Ask The Expert
Our knowledgeable staff here at Garden-Ville are available to answer many of the questions you might have about gardens, landscaping, and trees. Many problems with plants, however, cannot be responsibly diagnosed other than in person. We're located in central Texas and may not be familiar with the details of gardening in very different climate or soil zones. One of the guiding principles of organic growing is adapting methods to the particularites of local soil and climate. With that in mind we'll do our best to answer your question, but if we can't we'll be happy to help you find the appropriate resources or professionals in your area.
Feel free to browse the topics below to see if we've already answered a question similar to yours. If you can't find the information you need, the question submission form is located at the bottom of the page.
We planted six Texas Mountain Laural bushes in our yard 5-years ago and they are not much larger than when we planted them. We were told not to fertilize them but only water. What can we use to encourage them to grow?
12/11/20089:07:48 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Texas Mountain Laurel are a slow growing species. They're also very drought tolerant and require well drained soils, so be careful that you aren't overwatering. Too much water can stunt or kill them. There's no harm in applying an organic fertilizer such as our 6-2-2 Soil Food. Incorporating compost into the soil around the plant can also help encourage growth.
Does liquid fertilizer or systemic fungicides applied to dormant turf foliage work it's way to the root system of the turf? Or do I need to soak the soil under the turf?
12/11/20089:00:05 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Proper rates and application techniques should be described on the label of the fungicide or fertilizer. You should always follow those. They'll vary from product to product.
What is the best soil amendment to lower soil ph? will 7-2-2 fertilizer work as well?
11/23/200811:23:48 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
7-2-2, Fertilizer, Soil Questions
Sulphur is the best option for lowering ph. It's sold either powdered or pelletized--the pelletized is more expensive but is a slow release product, so its better as a soil amendment. You can apply up to 5 pounds per 1000 square feet on grass or 10 per 1000 in beds. The 7-2-2 doesn't have any sulphur in it, so if you have alkaline soils you'll need to add sulphur along with the 7-2-2. High ph limits the uptake of nutrients and hampers the efficacy of fertilizer.Two years ago I bought a home with 2 pecan trees in the back yard. Both years the trees have produced a lot of pecans but they are all rotten . What is wrong and what can I do. I believe the trees are about 12 years old. Thanks
10/25/20084:10:57 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
This is a pretty common problem for pecans. I expect the problem is nutrient deficiencies. If you want reliable nut production I'd recommend following an organic fertilization program. The following program is from Texas Organic Vegetable Gardening by Howard Garrett and Malcolm Beck.
In early February, 20 pounds any standard organic fertilizer per 1000 square feet. Lava sand at 80 pounds per square feet. Sugar at 2-5 pounds per square feet.
In early June, 20 pounds organic fertilizer per 1000 square feet. Greensand at 80 pounds per 1000.
In early September, 20 pounds organic fert per 1000. Sul-Po-Mag at 20 pounds per 1000.
Try this for a year and see what results you get.When is it a good time to fertilizers my yard. I know around April but in the fall time I have know idea.
10/8/20089:22:11 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
September and October is the best time to fertilize your lawn in the fall. Apply a quarter to half inch layer of compost in the fall along with your fertilizer and you will reduce your watering, increase nutrient uptake and build the soil.
Can I use liquid fertilizer on acerage? If so how much to spray on 30 acres with how much H20. Cost and how do I get it?
10/3/20082:03:37 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Our liquid fertilizers are appropriate for any horticultural application. All of our liquid fertilizers are low analysis products. Sea Tea (2-3-2) has the most nitrogen of any of them. Garrett Juice is 0-2-1, while liquid seaweed is 0-0-1. All these products are rich in micronutrients, and the Sea Tea and Garrett Juice both have molasses, which encourages the growth of beneficial microorganisms. Foliar application on the Sea Tea is 2 oz per gallon of water. 1 gallon of concentrate treats 40,000 square feet, almost an acre. 33 gallons of Sea Tea would be necessary to cover 30 acres. You can have it shipped or can come by one of our retail locations in San Antonio, San Marcos, or Austin (the Austin store that stocks our products is called Eco-Depot). The cost if you order online is $18.65 per gallon plus shipping. Let us know if we can be any more assistance.
I have St. Augustine grass and the edges seem to be burning out and there are definite patches of thatch...which I did rake and get a lot out but obviously it has left brown spots and patches. What can I do to repair these areas of my lawn? Also, I have several flower beds that I would like to raise, just as a matter of time deterioration...so what is best to use to raise these and get nutrients back to the soil? Mulch...that's what one of my neighbors is doing now. I also get LOTS of weeds in all my bed areas...but then we have a lot of birds around here, too. How do you figure out how much you need? Thanks in advance.
