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- Questions about:
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- Lawn & Garden
- Nursery
- Perennials
- My tulips and other spring-flowering bulbs are done blooming. When should I cut them back?
- Remove spent flowers from spring bulbs, but do not cut the foliage until it yellows and withers.
- What should I do with my poppies now that they're finished blooming?
- Cut the stems back to the foliage and fertilize them after cutting!
- What's wrong with my daffodils? Some of them form flowers but never open. Others have buds that just wither on the stems.
- They probably need to be divided. When the leaves die back on their own, dig them up and separate into clumps 3-4 inches wide. Fertilize with Bulb-tone and Bio-tone and re-plant 6 inches deep.
- How should I care for petunias, and what fertilizer should I use?
- Petunias love full sun and consistent watering. You can fertilize them with a slow-release fertilizer, like Osmocote, or you can use a water-soluble fertilizer like Miracle-Gro or Miracle-Gro Performance Organics. We typically recommend fertilizing once per week for the best bloom performance!
- What flowering plants are good for attracting hummingbirds?
- There are several annuals and tropical plants that attract hummingbirds and butterflies, but alas, they will die over the winter outdoors and will not return. Tropical plants can be brought inside in the fall (mid-October), wintered over inside the home, then taken back out next spring (mid-May). Tropical Hibiscus would fall into this category and is very attractive to both hummingbirds and butterflies. Read our complete Gardening Guide for Attracting Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds that includes annual, perennial, tree, and shrub options.
- What can I feed squirrels that visit my yard?
- Squirrels enjoy peanuts, peanuts in the shell, sunflower seed, and corn. All four can be found in our Critter Crunch! Visit our page about Wildlife & Birding at Petitti's.
- Do you offer a discount for seniors and military?
- We do offer 10% off regular priced items for seniors and military on Wednesdays. Learn more about available Discounts.
- How do I become a Rewards member and/or update the contact information associated with my Rewards membership?
- You can sign up to be a Rewards member at any Petitti location. We can also update the contact information associated with your Rewards membership at any Petitti location or you can Contact Us. Learn more about Petitti Rewards.
- Does Petitti offer landscape and design consultations?
- We do not have a landscape design program, however, we are more than happy to offer suggestions for your garden.
- Can I conduct a small photoshoot in your beautiful store environment?
- Please contact your preferred Petitti location to see if/when they would be available for any type of photoshoot.
- Do you offer churches discounted pricing for large bulk orders?
- We do offer discount pricing for churches. Please contact customer service at your preferred Petitti location for more information on how to apply.
- Are your stores generally pet-friendly?
- Yes! We just ask that you keep your pet on a leash.
- Is anyone available to give an educational talk at a community garden club event?
- Yes, please submit your Speaking Engagement Request. Include the possible date(s) for the talk, the location, and possible topics. Please try to schedule at least 3-6 months ahead of time. Speaking engagements can be scheduled from March-June and September-November. Learn more about Petitti Speaking Engagements.
- How do I check the balance on my Petitti Gift Card?
- We can check the balance of your gift card at any Petitti location! You can bring the gift card with you next time you come to check the balance, or you can call in and provide the number on the back of the card to check the balance as well. Learn more about Petitti Gift Cards.
- Does Petitti's assist with testing soil for acidity and pH?
- Petitti Garden Center can test the soil pH at no charge, while you wait. We require a soil sample about the size of a baseball, that is moist, like cookie dough. For a more detailed analysis, we recommend the Soil Kit available at all locations for $29.95. In less than two weeks after sending the sample, you will have results for pH as well as major and minor soil nutrients. There will also be advice on how to correct any imbalances.
- Does Petitti's recycle used plant containers for customers?
- Yes! You can recycle them at any of our stores. Just stop by Customer Service!
- If I made a purchase at one Petitti location, can I return or exchange that item at any of your locations? Or does it have to be the same store as the original purchase?
- You can definitely return them to any Petitti location! Please just have your receipt with you, or, if you are a Rewards member, we can look up your previous purchase with your email or phone number.
- How old do I need to be to work at Petitti's?
- We hire applicants that are 16 years or older. Our website is updated when there are positions available, so we encourage you to check our Employment page periodically.
- What can I do to prevent large brown areas in my grass from spreading? Not sure of the cause.
