Yes, you can start zukes and cukes prior to gardening season

Each week, Susan Richards of New North Greenhouses answers your gardening questions. Have questions about your gardening needs? Please email her at [email protected]

Ellle: I’m looking for a tree to plant in a triangular rock garden beside the driveway. Nothing that will get too big, but something that will fill the void. Do you have any recommendations?

Elle, without knowing the light conditions it hard to give a definitive answer. However, there are many compact standard trees that might work in that small area.

Globe Blue Spruce Standard and Dwarf Korean Lilac Standard

There are a few things to consider: light conditions of the area, soil type, maximum height and width of plant you have room for, preference for evergreen or deciduous.

You also, how you handle you winter driveway snow? You don't want to damage the tree by plowing snow into that area or blowing onto the crown of the tree.

Once you have considered all these factors, look for a standard that will suit your conditions.

Marie Claire: My spouse sows zucchini, cukes and pea seeds directly into the garden. I'd like plants to get an earlier crop. Would these grow well in containers? I know the peas would need support.

Yes, there are compact varieties of all these vegetable. They have been developed especially for container growing.

Choose any 'plant-safe' container with drainage holes that's  big enough to handle the crop you are growing. Fill the container with good quality organic potting soil. You can mix 1/3 compost to 2/3 potting soil if your mix doesn't already contain compost.

Transplant into the container when the weather is warm enough for the crop you choose. Zucchini and cucumbers need lots of warmth but peas are much more cold tolerant. Both cucumbers and peas would like a trellis or cage for support. Zucchini tend to be more compact growers.

Be sure to feed plants regularly with a good quality organic fertilizer in either liquid or granular form, as directed on the package.

You could put a plant caddy with casters under big pots so they can be wheeled under cover during a cold spell. Also, have a frost blanket on hand to drape over the plants if we get a late cold snap.

Cassandra: Are there any home methods to keep lily beetles from taking over? As well as commercial products.

I found the best method to kill lily beetles was to fill a plastic container with rubbing alcohol mixed with a bit of dish soap. Hold the container directly under the beetle and as you reach towards it, the beetle will let go of the leaf and fall right into your mixture, dying instantly. I’ve killed lots of beetles in a short time, so much more effective than spraying.

You also have to watch for the larvae on the underside of leaves. I pick the leaves and destroy them.

Val: Can I split and relocate hosta and sedum in the spring?

Yes, spring is best time for sedum and either spring or fall for hosta.