Question: We have two apple trees that seem unhappy. They are five years old and this is the first time we’ve seen this issue. What is wrong with them? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional There are potentially a couple of things going on here. The circular spots on the leaves in your first […]
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Question: What do you recommend to treat brown rot on peaches? All of our seven-year-old tree’s fruit has fallen to the ground, half rotten, or rotted when picked to ripen indoors. In late June, many green fruits had tiny extrusions that looked like airplane glue–clear–as well as early signs of rot. Could this have anything […]
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Question: I have a pear tree in my yard that I keep meaning to treat for fungus. Its branches hang over blueberry bushes and an herb garden. This always makes me hesitant, wondering whether treating the pear tree will hurt the other plants. What advice do you have about that? I assume that I missed […]
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Question: We found wasp nests had been removed from under our porches and similar areas. The nests were empty of larva. We’re wondering what kind of animal would do this? Perhaps a bird that will do this? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional It’s always handy when nature takes care of wasps in inconvenient […]
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Question: I am looking to identify the pathogen effecting half of an established lilac in a coastal town. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional None of the typical lilac ailments leap out as an obvious culprit. But the combination of necrotic leaf tips and margins, and the obvious chlorosis (the pronounced yellowing of the leaves […]
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Question: This morning I found the leaves of native violets that I have planted to be eaten up almost completely! I’m trying to establish a native garden. What do you think is eating them? And do you have any suggestions for me to deter this so the violets can take hold? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home […]
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Question: I’m curious to learn what you folks might think may be the cause for something in and adjacent to one of our flower beds. Last fall, we noticed a mound in the bed. It’s about 1.5′ x 2′ x 4″. The mound is at an end of the bed next to a flagstone patio […]
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Question: Some of my curly parsley plants are yellowing and dying. This happened two years ago. I lost them all. Dug some up and the roots seemed fine. No bugs of any kind that I can see. Last year, I changed planting locations and they all did great. This year, some are starting to die […]
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Question: I have what appears to be a fungal infection in my clover lawn. I need help identifying it and advise for the proper fungicide. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional I’m sorry to hear about the clover problems. I believe it’s likely you’re looking at powdery mildew, a common clover ailment in red […]
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Question: I have mature highbush blueberry plants. This year there is FAR fewer berries than in the previous 26 years. I’ve also noticed that several berries (but not all) are dying before they ripen. This seems to happen when they are still white, before turning purple. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional I’m sorry […]
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