- Brown areas can be due to nearly anything. All problems that damage the blade will cause it to go brown, including disease, insects, physical damage, dog urine, and soil problems. If the brown areas are only where the maple tree used to be, I would suspect soil issues. I would recommend using some Lighting Lime on the lawn with a double dose in the brown areas. If the lawn has not been fertilized in the last 6 weeks, apply lawn fertilizer to the whole lawn at the regular rate. Treating the whole lawn will keep all the green grass the same color. If the grass does not begin to grow again in that area, add some topsoil and grass seed while the temperatures are cool and keep it watered. If it gets too hot and dry, wait until late August to reseed. It wouldn’t hurt to use a lawn fungicide like Disease Ex and a big treatment like Bug Destroyer on the whole lawn to make sure there are no other problems.
- How do I get rid of the hundreds of Rose of Sharon seedlings that are popping up in my yard without killing my own grass?
- The simplest way to get rid of the seedlings in the lawn is to mow them. They do not tolerate mowing and will die. You can also apply a lawn weed killer such as Weed Beater Ultra to help kill off the existing seedlings. Unfortunately, more seedlings will continue to sprout until after frost. You might try using a pre-emergent on the lawn such as Halts, however, we are not certain about the effectiveness of this product on preventing Rose of Sharon from sprouting. Do not use Halts if you plan to do any grass seeding in the area in the fall, as Halts will prevent the grass seed from growing. All of these products are for use on the lawn. There is a different set of products for use on seedlings in flower beds.
- What's the best way to reseed the lawn? My yard is filled with weeds.
- Kill the weeds first, then put down grass seed. Some grass seeds like Kentucky bluegrass will take at least 3 weeks just to sprout so the heat will help speed that up. You don't want a lawn going into summer heat because of the threat of disease before the grass matures. At this time you are trying to get the grass established before winter, so you don't need to worry about 90+ degree heat on your young lawn in October. Even if it gets that hot during the day, it will be cool at night, unlike summer. Ohio State University recommends fall seeding between August 15 and September 15. Read our complete Gardening Guide for Seeding the Lawn.
- I see lots of mushrooms popping up in my lawn and mulch beds. Is this a problem?
- Mushrooms after rain are a sign of healthy, living soil. When they get to be too much or unsightly, rake over the grass with a leaf rake, and fluff up the mulch with a hard rake to knock over the existing mushrooms and aerate the soil. Apply Lightning Lime over the area and surroundings to reduce reoccurrence.
- How do I get rid of plants with spreading rhizomes, such as Lily of the Valley?
- Lily of the Valley is very difficult to kill due to its spreading rhizomes, and their rapid growth. Most of your general herbicides like KleenUp & BurnOut will eventually work but need to be applied a few times in order to be effective. We suggest spraying on a sunny, 60-85 degree day with low wind or spraying down a poster board tube placed over the Lily of the Valley.
- Weeds took over my entire flower bed last year, and I'd like to reset the area. Is it true I can accomplish this by placing cardboard or newspaper over the beds and then covering that with mulch? How long until the weeds die? How long until I can plant again?
- Yes, that will work. New plantings can be put in by pulling back the mulch, cutting an X in the cardboard or newspaper, putting in the plant, then return the newspaper or cardboard to cover up to the stem of the plant and restore the mulch. It will take all season for the weeds with deep roots to completely die. That is why you want to cut an X and fold back the newspaper or cardboard when planting, instead of a circle. You will need to keep the weeds beneath from being able to access the sun until all the energy in the roots is gone.
- What's the best product for killing weeds in the lawn? My weeds have little purple flowers. Weed & Feed doesn't seem to work.
- Weed and feed is ok for easy-to-kill weeds, but the purple flowers that you are seeing are most likely ground ivy. Ground ivy grows really fast at this time of year and may be growing faster than the weed and feed knocked it back. It will take a couple of applications of a liquid weed killer to get rid of the ground ivy, but it can be done. Spray the weeds with either Weed B Gon or Weed Beater Ultra, enough to coat the leaves, but not enough to run off. For best results, do this on a dry day, when temperatures are between 60 and 85 degrees. Also, it is best if it is done between mowings, especially not right before or right after mowing. Once the spray is dry, pets and kids are safe to go on the lawn. Since they are vines, their stems and roots are very long and it is hard to kill the whole weed in one treatment. After two weeks, spray again anywhere there is still some green ground ivy. After that, the ground ivy should be gone or almost gone. Spot treat every two weeks as necessary to get new or really tough weeds.
