Question: I live on property that is mostly ledge with a slim overcoat of orange “duff-type soil”. I have rooted out most of the native “junk” that has grown here, but am leaving and encouraging the bayberry bushes. However, I have no berries and have never seen a blossom. Is there a way to tell […]
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Question: I just identified Chameleon plant in my small garden bed. I noticed it a couple of years ago and tried to stay on top of it, but this last year, it has completely taken over and is choking out the perennials. I wondered if you had suggestions for eradication? I am wondering if it […]
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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: I’m wondering if my tomato patch can be saved? I have been vigilant about pruning my plants from the bottom, and trimming what I thought was blight. But whatever this is, it keeps spreading. A few weeks ago it was a small branch or two, now it seems to be spreading by the hour […]
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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 received a blackberry plant from Arkansas as a gift. Should I plant it in my garden? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional What a lovely gift to have received. My answer is yes! With a few caveats: 1) It may depend on what variety/cultivar you have, especially given its Arkansas provenance. Blackberry […]
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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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