET INTO SOMETHING THAT CAN HOLD MORE MOISTURE.

YOU CAN KEEP IT FOR THE WINTER OR BURY IT WITH THE MINNESOTA TIP.

BOB: I LIKE THAT ZERO DEGREES NOTE.

PEOPLE SHOULD BE AWARE THAT A GARAGE, PARTICULARLY IF IT IS NOT ATTACHED TO A HOUSE, IT CAN GET 20 BELOW.

NO WIND FACTOR, BUT IT CAN GET VERY COLD.

SHARON: PAY ATTENTION WHEN YOU START UP YOUR CAR AND WHAT THE TEMPERATURE IS ON REALLY COLD NIGHTS.

THEN YOU KNOW HOW COLD IT IS.

DEB:DEB: YOU CAN ALSO INSULATE WITH PINK BOARDS AND THINGS BUT THAT'S A LOT OF WORK.

SHARON:SHARON: THANK YOU.

LET'S WRAP THINGS UP WITH A FEW MORE QUESTIONS.

CINDY EMAILED AND IS ASKING, HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT GETTING YOUR SOIL TESTED FOR LAWN IMPROVEMENT?

BOB: WE LOVE TO SOIL TEST.

[LAUGHTER] I TAKE A LOT OF SOIL TESTS.

MINE ARE ALWAYS ALL OVER THE PLACE.

THE EASIEST THING FOR ME TO SAY IS GOOGLE TO EITHER UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, SOIL TEST LAB IN WISCONSIN.

IT WILL GIVE YOU ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS, HOW TO SEND IT AND WHAT THE INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE.

START WITH A BASIC TEST.

.

PHOSPHORUS, ORGANIC MATTER AND PH.

THOSE ARE CRITICAL.

IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING, AFTER THOSE ARE GOOD, THERE ARE TRACE AND NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES THAT COULD BE ACCOUNTED FOR WITH A MORE ELABORATE TEST.

START WITH THE BASICS AND GOOGLED THAT.

IT WILL TELL YOU HOW TO TELL -- TAKE THE SAMPLES AND SEND AND.

.

PAY FOR THE SAMPLES.

YOU CAN ALSO REQUEST AN EMAIL RESPONSE WHICH IS PROBABLY GOOD RATHER THAN WAITING FOR RESULTS IN THE MAIL.

YOU WANT THE RESULTS TO MODIFY YOUR SOIL PRIOR TO PLANTING.

SHARON: GREAT.

DANNY IN MOTTOA IS ASKING, CAN YOU PUT TOO MUCH 10, 10, 10 IN A VEGGIE GARDEN AND LIME?

DEB: TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING IS STILL TOO MUCH.

PEOPLE NEED TO CONSIDER THAT.

WITH A SOIL TEST, IT WILL TELL YOU HOW MUCH TO APPLY.

THE POUNDS, AND SQUARE FOOTAGE.

ABSOLUTELY, ANY OF THOSE COULD BE OVERDONE.

SAME WITH PEOPLE APPLYING DIFFERENT PESTICIDES AND HERBICIDES.

READ THE LABELS.

DO NOT KEEP REAPPLYING.

YOU CAN KILL THE PLANT WITH TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING.

BOB: THAT'S RIGHT.

OF THOSE TWO, IT IS THE LIME THAT CONCERNS ME.

WE CAN GET EXCESSIVE LEVELS.

BUT LIME, YOU CAN PUSH YOUR PH.

VERY ALKALINE.

MOST SOILS DON'T NEED ANY LIME AT ALL UNLESS YOU ARE ACIDIC.

LIME IS NOT THE CURE-ALL PEOPLE THINK.

IF THE SOIL TEST CALLS FOR IT, APPLY.

IF IT DOESN'T, STAY AWAY FROM ALL LIME.

SHARON: JUNE -- OR JANE IN DULUTH HEIGHTS IS ASKING WHAT CAN YOU TELL HER ABOUT LONG DAY ONIONS?

DEB: THOSE ARE FROM TEXAS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE GET BULBS FROM TEXAS.

YOU GET A BETTER ONION.

BECAUSE WE HAVE LONG DAYS WE ARE TRYING TO GROW UNDER.

BOB: THE VARIETIES ARE DIFFERENT.

THERE IS A LOT OF TEXAS PLANT PRODUCTION.

THE LONG DAY VARIETIES ARE THOSE THAT BULB UP WHEN THE DAYS GET NICE AND WARM.

THEY WILL NOT GROW VERY WELL IN TEXAS.

THEY WILL START AS TRANSPLANTS.

YOU REALLY WANT TO BE CONSCIOUS OF THAT AS THE DAYS GET LONGER.

SWEET SPANISH.

CANDY IS A MID-DAY ONION BUT GROWS PRETTY WELL FOR US EVEN ON LONG DAY.

READ ZEPP WILL BE A GOOD VARIETY.

WALLA WALLA WALLOWS ARE LONG DAY.

THIS FOR NORTH, YOU WANT TO FOCUS ON VARIETIES LABELED AS LONG DAY ONIONS.

THEY MIGHT HAVE COME FROM TEXAS ORIGINALLY.

BECAUSE THEY GREW THEM IN THE WINTER AND THEY ARE READY TO SHIP NORTH.

SHARON: THAT IS ALL FOR “GREAT GARDENING ” TONIGHT.

FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS, ON INSTAGRAM @GREATGARDENINGPBSNORTH, AND ON YOUTUBE AT YOUTUBE.COM/GREATGARDENING, WHERE YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT'S EPISODE POSTED TOMORROW.

THANKS BOB AND DEB, YOU TWO WERE GREAT TONIGHT.

IT WAS WONDERFUL CHATTING WITH YOU TONIGHT.

FROM ALL OF US HERE AT “GREAT GARDENING ”, SEE YOU NEXT WEEK AND PLEASE ENJOY THE GARDEN.

♪