Pike Nurseries answers your gardening questions - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

During the week, Good Day Atlanta has been asking you to send in your gardening questions. Pike Nurseries assistant manager, Melodie McDanal, stopped by on Friday to answer a few of those questions!

Link: http://www.pikenursery.com/

Question 1
I planted three hydrangea plants on the north side of my house last fall. They are growing but did not bloom this spring. I am not sure they are getting enough sun. Any suggestions?

Answer:
Most hydrangeas prefer filtered shade so it's most likely not a sun issue. Hydrangeas typically need 1 season to settle in so if it's a new plant, be patient.

It may be when you pruned. There are some types of hydrangeas, like traditional mophead hydrangeas, that bloom on the previous year's growth.

It could also be your soil. Hydrangeas need moist, fertile soil. If the soil wasn't amended with a planting mix, it could be that our dense clay soil isn't providing the plant the nutrients it needs.
Try adding a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the plant which will slowly start to help the soil quality. Fertilize your hydrangea with EB Stone Rose & Flower Food

Question 2
I have a rose tree and most of its leaves have black on them. Then they turn yellow and fall off. What is causing this and what do I need to do?

Answer
It sounds like your rose has a fungus called black spot or suttee mold which is sticky and caused by insects. Either way the treatment is the same. To eliminate and prevent black spot apply a 3-in-1 product like Bayer All-in-One Rose & Flower Care. It will prevent and treat insects, act as a disease control as well as fertilize your tree rose.  It's available as a concentrate or granular. one application lasts for six weeks. To prevent fungus diseases on all your plants, make sure you water in the morning between 6-10 a.m. rather than the evening. The moisture left on the leaves at night can lead to fungus issues

Question 3
How would I keep crabgrass out of my garden?

Answer
Eliminating crabgrass from a vegetable garden is tricky since if there is an overspray from the wind, it will burn the vegetables. You can pull the crabgrass out by hand or use a foam paint bush and brush a little crabgrass killer like Amaze directly on the crabgrass. For flower gardens or lawns, it's important to start a regular weed prevention program.

Apply a Crabgrass Preventer twice a year.
For Lawns: Pike Crabgrass Preventer
For Flower Gardens: Amaze
For winter weeds apply in late September/early October
For summer weeds apply in late February/early March
If you reseed your lawn, you cannot apply Crab Grass Preventer since it will stop the seeds from germinating. If you have crab grass now in your lawn, apply Pike Weed & Feed, but be sure to get on a schedule of applying crabgrass preventer.

Question 4
Is this a flowering only pear tree or a fruit bearing pear tree. If it's a fruit tree what do we need to do to get it to bear fruit?

Answer
It appears to be a flowering pear tree, either Bradford or Callery Pear. Both are natives or naturalized to this area.

This weekend at Pike Nurseries there are free summer lawn care classes. It's this Saturday, June 16th at 10 a.m. at all Pike Nurseries locations. We also have some great Father's Day gifts, so stop by!