Offering my Help.

[Swampy]

Need to a little help for studying for school, associates degree in Landscape Horticulture . Post a tree or shrub with its common names/or botanical name. So I can practice, Will give info back for when to take care, growth rate, problems with the species, etc....

PS Info like this comes at a average charge of $30/hr commercially I'm giving you my best known knowledge for free.

[Swampy]

Info

If you got Buckthorn(Rhamnus cathertica or Rhamnus flangula) on your property eradicate it if you like your forest/wild areas. Buckthorn spreads like wild fires in California. Its main problem is that it grows so dense and sucks up so much nutrients that it will overtake your native and ornamental plants. Buckthorn is evasive and was introduced by Europeans for use as a common hedge, due to soil conditions it was never used as a hedge in America and just spread out of control. No major diseases that attack Buckthorn.

Uses: Don't

Tools and Materials: Chainsaw, "Round up", paint roller,

Solution: Use the saw to cut the buckthorn off at the stump, DO NOT pile the brush or chip/mulch the debris. Burn it or haul it away. For every stump use a treated paint roller dipped in "Round up" (should stop it from suckering) If you just cut it down and leave stumps untreated it will just grow back twice as bad.

Any questions?

[bornl33t]

I got a mess of stuff I need to plant in the spring. What tree grows fast and think. I need a wind break on a 1 ache lot surrounded by corn fields in Iowa.

What can you tell me about anual rye grass....

[Altimas]

How can I get rid of Kudzu FOREVER?!

[Swampy]

I got a mess of stuff I need to plant in the spring. What tree grows fast and think. I need a wind break on a 1 ache lot surrounded by corn fields in Iowa.

Your hardiness zones are 4-5.
Trees and shrubs in nursery's prices are based off type, diameter, and height I.E. Norway maple that is 10ft tall, 3inch trunk will run you about $800.
If you want it height prepare to throw out the wallet. How tall do you want it to grow? 10, 12, 15ft?
Shrubs:
For a just a wind break look into Arborvitae cultivars (Thuja occidentalis)
Trees:
Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) is a fast growing, plant anywhere type of tree. It can be kind of thin when its growing but if you let it reach a height that you want and cut the top off it will thicken out till another branch takes control of the top.

Check with your local DNR they usually grow saplings for planting in state forests or for sale.
Also walk through your local Nursery see what they have, this way you can see what you want to plant, plus they can help you with your plantings

What can you tell me about anual rye grass....

Rye Grasses are a Monocot, as is annual bluegrass and fiscue. If you got a big problem with it, heres what I'd do. If your wanting to use a chemical application to get ride of your rye grass it will kill your annual grass that you wish to save. If you go this route, kill off the area, till up the area and replant with see or sod(probably not a good idea since you have a crop next to your property and can be costly). Or if you can get your hands on a renovator (slit seeder), run over your lawn sewing in more grass seed, fertilize, and water. This will help thicken your lawn and choke out weeds as the annual grasses will take over.

[Swampy]

How can I get rid of Kudzu FOREVER?!

Having not worked with it at all. I live in Wisconsin and it doesn't grow here because of the frost. Here's what I'd do.

Cut the plant just below the dirt, severing the crown or growing point, which is just above the surface of the soil. This kills the plant immediately

If its over taking larger areas such as your lawn, take your lawn mower to the lowest setting possible and repetaivly keep running that area over. (During the growing season)This will exhaust the plants nutrients as it will keep trying to send up new growth. (Entering fall) Cut it low to the ground with the lawn mower and use a Broadleaf herbicide or Glyphosate (Round up) to kill off the area.

[olinar]

ive got a backyard that looks to have had no sort of plantation for many years. When we moved in we tried planting many types of flowers and whatnot but nothing seems to hold.

any reccomendations thatll help flowers like sunflowers, tulips and daisies grow?

[Swampy]

ive got a backyard that looks to have had no sort of plantation for many years. When we moved in we tried planting many types of flowers and whatnot but nothing seems to hold.

any reccomendations thatll help flowers like sunflowers, tulips and daisies grow?

Well what have you tried in the past?
Are you planting them at the right height? you should only be putting them 2-3 times the size of the seed deep.
Not to make you sound idiot but did you water them? I know AZ has the water restrictions, but a good gray water system is always a good investment.

[olinar]

they came pregrown.

the kind you get from home depot/lowes that are prety much plant and water. they are watered daily but not excessively.

Ive only had a few that actually took to our dirt.

[MoeMag]

I live in phoenix AZ. I planted red grapes about 4, 5 years ago. It took them about 2 years to get big enough or mature, whatever before we got anything. they did great with their first crop... but after that they have been weak. Tey get pruned back every year.

any Ideas?

[Dark Side]

How can I get rid of Kudzu FOREVER?!

You solve that problem and you would make a killing (pun intended) here in the south.

[MANN]

How do I get grass to grow in TN. My front yard gets tore up by my dogs. They are 100+ lbs, and tear it up QUICK.

[kruger]

How do I get grass to grow in TN. My front yard gets tore up by my dogs. They are 100+ lbs, and tear it up QUICK.

Sell dogs to the Vietnamese and get a cat= GRASS

[MoeMag]

Sell dogs to the Vietnamese and get a cat= GRASS

Then sell cat cause the mexican food place down the street from me would like the cat even more.

[Swampy]

they came pregrown.

the kind you get from home depot/lowes that are prety much plant and water. they are watered daily but not excessively.

Ive only had a few that actually took to our dirt.

There's your problem. Big box stores are great and all, but their plants suck let alone the people that run those departments. Their plant stock is usually grown in a different region of the country and then transported to your local store, when they do that they will take plants grown in say Georgia, which is a different zone, different soil, and growing conditions, along with all the dormant diseases with them. They usually won't grow just look pretty for a while then die when its reserves are depleted. From what your saying, your doing everything right. Native plants are going to be your easiest to grow in your conditions if anything I can give find a local greenhouse/nursery/or garden center.

Depending on what species of plant you pick up it maybe required to be plant with a base of bone meal. Or fertilizing (miracle grow works) is a big one missed two. Also tilling up the area before planting helps with soil compaction and root expansion.