Question: My lantana has done very well in my garden in the past but this year  it seems to go in waves. It blooms for a week and then all of a sudden it has no flowers. The next week it blooms again.  Is something eating it?
Answer: You answered the question to your problem by yourself.  If  you look carefully, you will see tiny, white, triangular insects on the undersides of the leaves. These are whiteflies, a common pest of lantana that is difficult to control. Spray the undersides of the leaves with insecticidal soap, or malathion. It may be necessary to replace affected plants if repeated applications don't solve the problem.

Question: When is the best time to move a hydrangea and how should I do it?
Answer: Hydrangea should be moved as soon as possible after bloom. Carefully prepare the new site and gently dig up the bush to be moved. Place the moved plant in the prepared place. Save as much root and soil as possible when transplanting.  Water thoroughly and continue watering about once a week until frost sets in.

Question: Is using a chemical lawn service for growing grass too harsh for the environment.
Answer: There are many varieties of  lawn fertilizer and other lawn additives. You best bet is to talk with some of the lawn companies and make a decision on their product and service.

Question: Are crab apples good to eat?
Answer: Crab apples are edible, that is, they are nonpoisonous. However, they are hard and not very tasty. They do make a very good jelly due to their having a high amount of natural  pectin.

Question: How can I get rid of scale on my fern before I take it into the house?
Answer: Be sure it is scale on your fern. Scales are sometimes mistaken for reproductive spores produced by the fern.  Remove the scale by spraying with horticultural  oil. Repeat if necessary.

Question: I would like to build a tree house for my children by using a tree trunk that is about  twenty inches in diameter. Will it hurt the tree?
Answer: A few nails will not hurt a healthy mature tree. Use as few nails as possible. Do not girdle the tree with wire or meal sheeting . They can kill the tree.