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| Bluebonnets, Native Plants, Wildflowers | Planting fields with wildflowers November 05, 2009 I'm hoping to seed a few fields (large area, short grass) the easiest way possible. I'd love to do bluebonnets but I don't think I can get a large aerator to the locations. Basically I'm wondering what would be the biggest bang for my buck in terms of ease of planting and flower density (with preference for the classics like paintbrushes, and for something I could seed this season if not too late). Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Landscaping, Native Grasses | Best sod for a yard in Elgin, TX? November 05, 2009 First time home buyer and the back yard will need to be sodded. What is an honest price range for this service for 213 sq.yds.? The site is in blackland prairie soil. What type grass is best suited for this area and is drought resistant and low maintenance? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Native Grasses | Replacing St. Augustine with native grasses in San Antonio November 04, 2009 I am hoping to replace St. Augustine on a sloped yard with native grass. I was wondering where I might get information on the prairie grass seed mats used by the TXDOT highway dept to stop erosion. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Native Plants | Why is my yaupon tree not producing berries in Metairie La? November 04, 2009 What is the lifespan of a Yaupon Tree? We live in Louisiana, and our Yaupon would always get the white flowers in the Spring but never the red berries. Why is that? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Native Plants | Can a mustang grape and an oak coexist in Austin November 04, 2009 I have a healthy mustang grape vine growing on an oak in my yard. While the vine provides plenty of good food and a pleasant environment for many birds throughout the year, I feel it is overtaking the oak. The largest part of the trunk of the vine is just less than one inch in diameter. I would like to prune the vine this November or December and would like to do it carefully to prevent harm to both the tree and the vine. How much can I prune the vine? Or to put it differently, how much of the vine should I leave above ground? If pruned, what other care will the vine need to continue living? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Native Plants | How can I distinguish between Wax Myrtle and Dwarf Wax Myrtle? November 04, 2009 I need help identifying between a southern wax myrtle and a dwarf wax myrtle. I am after the bigger type and think my landscaper accidently put in dwarfs. How can I tell? I had 8 put in and their leaves are different, some serrate, some smooth, some narrower with no serrate while others are wider with serration. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Plant Propagation | Propagation of American Beautyberry November 03, 2009 Hello. I would love to know how to propagate the American Beauty (Texas Location) as I think it is most gorgeous. We lost most of our shrubs/plants in Ike and are replacing them. If I do these from seeds, what is the procedure to follow? Can I just put it in the soil as is, will it root this way? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Native Grasses | Holding bare soil before sowing native grasses in spring. November 03, 2009 I want to try your buffalo/bluegrama/curly mesquite. Right now my yard is ploughed. What should I do until spring? I assume I should add living compost to the top 3", plant bluegrass for now, and then sow, rake, and press in your buffalo/bluegrama/curly mesquite combo next March 21st, right? John View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Miscellaneous | Is there an automated image download function for the NPIN Image Gallery? November 03, 2009 Hi, I have a database/web technical question. Do you provide an interface to retrieve photos from your website programatically? Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Native Trees, Miscellaneous | Are the moths in my Austin, TX live oaks harmful? November 03, 2009 It is November and my live oak trees are full of moths. What are they and are they harmful to my trees? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
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