Question: I have a milkweed question. Some sites I’ve read say all parts of the plant are poisonous. Others say you can eat it. I don’t want to eat it but I have a bunch growing in our raspberry patch. Do I need to worry about milkweed pollen getting on the berries? Answer: Jonathan Foster, […]
Read more
Question: A neighbor of mine in ‘mistake’ planted a Rosa Rugosa. Last year, they had the mother plant removed, but through either rhizomes or seed, MANY new plants developed this year. They again have a company coming in to remove any visible plants/rhizomes. I think they will need to be diligent in spraying an herbicide […]
Read more
Question: I’ve discovered dodder in the coreopsis in my flower garden. I am trying to stay ahead of a takeover by daily removal and sequester of cuttings. How did it get in my garden? Answer: Lynne Holland, Horticulture and Social Media Professional Dodder is spread by a relatively heavy seed so it generally comes in […]
Read more
Question: Are all parts of the bamboo (Japanese Knotweed) able to reroot? Do I need to remove every piece of the plant including the very old dead stalks? Answer: Kate Garland, Horticultural Professional Thank you for thoughtfully managing your Japanese knotweed issue. It’s wise to be cautious about how you dispose of any invasive species […]
Read more
Question: I have several wild alternate-leaf dogwoods on my property that have died previously. They are all located in a similar section of the property. There are two others nearby that are alive but look terrible, with leaves only at the top of the plant. I have not seen a bug or insect on the […]
Read more
Question: What would be a good late blooming flowering tree for our yard? We currently have two apple trees and have never been able to eat the apples because of a fungus even after we’ve sprayed the tree. It’s time to cut those down and plant a flowering tree that blooms later in the season. […]
Read more
Question: Our maple trees have big black spots on the leaves. My guess is it’s a fungus; is that likely? For now, assuming it’s a fungus, what’s the best product to treat it with? The maples are fairly new and small, so spraying would be possible. Answer: Kate Garland, Horticulturist From what I can see, […]
Read more
Question: A small black bug has taken over my nasturtiums! I’ve never seen an infestation likes this before on any of my plants. What are they and how do I manage them? Answer: Caragh B. Fitzgerald, Associate Extension Professor Those insects are aphids. Often aphids are not very problematic, but sometimes they can be severe […]
Read more
Question: Wireworms are eating my root vegetables. Is there anything that will control them? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects Assistant Unfortunately, there aren’t any effective treatments after planting and establishment of the pest, and the best controls are preparing the soil properly and siting the plants appropriately. Please refer to these resources for in-depth information: […]
Read more
Question: We have been letting our fields grow to promote natural habitat. About every other year we mow it in the early spring. We noticed this year an abundance of hedge bedstraw which I guess is ‘invasive’. Should we let it continue to grow and if so, are there any downsides to doing so? The […]
Read more