Q: Can I eat the red fruits of dogwoods?A: That's a good question, because there are some dogwoods that do produce an edible fruit. Two come to mind: the Chinese dogwood, or Cornus kousa, and cornelian cherry, or Cornus mas. The Chinese dogwood has fruit about the size of the quarter, and when the fruit is coral red, it tastes like a melon. The cornelian cherry produces fruit that is sometimes used in preserves and has a taste similar to cherry. The dogwood most of us are used to seeing is the Cornus florida. Its fruit does not taste good. I'd stay away from that one.
Q: I have read in various places that to control caterpillars in the garden, an insecticide with "BT" should be used. What is BT, and is it harmful to other insects?
A: BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) is a type of bacterium that kills caterpillars. BT is not harmful to other insects, humans or pets. When using an insecticide with BT, you have to apply it when you see caterpillars, or else it won't be effective.
You should spray the BT on the tops and undersides of leave, and always remember to follow the instructions. Spray only on infected plants, as it also kills butterfly larvae.
Time-Saver Tip:
Believe it or not, this lawnmower blade is the key to this week's Time-Saver Tip. You can save a lot of time pulling weeds from your lawn by making sure you use a sharp lawnmower blade. A sharp blade gives you a clean cut on your lawn, which reduces the risk of lawn diseases and weeds. So be sure to have your lawnmower blade sharpened once a year.
And here's another weed-fighting tip: Mow your lawn regularly. If you go too long between mowings, you will find more weeds in your grass.