- How do I prevent weeds from springing up through my hillside evergreen groundcover? Can I sprinkle Preen?
- It depends on the specific plant growing there. While Preen is safe for the vast majority of established plants, we can’t say with 100% certainty that it will be okay in this case, without knowing what the plant is. Preen’s website has a page where you can select the plant and it will tell you which Preen products are safe to use.
- How do I get rid of persistent, vine-like, broad-leaf weeds that have taken up residence in my flower beds? I've tried various weed killers, Preen, and thick mulch. Looking for a superweed killer that won't harm other plants in the same bed.
- Unfortunately, vine-like plants are very hard to kill. Their roots are as long as their tops, and if a piece of root is left unharmed, it will grow into a new plant. There is nothing that you can spray over the top of plants that will kill broadleaf weeds but not broadleaf desirable plants. Preen prevents seeds from sprouting, but it won't stop a weed from coming back from its roots. If you use a weed killer, you must be careful to get it only on the leaves of the weed and not on the leaves of the nearby plants. One option is Roundup Gel, which comes in an antiperspirant-style applicator. You can then apply it directly to the leaves of the weeds. You can also try a weed killer, particularly for vines. These have names like Chickweed Clover and Oxalis killer and contains triclopyr. This will take a couple of weeks to show any effect, but that is because it is being moved into the very long roots, and the tips do not die until the roots die. Also do not use triclopyr products when the temperature is over 80°F because the ingredient can evaporate off and damage nearby plants through the air.
- What's the best slug bait you can recommend?
- Slug Magic is our preferred brand of slug bait. It uses iron phosphate to kill slugs, but it is safe for pets.
- What is the best way to prepare my lawn for spring? Fertilizer suggestions would be great.
- Rake off any leaves or debris and mow low the first time as the grass begins to grow. Address any moss issues with moss control. The Scotts 4 Step Lawn Fertilizer program is the best for the money and recommended by Petitti's. If you need to sow grass seed, be sure to use "Step 1 for Seeding" instead of regular Step 1.
- How can I help my lawn recover from fertilizer burn? The lawn care company I used burned two areas.
- Fertilizer burn is just too much fertilizer. Water very thoroughly to wash out excess fertilizer. As long as the crown of the grass plant was not killed, it should grow back in a week or two. If it does not grow back, you may need to reseed the area.
- My lemon tree has tiny spider mites living on it. How do I get rid of them safely and quickly before they spread to my other houseplants?
- We recommend spraying Bonide Neem Oil on the top and bottom of the leaves. Learn more about Insect Control.
- How often should I water my cactus and succulents, and can they be planted in the same pot together? I purchased both plants today, along with cactus potting mix and fertilizer.
- Yes! You can plant them in the same pot, as they are both succulent plants that require little water. Make sure that your pot has drain holes to ensure proper drainage and avoid root rot. If it doesn't have drainage holes, you can add an inch or so of gravel to allow for drain space. Watering will depend on how much light they get and how humid your environment is. You can probably water them once every 1-2 weeks through the warmer months. They like their soil to completely dry out before being watered again.
- I fell behind on my lawn care duties and missed Step 2. Can I skip ahead to Step 3 or have I blown the whole 4-step program for the season?
- You can go ahead with Step 3 with no problem. If you still need to treat for weeds, you can use Step 2 instead, since it contains a weed killer in addition to the fertilizer. Whichever you apply, be sure to follow the application instructions for best results.
- When is the best time to patch, over-seed, or re-seed grass?
- In Northeast Ohio, late August through early October is the best time to plant grass seed. The soil is still warm, but the air temperature is cooling, and fall rains begin. The second best time is late March through early May. Avoid starting lawns in June and July because the seedlings will need a lot of water, and high temperatures make diseases more likely. Read our complete Gardening Guide for Seeding the Lawn.
- Can you suggest plants that are small in size and good for absorbing excess ground water, say, near a pool? How about Boxwoods?
