I live in north central Arkansas and have an issue with an invasive plant. There is a large stand of running bamboo along my back fence line that is expanding at the rate of 5-10 feet per year. It was on my neighbor’s land and he refused to take it out. I recently bought a…
Eco-Answers
Eco-Answers from the Pros: Urban Pollinators
April 10, 2017 in Beneficials/Pollinators, Eco-Answers
I work on a golf course in the middle of a city, (Newark, NJ). I am always looking to put in natural areas and promote pollinator plants. My question is more with regard to bees. Does it make sense to have an all-out pollinator area in the middle of the city where there are no…
Eco-Answers from the Pros: Bee Tubes in Spring
April 10, 2017 in Beneficials/Pollinators, Eco-Answers
The mason bees filled most of the tubes in the house this spring and the ends were sealed with the mud. Now in August, the mud seal is gone and the tubes are empty. I know it is too early for the young bees to emerge. Would a predator be responsible for raiding these tubes…
Eco-Answers from the Pros: Carbon-conscious Planting
January 15, 2017 in Climate Change, Eco-Answers
I am on a landscaping committee for a community that sits upon approximately 20 acres. We want to (probably gradually) turn our landscape into one with native plants that support our wildlife, but we are also interested in planting as many carbon capturing plants as possible. So the first question is: other than trees, do…
Eco-Answers from the Pros: Poison Ivy and Bindweed
July 14, 2016 in Eco-Answers
I have never used chemicals on my property and do not want to start. Poison ivy, which I am HIGHLY allergic to, is showing up in more and more places on my property – my herb garden included! Also, a very invasive strangling type of morning glory with pink flowers covers my one front garden…
Eco-Answers from Pros: Inhibiting Pond Algae
June 15, 2016 in Eco-Answers, Invasive Plants
I am in search of some barley straw bales to inhibit algae growth in a pond. I have searched high and low but cannot seem to find a seller. Might you know of a source?
Eco-Answers from the Pros: Using Wood Chips as Mulch
April 11, 2016 in Eco-Answers, Mulching
I had a pile of wood chips delivered to me at the end of last summer and want to use it as mulch in my flower and shrub garden this spring. Problem is it’s been sitting for only about five months and may have not decomposed enough to use as mulch. Can I put down…
Mulch Matters
November 15, 2015 in Eco-Answers, Mulching
I recently read an article, “The Mulch Matters,” and want to understand more. I would like to plant several Japanese maples and at present have only pine straw. What more can I do to improve soil quality for these trees (since they prefer a more acidic nutrient base) without using fertilizers?
Solarization of Invasive Plants
November 15, 2015 in Eco-Answers, Invasive Plants
What invasive plants can be successfully controlled using solarization? What is the most effective procedure? What are the drawbacks of this method?
Eco-Answers from the Pros: Recipe for Successful Container Gardens
April 15, 2015 in Eco-Answers, Soil Health
I am considering going organic in my self-watering container garden and in doing research I found an article describing M.L. Altobelli’s fertilizer blend containing Gro Pro fertilizer, alfalfa meal, and Azomite. Other things I have read described the benefits of all these components. Could you give me a recommended ratio of these for tomatoes, peppers…
Eco-Answers from the Pros: Sustainable Soil Mix
April 15, 2015 in Eco-Answers, Soil Health
I am a landscape designer with a maintenance crew working on Martha’s Vineyard. We are reviewing our Specifications to update to sustainable practice. I have previously specified for soils to be used for backfilling plants and filling perennial beds a mix of Earthlife Compost (3 parts), peat moss (2 parts), and sand (1 part). Is…
Eco-Answers from the Pros: Winter Moth Follow Up
December 15, 2014 in Eco-Answers, Pest Management
Last month, the Eco-Pros offered advice on controlling winter moth. An alert reader in Wellesley, MA brought to our attention an outreach effort in that town advising against spraying. Our Eco-Pros respond.
