Ed Hume Answers Your Gardening Questions
Ed Hume cannot answer all of the garden questions he receives, but questions
of general interest will be answered here every month. Email your questions
to HumeSeeds@aol.com. Please
note: we do not accept attachments.
Before submitting a question, be sure to check the index
of previous questions and answers or search our
site using key words. Many questions have already been answered
here on the site.
Other September Links
 We planted some of the Ed
Hume Mammoth Grey Sunflower seeds this summer. Our questions is if these
are edible seeds to humans when they are dried. Also, when should we cut
off the flower heads to hang dry and how long does it normally take to dry?
 To save the seeds, cut the
flower heads when they are mature. Usually a few seeds will begin falling
out or the birds will begin picking at them. Then you know they are mature.
Let them dry a bit more by placing the cut flower/seed head in a cool
well-ventilated spot. Once dry, individual seeds can be lightly roasted on
a cookie sheet in the oven. It usually takes a couple of weeks for the seeds
to dry inside, but it depends upon indoor conditions.
I have a sedum plant (possibly
Autumn Joy) that has been in the family since mid 1980's. It is in the ground
now (for about 10 years at this location) but was originally in a pot. We
are going to move some time in the next 2 to 8 months and would like to take
it with us. How soon can I did it up and what else do I need to know about
moving it?
It should be easy to move.
Simply dig and either heal-in or pot and keep in a place where it will not
get damaged by freezing weather. Replant as soon as you relocate, in a bright
sunny spot. Mix some organic humus into the new planting soil. Compost, peat
moss and processed manure are all good forms of organic humus. Mix about
one third with the new existing soil.
My question is, how can I
get starts from my Passion Flower plant and what time of the year is the
best to get starts. I have noticed that I get little passion friuts from
the plant but there doesn't seem to be any seeds inside them.
Take cuttings of the vine.
The best time is during the months of July or August, or during the dormant
season months of November through March. Take new mature growth cutting about
6 inches long. See my article on 'Taking cuttings'
on our website.
I heard from a garden guy
at "a national chain store" that moles hate mothballs. I planted several
in the holes where "hills" were made and thus far (about 12 hours) I have
no more hills. Do you know anything about this and have you heard about success
from others? I was told they hate the smell and will close tunnels where
these these "bombs" are planted....
The active ingredient of mothballs
is generally 'Naphthalene' flakes. This can affect the liver and over-all
health of other animals, such as cats, so we cannot recommend them as a means
of control. For more information on mole control see the article
"Mole Formula" on this website.
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