I have self-seeding plants in my garden that I pull out before they go to seed and spread around too abundantly. If I pull them when they are in bloom and put them on the compost pile, will they still go to seed even though the roots are exposed and the plant is dying? I don’t want to end up inadvertently spreading the seeds through the beds when I use the finished compost.

First of all, if you pull these plants when they are still in bloom, they haven’t finished the process of making the seeds. If you miss a few and don’t remove them till after the bloom has long faded, then the seeds have formed. If you maintain a hot compost pile, one that reaches a measurable 140 to 160 degrees, the heat will not only kill many pathogenic organisms, but also self-seeding plants. A hot pile works best if it is made up all at one time and then allowed to compost completely without further additions of material. You don’t say what kind of plants these are, but you might consider deadheading to “trick” the plant into blooming again. Then you can enjoy more blossom time and get the jump on the seed-making process before it begins.

As organic matter (compost, mulch, etc.) is added to the garden, how do the beds not gradually grow higher? Does the organic matter decompose to literally nothing? Or do the particles just become so small that the beds’ height is relatively unaffected?

There are two actions at work. First is that the decomposition process continues after the compost has been added to the beds. A very small percentage of the matter, called humus, is left at the end of the decomposition process. As decades go by with more and more organic matter added to the beds, the soil level would increase.

The second action at work is that plants are being grown in the beds and they consume the humus along with the other elements that comprise the soil. If more organic matter is added to the beds than is consumed by the plants, then very slowly over time the beds will gradually grow higher.

My basil is riddled with holes. I can’t find any pests hanging around the plants or on the leaves. What to do?

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) can be grown in Michigan gardens as an annual herb when the ground warms in the spring or inside year-round. Basil is grown for many purposes, including crafters using it in potpourri and dried flower arrangements. Cooks find endless culinary uses for its unique flavor, including the making of vinegars, baked goods, jellies, salads and Italian dishes. Gardeners value basil as a beneficial companion plant for many vegetables to help improve growth and flavor while providing some protection from insects. We can rub leaves on our skin and place fresh sprigs on the barbecue to repel mosquitoes or lay them on top of food bowls to stop flies from landing.

Despite all its insect repellent properties, basil itself is subject to a variety of pests, including leaf-chewing slugs, snails, Japanese beetles, rose beetles, caterpillars, thrips, white flies and flea beetles. Realizing that there are a number of pests that feed on basil, your first step will be to clearly identify which pest is causing the leaf damage before a course of action can be chosen. Slugs and their relatives hide during the day, but during the night they leave telltale slime trails to identify them after the fact. Flea beetles can hide on the undersides of the leaves, with many tiny shot holes as evidence of their presence. Most of the others are able to be observed during the day if you are vigilant.

Once identified, one or more of the solutions below will help you to successfully grow and harvest this useful, valuable herb.

• Create a healthy environment by providing your plants with full sun and ample water. Plant in a nutrient-rich, well-drained soil.
• Rotate plants and introduce beneficial insects into your garden.
• Use organic controls including insecticidal soap and oils, B.t. (Bacillus thuringiensis), plant-based insecticides (pyrethrums) and diatomaceous earth.
• Learn and practice the tenets of IPM (Integrated Pest Management).
• A few pesticides are registered for legal use on basil, but the residue left on the plant and the chance of inhalation during application can be toxic.