7/22/20083:32:35 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Fertilizer, Living Mulch, mulch, Plant Questions
For your yard keep it watered and fertilize it with an organic fertilizer and in the fall spread a half inch layer of compost on the lawn to condition the soil. For the beds either buy a compost and mulch mix (living mulch) or mix compost and mulch yourself. The compost and mulch mixed together will break down better than mulch alone naturally building up the soil levels in the beds. For the weeds in your beds you can spot treat with vinegar or hand pull them.
all my pepper plants are looking awful. they produce leaves and some blooms but the leaves are shriveled from the tip and the blooms don't produce any fruit. i can't find any bugs on them, but i honestly don't know what is happening. any ideas?
7/22/20083:29:01 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
You may be watering too much or not enough, you may need to fertilize them more. Dig into the soil near the plant to see if it is too dry or wet, if it is too wet you may want to transplant to a soil that drains better. If it is too dry water the plants with a liquid fertilizer to get them back to healthy again.
I have Tiff Bermuda and it was gorgeous last spring/summer. However, it is extremely slow in turning green this year. It has patches of green, but a large percentage of it is light brown. I have been told by a local lawn specialist that the soil temp needs to be at 65 or above for 8-10 days before it will green up. He checked the roots and said they are healthy and assures me that is not dead and will come back. He took a soil sample to run it through the lab. I am waiting on the results of that test. The temps have been in the high 80's and low 90's during the day for a couple of weeks. Shouldn't my bermuda have greened up by now? Is there anything I can do to help my lawn turn green?
6/3/20084:55:46 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Compost, Fertilizer, Lawn Questions
You can add a high nitrogen slow release organic fertilizer and spread a half inch layer of compost on the lawn, those two products will help the grass come out of dormancy. Keep in mind that until the summer hits full force the night time temperatures will generally stay lower than 80 degrees which might hinder the grass coming out.
Hello- I have a new emerald zoysia turf lawn (2 weeks old) in San Antonio, and i'm regretting not using a pre-emergent, because crabgrass sprouts are coming up in many areas where particular sections of turf are taking a while to integrate and grow. Is it risky to use the 20% vinegar because the lawn isn't fully established? Also, I read that late spring / early summer is a good time to fertilize, and I'd like to know if it's a good idea for my situation, even though the lawn is young. Thanks!
6/12/20074:45:29 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
With organics you can not go wrong with fertilization. Our fertilizers are slow release and non burning so you will not have to worry about burning the grass. I would keep away from the vinegar and just hand pull the crabgrass. Another thing you can do is water the grass with Medina's Hasta Gro 12-4-8 or Soil Activator. But if I were you I would get fertilizer down as soon as possible.
I live in stoneoaks area and have St Augustine for my lawn. My land has a steep gradient. I apply Scotts fertilizer twice a year and water the lawn 2 to 3 times a week. My lawn however has a lot of patches of thaw (dry grass). I am told by my neighbor that the lawn needs a top dressing. Please advise if this is correct and if so - what do I use for top dressing and - where do I get it - how do I apply Thanks in advance
5/8/200711:04:01 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
If you have a ½” layer of compost spread on the grass and follow that up with a good organic fertilizer your grass will start to show improvement within a couple of days. The compost will add the organic matter that erosion and chemical fertilizers have diminished over time, as well as cook the thatch that develops when you do not bag the grass clippings. The organic fertilizer will feed the beneficial microorganisms so they can start building up the health of the soil. Another thing you may want to look in to is aeration, by aerating the lawn you are allowing the compost and fertilizer to get deep into the soil where the roots are. You can pick up the compost and fertilizer at any Garden-Ville location or if you do not have a truck you can have it delivered through our delivery service.
I planted our front lawn area with Calimbrochoa(sp?) as a ground cover about 6 months ago. I did not fertilize it through the winter and have just fertilized once so far this Spring. Some of the plants are browning in the middles where the roots are and then dying. What is causing this and what can I do to stop it? The little card that came with the plants indicated that I should use a high nitrogen fertilzer. What can I use that will not kill birds and other wildlife as well as earthworms? Sandy
5/3/20073:37:09 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
7-2-2, Beneficial Nematodes, Fertilizer, Lawn Questions
Have you checked the roots to see if you might have grub worms? If you want a high nitrogen fertilizer you can try the Bat Guano or our Premium Lawn Food 7-2-2, with organics you are not typically going to find high numbers like you would find with man made synthetic fertilizers. You can mix the bat guano with water and water the plants or you can spread it out around the plants and then water it in. The 7-2-2 you can broadcast around the plants and water it in, in the meantime I would check to see if you have grubs and if you do check with your local nursery or garden center to see if they have beneficial nematodes. Then nematodes are a predator for grubs and other insects and will not harm the plants in the process.
