Q: The top ring of sago palmfronds died after I transplanted it but remain on the plant. I left this brown ring of fronds around the crown of the plant and it looks like new growth coming from the center is OK. Should I trim off the dead fronds without disturbing the crown or just let them fall off?
“Match sets of anything are doubtless the work of those who have but little taste. Tis better to have dissimilarity.” — Yoshida Kenko (1284–1350), Japanese author and Buddhist monk
Deciding what and how to arrange art on the walls can be a daunting endeavor. Picking up a few pieces to pop onto an empty expanse of a wall can quickly solve the problem, but the effect can be as bland as the blank wall. However, handmade pieces add to your collection of worthy art compared to the smattering of impulse buys that prove less interesting as times passes.
Q: My washing machine is about 10 years old, and it has started leaking whenever I do a load of clothes. Should I fix it or buy a new one?
Q: I see many times where you’ve said fruit trees only need feeding in the spring. However, without periodic applications of nitrogen, my 3-year-old peach tree leaves become yellow. Could there something going on I should investigate?
Through Las Vegas’ building boom, homeowners could count on traditional appliance sizes for ovens, cooktops, microwaves and refrigerators. But there are those situations that call for unconventionally small appliances. The good news is that there are plenty of options out there, and you won’t have to sacrifice aesthetics or much functionality either.
Dear Gail: We live in an older neighborhood on a nice quiet street. We have a very large front yard and were thinking about adding a courtyard. We entertain a lot and want to have additional places for our guests to mingle. What are your thoughts on a front courtyard? As well as any decorating suggestions? — Dustin
Q: I purchased a few waxleaf privet plants in February. They were planted in my yard using drip irrigation with one drip emitter per plant for about one month now. I am starting to see some black markings and yellowing on the leaves. I also think there may be some root rot, but I am unsure.
Midcentury modern homes are enjoying a renaissance of late. Just what does it take to modernize a midcentury modern home, and how do you keep the original integrity of that house?
Q: Recently, you wrote about replacing a water heater’s drain valve. A friend told us that we should also check the anode rod. Is this worth checking? If so, how do we do that?
If you have fruit trees, the next big tree management activity you are facing is fruit thinning or removing excessive amounts of fruit so that the remaining fruit gets larger. Peaches, nectarines, plums, apples and pears must have excessive fruit removed if you want larger fruit. Do this as soon as the fruit reaches the size of your thumbnail.
The weather is warmer, the days are longer, and thoughts turn to all the plants in the front or backyard that need care and attention after the long winter. But depending on your green thumb, maybe those thoughts should turn to indoor houseplants.
“Small Is Beautiful” is the title of a series of books by E. F. Schumacher (1911-1977), German economist
Q: What do you recommend for controlling that ugly, leaf-footed bug that attacks my pomegranates? I want to be prepared.
Choosing the right window coverings for your new or remodeled home is one of the most important decisions you will make — maybe even more so than getting the keys to the front door or programming that remote garage door opener. And unlike the simple decisions your grandparents had to make, today’s choices come in a vast palette of colors, textures and natural or synthetic materials.
