Question: I think voles are undermining my high bush blueberries. We had problems with them earlier in the spring in our greenhouse, and now there are soft indentations on the lawn around my blueberries. Production this year was way off, compared to previous years. How can I deal with the voles? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Community […]
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Question: How do you treat Hemlocks with an infestation of Woolly Adelgid? These hemlocks are within 50 feet of two drilled wells. Answer: Donna R. Coffin, Extension Professor First you need to be sure you are dealing with the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. There are some look alikes. Once you are sure you have HWA if you […]
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Question: I planted four Frontenac grape plants last fall that appear to be doing well. Unfortunately the Japanese beetles got out of hand on them recently. I’m willing to chalk this year’s crop up for a loss; however, is it a foregone conclusion that the plants are now unviable moving forward or can I expect […]
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Question: We have crows tearing up our lawn in one part of the yard. Some websites have suggested getting “beneficial nematodes” to combat this. We have organic raised beds in the area and are careful not to taint them. Would the nematodes be helpful and safe? Are the crows doing us a favor by getting […]
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Question: I have a happy, healthy bed of annual flowers- cosmos, Mexican sunflowers, zinnias, verbena. I moved a wooden plank into the garden to create a border for the bed. I noticed there were small ants in the board. Since then, my annuals have been wilting and dying and the base of the stem of […]
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Question: I have transplanted flocks which had powdery mildew in its first garden to the second garden. In their second garden powdery mildew returned the following summer. I want to plan something different there next year. Do I need to do something to the soil to rid it of the powdery mildew fungus? Answer: Caragh […]
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Question: I believe I have purple carrot-seed moth caterpillars in my garden primarily on my dill plants. I would greatly appreciate your help in identifying this caterpillar and if it is invasive? If so how do I get rid of them? Answer: Rebecca Long, Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture Professional Your identification is correct, we agree […]
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Question: What can be used to effectively repel Japanese beetles from plants? Presently I use a trap & hand pick beetles several times a day. Answer: Katherine Garland, Horticulturist I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with a heavy “crop” of Japanese beetles this year. Now is when the adults are most actively feeding and mating, […]
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Question: The tops of my Blue Spruce tree turned thin and curly, then brown and the needles have now fallen off. How do I heal this tree? Answer: Rebecca Long, Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture Professional Unfortunately, your spruce has been attacked by White Pine Weevil. This Penn State publication also has good photos. The good news is that […]
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Question: I have highbush blueberries that I protect from birds and critters by netting. A couple of times in the past decade, a bird has gotten inside the netting and could not find its way out and died. Would hanging cds on the bushes work to protect the blueberries from the birds and critters? Answer: […]
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