GARDENING Q&A

Q:I didn't get around to reseeding this fall, nor have I put down any fertilizer. If it's not too late, what type of fertilizer would you suggest?

Answer: While it is too late to reseed, late November is a great time to apply fertilizer. One of the main reasons to feed lawns in the fall is because the grass plants are storing food for next season and developing healthy roots.

Nitrogen, the first number in the analysis, and potash, the last number, are critical in helping plants with disease resistance and winter hardiness.

Most lawn fertilizer manufacturers package a product called "winterizer," which will contain both of these nutrients. The important thing is to apply the fertilizer by the end of this month.

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Answer: Speed Zone will control clover. Since it has been more than 60 days since you planted grass seed, it would be safe to treat the clover.

Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the benefits of clover. It is a legume that can fix nitrogen in your soil, reducing the amount of fertilizer you need. It also provides blooms that are attractive to honeybees.

The cloverlike weed with yellow flowers sounds like black medic. It is a summer annual and should have died with the first killing frost. You can treat for it early next May.

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Answer: The bitter taste in cucumbers comes from a naturally occurring compound called cucurbitin. Some varieties have more than others. This compound leads to a bitter taste when the plants are under stress from heat and dry conditions. It is mostly concentrated right under the skin, so peeling can help.

Also, giving the plants a good watering, 1 to 1½ inches at a time, can help reduce the bitterness in the next set of cucumbers. Adding a layer of mulch before the summer gets too hot will help keep the temperature and moisture level consistent.

Here are some varieties you might try that are specifically listed as being bitter-free: Carmen, County Fair, Diva, Green Knight, Sweet Slice, Sweet Success and Tasty Green.

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Answer: Now that we've had a killing frost, it's safe to lightly prune your Knock Out rose. You can cut it back a foot, but I only trim the really spindly or weak stems from mine in the fall. I prefer to wait until late February to do major pruning, after we've been through the worst of winter. That way if you get any winter injury, it will be on stems that you still plan to prune out.
Richard Nunnally is a freelance writer and host of WCVE's monthly gardening show, "Virginia Home Grown." Questions can be sent to or P.O. Box 3690, Chester, VA 23831.