Garden Detective

I would like to know if there is a safe way to eradicate wild violets. I am continually trying to pull them up, only to allow them to spread again because of the many bulbs attached down deep on their roots.

I would love to know what this cactus (or succulent) plant is called. This is the first time it has bloomed. I have had it for about a year and a half.

I wish to take some rose cuttings as well as camellia cuttings to my native India.

We have a raised garden bed that is 2 years old. Last year, we added a compost-sand-soil mix to raise it a bit further. Each year, we also add homemade compost.

In our garden, little by little, every tomato plant but one has been cut off right at soil level.

I have two Calocedrus decurrens – incense cedars – in my backyard, and I am very concerned about their health. The branches are dying from the base of the branches toward the end.

Sunburned camellias, roots that won't quit, a schedule for pruning roses.

I have three pear trees, and each year I get a nice crop of pears. However, every year they seem to be attacked by small hornets or yellowjackets, or wasps.

Our beloved 20-year-old Drake elm tree died in our backyard and had to be removed in April. We are looking for a tree expert to help us pick out a new tree to plant there.

Last year, we built a 12-inch-deep raised-bed vegetable garden with great expectations, especially for the tomatoes.

I'm baffled by yellow, hang-dog droopy leaves on my 2-year-old Celtis sinensis (Chinese hackberry). The whole tree is like this.

I was interested in your recent answer to a question about the slow growth of magnolia trees.

My backyard faces northwest, and I had a big problem with direct sun in the afternoon, so I planted trees that have grown very tall.

I have a real problem with invasive berry bushes on the side of my house. I have a 14-by-20-foot patch of them that we have ripped out and, no matter what we do, they come back. How can I get rid of them once and for all?

I live in the south area of Sacramento. I am growing fava beans, and I have a big problem with black aphids. The top parts of the plants are infested, and I do not know what to do.

We've lived in north Auburn for more than five years, and for the first time, beginning in late fall and continuing through spring, honeybees have been invading our hummingbird feeder.

I have a beautiful crape myrtle tree in a prominent spot in my garden. Ever since I planted it about 15 years ago, it has bloomed beautifully.

We live about two blocks from the river and have a flock of wild turkeys that roam through our neighborhood.

I have a sage in the backyard, – I believe it's Cleveland sage – that is fairly covered in little bugs. Is this something I need to be concerned about and do anything about? Or is it OK to mostly leave the plant (and its occupants) alone?

I have a flame grapefruit that is 6 to 7 years old. It is a vigorous grower and produces a lot. However, the fruit, no matter when I have tried it, is not sweet, and in fact it is somewhat bitter.

I have a sago palm that is approximately 35 years old. It has been repotted several times and is quite large and healthy.

I'm in Lincoln and for the last two years have had a terrible time controlling wasps. I am using four different kinds of commercial bait-traps and have also tried different baits: soda, meat, molasses and water.

We live on 5 acres near Penryn in Placer County and are fortunate to have several varieties of native oaks on our property.

For many years, I have been growing tomatoes, eggplant, peppers and cucumbers in my backyard. Although the vegetables have been planted in the same area for many years, they still produce, except the cucumbers.

I planted raspberry bushes two years ago. They came in last summer beautifully lush and full of blossoms, but the blossoms never fully developed into fruit. The fruit appeared to start but then never fleshed out. They are along a fence line with sun most of the day, and they get watered regularly during the summer hot weather. I'm stumped on why the fruit isn't developing. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

I have a lot of bermuda grass in my yard. Is there any way to get rid of the bermuda grass without killing the surrounding fescue?

I am having an issue with moths in my lawn. When I mow, moths are flying out of the lawn. What is happening? Is this a good thing or a bad thing? How do I deal with getting rid of them?

I have two questions. First, I am trying to find out the name of a flower commonly grown in Sacramento. This low-growing, mounding flower is a fluorescent pink with a yellow center.

I'm currently in Oroville in Butte County. I'd like to grow jicama for my own use and perhaps for the local farmers market, focusing on the production of smallish roots (under 8 inches across) for their greater sweetness and tender texture.

I bought a dwarf Meiwa kumquat tree from the local nursery last spring. During the spring and summer there were a few blossoms, but no fruit. I'm not worried about that because I've heard that the trees often do not fruit during the first year.

I live in Citrus Heights where we have lots of clay soil. Last year we tried two 8' x 4' raised boxes following instructions in the "Square Foot Gardening" book.

I read about growing tomatoes in a container, and I have several related questions. We live at about 4,000 feet in elevation, and have a short growing season and questionable areas of solid sun.

About two years ago I planted five "Aptos Blue" redwood trees in a row along the east side of my property. The trees are about 15 feet apart and all are doing well except one – the top half of the tree has died off completely.

Is the freeze now over for Sacramento County? May I start trimming plants and cleaning dead foliage?

I have planted nine oleanders along my back fence. They are on automatic sprinklers so are watered every day.

We want to build a raised platform garden, but are confused over conflicting advice. It's apparent that if built without some type of lining on the sides, moisture will leach out through the sides, causing excessive water loss from the enclosed soil.

Now that the freeze is over (for now?), should I cut off any dying areas of plants or wait until spring in hopes that the plants will survive?

Our 30-year-old plum tree produces plenty of good fruit. It is the lone fruit tree in my backyard.

I purchased 2 acres of land in Orangevale some four years ago. Next to the home is what appears to be a full-grown orange tree. Each of the past four years, the fruit has been spectacular – sweet and juicy.

Today: "Pressure's On!" basic introduction to pressure canning; 10 a.m.-noon; free; Sacramento County Cooperative Extension, 4145 Branch Center Road, Sacramento; (916) 875-6913.

We recently moved into a home in Old Land Park. Our home has a reddish plum tree in the front lawn that is very messy in the summer months.

My husband uses oak leaf mulch for general garden purposes. Is this bad for the soil? The plants are not doing well.

Every time I plant oregano, it develops little white flying bugs. I use a different pot, soil, location, but it still will get these little mites. You cannot see them until you move some stems, and then the whole plant bursts into flight. I love fresh oregano. What can I do? The other plants do not get this disease.

I am constantly finding mushrooms in my garden. Is there something I can put down to stop them? Also, in February I planted a pomegranate tree.