Question: My somerset seedless vine (about five years old) now has berries and they are getting some fatal disease. They start with a brown spot, then it progresses to a brown bullseye, then half the berry shrivels, then the whole thing is mummified. I suspect this is black rot, yet again, even after cutting back […]
Read more
Question: Last year, I bought some bee balm from a vendor at the farmers market and planted it. It is growing well, but it has magenta “stains” on the stalks. The lower leaves are turning yellow, and there are some white and yellow spots on some of the upper leaves. The spots eventually turn brown. […]
Read more
Question: I just planted some organic cucumber seedlings in my garden, and immediately noticed holes in the leaves. I inspected the plant, and can not see any bugs. I submitted a photo. Can you tell me what it is? What I can or can not do about it? What can I do to prevent it […]
Read more
Question: I planted Jacob’s Cattle bush beans. They germinated well, but now have brown spots on some leaves. I do not see any insects on the leaves. Can you tell me what is causing the brown spots, and the best way to help the beans? Answer: Kate Garland, Horticultural Professional Our team agrees this appears […]
Read more
Question: I have two elderberries in the back yard, both are three years old. The tall one suddenly got lots of aphids for the first time. Thick clumps of dark purple aphids (with some ants and ladybugs associated). Maybe 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup of aphids total (50-75 stalks involved). I sprayed them off […]
Read more
Question: I planted some zinnias as seedlings. They were doing great but now they look like this. They are indoors, I’ve been putting a grill light on them but they seem somewhere between drowned and parched. The other seedlings in different trays seem to be doing just great. Answer: Frank Wertheim, Extension Educator, Agriculture/Horticulture The […]
Read more
Question: The lower 3-4 feet branches of my large rhododendrons have been eaten by deer. Should these branches be pruned as the upper part of the bush just keeps growing taller? Answer: Frank Wertheim, Extension Educator, Agriculture/Horticulture In the photo it appears that the lower branches, while severely eaten back by the deer, still have […]
Read more
Question: I want to plant bush beans. Last year they got devoured by slugs. What is the best way to limit or stop the slugs? Answer: Brian Erickson, Sustainable Agriculture Professional/Professional I We have a few great resources when it comes to dealing with slugs. Home and Garden IPM from Cooperative Extension, Slugs and Snails […]
Read more
Question: My raised bed vegetable gardens were infested with grubs last summer and most of my crops failed because of the roots being chewed up by grubs. I applied milky spore last fall but my soil is still infested with grubs. Can I use beneficial nematodes this spring to knock back the grubs before I […]
Read more
Question: I have asked several questions over the past few years about my blue indigo Baptisia plant. I always appreciate your responses. New shoots are just beginning to emerge this year. I have about 12 that I have counted. Unfortunately, my dog just dug in the area where the baptisia grows and damaged about half […]
Read more