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Q: When do I cut off the finished blooms on my tulips and daffodils? — H.R., West Side
A: If the flowers have finished giving you their all, go ahead and remove only the spent bloom on that stalk. Leave the rest of the foliage as that’s how the bulb is going to re-feed itself with photosynthesis.
You notice the balance of the foliage starts to look puny in about a month and that’s when you can tidy up the rest of the plant. For now, just the bloom and its stalk.
Q: I’ve sprayed my piñon tree with the dormant oil as you suggested and want to know how I can tell if the black bumps are dead. What do you suggest? — E.P., Rio Rancho
A: Remember, it’s not the black bump that is the bug. The bump is the house for the wee bug that lives happily under it. So, in order to check if the oil did its voodoo, take your thumbnail and see how easy it is to dislodge the bumps. If they come off easily, the bug is gone. If there is a smidgen of resistance the scale insect is probably still hanging on. At that point, I’d recommend a stronger pesticide, perhaps even a systemic pesticide, so the tree becomes poisonous to anyone eating it.
You could apply another oil spraying now, too; just be sure to follow temperature restrictions on the product label for the health of the tree. You can win the scale war, just be vigilant.
Q: I can’t believe I’m already seeing bindweed pop up along my sidewalks! Isn’t it early for it? — T.M.F., Albuquerque
A: I guess this year is going to be very favorable to most all of the weeds we deal with in these parts. Since they are opportunistic and very sturdy, they are taking advantage of the early warmth and are going to grow like gangbusters this season. So start your hunting early. Pull them by hand, spray with the appropriate weed killer and stay on top of them. The wild mustard is showing up quickly, too, and that means spurge and tumbleweeds are right behind as the calendar advances. Be on guard and eliminate any interlopers as you find them or you’ll have a bumper crop in no time. Happy hunting.
Q: Is watering twice a week enough, like the city wants us to do?
A: I don’t see as we have a choice. Our precipitation has been nil, and we’re in for a tough year! If I had my way, I’d request that everyone concentrate on just their trees. I am having a hard time imagining our Albuquerque area without trees.
As harsh as that sounds, I truly believe we, as a community, must tend the trees first and foremost this growing season. Watering twice a week, before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m., is the ticket for sure and done deeply enough it’ll be plenty. Just make sure
you aren’t watering any concrete spaces. No matter how much you water it, it doesn’t grow!
Aim your valuable water to the earth, and keep your trees tended. Happy Digging In!
Need tips on growing your garden? Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send your garden-related questions to Digging In, Rio West, P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, NM 87103.
— This article appeared on page 06 of the Albuquerque Journal
