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A.  The best and safest solution is to hand-dig. You can also lay down newspaper—4 to 6 sheets—and cover with mulch to help keep down weeds. You can apply soap-based herbicides or 20% vinegar, which burns the top back. As a last resort, if hand-digging is not a possibility, use a systemic glyphosate product. Use in absolute moderation—the slightest spray will do the trick, and make sure it doesn’t land on the plants you treasure.

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'Knock Out' Rose

We are continually searching for roses that are beautiful, repeat blooming, disease resistant and that have the form and foliage to make a beautiful landscape shrub. Knock Out is just that rose. It is very resistant to disease and really never needs spraying. The bright crimson-cherry red blooms fade to pink and come in waves from spring to fall. Provide it good soil, full sun and adequate moisture and it will take our intense summer heat in stride. The new shoots emerge a burgundy color adding to its ornamental value even when not in bloom. Knock Out is a rose for even those of you that don't grow roses.

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• Side dress tomatoes and peppers as they set fruit.
• Plant summer annual seeds, basils, and flowers.
• Now’s the time to prune spring-blooming shrubs, but hold off on bulb foliage until it yellows. You can also shear your asters to promote lush steady growth.

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