Hi, I planted three tress around Easter and one the leaves have fallen off and the other the leaves look yellow. Is this because of two much rain or because I did not plant them correctly? They were Oak and China Berry andl small enough that the bamboo stick was still attached. Thanks, Brian.
5/3/20073:22:01 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Since you have planted the trees how many times have you fertilized? Also, after planting did you add a ring of mulch around the tree? If so is the mulch touching the bark of the tree? If you have not fertilized since planting the tree I would suggest feeding the tree with a good organic fertilizer like Garden-Ville’s Premium Lawn Fertilizer 7-2-2 and follow up with and application of an iron source like Garden-Ville’s Greensand. The rain might have leached out the nutrients in the soil and since trees require the most fertilizer and care when they are starting out that could be the reason for what you are seeing.
I started a vegetable garden in a new place on our property (Central Texas) this spring without a soil sample (last minute plan). It has good sand and I used your Rocket Fuel after talking to a local nursery about their trials with the fertilizer. I started the garden from seed and used the 1 to 2 teaspoons per linear foot as recommended. I planted around March 12th to the 15th(Squash, Corn, Green Beans & Tomatoes) and the plants are a little light green. Is it the cold weather we have been having or do I need to apply the Rocket Fuel again or some other type of fertilizer and how often? Please help! Tammy
4/27/20074:22:18 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Tammy,I would recommend that you apply the rocket fuel or some other type of fertilizer (dry or liquid) again. The Rocket Fuel was a great choice as a starter fertilizer but the plants will need more feeding as the time goes by. Since you did not get a soil sample it will be hard to determine what nutrients the soil is lacking. I would suggest you fertilize around the plants and give it a good watering with Garden-Ville’s Sea Tea at least once every couple of weeks. The Sea Tea is a mixture of fish emulsion, molasses, compost tea, sea weed, and humic acid. When mixed at a rate of 4 ounces per gallon of water it will make a good nutrient rich soil drench that will help the plants along. In between feedings water the plants with plain water to push the nutrients down in the soil.What is the best type of fertilizer to use for indoor potted tropical plants? Also, what is the best type of soil mix to use?
4/9/200712:13:31 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Container Planting, Fertilizer, Soil Questions
Mary,Garden-Ville has a fertilizer called Soil Food Select 6-2-2, it is a great formula for potted plants that is enriched with natural ingredients to make it a slow release non burning fertilizer. A good soil to use for tropicals would be an acidic soil, you can mix the Garden-Ville Rose Soil and the Garden-Ville Potting Soil at a half and half rate and that will give you a good acidic mix that drains well.I recently moved to San Antonio and have inherited a truly 'blank slate' of a back yard - all weeds and terrible drainage on what is almost a completely flat lot. A decent rain turns it to sticky swamp-land for a solid week. I'd really like your advice on creating a strategy for overhauling it completely, with the goal of creating a decent Zoysia lawn that will drain properly. Thanks!
4/9/200712:10:42 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Fertilizer, Landscape Questions
That is funny because I am facing the same problem with my home, you are going to have to build up the low lying areas with good topsoil, sand and compost mixture. When grading the area make sure that it drains away from the house, when your area is built up then lay the sod and make sure to roll the squares after you have laid them out. Give the lawn a good fertilization with a slow release organic fertilizer to help the grass along. Garden-Ville sells a couple of soils that would be great for your application which are the Turfmaster and lawn and garden soil. The turfmaster will be the cheaper of the two since the topsoil in the mix has not been cooked to kill off weed seeds. For fertilization I would recommend the Premium Lawn Fertilizer 7-2-2, it is a good slow release fertilizer that is awesome for grass. You can pick these products up at any Garden-Ville location in San Antonio. You can also have the soil delivered to your home for an additional delivery fee. I hope this has helped, if you have any other questions please let me know.
I live south of Seguin in the sand and would like to find a way to fertilze about 15 acers. Mostly native and costal grasses.
4/9/200712:10:07 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
You can either fertilize with molasses (liquid or dry) or you can use a normal fertilizer. For our fertilizer the recommended application rate is 10 pounds per 1000 sq ft. and the molasses application is about the same in dry form. The liquid mixture is 1 ounce of molasses per gallon of water. The other alternative that is more expensive but would yield great results would be to apply compost to the area at a 1/4-1/2" thick. This will replenish the microorganisms and the organic matter in the sandy soil, to cover your area you would need about 2500 cubic yards. If you have access to a manure spreader it would speed up the project.
