FAQ
10 Frequently Asked Questions & Answers | Darren Ask Professional

10 Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
Below are ten of the most frequently asked questions we receive and our answers. If you don’t see your question listed below, click here to for more contact information.

1. When should I prune my flowering shrubs?
A good rule of thumb is that you never trim a flowering shrub until after it has bloomed. For instance, lilacs, rhododendrons, and azaleas should be pruned after they have finished their spring displays. On the other hand, the summer blooming weigela shouldn’t be trimmed until late fall or early winter.

2. When should I prune my trees?
Most trees, including fruit bearing, are pruned in late winter or early spring. The exceptions are “bleeding” trees, such as Birch, Maple, and Dogwood, which should be trimmed in summer or fall.

3. How can I turn my hydrangeas blue?
Depending on the variety of your bush and the type of soil in your area, the best way to make a hydrangea blue or bluer is to add aluminum sulphate to the soil around your plant.

4. Why are the leaves of my azaleas and rhododendrons turning yellow?
Chances are, your soil is too alkaline. By adding a product, such as Hi-Yield’s Iron Plus, you will change the pH creating a more acidic soil.

5. When can I sow seeds outside?
When is it safe to plant annuals and perennials? As a rule, seeds should be sown outside after the danger of frost has passed. However, cold crops such as lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and peas can be set out or sown in late winter or early spring. You shouldn’t plant annuals in Indiana until after the frost date of May 15th has passed. However, perennials can be planted earlier as long as you are willing to protect tender plants in the event of a heavy frost.

6. When should I sow grass seed?
Ideally, grass seed should be sown in September. If you miss the fall planting, it is best to plant your grass as early in the spring as possible. However, you can plant grass most any season if you are willing to keep it watered until established.

7. When should I start my 4-Step Fertilome program?
Crabgrass preventer can applied from early March through mid-April. A good way to remember when to apply all four steps is to think “email”—Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.

8. Can I keep weeds from growing in my flower beds?
There are a number of ways to keep weeds out of your ornamental beds. Of course, a good landscape fabric placed before mulching is the simplest answer. Another method is to apply preemergence, such as Treflan or Dimension, in early spring.

9. Help! The deer are eating my garden. What can I do?
We recommend a product called Bobbex. Bobbex is a liquid which is applied to plants and lasts for up to two months. It comes in both RTU (ready to use) and concentrate.

10. How much mulch do I need to cover my landscaped areas?
Our mulch is sold by the tractor scoop. One “scoop” of mulch will cover 100 square feet or a 10 by 10 area, 2 to 3 inches deep.