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February Questions and Answers

© Keith Muraoka

Q. We removed a Japanese silk tree from our lawn that provided wonderful shade for our house in the summer. The tree was leaning and had several dead limbs. We miss the summer shade and want to replace the tree. We’re considering a fruitless mulberry. However, would you suggest other trees? We don’t want another Japanese silk tree because of all the “volunteer” seedlings that came up from the seed pods.

A. There are a number of deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves in the fall), including fruitless mulberry (Morus). The latter is a little messier than most because it has little seed pods that form (and drop). The good news is that mulberries do not “volunteer” easily, and that their leaves are very large and easy to rake up. Fruitless mulberries do make excellent shade trees, and grow quickly in hot weather to 35 feet. Since you’re planting this tree in your lawn, I doubt that roots will be anywhere near concrete or water lines. You might consider the Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum). This specimen offers outstanding fall color, with large, bell-like leaves. The tree is fast growing, very dense and round, growing to 35 feet. However, tallows should not be planted closer than 25 feet of concrete or pipes due to invasive roots.

Q. Can I use a grocery store potato to begin potato plants? How do I do it?

A. You certainly can, but there are good reasons why gardeners purchase potatoes from nurseries or catalogs instead of using grocery store potatoes. First of all, most grocers (or growers) will spray potatoes with a sprouting inhibitor to prevent their “eyes” from sprouting. For your home-grown potatoes, you want them to sprout. Also, most growers do not label their potatoes by variety name, so there’s no way of knowing whether the potato in your store is suitable for the home garden. Buying potatoes from a catalog or nursery will ensure you know what you’re getting and that they are certified disease-free. Such varieties usually taste better, too, since they’ve been selected for flavor rather than keeping qualities. Many nurseries will carry potatoes in early spring for transplanting. All you have to do is make sure each potato piece you plant has at least two “eyes.” Place a few inches deep in moist, fertile soil. Potato plants grow quite vigorously.

Q. Is there any danger of planting vegetables in a raised bed made up of used railroad ties? The ties appear to have been coated with tar or creosote in the past?

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