I have cyperuspapyrus plants in the ground now,however I'd like to put them containers along a fence. I'm talking about maybe 6-8 plants. What size container would you recommend, how much water should they sit in and how long can they remain in containers? Fertilizer what kind, how much and how often? The papyrus planted in the ground aren't doing great Thank you for your help
4/2/20073:02:55 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
The size of the pot depends on the size of the root ball. I would suggest getting a pot that is 1 ½ times the size of the root ball to allow for growth. The soil should be constantly moist being that the plant comes from swampy areas. Your soil Ph needs to be anywhere from 6-8.5 in order for the plant to thrive. Amend the soil around the plant with compost and mulch to keep the moisture in the soil and fertilize with a good balanced organic fertilizer like Garden-Ville’s Soil Food 6-2-2.
I am looking for a good inexpensive organic fertilizer for my ranch. We have one-12 acre costal field that needs some good fertilizer and we have other pastures that could also stand some attention. Do you have any recommendations and sources? Thanks, Gary
3/26/20073:16:14 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
You can use compost, dried molasses, or we have a fertilizer that comes in a 40# bag and will cover 4000 sq feet per application. For the compost you will need about 800 yards and the price per cubic yard for that would be $11 plus delivery. For the fertilizer you would need 132 bags and the cost for that would be $9.25 per bag. The benefits of the compost are the addition of beneficial microbes for soil conditioning and trace mineral nutrients as well as nitrogen. With the fertilizer you will get your NPK but not the soil conditioning benefits of the compost. All products listed are produced by Garden-Ville and can be picked up or delivered to you. Where is the ranch located?We just bought new home in Florida that has St Augustine grass.When sodded by builder grass was more brown than green.The landscape contractor told me to that i had a fungus that was causing the tips of the green blades to turn orange and recomended i spray a funguside which i did.The grass still didnt gree up so he told me to fertalize with Scotts Bonus Weed and Feed 29-3-4 which I did about 4 weeks ago. The lawn has irragation but still hasnt shown any sign of greening up.The PH is 6.75'I dont know if the grass is dead or what .It is greener close to edges of house and some green throughout yard but mostly yellowish tan.If you can suggest anything I can do I would appreciate it.I likt to take care of my own yard if possible. Some of my neighbors have outside chemical companys but I dont want to have to use them.But there grass is greener by a wide margin. Thanks L H Mc Queen
3/19/20074:31:19 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
With out seeing the grass it sounds like you have an iron deficiency issue. Have you applied any iron to the grass? Also, next time you fertilize try using a fertilizer with a higher middle number to try and help establish the root system of the yard.
Amy I have a home off Evans and Bulverde road. The builder sodded the front and I paid a man to sod the back. It is Bermuda. The back sod apparently was of poor quality and I have had weeds for the 2 years since it was put in. I even had a yard service on a program yet they never could control the weeds. I was use to St Augustine and this Bermuda is new to me. In doing some research on the internet it appears Molasass or Sugar spread like fertilizer will kill and keep weeds away because they can't grow in rich soils. Will this harm the Bermuda though? Is the Fertilizers you sell with Molasass in them the way for me to go? Please help.
3/14/20075:08:14 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Fertilizer, Landscape Questions
When you spread the molasses it feeds the microorganisms in the soil that give the soil nutrients. The soil that was laid in the back yard was probably of poor quality and that is probably where you are getting your weeds from. Since we are in spring I would recommend that you get a pre-emergent like corn gluten meal and broadcast it at a rate of 20# per 1000sq ft. and pull the existing weeds. To help build up the quality of the turf I would also recommend that you spread a ½” thick layer of compost like the premium compost available at any Garden-Ville and fertilize with a good organic fertilizer like Garden-Ville’s 7-2-2 soil food, the idea behind organic lawn maintenance is to build up the soil because the weeds live primarily in poor soils with little to no organic matter. The stronger your turf grass is the less likely you will have weeds in the yard.
Which fertilizer causes the fastest and greenest plant growth?
3/6/20074:17:43 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Of our fertilizers the Soil Food 7-2-2 will give you fast results on green and growth. You want to get a fertilizer that has a higher first and middle number. The 7-2-2 is a balanced formula that Malcolm Beck (the founder of Garden-Ville) formulated himself.
Hi - my St. Augustine lawn in Fayetteville, TX had a serious brown patch problem last summer. You recommended that corn meal be applied along with a mixture of your molasses and water. Is it time to do this application again? How much water should be mixed with the molasses? thanks.
2/27/20075:42:56 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Are you having problems with the brown patch again? If not you don’t need to apply corn meal. You can however spray the molasses and water at a rate of 2-4oz per gallon of water in combination with a good fertilization and application of compost.
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