Special Thanks to Forrest W. Appleton, the http://www.PLANTanswers.com “Answer Man” and all the Master Gardeners of the “Hotline” in support of the weekly gardening questions and answers.
Question:
I’m wondering if it will be all right to use seed-starting soil to transplant full grown plants. It’s all I have right now and most stores do not sell soil in winter.
Answer:
There is no reason why you cannot use that soil for this.

Question:
I have a raised bed with blackberry plants. Can I plant onion starts in the same bed?
Answer:
Absolutely.

Question:
Is granite sand helpful in flower beds? If so, how do you use it? I have a problem in the beds that I water and I think that the bed is wet; however, when I dig down about two inches into the soil, the soil is dry. I use compost and mulch every year, but the water just doesn’t soak in. What can I add?
Answer:
Washed river sand would be better but the granite sand will also help. You should put about three-to-four inches of the sand on the beds and till it into the top six-to-eight inches of soil. If you have mulch on the top of the soil, the water should soak in if you put enough water on it.

Question:
How will Bergenia do in a very shade garden? I’m using shrimp plant, crinum, liriope and maybe elephant ears? Can you suggest any other?
Answer:
You might be able to grow the Bergenia in containers but I do not think that it will be a good plant for you as it doesn’t like our summer heat or excessive shade. You might consider Turk’s Cap, Firespike, Dwarf Mexican Petunia and/or Mexican Honeysuckle (Justicia spicigera).

Question:
I know every year at the San Antonio Rodeo that Texas AgriLife Extension Service and their Master Gardener volunteers release a new tomato for the market. So, what is it this year?
Answer:
The 2012 Rodeo tomato is BHN 602. More information may be found at: http://agrilife.org/today/2012/01/20/rodeo-tomato-bexar-county/ and our event at: http://www.sarodeo.com/attractions/little-buckaroo-farms/.

Question:
How far down can I safely trim Dwarf Yaupon holly back or should I not trim them at all?
Answer:
You can hedge them back if you desire but I would recommend that you not remove more than four-to-six inches in this manner.

Question:
I have a row of wax myrtles 20 ft tall and are used as a screen and they have grown sparse and leggy. My arborist suggested that I prune them back to about four-to-five feet to encourage them to fill out. Do you think this is too drastic and if so what height would you recommend and when is the best time to do this? I would like to take advantage of new spring growth so I am thinking mid to late February would be best. Please give me your advice. I would also like to keep them about six-to-eight feet in height from now on. How much do you think they will grow in one growing season?
Answer:
The Southern Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera) can be pruned about as severely as you desire. I recommend that you cut them back to about five feet, let them grow without pruning next growing season, and then hedge them back to the desired height. They will have to be pruned annually to keep them at that desired height. Late February will be a good time to do this pruning.

Question:
This past fall I planted an 8’x8′ garden. The beans and jalapeños did great, but the squash got some kind of black rot disease? Because the tomatoes were in the row next to them and slightly down stream with the way the water flowed, the tomatoes did not do well either. Do I need to get rid of the soil that the squash and tomatoes were planted in or can I till it and mix in new soil with fertilizer? I am a beginner gardener and my first spring garden (2011) was successful, but the fall (2011) was not. I know the heat played a major role, but wonder if the soil played a part as well?
Answer:
Do not get discouraged. I can assure you that your results were experienced by many. It was a challenge to garden last fall. The symptoms of ‘black rot’ on the squash was immature squash fruit that rotted on the vine, due to lack of proper pollination of the female flowers, either because there were no male flowers to provide pollen or no bees to relocate the pollen to the female flowers. There is no reason to remove the soil. The addition of additives, such as properly aged enriched composted manure, will definitely enhance it. I would recommend using more pre-plant fertilizer such as Garden-Ville 7-2-2 at a rate of 6 pounds incorporate with the composted manure. Use recommended Extension varieties of vegetables, as well as give sufficient water and sunshine to the plants. I think you will be successful this spring and fall.

Question:
Our lawn is Zoysia grass. We lost some of our lawn during the drought. What pre-emergent should I use and when should I apply it for spring weeds?
Answer:
You should use Amaze, XL or equivalent for grassy weeds and Portrait or equivalent for broadleaf weeds. You should apply mid-February and then again late May following the instructions on the bags.

Question:
I brought my potted hibiscus tree inside for the winter and I think it may be the culprit of what has become a full-on fruit fly invasion. I don’t see any in the drip pan but they’re always around the pot. The flies started when I brought the tree inside. If you agree that the plant is a probable target, I’m wondering if I can safely take it outside now and bring it in on the occasional night that gets to what temp?
Answer:
The plant will be fine outside if you will bring it back in when it is predicted to be 35° F or below. Are you sure the pests are not fungus gnats rather than fruit flies? See http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2114.html for more information about them and their control.

Question:
I have a climbing pinkie rose bush about 4 years old and is covered with black spot. None one my other roses have it. It’s in full sun and on an arbor. Should I spray now or wait.
Answer:
I think that I would just let the disease run its course and defoliate the plant. Then rake up the leaves and dispose of them. If the well needed rains continue into spring, you may need to occasionally spray the plants with a fungicide which lists roses on the fungicide label.

Question:
Where can I find a list of summer bulbs for my area?
Answer:
I don’t know that a list of summer bulbs exists. However, the following bulb (or corm) plants should be considered for your garden: Daylily, Canna, Garlic Chives, Crinum, Crocosmia, Gladiolus, Ox-blood lily, Bearded Iris, Rain Lily (Zephryanthes spp), and Daffodil. Hope this helps.

Question:
My loquat tree produces a bud which falls off the tree before producing a fruit. What is the problem?
Answer:
The main reason the loquat fails to produce fruit consistently on a yearly basis is that, because it blooms so early, the blossoms simply freeze and die.