Got a chronic case of green thumb? Like getting your hands dirty? Adrian Higgins, garden editor for The Post's Home section, is here to help. Higgins is a firm believer in "tough plants for tough times" -- the varieties that combine good looks with stiff resistance to disease and pests. He currently rules over a garden filled with spring bulbs, daffodils, ornamental onions, perennials, asters, yarrows, hostas and day lilies. Higgins, an avid organic gardener who believes chemicals are a last resort, also tends his own herb and vegetable gardens where he grows peas, garlic onions, lettuce, rhubarbs, radishes, carrots and more.

Catch up on previous transcripts of The Garden Plot.

Higgins is the author of two books, "The Secret Gardens of Georgetown: Behind the Walls of Washington's Most Historic Neighborhood" and "The Washington Post Garden Book: The Ultimate Guide to Gardening in Greater Washington and the Mid-Atlantic Region."

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Fairfax, Va: Dear Adrian: What causes bagworm disease? I have had three shrubs/trees succumb to this in 2006-2007 and they all died. I had to pull them out and dispose of them. I am wondering whether I should just go ahead and get rid of my other evergreens, assuming that they will get bagworm too? Any help in solving this mystery would be appreciated.

Adrian Higgins: This is a moth whose larvae encase themselves in detritus, hence the name. They are drawn to certain conifers, arbor vitae, hemlocks and Leyland cypress tend to be magnets. THe key is to prevent a buildup of sufficient larvae that they defoliate trees. Conifers are not as good at growing new foliage as deciduous plants. You should always inspect these trees for the "bags" and remove them. You can spray in late spring to kill the hatching worms, with Bt.

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Woodbridge Va: Our lawn service company did a core aeration last week on our yard. What's next? Do we rake up the plugs & de-thatch prior to re-seeding? Thanks!

Adrian Higgins: The first thing I would do would be to water the garden. After an aeration the roots are more prone to drying out and really need water, especially in a drought like this one. If you are overseeding you will need good soil contact, whether that's achieved from dethatching or a top dressing of compost is up to you. This isn't the best year for lawn renovation, given the drought.

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Arlington, VA: kind of a dumb question but I have a jalapeno plant that has been in pot in my garden all year. It has produced a ton of peppers and with the great weather we have been having over the last couple of weeks, it is still flowering. Can I bring the plant inside and give it water, sunlight, etc for the winter and throw it back outside next year or is going to eventually die and I am just wasting my time.

Adrian Higgins: It will overwinter in a cool, bright room, and will develop into a rather woody shrub like plant.

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Chapel Hill, NC: Good morning. Here in NC, we are experiencing extraordinary drought. Water restrictions get more restrictive, with possibly no outdoor watering allowed soon. Would it be helpful to my shrubs, trees, perennials to mulch them now to conserve any moisture that might be there? thank you

Adrian Higgins: Absolutely, but the key is to give them a good soaking before you lay the mulch. Mulch on dry soil can act as a barrier to water absorption.

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Chevy Chase, MD: Please help! Over the past few days squirrels have begun ripping my backyard to shreds. The yard is pockmarked with little divots and every time I look at the window, they're at it again. We have a couple of big trees and hence lots of acorns and figs, but I don't remember having this trouble before. What can I do to discourage this? I fertilized the lawn 5 weeks ago and just overseeded ... but now it looks like all the work is out the window!

Adrian Higgins: The positive aspect is that the drought has really hardened the soil and made their digging difficult. Hopefully, they will not do too much damage. A dog or two will help chase them off.

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Freising, Germany: I just wanted to ask how your bees are doing.

Perhaps inspired by your Washington Post Magazine article from April of this year, I often take stroll and relax and read a bit in the vicinity of a local honeybee stand. I can't see them take off and land, but I often get visitations from the curious members of hives. They are fascinating little creatures.

Have the diseases and infestations that have plagued bees in the States (and the rest of the world) been solved?

