Question: We have two apple trees that seem unhappy. They are five years old and this is the first time we’ve seen this issue. What is wrong with them? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional There are potentially a couple of things going on here. The circular spots on the leaves in your first […]
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Question: What do you recommend to treat brown rot on peaches? All of our seven-year-old tree’s fruit has fallen to the ground, half rotten, or rotted when picked to ripen indoors. In late June, many green fruits had tiny extrusions that looked like airplane glue–clear–as well as early signs of rot. Could this have anything […]
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Question: I live on property that is mostly ledge with a slim overcoat of orange “duff-type soil”. I have rooted out most of the native “junk” that has grown here, but am leaving and encouraging the bayberry bushes. However, I have no berries and have never seen a blossom. Is there a way to tell […]
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Question: I just identified Chameleon plant in my small garden bed. I noticed it a couple of years ago and tried to stay on top of it, but this last year, it has completely taken over and is choking out the perennials. I wondered if you had suggestions for eradication? I am wondering if it […]
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Question: I have a pear tree in my yard that I keep meaning to treat for fungus. Its branches hang over blueberry bushes and an herb garden. This always makes me hesitant, wondering whether treating the pear tree will hurt the other plants. What advice do you have about that? I assume that I missed […]
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Question: I’m wondering if my tomato patch can be saved? I have been vigilant about pruning my plants from the bottom, and trimming what I thought was blight. But whatever this is, it keeps spreading. A few weeks ago it was a small branch or two, now it seems to be spreading by the hour […]
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Question: We found wasp nests had been removed from under our porches and similar areas. The nests were empty of larva. We’re wondering what kind of animal would do this? Perhaps a bird that will do this? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional It’s always handy when nature takes care of wasps in inconvenient […]
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Question: I received a blackberry plant from Arkansas as a gift. Should I plant it in my garden? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional What a lovely gift to have received. My answer is yes! With a few caveats: 1) It may depend on what variety/cultivar you have, especially given its Arkansas provenance. Blackberry […]
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Question: I am looking to identify the pathogen effecting half of an established lilac in a coastal town. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional None of the typical lilac ailments leap out as an obvious culprit. But the combination of necrotic leaf tips and margins, and the obvious chlorosis (the pronounced yellowing of the leaves […]
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Question: This morning I found the leaves of native violets that I have planted to be eaten up almost completely! I’m trying to establish a native garden. What do you think is eating them? And do you have any suggestions for me to deter this so the violets can take hold? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home […]
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