Today, I’m joined by America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower, and we are going to spend the entire episode answering your garden questions. We will be going into mind-numbing detail as well as frivolous scenic bypasses over such queries as: What’s the easiest way to apply fertilizer around fruit trees when the area is covered with mulch?  (1:24)What are some lawn alternatives that are low maintenance and drought tolerant? (12:16) Why aren’t my carrots sweet? Did the rain do that? (30:48)And the question for which there is no definitive answer: How can I keep the squirrels out of my garden and orchard?  (36:58)We’re podcasting from Barking Dog Studios here in the beautiful Abutilon Jungle in Suburban Purgatory. It’s the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you today by Smart Pots and Dave Wilson Nursery. Let’s go! Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcripts and episode chapters also available at BuzzsproutPictured: Squirrel, BirdsLinks: Subscribe to the free, Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter https://gardenbasics.substack.com Smart Pots https://smartpots.com/fred/ Dave Wilson Nursery https://www.davewilson.com/home-garden/How to Raise Backyard Honeybees (Ep. 30 of Garden Basics)Tree Squirrel ControlsGround Squirrel ControlsDymondia ground coverKurapia ground coverMow-Free Turf ground coverHybrid Improved Bermudagrass VarietiesClover as a ground coverAll About Farmer Fred:The Farmer Fred Rant! Blog http://farmerfredrant.blogspot.comFacebook:  "Get Growing with Farmer Fred" Instagram: farmerfredhoffman https://www.instagram.com/farmerfredhoffman/Twitter: @farmerfredFarmer Fred Garden Minute Videos on YouTube Got a garden question? • Leave an audio question without making a phone call via Speakpipe, at https://www.speakpipe.com/gardenbasics• Call or text us the question: 916-292-8964. • Fill out the contact box at GardenBasics.net• E-mail: fred@farmerfred.com Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter