There is quite a bit of repetition in gardening questions. Some of it is reassuring and soothing:
- The turn of the seasons
- The specific tasks of each season
- The methodical labor of weeding and deadheading and harvesting
- Pruning in early winter
- Clearing away the end season plantings and readying for the next spring.
There are also quandaries and conundrums, questions that disturb us and send us in search of answers:
- Why did my plant die?
- What is this insect pest?
- How do I… ?
For gardeners, many questions come up frequently and inspire the well known “FAQ”. This is a post to help you look over the common types of skill and problem questions that arise for many gardeners.
What Skills Should I Have? – beginning gardening skills
When Should I Transplant? -general rules for transplanting.
When Should I Divide Daylilies? -timing and gardening tips.
When Should I Prune My Mugo Pine? -when and how to prune a mugo pine.
Do you have a list of questions that gardeners ask you or that you ask others? List of gardening tips, or general chore calendars will often anticipate the most commonly asked quandaries.
I’ve gardened for a half century now and I still want to know things like what I can do about new insect pests that have invaded or why a beloved plant died.
For a curated list of which chores to do in the spring, and what plants need attention, see the General Springtime Tips page on the Home Garden Companion.
Some things we ask because we struggle with specific conditions that prove difficult:
- Dry shady places…what will grow there?
- What plants will bloom for a long period?
- Which ones are easy to grow?
Many articles are written for just such answers to be found, but I like handy lists.
What About You?
What is your favorite way to get your questions answered? Garden books or dictionaries? Do you have a master gardener as a neighbor? A favorite online site?
My favorite garden books with the most expertise are reviewed on this page from the Garden Librarian.
I like to read about solutions and information on sites like mine, Ilona’s Garden.
