Question: I have recently discovered what I believe to be jumping worms in my compost pile. I am very concerned about my plants and soil. How much damage can I expect and is there anything I can’t do to mitigate? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional The Asian jumping worm is rapidly becoming quite a headache for […]
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Question: I grow Juliet tomatoes each year primarily for fresh eating and freezing for sauce. This year I planted late due to weather. Of interest, I use no chemicals/sprays etc, only addition is bone meal. My question is…what is causing black spots and are they safe to freeze/ process? Should I treat the soil in […]
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Question: Earwigs have devoured multiple flower gardens, window boxes, vegetables. There are too many to use rolled up newspaper, hose, cans of oil, etc. I use Neem once/week on zinnias, etc. What about diatomaceous soil? Do I cover my whole two acres of plants and grass and if I do, what is the best way […]
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Question: My lawn and raised bed garden have been infested with the Amynthas jumping worm that I first noticed in 2021. I’ve read that applications of tea seed meal will eradicate these worms. I realize that Tea Seed Meal will also kill the good worms are there any other downsides? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects […]
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Question: Do ultrasonic deer repellants work? We have a string of arborvitaes which the deer love to munch on in the wintertime. Is fencing the only other alternative? We have tried sprays and clip on deterrents but nothing like that works. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects Assistant The short answer, in my experience, is that […]
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Question: I have a flowering crabapple tree that has been losing its leaves all summer. I am wondering if it has a disease that I need to treat? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects Assistant I believe what you’re looking at on your flowering crabapple is a disease called apple scab. You can read more about […]
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Question: My kale is getting eaten by a little green worm and there appears to be eggs on the plant as well. Do you know what this is and what I can do about it? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects Assistant There are several types of caterpillars that prey on brassica/cole crops like kale, with […]
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Question: I have a Blue Myrtle Cactus that is overall doing well. It is an indoor cactus. Over the past 3-4 weeks it has developed a brown spot at the end of one of its limbs where there had been some new growth. All the other limbs look great. I do not believe it has […]
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Question: I have some large diseased hemlocks that I’m hoping can be saved. It was suggested that I contact you regarding the possibility of using beetles to try to combat the pests. Can you please provide guidance? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects Assistant As you may have told, Hemlock woolly adelgid is a bit of a […]
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Question: What has made holes in my blueberries? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects Assistant I believe you are dealing with blueberry maggots, the larval form of the blueberry fruit fly. The female adults lay their eggs just under the skin of the fruit and the emerging maggots tunnel through the blueberry, giving you the tiny […]
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