Autumn’s prime time to plant trees, shrubs

By Walter Reeves

For the AJC

Q: When is the best time to plant camellias? — Dan Lawson, e-mail

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Walter Reeves , Special September, when the soil is warm but the air is cool, is a great time to plant camellias as well as many other trees and shrubs.

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A: My rule of thumb is that mid-September through mid-November is terrific for planting shrubs and trees. The soil is warm enough to encourage root growth, but the air is cool, so not much water is required by the plant. With any tree or shrub, thoroughly loosening the soil around the planting spot is key. Typical advice is to spade an area three times the width of the root ball before planting. I recommend going the extra mile and loosening an area six times the width of the root ball. In this way the roots can grow unimpeded for several years. Because your camellia does not lose its leaves in winter, it may suffer in windy winter months. Be sure to water it deeply every couple of weeks from December to March.

Q: I started feeding birds several years ago. Then squirrels helped themselves to the sunflower seeds. After a while I began attracting an occasional raccoon. However, I recently saw six raccoons in my yard. Will they starve if I quit feeding them? 
—Nancy Y., e-mail

A: They will certainly not starve. Raccoons are supremely adaptable to their surroundings and will quickly find other food sources. Remember that feeding raccoons is an invitation for trouble: They are common carriers of rabies. While seeing one occasionally is no cause for alarm, attracting them into your yard with food is never a good idea.

Q: To prevent tomato fusarium wilt, I am in the process of solarizing my garden. Do I need to do anything to my cages and red plastic mulch trays in order to keep this disease from returning? — Sherry Deaton, Greene County

A: Fusarium wilt fungi mostly live in the soil, but it’s not a bad idea to sanitize cages and mulch rings each year. Both are made from impervious materials, so washing them off thoroughly should be sufficient. Put the cages in the sun for winter storage and let the plastic dry completely before storing it. Also consider planting fusarium-resistant tomato varieties. Their nursery label will have the letters “VFN” on it.

Q: My hanging ferns have been invaded with small white moths. They have just about killed the ferns by eating the leaves. What should I do? — Noel Temples, e-mail

A: Moths don’t eat leaves; their offspring (caterpillars) do the damage. Unusually high numbers of small moths have been noticed this fall. There are too many species to identify them all: webworms, darts, armyworms, etc. Spray your ferns with any garden insecticide to control both moths and their leaf-eating children. They will disappear when night temperatures drop below 60 degrees.

Listen to Walter Reeves from 6 to 10 a.m. Saturdays on AM 750 and now 95.5FM News/Talk WSB. Go to www.gardeningingeorgia.com for details on his TV show or visit www.walterreeves.com.