“Ask the Plant and Pest Professor” is compiled from phone and email questions asked the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), part of University of Maryland Extension, an educational outreach of the University of Maryland.
Question #1: I was just wondering if it is a good idea to plant a vegetable garden over the top of the septic field located in my backyard. It is a nice sunny area and it seems like such a waste of space.
Answer #1: While we encourage folks to plant edibles, planting over a septic field is not recommended. The two major concerns are the possibility of soil and crop contamination and possible damage to the leach field itself. Gardening related practices like tilling, fertilizing, watering, digging and even walking on and over the field can damage or interfere with the drainage of the effluent or run off from your septic system. It is recommended to plant grass over a septic drain field.
Question #2: Last fall I did not get a chance to overseed my lawn, I have two large dogs that are making a muddy mess of my backyard now that the snow is melting. What can I do and is there any type of groundcover that can be planted to replace the grass?
Answer #2: Dogs and lawns don’t necessarily make the best combination. Between the heavy foot traffic and dog urine even the healthiest lawn cannot stand up to the wear and tear. Some thought should go into your lawn renovation project before you begin. Consider increasing the hardscape by adding some paths through the yard. Designate a play area for your pets and install mulch or small pebbles instead of turf. Creeping lilyturf (Lirope spicata) can handle light foot traffic and can be planted in some sections to replace the turf. When dogs are in the picture, overseeding every year or even twice a year in spring and fall, with tall fescue seed is recommended.
Question #3: About four years ago I planted a crape myrtle. It has grown very well and was wondering if I should be pruning it. Many of my neighbors prune them back hard in the spring every year. Is that something I should be doing?
Answer #3: No, it is not necessary to prune a crape myrtle. Ideally you should select the cultivar of tree that will fit the space. Crape myrtles come in many different sizes from shrubs to 20-30 ft. tall trees. Topping them destroys the natural growth habit of the plant. Pruning should be limited to removing suckers and damaged dead or crossing branches. Branch thinning or limbing them up can also be done to reveal more of their attractive peeling bark. To remove part of a branch, make a heading cut above an outward facing bud or cut back to another major stem. To remove an entire branch, make the cut just above the branch collar of the stem you are removing. Never make cuts flush to the trunk. Pruning should be done in early spring before the new growth comes out. For additional information on pruning look for HG 84 Pruning Ornamental Plants, found under ‘Information library’ on the HGIC website.
To ask a home gardening or pest control question or for other help, go to https://extension.umd.edu/hgic Or phone HGIC at 1-800-342-2507, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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