Ask a gardening question - I read every one
Stuck on something? Send it. I read every question and answer as many as I can - usually within a few days. The best questions become future articles on the site (with your permission and credit).
What helps me answer well:
- Your USDA zone or general location ("Long Island, NY zone 7a" or just "northern Ohio")
- A photo if it's a problem - 80% of plant diagnosis is visual
- What you've already tried - so I don't suggest things you've ruled out
- Specific plant variety if you know it - "Endless Summer hydrangea" is different from a panicle hydrangea
<form class="article-signup-form" data-source="ask-question" id="ask-form" style="margin: 28px 0; padding: 24px; background: var(—cream-deep); border-radius: 8px;"> <div class="signup-fields"> <div style="margin-bottom: 14px;"> <label for="ask-email" style="display:block; font-size:13px; color:var(—text-soft); margin-bottom:4px;">Your email (so I can reply)</label> <input id="ask-email" type="email" required placeholder="you@example.com" style="width:100%; padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid var(—rule); border-radius:4px; font-size:15px; font-family:var(—sans); background:white;"> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 14px;"> <label for="ask-zone" style="display:block; font-size:13px; color:var(—text-soft); margin-bottom:4px;">Your zone or location (optional but helpful)</label> <input id="ask-zone" type="text" placeholder="e.g. Long Island NY zone 7a" style="width:100%; padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid var(—rule); border-radius:4px; font-size:15px; font-family:var(—sans); background:white;"> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 14px;"> <label for="ask-question" style="display:block; font-size:13px; color:var(—text-soft); margin-bottom:4px;">Your question</label> <textarea id="ask-question" rows="6" required placeholder="What's going on with your plant?" style="width:100%; padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid var(—rule); border-radius:4px; font-size:15px; font-family:var(—sans); background:white; resize:vertical;"></textarea> </div> <button type="submit" class="btn primary">Send question</button> </div> <div class="signup-success" style="display:none; padding: 14px; background: rgba(45, 74, 58, 0.1); border-radius: 4px;"></div> </form>
<script> // Override the standard handler for this specific form document.getElementById('ask-form').addEventListener('submit', async function(e) { e.preventDefault(); const email = document.getElementById('ask-email').value.trim(); const zone = document.getElementById('ask-zone').value.trim(); const question = document.getElementById('ask-question').value.trim(); if (!email || !question) return; try { await fetch('/api/subscribe', { method: 'POST', headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' }, body: JSON.stringify({ email: email, source: 'ask-question', zone: zone, question: question }) }); } catch (e) { / silently continue / } document.querySelector('#ask-form .signup-fields').style.display = 'none'; const success = document.querySelector('#ask-form .signup-success'); success.style.display = 'block'; success.innerHTML = 'Got it. I'll get back to you within a few days at ' + email + '. If your question would help other gardeners, I may turn it into an article (with your permission first).'; }); </script>
Common questions I get a lot
If your question is one of these, the answer link is faster than waiting for me:
- Why isn't my hydrangea blooming? → Why isn't my hydrangea blooming
- What plants will the deer leave alone? → Deer-resistant perennials that actually work
- What can I plant on a shady patio? → Sunlight plant finder tool
- When should I prune X? → Pruning calendar tool
- What's wrong with my tomato? → Tomato problems hub (search "tomato")
- What's my USDA hardiness zone? → Zone finder by ZIP
- What's eating my plant? → What's wrong with my plant? Diagnostic tool
What I will NOT do
- Identify a plant just from a description without a photo - too many possibilities
- Recommend pesticides for unidentified pests - we need to know what we're dealing with
- Diagnose by guessing - if it's something I'm not sure of, I'll point you to your local Extension office (they often offer free or cheap plant disease diagnosis)
- Recommend products I haven't researched, used, or that aren't backed by Extension publications
Looking forward to your question.