Rabbits have eaten off all the bark around a small fruit tree.  Will it die? 
Trees that are completely girdled have essentially been destroyed. Wrapping the trunk or applying pruning paint to the damaged area will not save the tree. Most affected trees will sucker from the base. However, since most fruit and ornamental trees are propagated by grafting, suckers that originate from the rootstock will not produce a desirable tree. 

What are winter onions? 
"Winter onion" is a general term used to describe onions that can survive the winter outdoors in the ground. The Egyptian onion (also called tree onion and walking onion) produces clusters of small bulbs (called bulblets) at the tops of flower-like stalks in summer. Eventually, the stalk falls to the ground, allowing the bulblets to root. This unusual reproductive method allows the plant to “walk” around the garden. Egyptian onions are used primarily for green onions.

Multiplier onions (also called potato onions) divide underground, forming clusters of small to medium-sized bulbs. Multiplier onions are grown for green onions or the mature bulbs. In Iowa, fall planted multiplier onions should be mulched in late November to help them survive the winter. Both the Egyptian onion and multiplier onion are sometimes referred to as winter onions. 

I recently received a grapefruit tree as a gift.  How do I care for it?
Grapefruit and several other types of citrus can be grown indoors in Iowa. Indoors, place citrus plants in a sunny south or west window. Water plants regularly while growing in spring and summer, less often in winter. Fertilize citrus plants in spring and summer with a soluble houseplant fertilizer. Do not fertilize during winter.

If possible, place citrus plants outdoors in spring (late May). Plants will need to be acclimated to outdoor conditions. Initially, place the plants in a shady location. After one or two days, move the plants to a location where they receive 1 to 1.5 hours of sun. Gradually increase the amount of sun the plants receive over a period of several days. After seven to 10 days, the plants should be properly acclimated and should remain in a sunny location.  The plants should be brought back indoors in early to mid-September. 

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