Gardening threads (merged)

[luckytxn 2,264]

Enough with the vegetables Tex, time to start posting some good music again. I've put up some good videos that I know you'll like.

I will go take a look but will make no guarantees to post as I need to go to bed soon.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Better but's it hard to take your eyes off her nose.

But she has a kind chin.

[luckytxn 2,264]

But she has a kind chin.

If you say so.

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

Stunning scenery through there. Weather looks to be great tomorrow.

[Krikit 1,164]

Numerous posts removed, along with those quoting them. As there has already been a final warning in this thread, two members will no longer be able to post.

Lynne, great pic of your crops!

[luckytxn 2,264]

Testing.....

[*Snowdrop* 604]

Did I miss something good?

[aaydrian 479]

Don't know if anyone can answer. My mother wants to plant an evergreen in her yard but she's worried about the distance of the tree to the house (she doesn't want the roots damaging her home). What type of tree would be best to avoid this problem and or what can be done to prevent the roots from being a bother? How much does pruning affect root growth and it's direction (downward vs spreading)?

Funny-not so funny story. Planted some Scotch bonnet peppers once a few years back. I checked those babies night and day, made sure they weren't thirsty or anything. One day I came home to check on the plantlets only to see them missing. Asked my landlord 'What happened?' Only to be told that she thought the were weeds!!! I was so upset I didn't talk to anyone for the rest of the day and into the next.

[Krikit 1,164]

I would ask that question of a garden centre, aaydrian. And I know how you feel about your disappearing scotch bonnets. I've had that happen to me numerous times. My mint, my hollyhocks, my lavender. All removed/weed whacked by lawn maintenance workers no less.

Did I miss something good?

Just the usual tasteless posts by the usual suspects.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Don't know if anyone can answer. My mother wants to plant an evergreen in her yard but she's worried about the distance of the tree to the house (she doesn't want the roots damaging her home). What type of tree would be best to avoid this problem and or what can be done to prevent the roots from being a bother? How much does pruning affect root growth and it's direction (downward vs spreading)?

Funny-not so funny story. Planted some Scotch bonnet peppers once a few years back. I checked those babies night and day, made sure they weren't thirsty or anything. One day I came home to check on the plantlets only to see them missing. Asked my landlord 'What happened?' Only to be told that she thought the were weeds!!! I was so upset I didn't talk to anyone for the rest of the day and into the next.

I used to have my own landscaping business years ago and know a little about trees. No tree should be too close to a house foundation as the roots can cause major damage to the structure. The advice to go to a nursery is the right one or do a google search and learn all about the prospective tree. A good rule of thumb is the main root system of a tree is the approximate distance of the overhanging foliage. Even then plant the tree double that from the house at least.

Of course the root system is that way under ideal conditions. The rain falling down from the tree is the most where it falls down from the tree outside diameter foliage point. Thsi is where the water is the most and the roots are seeking nutrients and water for survival. (When I do an injection feeding on a tree I also go around this circumference to feed.) Now if there is a drought and less water the roots will send our feelers in search of water. Once it finds it then the root will of course grow and thicken from this new found moisture. A great place for a root to find water is near a house where rain water will fall from the house or even a leak from a water main.

Keeping the tree away from the house a certain distance and watering it should never be a problem for a foundation or sidewalks or a driveway. A well pruned tree is a healthy tree. Once a tree gets its yearly or bi yearly pruning the energy that was being used to create the foliage can now be used for flowering and growth upward. (This is why the rings are closer or further apart.) The root system stays about the width of the foliage as it grows. The roots will not go too far downward unless it finds a water source and even then only so far. I hate to see trees in yards that have never been trimmed or pruned properly. The tree is strangling itself and could be more susceptible to disease or other sickness. Insects can also get into the tree easier.

Trees need love too.

P.S. The foliage circumference is also called the canopy. Hope I helped a little.

Edited September 6, 2012 by luckytxn

[aaydrian 479]

Krikit: have tried again since but haven't been successful.

Luckytxn: thanks - very informative, never thought about the roof runoff attracting roots. My parents' current yard has an evergreen (don't know the sp) and it's roots are a problem. My father wants to kill it. Is there a humane way of doing it, you know, not hacking him to death?

[luckytxn 2,264]

Krikit: have tried again since but haven't been successful.

Luckytxn: thanks - very informative, never thought about the roof runoff attracting roots. My parents' current yard has an evergreen (don't know the sp) and it's roots are a problem. My father wants to kill it. Is there a humane way of doing it, you know, not hacking him to death?

Very strange that a Garden center doesn't know the info you are asking for. I would find a new business that does. Be best to use Google and search yourself. Or I will later today when done working look for a site or two and provide the links.

There is never a humane way to destroy a tree. It can be moved but at great cost and even most companies that will do this will refuse to move a tree too close to a structure to avoid the damage. Just need to rip the living breathing tree out and destroy it. What a shame but our homes are more important. Foundation repairs are very expensive. I have never heard of a way to control the direction roots travel and that is why foresight is needed to learn what the tree needs are and act accordingly. Glad you are doing this as most people just buy and plant and then forget....until the future problems appear.

[*Snowdrop* 604]

Yikes!

I'd never even considered about the roots of nearby trees before. We have some huge firs next to our cabin - thoughts anyone about whether I should be worried.

[aaydrian 479]

Very strange that a Garden center doesn't know the info you are asking for. I would find a new business that does. Be best to use Google and search yourself. Or I will later today when done working look for a site or two and provide the links.

There is never a humane way to destroy a tree. It can be moved but at great cost and even most companies that will do this will refuse to move a tree too close to a structure to avoid the damage. Just need to rip the living breathing tree out and destroy it. What a shame but our homes are more important. Foundation repairs are very expensive. I have never heard of a way to control the direction roots travel and that is why foresight is needed to learn what the tree needs are and act accordingly. Glad you are doing this as most people just buy and plant and then forget....until the future problems appear.

The tree on death row wasn't bought at H&G centre but from someone on the road (you know those folks that grow some and sell a bit as a side job). So my mother either doesn't know or remember the type of tree (may be willow but I'll Google).

[aaydrian 479]

Nice, very nice. What type is this because he kinda looks like my mother's death row tree and he's closer to our house than yours. Our tree isn't allowed to grow more than a story and a half. He's suppose to be atleast a utility pole in height if it was allowed to grow unhindered. How old is this tree?