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Cooperative Extension: Garden and Yard

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When should I prune new grape plants?

Question: I have a grape pruning question. I planted three new grape plants in late May. I have since learned that I should have pruned them down to 1-2 primary stalks after planting, but I didn’t do that. I am wondering if I should do this now or wait until their dormant period, Jan-Mar next […]

Is there a remedy for pine trees that have lost a large amount of needles?

Question: We have noticed that the pine trees have had an unusual amount of tags falling especially in the last three weeks. We are looking for a remedy or if he needs to remove a tree. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional Unfortunately, this is something of a known issue at the moment. There […]

Do you test soil for toxoplasmosis?

Question: Do you test soil or vegetables for toxoplasmosis? My cat has been using a part of the garden as a litter box so I’m a bit freaked out about eating the produce from it. I’m hoping that you can test for it? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional Unfortunately, toxoplasmosis is not something […]

What are some general recommendations for fertilizing in a limited space for growing vegetables?

Question: I haven’t found any recommendations on this website for fertilizing specific varieties of vegetables. I do get recommendations with a soil report but I grow my vegetables in a limited space and rotate them as best as I can from year-to-year. Are there some general recommendations you can provide, as well as timing? Answer: […]

Why is asparagus not growing well this year?

Question: We planted asparagus four years ago, harvesting for the first time last year. We had a long and abundant harvest last year. This year we have experienced next to no shoots. Should we be concerned? Is there something we should do to encourage growth again next year? Are the good years and bad years […]

Can I use cedar shavings as mulch in my vegetable garden around squash or tomatoes specifically?

Question: Can I use cedar shavings as mulch in my vegetable garden around squash or tomatoes specifically? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional Cedar has at times been a controversial choice for mulch, due to concerns over 1) its naturally occurring biochemical properties having what’s known as allelopathic effects (that is, inhibiting the normal […]

How should I treat the yellow dots on my Turtlehead plant?

Question: There are yellow dots on the leaves of my Turtlehead plant. I sprayed neem oil solution but not sure if that will prevent more from spreading. Should I prune infected leaves? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional I’m sorry to say I don’t immediately recognize these spots, nor did a quick bit of […]

What was the white area that developed on mulch after a heavy rain?

Question: After a severe rain storm the other day, this white area developed under a grouping of trees, on some mulch. The next day it began turning black. What would be happening and are the plants near by or the trees in jeopardy of getting some form of fungus or disease? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home […]

Were the black speckles on my mint plants rust?

Question: I had a mint plant that was spreading and I noticed that all of it seemed to have black speckles on it. I think it might be rust? So I pulled up what I could, bagged it and threw it away. Could it have been something else? Should I be concerned? Answer: Jonathan Foster, […]

Why are the pine needles turning yellow and dropping in my area?

Question: Many of my pine trees and many others in the area have turned unusually yellow and are dropping huge amounts of needles. I don’t remember ever seeing it this bad. Is this something I need to be concerned about? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional There are numerous reasons why a white pine […]

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