THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 19, 1996 TAG: 9605170104
SECTION: HOME & GARDEN PAGE: G3 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Gardening
SOURCE: Robert Stiffler
LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines
Can you tell me where I can get zoysia grass seed, mentioned in your column March 10?
Eric Boyd, Portsmouth
There may be other outlets that carry it, but the ones I know about are Virginia Beach Feed & Seed's three outlets and Carey's Farmers Market in Norfolk. Growing zoysia from seed is a fairly new development, so it will be interesting to observe the results.
I have lived in Moyock, N.C., for three years and up until now did not have a problem with worms. I have always used Kentucky 31 fescue grass, with pretty good results, and had a nice looking lawn. This winter I have had hundreds (if not thousands) of small ``worms.'' A pest control service told me they are some type of millipede. It is worse in front of my house, where there is no afternoon sun and seems worse when the ground is moist after a rain.
Once they enter my garage, they live only a short time. They are 1 inch long and 1/16-inch around. l have spread diazinon crystals along the edges of my driveway and walkway without much success. I would like to know if there is anything I can do now - or to prevent them from returning.
J. Kriss, Moyock, N.C.
It sounds like you may have ``roly-poly'' bugs, also known as sowbugs or millipedes. Believe it or not, they are relatives of crayfish. Sowbugs are from 1/4- to 1/2-inch long, are more or less oval in shape and gray or brown. When disturbed, they curl up in a tight ball or pill. Millipedes, or ``thousand-legged worms,'' are hard-bodied, worm-like and segmented. When touched or disturbed, they curl up.
They each feed on decaying vegetable matter, often the root hairs of living plants. Such damage can weaken or kill some plants. They hide in compost piles or mulched areas under litter, clods of dirt or in cracks in the ground where there is some moisture. If the gills of a sowbug dry out, they usually die within a short time. They like damp places.
Diazinon is the only chemical registered to use against them. The effects are sometimes slow. You need to apply a protective barrier 6 to 10 feet wide on the ground around your house. These pests are difficult to eliminate, so you may need to hire a professional exterminator. They can use chemicals that homeowners are not allowed to use. Then perhaps you can keep them under control with diazinon (Spectracide). Anything you can do to eliminate damp hiding places will help.
I have been trying to find a place to purchase citrus trees but have not been able to get any information. Where might I be able to purchase orange, lime, lemon, tangerine or key lime trees in a 4-foot size? I want to see if I can get them to grow in Buxton. They used to grow here years ago.
Joseph Farrow Jr., Buxton, N.C.
Here are mail-order sources for citrus trees: Garden World, 2503 Garfield St., Laredo, Texas 78043; Oregon Exotica Nursery, 1065 Messinger Road, Grants Pass, Oregon 97527; Logee's Greenhouses, 141 North St., Danielson, Conn. 06239; Sherwood's Greenhouses, P.O. Box 6, Sibley, La. 71073.
In this area, Dr. Robert Motyca grows various citrus and you may want to talk to him at (804) 481-6756. He should be able to evaluate the various sources he buys from. I think you'll have trouble keeping citrus alive in Buxton through the winter unless you bring them indoors or wrap them to prevent freezing.
Last January you wrote about a new and hardy wild indigo known as ``Purple Smoke.'' We have several miniature golf courses in Nags Head, N.C., and plant a huge amount of flowering plants for a blaze of color. We are interested in knowing more about this plant and whether it can be planted in Nags Head with success. If so, when should it be planted?
Evelyn A. Munden, Worldwide Golf, Virginia Beach
I talked to Kim Hawks, owner of Niche Gardens, Chapel Hill, N.C., which has exclusive rights for growing and distributing ``Purple Smoke.'' She says it should thrive in Nags Head and Virginia Beach. She recommends planting in early spring, around March, or in the fall. Because it is new, customers are limited to six plants, but Niche will do contract growing for larger users. Hawks and Niche Gardens can be contacted by phone at (919) 967-0078; fax (919) 967-4026; or e-mail mail nichegdn.com.
I have a foolproof method to stop bamboo. While two of my neighbors have full stands of bamboo, my yard remains clear of all shoots. My secret - my two wire-haired fox terriers, Nancy and Nathan. They love the tender shoots and dig them up and eat them with abandon. Tell your readers that all they need are two crazy dogs, and they will have no problem with bamboo.
Susan Wight, Virginia Beach
Thanks for a great letter. Readers may want to try fox terriers to stop bamboo.
by CNB