Adrian Higgins: I have not had Colony Collapse Disorder in my two active hives. One has produced honey late in the season, which I am about to harvest. I am very excited by this, especially since a drought, which we are experiencing, often means no honey flow.

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Washington, DC: Hi Adrian, I am interested in planting some tropical-looking plants, specifically agapanthus and canna lillies. When I research them, I find varieties as hardy as zone 6 or 7, but even the description of these says to dig them up for the winter. I live in the city so I figure I can even risk some zone 8 plants, but what is your experience with these - have you seen canna lilies or agapanthus winter over here?

Adrian Higgins: Both cannas and agapanthus can be expected to overwinter in the soil outdoors here, especially if given a good winter mulch, which should be removed by early spring. I believe there are hardier varieties of agapanthus, Headbourne Hybrid comes to mind, which I would go for.

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Arlington, VA: I have a question about my mums. They're kept on a south-facing balcony and get sun most of the day. After the last few weeks of hot weather, part of which i moved them into a shadier location, they are looking pretty fried. I water them in the mornings and the soil stays damp, but the petals are brown and now some of the leaves are starting to die as well. Any suggestions?

Adrian Higgins: I think you may be overwatering them. Let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings. You may want to replace them, they may not look good for the remainder of the season.

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Washington DC: Adrian:

What can you tell me about Angel Trumpets? I've seen them around my neigborhood and love the look and scent. Can they be planted directly in the ground? Will they re-seed or do they need to be started anew each year?

Adrian Higgins: THese are tender, and are brought indoors to overwinter as plants (in a greenhouse) or in bulb form (no greenhouse). They will get larger and showier with each passing year.

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Palm Bay, Fla: Where does one look to find out fertilizing suggestions for particular plants? I have an unhappy looking avocado tree and would like to know what to give it. I'm leery of just using Google.

Adrian Higgins: The golden rule of fertilizing is that you only feed when a plant is in active growth. That may be active top growth or active root growth, but if a plant is dormant, stressed or afflicted with pests, fertilizing will be at best of no use and at worst harmful.

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Gaithersburg MD: Good morning, Adrian. I have a question about watering (in drought times). I have a 25+ year old beautiful kwanzan cherry tree in my townhouse's front yard. If I water to the drip line, I end up watering the entire yard and part of neighbors' yards too. How close to or far from the tree trunk am I supposed to water? Thanks.

Adrian Higgins: The feeder roots are at or beyond the drip line. However, you don't have to water the entire circumference of the root zone for the plant to rehydrate, you can water just one slice of that pie.

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Washington, D.C.: Where can I learn about beekeeping? I would like to try a hive on property in the Berkshires. I know absolutely nothing.

Adrian Higgins: In later winter, bee clubs in Northern Virginia and Montgomery County organize classes for beginners. Check out the Beekeepers Association of Northern Virginia, I think they have a website.

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Silver Spring, Md: I have a small raised-bed garden where I've grown tomatoes, lettuce, swiss chard, and the odd broccoli or cauliflower in the past. Obviously, this summer has not been the best for growing anything, and I didn't bother to plant a fall garden. What should I do now to prepare the garden for a fresh start next spring with the hope of better weather?

Thanks for doing these chats!

Adrian Higgins: I would either pile on lots of compost and horse manure, and let it break down over the winter, and then dig it in in February. Or I would sow a crop of winter rye or red clover now and dig it under in late winter. This will keep the winter weeds at bay and provide nitrogen to the soil next year.

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Indianapolis, Ind: would snowflake viburnums not be a good shrub choice for a northern exposure partially shady, dry clay soil terrace? So far only epimedium and Japanese maples have done well there.

Adrian Higgins: It would be an excellent choice, though it will need a little coddling at first to get established.

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Washington, D.C.: How long will be tomatoes and eggplant continue to grow? The tomato plants finally seem to be slowing down a little bit, but the eggplant still seems to be going strong.

Adrian Higgins: Once nighttime temperatures fall into the 50s the tomatoes are going to slow down and be slow to ripen. As soon as you see the first hint of coloring on the green tomato, bring it inside to ripen. Eggplant takes forever to ripen. Ripe plants have a gloss to the skin and it yeilds a little under pressure.

