Question: Alleghany Viburnam dropped leaves which turned brown and curled up. I don’t know if this is an insect or fungus problem or something else. How can I fix? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional I’m not sure from the wording of your question if the leaves browned and curled before or after dropping. […]
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Question: I recently discovered this growth/cocoon on a young beach plum. It is only about 5/8″ long and at first assumed it to be some kind of cocoon given the perfectly round opening, only it appears to the be the same woody material as growing on the beach plum (or perhaps very well camouflaged). Any […]
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Question: Recent storms have severely damaged two spruce at our camp. We are at ocean’s edge on granite. The soil is two feet at best in depth. The site increasingly is hit with salt water several times a year. Spruce bud worm has infected the trees that are presently there. Can you recommend another species […]
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Question: I understand that the wet summer and heavy rains are causing root-rot in the white pines. We have lots of them sitting in marine clay. The clay is oozing up around several in our backyard. I assume the roots are rotting and the tree is at risk of toppling? I guess the trees are […]
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Question: For three years something has been causing the leaves on my ape trees to turn brown and fall off. This begins about the first of August. By late September some of the trees are leafless. It starts on the lower branches and works its way up. It also affects plum and pear trees. Would […]
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Question: Can you suggest any white annuals that will grow in part shade that slugs don’t touch? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional Slugs can be quite a headache in the garden, as you no doubt already know! Good growing practices to mitigate the pest’s impact include removing bricks, flat board, old flower pots, etc., that […]
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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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