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November Garden Questions and Answers

© Keith Muraoka

Send you garden questions to me via either snail mail in care of this newspaper or via e-mail. My e-mail address: keith@goldsmithseeds.com. You ask, I'll answer. For a fast, personal response, please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

Q. I've always heard that one shouldn't mow the lawn so early that it's still wet from dew or soon after it rains. My problem is that my home must be the first stop for my new gardener in that he often is at my house at 7:45 a.m. Should I request he come later?

A.It really is best not to mow wet grass, and not just because it might wake up the neighbors.It may mash under the mower wheels, stick to the cutting blades or just lie under the mower and spring back later. The exception is if your gardener has a front-throwing power reel mower. These machines do not mash the wet grass, which is thrown directly into the catcher at the front of the mower.

Q. I am interested in planting some bulbs in my garden, but I do not want to have that particular spot bare all winter. I am curious if I can plant my bulbs and something over them so I do not have a bare spot until spring. I have watsonia, freesia and ranunculus bulbs so far. Any suggestions?

A. Winter bedding plants, including pansies, violas, primula, primroses and more will do the job for you! These bedding plants not only will provide you color all winter long while your bulbs are still underground, but they'll provide color to you now! If that's not enough, these annuals will serve you even after after your bulbs bloom. Dying, brown bulb foliage isn't very pretty to look at. Pansies, violas and more will still be blooming strong when your bulbs begin to die. There's no need to worry that the watering and fertilizing of the bedding plants will do harm to the bulbs either. In fact, any water and fertilizer should actually benefit your bulbs, too.

Q. I have a large area in my front yard where I would like to plant spring-flowering bulbs, including daffodils and tulips. However, in comparing prices at nurseries, I've noticed a wide range of prices for bulbs. To save money, can I buy cheaper ones and still get good results?

A. Bulbs usually are priced according to their size and rarity. The larger or rarer the bulbs, the higher the price. Generally, larger bulbs tend to produce larger flowers. For mass planting in a large areas, the smaller - less expensive bulbs - will give you the quantity you are seeking at a more affordable price. For this reason, check out the so-called "minor" bulbs for masses of color. Common minor bulbs include crocus, ranunculus and anemone, but there are many others. Some