- No, boxwoods do not like “wet feet”. Plant material that is well suited to a rain garden would adapt much better. Here’s a list of plant material that can tolerate moisture and grows up to 3 feet tall:
- Clethra ‘Hummingbird’
- Deutzia ‘Nikko’ or other variety
- Itea ‘Little Henry’
- Blueberry dwarf varieties such as ‘Peach Sorbet’
- Astilbe
- Daylilies
- Hibiscus – Luna series is dwarf
- Liriope
- Bee Balm
- Sedge Grasses
- Japanese Red Grass, Imperata ‘Red Baron’
- Phalaris ‘Strawberries and Cream’ grass
- Pennisetum ‘Hameln’ or ‘Little Bunny’
- How do I transplant flowering trees and shrubs with massive root spans, as is the case with my Lilac and Hibiscus? Can we cut or otherwise shorten the root system without damaging the plants?
- Yes. After it rains when the soil is moist, or if you soak the plant by leaving the hose on a trickle at the base, you can dig all the way around the plant approximately 12" out from the crown/center of the plant. Dig down approximately 10"-12" to form a nice, rounded root ball. Transfer the plant to the already prepared hole using burlap or a tarp. Apply Bio-tone to the root system to help establish the plant quickly, backfill the hole, and water. Hibiscus can be moved anytime when small, or cut back now so they are easier to handle. If you can, let the lilacs bloom and then, when finished blooming, cut back and shape if/as needed before digging and moving.
- What shrubs are considered deer resistant? Hydrangeas and Arborvitaes, by any chance?
- Unfortunately, the Hydrangea and Arborvitae families are considered to possess low deer resistance in our growing area. Better deer-resistant alternatives for a pink flowering shrub: Buddleia, Spiraea, Lilac, Weigela, and Clethra; Best deer-resistant yellow evergreens: Golden Mop, False Cypress, and any Yellow or Gold Juniper. Read our complete Gardening Guide for Deer-Resistant Plants, including annual, perennial, tree, shrub, and bulb options.
- When should I prune my flowering trees and shrubs to shape them, including my Rose of Sharon tree?
- The best time to do pruning for most plants, including Rose of Sharon, is in the first few weeks after it is done blooming. Rose of Sharon can also be pruned through the fall and into early spring since they bloom on new wood. You can cut these back pretty hard.
- When is the best time to plant rose bushes and other flowering shrubs?
- They can be planted in spring as soon as the soil is workable and not soggy.
- When is it safe to plant vegetables outside in the spring?
- May 15th is our average frost-free date, so wait until then to start planting outside. Meanwhile, you can slowly acclimate them to the outdoors, if you haven't already.
- How do I winterize my trees and flowering shrubs?
- Applying winter mulch, staking trees, wrapping branches, and spraying an anti-desiccant are a few ways to help plants avoid winter damage. Read our complete Gardening Guide for Winter Plant Protection.
- How do I help my hydrangeas bloom? It's been a few years since they put on a nice show of flowers.
- There are four things to consider when Hydrangeas do not bloom well: sun conditions (4-6 hours of direct sunlight are required), available nutrients (fertilizer applications in spring and midsummer are recommended), proper pruning (in spring down to uppermost new growth), and winter protection, especially for mophead hydrangeas. Read our complete Gardening Guide for Hydrangea.
- Any suggestions for a white flowering shrub that reaches 2-3 feet at maturity (max) and that blooms the same time as Kousa Dogwood? Looking to place in front of boxwood. Not interested in hydrangea.
- You could try Deutzia, Leucothoe or Potentilla. Unfortunately, the white flowering Spiraea & white Weigelas would grow too large for that space.
- My climbing rose has black spot and I think it's spreading to my knockout rose next to it. Fungicide spray doesn't seem to be working. What can I do?
- Removing the black spot-infected foliage and continuing to treat with copper fungicide or another type of fungal control is your best bet. Cool, damp weather is causing lots of disease issues on many different plants.
- Is it ok transplant trees and shrubs, including my Japanese Maple, in the summer heat of August?
- If you can wait, it would transplant better in the fall, end of September to mid-October would be best. Plants tend to stress out when transplanted in the summer, plus there's increased watering maintenance because it's usually drier. If you cannot wait, be sure to soak the root base overnight by placing the hose at the base of the tree on a drip. Pre-dig the new hole and get it prepared with Petitti Planting mix at a 50:50 ratio. Dig the tree, keeping a generous root ball, digging out to 1/2 the length of the branches all the way around, then at least 12" down. Add Bio-tone Plant Starter to the hole. Place the tree in the hold. Backfill with soil up to the top of the root ball. Put your hose on a drip again, and water for about 1 hour. Do the drip irrigation once a week for 1 hour. For best success, follow Angelo's 6 Steps for Success Planting Guide.
