Our big tree has some dead limbs and didn't look right last summer. We don't see any insects or diseases though.
For the most knowledgeable, unbiased house call, we recommend that you contact a certified arborist to look at your tree. Many are associated with nurseries. To find an arborist near you who is certified by the International Society of Arboriculture, go to our Web site link under Trees, or you can call us at the number below. Arborists usually give a diagnosis and recommend treatment for no charge.
I tried growing fava beans over the winter last year. I planted them in early October. They grew about 1 foot, then the stems died back. Did I plant too late?
Fava beans prefer cool weather like peas do and have planting dates similar to those of peas. They can be planted as early as July for a fall harvest or as late as February for a late-spring harvest.
When planted in October, the plants get damaged by cold weather. For more information about planting vegetables, call us or look online at our publication Planting Dates for Vegetable Crops in Maryland.
Checklist
Over-seed lawns to thicken turf or cover bare areas from late February through the end of March. This is the second-best time of year to do so. The best time to plant grass is late August through October.
Pull young or newly planted trees upright and gently tamp down soil over the root system when high winds and soft, saturated soils cause the trees to tilt.
Ellen Nibali, a horticulture consultant, works at Maryland Cooperative Extension's Home and Garden Information Center, and Jon Traunfeld is the director of the Home and Garden Information Center. The center offers Maryland residents free gardening information. Call the center's helpline at 800-342-2507 or e-mail plant and pest questions through the Send a Question feature at hgic.umd.edu.