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Fredericksburg, VA: Good Morning,

I love figs and would like to add a tree to our garden. Which variety do you recommend for our area?

Adrian Higgins: Years ago we would only recommend something really tough like Brown Turkey or Chicago, but in recent years I have found some of the more tender varieties quite hardy in my Alexandria garden. Check out the website of Edible Landscaping in Afton, Va. Might be worth a weekend trip to pick up some fig bushes.

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Farifax, VA: Our magnolia tree is dropping these beautiful red seeds on our lawn. I have scooped some up and am considering starting a few seedlings. Is this something I should realistically try, or should I leave them for the squirrels.

Thanks

Adrian Higgins: You could grow seedlings, it might take more than a decade to get a tree of any size and longer for flowering, but go for it. YOu can prime these seeds for germination by soaking them for a week. Or they will need a 3 to 6 month cold treatment, keeping them in a tray of sand at 32 to 41 degrees.

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Fairfax, VA: Should lime be applied to the garden soil now, or in the Spring?

Adrian Higgins: Follow up to the magnolia question, if you are soaking them, don't do it now unless you can overwinter them in a cold frame. Otherwise start them that way in late winter. Lime raises the pH of the soil, it can be done at anytime, but you shouldn't do it unless you get a pH test for your lawn first, so that you know whether it needs it, and how much to put down.

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Washington, DC: I have a lilac in a large pot that I want to transplant. I was thinking of doing it this fall, but aside from drought issues, the advice I see online is that a lilac is better transplanted in the Spring. What's your suggestion? (I'm okay giving up a year's blossoms for long-term success.)

Adrian Higgins: I've heard lilacs are better planted in the spring, perhaps the roots are fleshy and prone to breaking, not quite sure if that's the case. I would plant it now if now is convenient. The more important consideration is the placement of this shrub. It will need a site in full sunlight and with good air circulation to bloom well and stay healthy. The French hybrids also get large, so place it where it will have room to grow up and out.

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Anonymous: Adrian :

Help ! A tennant drilled a three inch hole in an old Dogwood Tree to hang a hammock -- (don't ask) -- tree is not putting berries forth as it usually does this time of year -- is this beautiful tree a goner ?

Adrian Higgins: This is not a good practice because you kill the whole vascular system in a line below and above the hole. Dogwoods are difficult to keep healthy in the first place. I would make sure the roots are well watered and the plant lighly mulched. Remove dead branches to keep the plant healthy.

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Jalapeno guy back: so the woody shrub will produce peppers next year? If it doesn't i am not sure its worth effort.

Adrian Higgins: Yes it should do, and the ones on it will remain ornamental and produce seed.

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Fertilizer followup: Adrian,

Does the "only while actively growing" rule apply to using slow-release fertilizers like Osmocote? Should I not use it when I bring plants inside for the winter?

Adrian Higgins: Osmocote may be slow release, but it is release, so yes the same rule applies. Also, the coating on these time release fertilizers tend to break down more quickly once soil temperatures reach 70 degrees. Now is not the time to fertilize houseplants, with the exception of those that are flowering, which should be fed at a reduced rate.

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Washington, DC: Good morning, I plant several white pines each about four-5 feet tall about 3 weeks ago. (the root balls were adequate in size and the soil was enriched with peat and compost) since then, I have watered them very thoroughly once a week (about five-six hours with sprinkler once a week.) I noticed this week they are experiencing browning (about 1/3 of the needle cluster.) do you think this is shock from transplant or over or under watering.

Thank you.

Adrian Higgins: This may be in response to transplant shock or to overwatering. Although we are in a drought, newly planted trees and shrubs are in danger of being overwatered. I would allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings. Also sprinkling is the worst way of delivering water to new transplants. I would take a five gallon bucket and mix a little liquid seaweed in it and water by hand as needed. I assume you know that white pines are huge conifers, and that they should not be planted any less than 10 feet apart, preferably 15 feet or more. If the spacing is not correct, now would be the time to fix it.

