Angel Trumpets - How do I winterize my Angel Trumpets? Angel Trumpets are a tropical plant that cannot be allowed to freeze. Residents in zones 7 or cooler need to winter the plant indoors. The tree can be placed in an appropriately sized pot and kept near a window until spring. Don't be surprised when the leaves fall off -- that's normal. The plant's water needs will be greatly reduced; however, try to mist the plant daily to maintain a high level of humidity.

Angel Trumpets - Can my Angel Trumpets be planted in a pot? Angel Trumpets are a carefree exotic that can be planted in a pot. Potted plants should be moved into a protected, unheated area such as a garage before the first frost in northern zones. Do not let Angel Trumpets freeze.

Daylilies - Should I cut my daylilies back to the ground at the end of the season? The time to cut back the plants is in the late fall after the foliage turns brown and withers.

Daylilies - Which end of the daylily is the roots and which end is the crown? The crown of the dayliliy is the hard ball-like shape and the roots are the longer finger shaped figures.

Daylilies - Do I need to plant them immediately or can I wait a week or so if it is more convenient? You can delay planting by putting the daylilies into a refrigerator for a week or two. Do not wet them. They store best dry.

Daylilies - Should I be concerned if I see mold growing on the roots? A little mold is often found on the roots and is of no serious concern. It can be wiped off if you choose; however, if the roots are soft and “squishy”, or smell rotten, there may be a serious problem and we should be contacted.

Daylilies - What is the correct way to trim blooms off daylilies to encourage re-blooming? The flower spikes of daylilies can be trimmed after blooming but before seed heads form. This will promote heavier reblooming. They can be fertilized every two to three weeks from early spring to September 1st.

Daylilies - Where should I plant my daylilies? Daylilies are among the easiest of all perennial plants to grow. They thrive and bloom in the hot summer months and can be grown in full sun to partial shade. They are not fussy about soil, are winter hardy, and will thrive in the coldest as well as the hottest areas of the United States.

Daylilies - Can daylilies be divided in the summer? Yes, daylillies can be divided in summer until late fall. Dividing in the summer or early fall gives them additional time to establish their roots. Be sure to water them well when transplanting in the summer as plants tend to dry out quicker.

Dormant - Why did I receive plants that look dead? Plants are shipped dormant. They are most likely not dead so please go ahead and plant them.

Fertilizer - How often should I fertilize my plants? Fertilize once you see signs of new growth and then every three weeks after until September 1st.

Hydrangeas - My hydrangeas only produced a few sporadic blooms last year. What would cause this? During the first year a lot of the plant's energy is used to develop the root system and they will produce limited flowers. Normally they will produce a greater abundance of flowers during their second year.

Misc. - When re-potting plants, how much larger should the new pot be? Usually one size larger is adequate. Over potting does not produce healthier plants.

Misc. - When should I plant my plants? It is always best to plant as soon as possible. If you are unable to do so, check the planting guide or this FAQ for specific instructions for each item. If you are concerned about a cold snap or other unseasonable weather after you plant, simply provide a little extra protection (for example cover a newly planted garden plant with a blanket or sheet; move potted items into a garage or even into the house for a night or two).

Misc. - Which are better, clay or plastic pots? Most plants grow well in both; however, plants in clay pots normally require more water than plants in plastic pots.

Rose (mini) - I have some long, scraggly stems on my mini-roses. What should I do? Prune them back to the shape of the rest of the bush.

Rose (mini) - I just received and planted my mini roses but they are dropping a lot of their leaves. Some mini roses will do this depending on how well they have been handled during shipping. Usually a rose that has de-foliated will leaf back out within 1-2 weeks after the shock of being shipped. As long as the stems are still green the rose should be fine.

Rose (mini) - I purchased mini roses last year and kept them in my garage over the winter. Do I need to cut off any stems before putting them outside this year? Mini roses require little to no pruning. You can remove any dead or unsightly growth to maintain the plant in good health and shape.

Rose (mini) - I just received my roses and some of them are cut back and have few, if any, leaves. Should I be concerned? Absolutely not. As growers, we frequently prune our plants, often severely, to encourage branching and to shape the plant. Your plants will quickly “eye-out” and start growing.

Rose (Tree) - I received a patio tree rose and the top and roots were covered in mildew. What do I need to do? This is due to being bagged, especially under humid conditions. The white mold will usually clear up once the trees are planted and exposed to the air. The mildew can be sprayed with a garden hose or you can simply wash off the tops and roots with a mild dish detergent and water mix. The mildew does not harm the plant and is a natural occurrence.

