Are you a garden expert, a weekend gardener or just a novice? Challenge your gardening knowledge by taking this short quiz — you may be surprised to see where you rank. Answers are posted at the end. Good luck!
Your're a seedling.
Your're well rooted.
1. This is an Eastern redbud tree (Cercis canadensis). It features heart-shaped green foliage with deep purple-pink flowers in early spring. Zone 4.
2. This is the flower of a wax plant (Hoya carnosa). This plant makes an excellent hanging basket for your home with little care.
3. This large evergreen shrub is known as anise (Illicium sp.) which prefers a moist, shady location. The leaves contain aromatic oils. Zones 4 to 7.
4. This is the flower of a tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa), a medium-sized, spreading deciduous shrub with exceptionally large flowers in the spring. Zones 4 to 9.
5. This is 'Purple Robe' cup flower (Nierembergia caerulea), an annual in parts of the south, but hardy in Zones 10 to 11. This plant features fine-textured foliage and bright blue flowers from late spring through fall.
6. This pest is one you can tolerate in your garden because it is the larvae of the beautiful black swallowtail butterfly. Just plant extra parsley for the parsley worm.
7. This pest, the bagworm, can cause extensive damage to junipers, arborvitae, cedar, and other evergreens. Pick off and destroy "bags". Spray with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) between May and mid-July.
8. When weather turns hot and dry, be on the look-out for spider mites which caused this discoloration.
9. This is crown rot on a petunia caused by Phytophthora nicotianae.
10. Azalea gall or leaf gall is a common spring disease of azaleas, rhododendrons, and camellias. Hand remove and discard galls or plant resistant varieties.
11. The red spots on this Indian hawthorn are caused by Entomosporium leaf spot. Avoid wetting foliage, especially late in the day.
12. An Irish potato is an enlarged portion of an underground stem. The eyes of a potato are actually the nodes on the stem. Each eye contains a cluster of buds.
13. At the nodes or areas where leaves and buds are attached.
15. Iron is essential to enzyme functions but is only needed in small amounts, so it is considered a micronutrient.
16. A nitrogen deficiency.
17. Blue light promotes leaf growth and red light combined with blue light encourages flowering in plants.
18. 160 F.
19. The green lacewing is considered a beneficial insect. Both larvae and winged adults eat large numbers of aphids, mealy bugs, cottony cushion scales, and other insect pests.
20. No. A pesticide is a broad category that includes fungicides, herbicides (weed killer), insecticides, and others.
21. Seeds should be stored in a sealed plastic bag and placed in a refrigerator.
22. 30 degrees
23. One-third of the oldest, unproductive branches should be removed during the first year.
24. When you water, allow some to drain through the pot openings to leach salts from the soil.
25. One-half to 1 inch when planted on center.
26. The north side so the taller vegetables won't shade the shorter ones.
27. Your soil should be tested at least once every three years.
28. At least three varieties.
29. Early morning when evaporation is minimized and the potential for disease activity is less.
30. All supports should be removed within one year after planting. It has been reported that growth is actually reduced if supports are left in place after one year.
(From State-by-State Gardening March 2005. Identification photos by Louise Roesser.)