Submitted by: agcomm,  Thu May 15 09:02:31 1997


HORTISCOPE
 Ron Smith, Extension Horticulturist
 North Dakota State University
 
Q.   We have our sweet corn patch on part of a barnyard that
     is infested with all varieties of weeds. Is there any
     kind of spray that can be used that will not harm sweet
     corn plants? We do cultivate with the tractor, but need
     something to control the weeds in the rows. (Pelican
     Rapids, Minn.)
 
A.   You ask a simple question, but the answer is difficult to
     come up with. Here are some options I can suggest.
 
   1.     Allow weeds in area to sprout, then kill down with
          Roundup.
   2.     Basagran and 2,4-D are the only non-restricted use
          products that you can use for broadleaf control.
   3.     Prowl, Eradicane and Pendimethalin products are non-restricted for grassy weed control.
 
     You may want to try crop rotations to help keep the weed
     population down.
 
Q.   This note is to ask you to please send me information
     concerning the diseases of rhubarb and what to do about
     them. I know about the planting of the roots, but can't
     get it to over-winter because of root rot. I understand
     it is a cool-season crop but I still keep trying. I
     manage to get a pie or two.
 
     Since my childhood was spent in North Dakota, I learned
     to love rhubarb pie. Thanks for your help. (Halifax,
     N.C.)
 
A.   I have enclosed extension publication H-61, "Asparagas
     and Rhubarb." (Readers may obain a copy from any county
     office of the NDSU Extension Service.) If you wish to
     continue an attempt to grow it successfully in your
     state, you will have to "fool" it a little.
 
     Here is what I suggest:
 
   1.     Make sure the planting site is well-drained and rich
          in organic matter.
   2.     Plant it on the east side of your house where it
          gets only morning sun, or where it can get filtered
          shade during the heat of the day.
 
     Even giving it the best of care in North Carolina, you
     will be lucky to get five years of productive growth.
 
     Thanks for writing. 
 
Q.   I am in need of advice on what type of hedge I need to
     plant for privacy. I want a fast-growing, hardy hedge. I
     am enclosing two articles on ones that interested me
     most, and am wondering which you would recommend of the
     two.
 
     I plan to attend your meeting here and appreciate any
     help you can give me. (Devils Lake, N.D.)
 
A.   Thank you for your enthusiastic support.
 
     Since the catalog clipping you sent in does not contain a
     botanical name, I have no idea what the "Wall of China"
     hedge is. Consequently, I cannot advise you on that
     selection.
 
     Privet is not dependably hardy in our area, in spite of
     the catalog implication. I suggest using a couple members
     of the Dogwood genus. Gray dogwood (Cornus racemosa) and
     Siberian dogwood (Cornus alba `Sibirica') get 6 to 9 feet
     tall. There are also the nannyberry viburnum (Viburnum
     lentago) and the American elder (Sambucus canadensis).
     Any of these would be a better choice than those
     mentioned in the catalog clippings you sent.
 
Do you have a gardening or houseplant question? Write to
Hortiscope, Box 5051, NDSU Extension Service, Fargo, ND 58105.
 
NDSU Agriculture Communication
Barry Brissman
Departmental Editor
(701) 231-7866
Smith: (701) 231-8161