Community ClicksQ: Is mulch made from alder chips better than other woody mulches because of its higher nitrogen content?
A: Many species of red alder, while alive, have the ability to increase the nitrogen content of the soil through a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
These bacteria live in nodules on the extensive, fibrous root system of the alder.
As best as I can discern, however, alder wood chips themselves do not have an appreciably higher nitrogen content than other wood chips.
Over time, all woody mulches are decomposed by microbes such as bacteria and fungi.
These microbes need nitrogen to survive and will take it from the soil, robbing surrounding plants.
Tell-tale signs of nitrogen deficiency include yellowing of the leaves, starting with the oldest, and poor plant growth.
Nitrogen loss can be avoided by using composted (already broken down) mulches or by adding nitrogen to the soil at a rate of 1 to 2 pounds per 1000 square feet.
Q: Will deer eat daylilies?
A: Damage from deer is an ever present problem in local gardens and orchards.
Planting deer resistant plants is one way to reduce the damage.
According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife at http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/deer.html landscaping, daylilies (Hemerocallis spp) are considered “deer resistant,” meaning deer usually avoid them.
Nonetheless, deer will browse on “deer-resistant” plants and, if food is in short supply, will eat them.
Fences are the best insurance against deer damage, but they must be at least eight feet high to deter deer from jumping over them.
Commercial repellents, particularly those made from animal by-products such as dried blood and eggs, have been shown to reduce deer damage to plants.
Repellents should be applied before damage occurs and reapplied frequently, especially after rain or as new foliage develops.
Frightening methods such as loud sounds or moving objects can scare deer away, but deer rapidly become used to them.
For greatest success, use more than one type of frightening device at a time and change the timing and location of the devices every couple of days.
Q: I am growing raspberry plants that I got from a neighbor several years ago.
The plants have produced well in the past, but this year, the berries are small.
When I pick them, they do not hold together.
The plants appear healthy.
The berries taste good.
What is wrong?
A: Sounds like your raspberries have a condition referred to as “crumbly berry.”
Anything that interferes with plant nutrition including soil lacking in the necessary plant nutrients, drought or damage to the roots can cause crumbly berries.
Poor flower pollination also causes crumbly berries.
Viruses can damage flower parts leading to poor pollination and crumbly berries; but viruses usually also cause deformities in leaves and stunting of the plants.
Lack of bee activity — due to cool weather, use of pesticides or other causes — will lead to poor pollination and crumbly berries.
Applications of insecticides or fungicides during bloom can directly damage flower parts, leading to poor pollination and crumbly berries.
Think about recent care of your raspberry patch.
Is the soil fertile?
Has it gotten sufficient water?
Have the roots been damaged?
Did you apply pesticides to or in the general vicinity of the plants when they were in bloom?
Consider getting your soil tested to see if it is lacking in nutrients.
Given the cool weather we have had this summer, I am guessing that lack of bee activity is your problem and next year will be better (if the weather is better!).
Jeanette Stehr-Green is a certified WSU Clallam County Master Gardener.
Send your garden and plant questions to Jeanette through Sequim This Week by sending an email to news@sequimthisweek.com.
Your questions may be edited to fit the available space.
If we are not able to answer your question in a column, we will contact you directly if you provide your e-mail address or telephone number.
For more gardening information, attend the Green Thumb Gardening Tips Brown Bag Series at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St. in Port Angeles.
These free educational events are held at noon on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month.
On Aug. 25, Master Gardeners Michelle Simpson and Cindy Deford will talk about living wreaths and other homemade topiary forms.
