by Barbara Sue Schubert

I forgot to plant my tulip bulbs last fall. Is it still okay to plant them in early spring?

Michelle, Hayward, Wisconsin

Nope. You need to plant them in the fall for optimum germination throughout the winter. The bulbs need to be well situated for their early spring. Mark your calendar now for planting those bulbs in October and November.

I've heard ladybugs are good for your garden. Is that true?

Sid, Greensboro, North Carolina

They sure are. They eat aphids and many other plant pests, so gardeners do encourage them. They like scented Geraniums, Cosmos and Coreopsis. Plants that have umbrella-shaped blossoms like Fennel and Dill will lure these little guys too. You'll need to go easy on the insecticides or stop using them though, or you'll lure and kill them off.

When is the best time to cut back a peony and a bleeding heart? Also, should I trim my yarrow plants to keep them a little more compact?

Wendy and Jim, Carlstadt, New Jersey

The bleeding heart can be divided and planted any time after they have died back. They are typically planted in a shady area, so if you do it in the heat of the summer sun it shouldn't hurt them or waiting until fall is just as fine as well. Divide them at the end of the day or early evening when it isn’t so hot, or even save it for a cloudy day task. They should come back and bloom without missing a beat next spring. Divide peonies in the fall so that they are not so hot and stressed. Make sure that when you transplant the "eyes" of the peony that you don't plant them too deep. Keep them moist but not wet, as they could rot if the weather is too hot and they receive too much water.

My African Violet is flowering and growing quite well, but I’ve noticed that the leaves have started turning yellow. I give it plant food about every other month, but could I possibly be over feeding it or is there another problem?

Sidney, Templeton, California

If the leaves on your plant are turning yellow, that’s usually a sign of over watering. African Violets don’t like too much water, so this may be your problem. They love steam baths though so try standing the plant in a pot on a brick in a large bowl, then pour boiling water into the basin just below the level of the pot. Leave to stand until the water cools.

Chrysanthemums are always a part of my garden every year despite my success with them or not. Trouble is, many of my repeat performers seem to grow too fast and get so leggy before they are actually ready to bloom. I’d like them to be more compact but I’m not sure if there is an answer to this.”

Heidi, Fairfax, Virginia

The big secret to a compact Chrysanthemum is to pinch them back or trim them to about half of their new growth as they start growing. You can repeat this until about the first week in July. Your plant will be lush as a result. Be sure to water and fertilizer them during this period as well.

I’ve been reading articles about cloning these last few years – particularly mammals. Haven’t we’ve been doing that with plants forever? What’s the big deal?

Cal, Wasilla, Alaska

Yes, you’re right; we’ve been cloning plants for thousands of years. Cloning is an asexual means of propagation that produces an exact copy of the original plant. What better way could there be to getting replicate plants that have the most desirable traits? It is also the best way to create large volumes of plants. Strawberries and Spider Plants are perfect examples of asexual reproduction, sending out their runners to start new plants on their own.

I had some beautiful Coleus last summer that I used as border plants along my walk and was wondering if they would make good houseplants? I’d love to dig them up and keep them inside over the winter.”                       

Nelson, Fairfax, Virginia

If you’ve got the room Coleus make nice houseplants. Coleus is treated like outdoor annuals, as are most cultivars, but they are actually fragile perennials. The King Coleus variety as a rule don’t do as well as the small leafed varieties like “India Frills” and “Inky Fingers” who favor sunny window sills. Make sure you perform a regular routine of pinching them back to keep them from becoming leggy and floppy. They like bright, indirect sun (or artificial light) and keep them away from cold drafts.

Do You Have a Question about What’s going on in your garden or greenhouse?  Submit your question for Barbara Sue (include your city and state) by contacting us at: phone (563) 557-7571, fax (563) 557-7641 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or write us at Garden and Greenhouse, 6170 Forest Hills Drive, Dubuque, IA 52002.  Barbara Sue will do her best to publish your question with an answer in the next available issue.

Barbara Sue Schubert is a marketing professional, free-lance writer and a garden and plant enthusiast from southern Wisconsin.  “To me, my sales and marketing background and my gardening have a lot in common, both feed my family!  Writing, on the other hand, feeds my soul.”