Help, I thought what I had were slugs in my hosta gardens but they are snails and they are everywhere. They're eating everything not just the hostas. At the beginging of the season I put out slug bait, thinking I'd take care of this problem finally, wrong. It seemed to make things musch worse, what can I do to get rid of these slugs. They've taken control!

A: Slug bait is the best thing to control slugs & snails. Depending on the product, bait does typically have to be re-applied, so check the label. An excellent product I recommend is Sluggo. It's very effective, and does not have an attractant, so it is safe to use around pets. Also, it's made form iron phosphates, so it will bio-degrade without harming the environment.

Q: I live in the suburbs of DC. Last fall I planted a young peach tree and this spring its blossomed beautifully. Now it is full of fruit and the weight is really pulling the tree down. I've steadied the tree but the weight still appears to be a burden.

Should a pick most of the fruit this season until the tree gets stronger (maybe next season) or should I just monitor it and keep it steady? Also, any need to prune branches and when?

A: Yes, you need to thin the tree out. On an established tree you want to have the fruit spaced out approx 6" apart. Any fruit developing closer than that needs to be thinned out. This needs to be done every year, so you can't let the tree grow stronger to compensate, they just have been bred to produce heavier than they can really support.

Also, as this tree is in its first year in-ground, I strongly suggest removing ALL the fruit. This will let the tree focus it's energy on growing stronger, developing a good root system and branching pattern. You will end up rewarded with a better, stronger, and healthier tree down the line.

Q: I had a landscape designer, who worked out of your nursery, come out to our former home and design our garden. I need a yard re-design at out new home, and wonder if you still have designers that work with you that can draw up plans.

A: We don't have in-house designers, but we can definitely recommend a designer for you. Feel free to stop by the nursery, or give us a call, and we can recmmend one for you.

Q: Hi. I am new to rose gardening. I would like to start with a climbing rose but it can't be white, it should be very disease resistant and hardy, and it would have to be one that only gets about 5 hours of sun. Any suggestions?

A: The key question has to do with when the area gets sun. 5 hours of sun from dawn to noon is not enough for a rose, however, 5 hours of afternoon sun would be fine for any of the roses we carry.

Assuming afternoon sun, one of our favorites rosed that fulfills your requirements is Altissimo.

Q: What is the best time of year to plant a tangelo tree?

A: Actually, now is the best time to plant citrus trees. Citrus trees are a little frost tender, so it's better to get them established as early as possible after the last frost.

You want to plant them acording to our normal Shrub Planting Guide.

Q: What tree is known as a lollipop tree? It is called Sweet?

A: I think you are referring to Liquidamber, sometimes called a Sweet Gum. The Liquidamber produces large, round seed pods that resemble lollipops (in a way, anyways).

Q: Hi, I am interested in helping my parents landscape their large backyard but I live in a different town (they are in Modesto, I am in Sacramento). I was hoping you may be able to offer advice on a good landscaper. Does your nursery do landscaping quotes or assistance? Do you have a trusted landscaper you would recommend? (They have a pool, spa, a large deck, a huge pine tree, and a lot of room for landscaping.) Thank you so much for your advice and time!

A: Yes, we definitely can help you and your parents. For more information, read our page on the Scenic Nursery Garden Crew. We can schedule a free on-site bid appointment, just give us a call at (209) 523-2847.

Q: If you buy a 48 plant flat. How much room should you allow for that many plants?

A: It depends on the type of plant. Most annuals (ie Pansies, Vinca, Primrose, etc.) should be spaced approximately 4 to 8 inches apart. Some annuals spread a little bit farther, such as Petunias, and can be spaced farther apart. Perennial grouncovers (ie Cerastrum, Iceplant, etc) can be spaced even farther apart, around 12 to 18 inches.

So allow around 24 sq ft for a flat of annuals, and up around 48 sq feet for a flat of groundcover. You can, of course plant closer. Planting 4 inches apart will allow the plants to fill in quicker, which may be a good idea if you are planning for a wedding, or some other event.

Q: Several years back I bought a jujube tree from your nursery along with a bunch of other trees. We loved the tree, but have since moved out of state. Can you give me any idea on what variety it would have been? It didn't require another tree for pollination. It had a weeping form & bore heavily. Great tree. Fruit went from green to a brownish red.

A: The two Jujube varieties that we carry are the Li & Lang. It sounds like you had a Li, which is moderately self-fertile (you'll get a bigger crop if you cross pollinate with Lang). It has an upright habit, but droopy branches for a semi-weeping effect.

The California Rare Fruit Growers has a Jujube Page. You can also order both Li & Lang from Fork & Spade, Scenic Nursery's mail-order branch.

Q: How many flowers are in a flat of annuals?

A: It depends on the type of flat. We typically have two sizes of flats, 4" Flats, and 6-Pack Flats. The 4" Flats have 16 plants per flat. They are single plants in a 4" pot. The 6-Pack Flats have 48 plants per flat. They are in plastic packs with 6 plants per pack.

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