60 GARDEN GATE | OCTOBER 2019 | ISSUE 149

Q

&

A

Do you have

garden questions?

We have answers!

Q

I often find a bag of daffodil bulbs I forgot to get in

the ground this fall. Can I plant them in the spring?

Libby Zoog, MO

A

There might be hope if the bulbs aren’t dried up. Bury

the bulbs in pots of soil the same depth you’d plant in

the ground, water, and place near a sunny window. Within

a few weeks, you should see shoots. Plants may or may not

flower. Allow the foliage to get as much light as possible

and in mid to late April, plant the bulbs outside. Your odds

aren’t as good as the usual regimen of planting outside in

fall, but at least you’re giving them a shot.

Why are there so many more

acorns than usual this fall?

C.K. Dexter Haven, PA

Only oak trees (Quercus spp.) produce acorns. But

all trees have boom crops some years and minimal

crops other years. The reason for this has long

baffled scientists. We now know that neighboring

trees synchronize, so not just one tree has a mast

year, but all of the oaks in a region will overproduce

acorns. Since acorns are a major food source for

many animals, mast years make up for all the

ones that are eaten — with so many acorns,

it’s impossible for all to be consumed.

The extra acorns take root

so that the oaks can

propagate.

SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS AND UPLOAD IMAGES ONLINE:

GardenGateMagazine.com/share

OR MAIL TO: Garden Gate Q&A, 2143 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312.

Please include your name, address and daytime phone number in

case we have questions for you.

?

GG14960_61_QA.indd 60GG14960_61_QA.indd 60 6/26/2019 11:38:25 AM6/26/2019 11:38:25 AM

60 GARDEN GATE | OCTOBER 2019 | ISSUE 149

Q

&

A

Do you have

garden questions?

We have answers!

Q

I often find a bag of daffodil bulbs I forgot to get in

the ground this fall. Can I plant them in the spring?

Libby Zoog, MO

A

There might be hope if the bulbs aren’t dried up. Bury

the bulbs in pots of soil the same depth you’d plant in

the ground, water, and place near a sunny window. Within

a few weeks, you should see shoots. Plants may or may not

flower. Allow the foliage to get as much light as possible

and in mid to late April, plant the bulbs outside. Your odds

aren’t as good as the usual regimen of planting outside in

fall, but at least you’re giving them a shot.

Why are there so many more

acorns than usual this fall?

C.K. Dexter Haven, PA

Only oak trees (Quercus spp.) produce acorns. But

all trees have boom crops some years and minimal

crops other years. The reason for this has long

baffled scientists. We now know that neighboring

trees synchronize, so not just one tree has a mast

year, but all of the oaks in a region will overproduce

acorns. Since acorns are a major food source for

many animals, mast years make up for all the

ones that are eaten — with so many acorns,

it’s impossible for all to be consumed.

The extra acorns take root

so that the oaks can

propagate.

SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS AND UPLOAD IMAGES ONLINE:

GardenGateMagazine.com/share

OR MAIL TO: Garden Gate Q&A, 2143 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312.

Please include your name, address and daytime phone number in

case we have questions for you.

?