Rose (Tree) - How do I protect my tree rose during the winter? The key to caring for a Tree Rose during cold weather is protecting the graft. The graft can be located by finding the bulge where the branches grow from the trunk. If your tree rose is in a pot, simply move the pot into an unheated, protected area such as your garage or basement. Since it is no longer outside, you will need to water the plant every 7 - 10 days in order to prevent the soil from completely drying. If your tree rose is planted in the ground you must find a way to insulate the graft against the cold. One popular method is to form a cylinder of chicken wire around the tree and fill it with mulch. You may also consider digging a trench next to the tree and laying it down, then covering the tree with soil and mulch. In the spring, after all signs of frost have passed, you can uncover your tree and raise it to its upright position. You may need to stake it until the soil firms up around the roots.

Strawberries - I have an overabundance of leaves on my strawberry plants but no blossoms or berries. What am I doing wrong? Usually, large leaves and excessive foliage means too much fertilizing. Cut off any long runners, keep watered, and lightly fertilize every 2-3 weeks. After the first harvest of fruit the plants take time to produce more blossoms and berries. Also, strawberries will produce a greater crop during their second growing season.

Strawberries - I planted my strawberry plants upon arrival and fertilized once a week. The leaves are shriveling up. What did I do wrong? What can I do to save them? If you are fertilizing once a week please discontinue doing so. We only recommend fertilizing after new growth begins in the spring and then once every 3 weeks until September 1st (when your plants begin to harden off for winter dormancy).

Strawberries - Will the runners on strawberries produce fruit? The runners will only produce fruit if they have been cut off and re-planted individually. They may not produce berries until the second year.

Strawberries - Do I need to plant them immediately or can I wait a week or so if it is more convenient? You can certainly delay planting the strawberry plants. Simply remove the bag of plants from the box and store them in your refrigerator for a few weeks. Do not seal the bag. Be sure not to forget about them, and it is best to moisten the roots occasionally while they are being stored.

Strawberries - How many do I plant? In a strawberry jar (or urn) it is best to plant one plant per side hole and 2 or 3 plants in the top of the jar. You can plant two in each side hole or more in the top without causing a problem, but you will get more fruit if you take your extra plants and put them a flowerbed or even other pots. With average sized pots, plant 4 to 5 strawberry plants in each.

Strawberries - I didn't get many berries from my strawberry plant. What am I doing wrong? It usually takes a second season to produce a more bountiful harvest. After seeing active growth begin in the spring, begin fertilizing approximately every three weeks up until September 1st. Also, pinching off the long runners (which can be replanted in other areas) helps promote blossoming.

Tomatoes - When should I pick my tomatoes from the vine? Once a tomato reaches its full size and becomes a pale green color, it will begin the ripening process. Harvest the fruit from the vine when it is about half green and half pink. At this point, the fruit has reached the “breaker” stage and is no longer receiving any nutrients from the plant. Place the fruit inside in a warm location to finish out the ripening process. Note that the ripening process is actually a function of temperature rather than sunlight so it doesn't have to be kept in a bright window.

Tomatoes - How do I prevent cracking and blossom end rot? Consistent, thorough watering will help prevent the fruit from cracking and reduce the likelihood of blossom end rot. It will also produce strong stems and foliage. Make every effort to keep the soil evenly moist throughout the life of the plant. Also, blossom end rot is often due to a deficiency of calcium. This is common in soils with a low pH and can be corrected with the addition of lime.

Tomatoes - Why isn't my tomato turning red? The red pigments won't form in tomatoes if the ambient temperature is above 90° F. Tomatoes grown in extremely hot areas will tend to have more of an orange-red color. You may pick the fruit from the vine and allow it to ripen indoors in a warm area of the house. The best flavor, color and nutrition value occurs when the fruit is fully ripe and red.

Tomatoes - Why isn't my plant producing fruit? There are several factors as to why this could be happening: Extreme temperatures (above 90° F or below 55° F) for an extended time will cause blossoms to fall off before setting fruit. Lack of sunlight. Tomatoes prefer 8-10 hours of sunlight per day. Blossoms will dry up and fall off if the plant does not receive enough water. Excessive amounts of nitrogen received from improper fertilization. Damage from pests.

Watering - How often should I water my plants? Each situation and plant is different, so follow specific instructions in your planting guide. Watch your plants and learn what their needs are under your conditions, and remember that conditions change. Whenever you do water, always water thoroughly (with potted plants the water should seep from the bottom drain holes after each watering). When winterizing, you need to water every 7 to 10 days throughout the winter.