AboutJames L. Crowder Expertise I can answer questions about soils, soil amendments, drainage and proper planting. I have extensive background in homeowner labeled pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, etc.) and their proper use. I can also answer questions about the growing requirements of specific plants
Experience I have 37 years experience in the lawn and garden business split fairly evenly between the retail nursery business and wholesale distribution of consumer lawn and garden products. From 1990 to 2000 I co-hosted a weekly call-in talk radio program in Memphis, TN.
Organizations Garden Writers Association
Horticultural Board of the Mid South Fair
Publications Green Thumb Magazine - out of print
Education/Credentials 37 years of learning everday.
Awards and Honors Past president of the Memphis Horticultural Society.
Past president of the Memphis Bonsai Society.
Memphis Horticultural Society 2008 Horticultural Excellence Award
Question hi, i'm an avid gardener, and i made myself a large garden
that usually provides abundant food and the plants there
grow pretty well; but this year, for some reason, the
plants are small, dry and wilted. I was afraid that it
might be because of the excessive rain that was happening
in my area, but now its stopped raining and the plants are
still small. i think it might be because the plants have
sucked up all the nutrients over the past couple years, and
i was wondering if there are any plants that replenish soil
nutrients instead of using them all up.
Answer Hi Sheila, Your plants may be stunted from the rain and never recovered. There are a number of plants like vetch, Austrian winter peas or annual ryegrass that you can grow as a green manure to till under in the spring, but they are not a substitute for fertilizer. You'll still need to add a fertilizer of your choice periodically to grow a good garden. Jim
