Helen Vanella, Master Gardeners of Greene County
| Special to the News-Leader
Is it OK to transplant surprise lily bulbs now while the leaves are still up and green?
Surprise lily bulbs can be moved in early spring when the leaves are up, but it is not the ideal time for transplanting the bulbs. If you absolutely must move these now, the bulbs will be fine but you will probably be interrupting the bloom cycle and probably will not have blossoms this fall. Once established, the bloom cycle will resume next year. The best time to move surprise lilies is late summer to early fall after the flowers have faded.
Are rice hulls OK to use for mulch in my flower beds?
Yes, rice hulls are good as mulch, also help improve soil aeration, drainage, and moisture retention and are very good to suppress weeds.
Do tomato plants do as well in containers as they would in the ground?
The answer is yes, no, and it depends! In my experience, tomatoes in general do better in the ground, but in many cases can also do well in containers when the conditions are right. First of all, the containers should be very large, at least a 16-inch pot and up to 15 gallon is best. Use the largest container you can find and have room for in your space, give the tomato plant plenty of room without crowding. The soil used is also important and should be light-weight, rich in nutrients, and drain well.
The type of tomato grown is also important. Compact types such as patio tomatoes do well, as do certain dwarf varieties. Cherry tomatoes also adapt well to growing in containers. In general, determinate tomatoes are better suited to container growing than are indeterminate varieties. Other larger types (most indeterminate varieties) of tomatoes can also be grown in containers but may produce less fruit than if grown in the ground. Tomatoes grown in containers will also require somewhat more care than those growing in the ground. Container tomatoes should be watered at least daily, sometimes twice daily during hotter weather, keeping the soil moist but not wet and never allowing it to dry out completely. Most of the varieties suitable for containers, except for the smallest dwarf varieties, will require some form of support, whether by staking, caging, or some other form of trellising.
Should I remove old mulch from my beds before adding new?
I am assuming you mean wood mulch or some other organic material used for mulch. Old mulch should be kept and not removed, allowing it to decompose in place, as the old compost is feeding your soil and making new soil in the process. New mulch should be added over the top to continue the renewal process and keep enriching your soil.
What are some good ground covers to be grown under trees?
The best are ones are low-growing and have shallow root systems, such as packera, hostas, astilbes, ajuga, and wild violets. Wild violets are an especially nice native that is host to several species of fritillary butterflies.
Readers can pose questions or get more information by calling 417-874-2963 and talking to one of the trained volunteers staffing the Master Gardener Hotline at the University of Missouri Extension Center in Greene County located inside the Botanical Center, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, MO 65807.
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