QUESTION: Even though my backyard is less than an acre, it is getting way too hard to cut the grass each year. I'd like to turn the back area into a natural area. Any suggestions?ANSWER: At its simplest, a natural area is a portion of your property unplanted in grass and dressed up with mulch and shrubs or perennials.Though it sounds like an uncomplicated task, this is not something to rush into without serious thought. There will be some expense: herbicide to kill the grass, mulch and any plants you wish to add. Plus, there will be weeds to deal with.But, you will reduce your mowing and the cost of seed, fertilizer and water that you used to keep that portion looking good. So, with those pros and cons in mind, do this first. Take your garden hose and use it to define the edge of the area you think you wish to make natural. Rather than a straight line, aim for graceful curves for an interesting sweep, especially if there are mature trees to consider.Then, look at it for a while, perhaps a week or more. Move the hose in or out. Once you've settled on the amount of space you wish to turn natural, kill the grass. Once it is dead, cover the area with mulch such as pine needles and add new plants. It is possible that some grass may escape the first round of herbicide. This should be easy to dig up or spray it again.

QUESTION: Slugs are eating my petunias, which aren't blooming very well to begin with. They get about three hours of direct sunlight and the rest of the day indirect sun. Any ideas?ANSWER: As long as it is indirect sun and not shade through the day, your petunias should be fine as far as meeting their light requirements. Indirect sunlight is better for petunias than hot, afternoon sun in the summer.However, the plants need protection from slug damage with one of the baits or traps created for slug control. There is a product called Escar-Go! made from iron phosphate with a bait. It makes the slugs lose their appetite and die within two or three days, the company says.Next, your petunias need fertilizer to boost their bloom power. Liquid products formulated for annuals should do the job. In the meantime, pinch off spent blooms, and give the tips of the plants a pinch to encourage branching.