weed barrier

        A. Avoid using weed barriers under cocoa beans, wood shavings, and any other organic mulch. When this mulch breaks down, it forms compost, providing a great place for weed seeds to plant and germinate. As weeds grow, they break through the barrier, making them difficult to remove.
        In addition, small particles of organic mulch can clog pores in the barrier, preventing water and air from entering the soil underneath. At the same time, the resulting wonderful compost cannot reach and improve the soil below.
        A weed barrier under rocks is a good option. The barrier prevents stones from migrating into the soil. Simply removing any plant debris that has settled on the stone mulch can prevent the above problems.
        Q: I saw you on TV and you mentioned that you added some sand to the container to attract butterflies. what it is?
        Answer: Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt or wood ash on a wet sand container to give butterflies and bees the moisture and minerals they need. Simply use a container with drainage holes, submerge it in the ground and keep it moist. This damp watering hole is a great place to see and admire butterflies.
        Q: I am a beginner gardener, I have eight tomato bushes. The indeterminate variety has about five stems per plant, making my garden cramped. I saw on YouTube how people cut tomatoes to the stem. Is it too late to cut?
        A: The type of support you give your tomatoes can affect pruning. Sliced ​​tomatoes are usually trimmed so that only one or two stems remain.
        The suckers, the stems that form between the leaves and the main stem, were removed as they seemed to contain growth so the plant could be attached to a post. Tall tomatoes require less pruning. Wayward branches coming out of towers usually need to be removed with this system.
        Luckily, indeterminate tomatoes will continue to flower and fruit before frost kills the plant. Many northern growers pinch off the top of each stem in early September to stop the plants from producing more flowers and fruit than they can before the first frost. This also allows the plant to focus on the ripening of existing fruits.
        You can remove less productive growth. Be sure to let some of the stems grow, bloom and bear fruit for a good harvest.
        Q: I have black spots on my lettuce. After searching the web, I think it is bacterial leaf spot. What causes this disease to appear in my garden?
        Answer: Our humid spring and summer create ideal conditions for this bacterial disease. Lettuce leaf blotch appears as angular, water-soaked spots on older leaves that quickly turn black.
        We cannot control the weather, but we can reduce the risk by avoiding rainfall. Remove and destroy infected leaves as soon as they are found. Do a thorough garden cleaning in the fall and plant lettuce in a new location next year.
        The good news is, you still have time to grow your fall lettuce. On the back of the package, check the number of days from sowing to harvest. Lettuce thrives in cold temperatures when severe frosts are forecast, it just needs a little protection.
       Send questions to Melinda Myers at melindaymyers.com or write to PO Box 798, Mukwonago, WI 53149.