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Washington, DC: Could you recommend a yellow magnolia, small enough for a rowhouse front yard, that does well in our area?

Adrian Higgins: The Brooklyn Botanic Garden has developed a number of yellow cultivars that stay quite contained, including one named for the recently deceased former president Judy Zuk.

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Harrisonburg, VA: I want a smallish tree in my townhouse lot; I have an end unit, so the side yard is large. It will get afternoon sun, and the "soil" is full of shale and clay. What smallish trees might fit this - don't really care for evergreens. Thanks for taking this question!

Adrian Higgins: I would consider a redbud, look for a variety named Forest Pansy or a recent National Arboretum introduction (of the Chinese redbud, named Don Egolf).

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Alexandria, Va.: I'd like to transplant two azaleas. Is this the right time of year and is there any special advice you could relay.

Thanks, Rob

Adrian Higgins: I wouldn't do any transplanting until the drought has subsided. It is one thing to put in a container grown plant from the nursery, it is quite another to move an established plant.

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Falling Waters, W. Va: Last Fall I planted 12 6' tulip poplars. After last Spring's false warm-up followed by a hard frost, all of their new leaf buds died and I was left with only sucker shoots which didn't fare well through the droughts. I've recently bought replacement poplars, but I've since read that tulip poplars prefer Spring planting. Should I plant them this Fall anyway and use Wilt-Proof or something, or should I keep them in their 2 gallon pots protected over the Winter, and plant when Spring fully arrives? Thanks

Adrian Higgins: Keep them in the pots until late winter, sinking the pots into a bed to retain moisture and minimize freezing. Wilt-Proof is used on evergreens.

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University Park, MD: With global warming in full swing, and the possibility of future droughts like the one we are seeing this year, I feel it is only responsible to make some changes to my landscaping. Can you recommend any sources of information on xeriscaping, or on drought-tolerant plants in general? Thank you very much.

Adrian Higgins: I would direct you to a mail order nursery called High Country Gardens, and to the websites of Denver Botanic Gardens and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

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McLean, VA: I recently moved into a home that has a very large American Sycamore tree in the northwest corner. The grass beneath it is very spotty, I assume due to the shade. Is it possible to reseed it this Fall, or is it a lost cause? Also, what is the best organic solution to fighting wild strawberry patches in the middle of my lawn? FYI: Like almost all of Northern Virginia, I'm working with soil with a hard-packed clay mixture.

Adrian Higgins: First, sycamores are streambank species so make sure it has plenty of water. Believe it or not, lawns and shade trees don't like each other, they have different watering needs and the chemicals used to maintain a lawn are not good for trees. The best thing you could do for your sycamore is to remove the grass and lay a nice bed of organic mulch, which could be planted with low growing ground covers and bulbs, or left bare, although weeding will become a chore.

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Bethesda, MD: I know some people have new plantings they want to save, but I wonder if it's really right to be running your taps for 12 hours a day while waiting for a formal water restriction to be imposed.

Unfortunately, I think people are going to have to adjust to new climate zones and varying precipitation.

Adrian Higgins: The problem is next year we may get 50 inches of rain and if you plant a xeriscape garden, it will drown. Is it right for people to be using water to sustain their landscapes? I think because water is not chronically in shortage here that it is better certainly to save old and mature plantings of trees and shrubs than to let them die. I think that would be environmentally lax in its own way. That said, it is incumbent on people to water wisely and to build their soil so that water is retained.

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Alexandria, VA: My ficus tree has been outdoors all summer. When do I need to bring it in and do I need to spray it first to de-bug it?

Adrian Higgins: I wouldn't spray it unless it has pests. Look closely for webbing associated with mites, or for scale insects, some of which are small brown marking on leaves and stems and difficult to detect. You could then spray with a horticultural oil, but make sure that the plant is not drought stressed before doing that. Time's up, let's all collectively will some heavy rains. Check out Thursday's Home section for more on viburnums.

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