Master Gardeners on call to offer advice, answer questions

It's hard to think about your yard when you can't see it. And while snow may be covering the ground, it will melt and there will be some things that can be done before the first crocus makes its appearance.

If you have questions about weather-related damage or need other gardening advice, the Franklin County Master Gardeners will assist. Call the County Extension office (483-5161) in Rocky Mount or e-mail your question to macleme1@vt.edu. Questions usually are answered within 24 hours unless they require special attention.

Home gardeners also can order a variety of free publications, ranging from fertilizers, herbs, lawns, plant diseases, landscape design, composting, and pruning to dealing with weeds, from the Extension office. Many of the publications are available by e-mail.

In the meantime, the Master Gardeners offer the following suggestions:

• Check for erosion on your property. If you find it, groundcovers are one remedy to consider. There is a variety of plants to choose from and Master Gardeners can help with your choice.
• If your garden or lawn has not had a soil analysis in three years, consider having it done. An analysis, whether by Virginia Tech or a local nursery, will reveal what treatment your soil needs.
• Pruning of spring flowering shrubs should wait until after they flower, but summer flowering shrubs may be pruned now because their buds form on new growth. Butterfly bushes should be pruned to knee-high level. An electric hedge trimmer can take care of beaten-down ornamental grasses.
• This is also a good time to prune dead or dying limbs, crossed branches or v-shaped crotches on trees. If it's a large tree, Master Gardeners urge homeowners to hire a service with a certified arborist to ensure that the tree is not "topped," a process that results in shortened life because of decay and lowered disease and insect resistance.