- Can I plant flowering shrubs such as Azaleas near Black Walnut stumps, even though they're rotting? I've heard rotting stumps can be a problem for plants growing nearby.
- Here is a really informative link about planting around black walnuts. It does mention that “decaying roots can release juglone, toxicity may occur for several years”. Also, “toxicity symptoms arise when juglone-sensitive plants are placed within the walnut’s root zone, an average of 50-to-60 feet from the trunk”. So you do want to select your plants carefully or plant further away from that root zone. The “safe to plant” shrub list at the bottom of the article does include deciduous Azaleas (a.k.a Exbury types), which we do grow, and are part of our Azalea sale. Yes, Girard’s Pleasant White is currently available at all locations but at varying quantities. Please call your nearest Petitti’s before you make a trip.
- What can I do to rehabilitate my beloved hosta plants? Deer have destroyed them!
- Luckily Hosta are very resilient, strong, perennial growers and should return nicely when the new growth is protected from further deer browsing with a repellent spray such as Plantskydd, or with fencing or netting. Regular fertilizer applications in spring and midsummer with Plant-tone and Iron-tone will also encourage healthy new growth.
- What is the best time to divide and transplant flowering perennials and ornamental grasses such as daylilies and hosta?
- The rule of plant division is, divide the opposite season the plant blooms. For example, spring bloomers are divided in the fall, and fall bloomers are divided in spring. Grasses typically bloom in late summer or fall, so divide them in the spring. Midsummer bloomers such as Daylilies and Hosta can be divided either spring or fall.
- When should I cut back perennials, specifically my Lavendar and Russian Sage, and how low should I go?
- You can wait until early Spring to cut back Lavender and Russian Sage. Wait until new growth begins to emerge, then cut the plant back to where there is new growth.
- When should I fertilize my early spring-blooming perennials, including Hellebores Lenten Roses, and should I be using bone meal?
- Bone meal provides only one nutrient (phosphorus). We recommend fertilizing with Plant-tone.
- One of my new Astilbe plants looks sick. Leaves are curling and blooms are turning brown. Any idea what's causing this?
- With Astilbe in general, you can't let them go dry, they will curl and brown out. Ideally, you want them to get 1" of water per week. They can curl and burn in too much sun as well. They can be susceptible to wilt disease, so you can treat them with fungicide or remove diseased foliage to get better air circulation around your plants and try not to water the foliage. Also, you could try cutting the whole plant back and fertilizing it to get a good reflush of foliage.
- How do I treat powdery mildew that forms on my plants, including my Bee Balm?
- Unfortunately, bee balm is one of the plants that are prone to powdery mildew. Like tall phlox, peonies, and squash, it is just something that is likely to happen. It is especially likely on newly installed plants that are still getting established. It does not kill the plant, but does make it look unsightly. We recommend treating it with an organic copper fungicide to remove the existing mildew and protect for a week or two, depending on rain.
- Why would certain perennials, such as my foxgloves, fail to return this year?
- There are several types of foxglove, some that are true perennials living 3+ years in the garden, and others, specifically Digitalis purpurea varieties, that are biennials (living 2 years), but will usually self-seed, so they appear as if they are returning year after year. The long, cold and wet winter does not help because they suffer from root and stem rot, especially in poorly draining soil. Luckily, their seed or starter plants can be grown any time after the last frost to late summer.
- How can I permanently remove or kill a deep-rooted plant, such as the Yucca Plant?
- Yuccas have a very large and very deep tap root. There is no weed killer that will get rid of the whole root, even with several treatments – it is just too large. Our recommendation is to dig out as much of the root as you can. After a few weeks or even months, you may see new sprouts. When this happens, brush any kind of weed killer directly on the leaves of the Yucca, taking care not to get it on any nearby plants. After a couple of treatments, the Yucca should stop coming back for good.
- Can you suggest a few perennials that will grow full and flower despite being planted under shade trees?
- Dry shade is a tough growing condition, and some shady perennials will work, provide foliage color, but not necessarily flowering all season. Try a combination of Brunnera (Chinese Forget-Me-Not), Variegated Liriope (Lilyturf) and Astilbe. All will need special attention to water their first year to establish around mature tree roots. For additional, all-season color plant shade-loving annuals along with the perennials such as Coleus, Begonias, and SunPatiens. Read our blog post about Perennial Shade Gardening.