Q:I have a terrible problem with voles. They seem to be under control right now, but I know they’ll be back in the spring. Do you have any advice?

Q:My boss gave everyone in the office a poinsettia before Christmas. It’s beautiful, but my mother-in-law said it was poisonous and I should get it out of the house. We have two small children and a cat. Is it really dangerous? I’d love to keep it. Answer: I was surprised that I hadn’t received this question earlier in the season. Every year that concern seems to surface. The Society of American Florists Web page says the poinsettia is the most widely tested consumer plant on the market today. The group says research from Ohio State University has shown the poinsettia to be nontoxic to humans and pets. It says a child would have to ingest 500 to 600 leaves to exceed the experimental doses that found no toxicity, according to POISINDEX, the national information center for poison control centers.

Q:This will be our first Christmas in our own home. We want to buy a living Christmas tree and plant it in our yard after the holidays. Can you give us any tips to help make sure it will survive? Answer: What a great way to remember that first Christmas. Start by choosing a tree species that is naturally acclimated to the environment of central Virginia. Frasier fir makes a classic Christmas tree, but it has a hard time acclimating to our hot, humid summers. Get your tree from a reputable garden center and rely on their trained staff to advise you on a species that will do well in your area.

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.