Q. I keep hearing that neem is an organic gardener’s cure-all, deadly to pests and diseases but harmless to everything else. Can this be true?

A. No. But it is not far off. Many foliage feeders are repelled by products derived from the tropical neem tree, and those eating neem-covered leaves often lose appetite and starve.

Most of neem’s pesticidal punch comes from the compound azadirachtin, which disrupts insects’ growth as well as dampening their appetite. It can also be a fungicide.

Used as directed, neem is harmless to mammals and birds, and little danger to beneficial insects. But it is bad for fish. And it usually requires frequent reapplication: the gardener must be an active partner for neem to deserve its sterling reputation.

Sources for neem include Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden Supply, (888) 784-1722 or groworganic.com, and Extremely Green Gardening Company, extremelygreen.com.

Transplanting azaleas

Q. I have five small azaleas in my front bed that offer little curb appeal except when they bloom. I’d like to replace them with something showier. Can the azaleas be moved to another part of the yard, and when should this be done? Would they grow in a large urn or container?

A. You can certainly transplant the azaleas. Their fibrous root system makes them more adaptable to transplanting than most other shrubs. I find that fall is a better time given the press of gardening chores in March and April.

The object is to dig a broad root ball. Since most of the roots are in the top foot of soil, there is no need to dig a deep root ball. Slide the root ball onto a tarp and drag the plant to its new location. If you are moving small plants, you may be able to lift them. Azaleas are not a good choice for urns. With all sides exposed to the elements, the soil in the urn will be much colder than the soil in the ground. The azalea’s roots are likely to be injured as a result.

Dog-proof choices

Q. I am looking for plant suggestions for the area between my sidewalk and the street. We have a lot of dogs in our neighborhood that pee along this grassy border.

A. Any plant that can tolerate salts is likely to withstand dog urine as long as it is not too frequent and rainfall is sufficient to keep it diluted.

Rugosa rose, shore juniper and blue lyme grass are some plants that come to mind. Bayberry may also tolerate the abuse. All of these plants require good drainage, and while they can endure drought well, they will grow better if you give them a good soaking (with plain water) in times of drought.

Plants from seeds

Q. How do I grow new plants from the seeds in blooms of my peace lily?

A. If what you want is more plants, there is an easier and faster way to get them. This is propagation by division of the plant. It is very easy to do once you take the plant out of the pot. Notice the part of the plant at ground level called the crown, from which leaves rise and roots descend. You may be surprised how many of these crowns are grouped to form the plant you possess.

Taken gently off the mother plant, one or several can be repotted to grow into a fresh plant in a different pot. As you may have noticed, peace lilies grow quite rapidly when the soil is kept moist, the air humid and not much sun hits the leaves.

Leave shrubs behind

Q. We are about to move and would like to transplant some of our favorite shrubs, including a rhododendron, an azalea and two dogwoods, to name a few. What is the right timing for such transplants to give the plants the best chance to survive?

A. Bringing favorite and valuable plants with you sounds like a great idea, but it is fraught with so many difficulties that you will find your options quite limited.

Often the closing date does not coincide with optimum transplant seasons of autumn, late winter and early spring. You could move the plants before putting your current house on the market, but this only works if you are building a new home on land you already own. Even then, a half-emptied landscape may not appeal to a would-be buyer.

Trees, in particular, should be root-pruned six months to a year before they are moved to ensure a better chance at survival, and often homeowners don’t have that much advance notice of a move. And then you have the problem of arranging to move the plants, which may require a large rental truck and more strong backs than you have at your disposal.

In addition, there is the problem of conditions at the new property. They may or may not match well with those in your old yard. If drainage, soil texture and hydrology are radically different, the plants may not adjust to their new home.

In my opinion, special perennials, bulbs and garden ornaments are worth moving. Trees and shrubs that are newly planted but have not yet fully established themselves can go with you, too. Mature shrubs and established trees are not really worth the extraordinary effort and timing needed.

Compiled from New York Times News Service, McClatchy Newspapers and Washington Post reports.