Garden Q&A: Harsh winters may have been too much for frangipani

I planted a frangipani given to me by a neighbor, and it looks like it's dead. Is there anything I can do to stimulate it to grow?

Frangipani, or plumeria, is a tropical plant with wonderfully fragrant flowers. The flowers are among the ones traditionally used in Hawaiian leis.

It loses its leaves in the fall and looks like dead sticks through the winter. Locally, frangipani is usually grown in pots, because it is tropical and intolerant of freezing temperatures. Then, the pots are brought inside to a protected spot. They don't need much attention during their dormancy. Mine did fine spending the winter in my bathroom for years, although they didn't add much to the decor.

But this year was exceptional and probably too cold for such a tender plant. The only way to be sure is to wait to see if they sprout again somewhere along the stem. Given the possibilities of microclimates, it isn't impossible for it to have survived.

I have installed a raised bed garden and want to encourage earthworms to be in the soil I put in. How do I do that?

Earthworms are often called "The Gardener's Best Friend," with good reason. While it is socially acceptable to talk about the earthworm's skill at mixing and aerating the soil, earthworms do more wonderful things than that.

They draw organic material like fallen leaves from the surface of the soil down into the soil. They eat the leaves (and other dead organic material). Their waste material contains broken down organic material, with added benefits. It also contains microorganisms that enrich the soil, work to improve root health and consume other, less beneficial microorganisms. These castings, which are just worm poop, are considered to be black gold in the plant aficionado's world and are sometimes sold as soil enrichment.

But of course, why buy worm castings when you can have the local annelids produce them?

Earthworms have specific preferences, simple for the homeowner to provide.

They must have moisture. They breathe through their skin, which must be moist to work. If their skin becomes too dry, they are unable to breathe. We see this when they start across sidewalks and roads on hot days and dry out before they reach the other side. Too much water, and they literally drown. We see this after heavy rains.

Earthworms seem to be irritated by high levels of nitrogen, so it's best to use nitrogen sources that release the nitrogen slowly. The worm castings will provide some nitrogen, so your garden won't need as much added nitrogen.

Even though they don't have eyes, they do have light sensors, and they choose to go toward darkness. So a nice layer of mulch makes them feel right at home. Pine straw is a good mulch for vegetable gardens, although other products will do.

You can buy earthworms at a bait shop, but you are already providing all the necessary elements for a healthy population of earthworms. Once they find your garden, they will work to increase their population. Tip: Crushed eggshells seem to increase reproduction!

Remember that they go deeper into the soil when the temperatures are cold, so you may already have a good population hidden in your garden.

We have bees swarming around and going into the ground. How do I get rid of them?

Most likely these are yellow jackets, a type of wasp. If you can get close enough, you'll find they have a narrow waist and smooth skin. Bees are pretty hairy, which enables them to collect pollen well.

You must use great caution. Unlike bees, yellow jackets can sting repeatedly and are very aggressive. The best way to deal with a nest is to hire a pest control operator to come out and kill them. This is especially true if you are unable to move away quickly.

If you are unwilling to hire some one, a knock down, instant kill spray will be the safest you can use. Apply at night after the wasps have gone into the nest. Try to cover the nest entrance immediately with a piece of wood, bag of mulch or something that will slow or stop their escape.

Then get as far away as you can, as quickly as you can.

Becky Wern is a master gardener with the Duval County Extension Service and the University of Florida/IFAS.