Gardening Tips

SPRING BULBS Remove foliage from spring bulbs after it turns yellow and begins to dry, say experts with the University of Georgia Extension Service. Set out bedding plants to cover the bare spots. Take care not to damage bulbs.

OK TO GARDEN If you would like to garden on a herbicide-treated area, but are unsure whether residual herbicide will damage your plants, try sowing tomato and ryegrass seed in soil from the plot, say experts with the University of Georgia Extension Service. If they grow well and produce their first true leaves, residual herbicides won't be a problem.

OKRA EXTENDER You can prolong the storage life of fresh okra by dipping it in 500 ppm of ascorbic acid for 5 minutes, say experts with the University of Georgia Extension Service. This is about the same as dissolving 500 mg of vitamin C in a quart of water. Then air-dry and pack the okra in plastic bags to store for up to a month in your refrigerator.

FIRE BLIGHT Fire blight on apple and pear trees can be identified by looking for blackened twigs and branches, say experts with the University of Georgia Extension Service. If not controlled, the disease will spread and kill the tree. Remove all blighted twigs, cutting 8 inches below the infected area. Disinfect pruning tools after each cut to prevent spreading the disease. Dip the blades in a solution of one part household bleach and nine parts water.

SLIMY OKRA To prevent okra from becoming slimy while cooking, leave the stem on the pod, say experts with the University of Georgia Extension Service. The stem is edible. Or you can remove it before serving.

GREEN TATERS If you can see your potatoes along the soil surface, the part exposed to light will turn green, say experts with the University of Georgia Extension Service. Green-skinned potatoes will taste bitter and can cause you to get sick. So protect tubers from light by covering them with soil or mulch.

HEAT STRESS Heat causes stress by itself in addition to causing water loss, say experts with the University of Georgia Extension Service. In high heat, for instance, cucumbers may have a bitter taste. Squash, too, can have spongy areas and not taste very good. This is caused by extreme water loss due to heat and by the plant's being under heat stress, which makes it unable to use water properly.

PRUNE SOON Prune bigleaf or French hydrangeas (H. macrophylla) right after they flower, say experts with the University of Georgia Extension Service.