Cooperative Extension: Garden and Yard

Question: My azalea bush is about 30 years old and has bloomed beautifully every spring around Mother’s Day. Last year there was very few flowers and this year the leaves are a weird color and I have no idea if it will bloom.  It does not get too much water. I’ve looked up pictures and […]

Question: I have significant ant presence in my home and have a very large vegetable and native edible garden. I’m looking for advice on managing the ants without harming the gardens, where they might be living. Is there any pest management tools that would address the ants and not harm us or edible food? Answer: […]

Question: How can I remove spider mites from my hemlock bush without toxic sprays? Answer: Kate Garland, Horticulturist Thank you for sending the photos so I can be sure of the plant you’re dealing with. Pesticide products used on the wrong plant can potentially cause serious damage. Here are two main options to consider from […]

Question: I have attached a photo of my beach roses taken last fall.  Several of the branches have spiky round growths on them.  These branches seem to be dying.   Are you familiar with this problem and to you have any suggested remedies?   Answer: Lynne M. Holland, Horticulture and Social Media Professional Your beach roses have Mossy […]

Question: Every year my great hollyhocks are practically destroyed by RUST. They enjoy full sun and super air circulation.  I trim, sanitize my tools constantly and use fungicides to no avail. Wondering if you have any advice? I am thinking of digging and destroying them as it’s way too time consuming at this point. Answer: […]

Question: I have experienced an invasion of grasshoppers that have devastated my flower gardens for the last two years. I’ve read NOLO bait is a good product to kill grasshopper eggs but this will not be available to purchase. Can you offer a recommendation? I would also like advice to deal with Japanese beetles. Answer: […]

Question: How do you get rid of voles and moles in the garden? Online, I have seen that many of the usual methods, scent, and castor oil really don’t work. Can you suggest an effective method? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Project Assistant Voles and moles can be quite a headache for gardeners and homeowners. I […]

Question: I have a small greenhouse and had spider mites on my tomatoes and peppers last year, both in individual pots and in the permanent bed. Should I empty the soil from the pots and bed, assuring that there will be no spider mites this year or will they not winter over?  Answer: Jonathan Foster, […]

Question: I have a large 15 x15 foot cranberry bush viburnum that is heavily infested with viburnum leaf beetle. I am going to cut it down before spring but want to know how I should dispose of it so that the beetles do not spread. I do not think that it would be wise to […]