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Keep Voles at Bay: Building Wire Cages to Protect Your Plants

Many gardeners face the challenge of protecting their plants from pesky voles. These small mouse-like rodents are notorious for invading gardens and feasting on the roots of beloved plants, especially tulip bulbs, lilies, and hostas. To prevent voles from munching on your investments over the winter, you can plant them in a wire cage. This will safeguard your plants while allowing them to grow unmolested. >>Read the Full Article

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Vole Proofing and Planting Hostas

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Lichen on Trees
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Building a Hoop House

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How to Lay Sod

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This Week in the Garden

Stop the Invader! How to Control Japanese Privet

Japanese privet is very invasive. Birds spread the seeds and it can now be found growing everywhere and displacing native plants. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond shows how to kill a vigorous privet plant both with and without chemicals. >>Watch

Garden Notes
Sunscald on Blackberry

Blackberries naturally grow in partly shady locations and so they can get sunscald if they are in hot direct sun. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison shows a branch of a blackberry plant that is suffering from sunscald. >>Watch

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Fertilizing Trees

Fertilizing trees gives them the nutrients they need, but it can help in other ways. Certified Arborist Wes Hopper talks about fertilizing trees and the different ways to do it. He also talks about mycorrhiza and the interaction of fungus and plants. He also describes how proper fertilization will encourage tree roots to grow down and not grow on the surface.

Common Insecticides:
When and How to
Use Them

Insecticides play a crucial role in managing pest populations in gardens and agricultural settings. However, knowing when and how to use them effectively is key to maximizing effectiveness while minimizing environmental impact and preserving beneficial insects. >>Watch

Chrysanthemums

TSU Extension Agent Joellen Dimond talks about chrysanthemums or mums. Chrysanthemums are popular for fall color. Chrysanthemums are early, middle, or late blooming, that’s how the stores keep blooming mums in stock for so long. Each plant will bloom for about two weeks. >>Watch

Understanding Common Fungicides: An Essential Guide

Fungicides are crucial tools in gardening and agriculture, designed primarily to prevent fungal diseases that can severely impact plants. Unlike insecticides, which target visible insects, fungicides are preventative measures aimed at stopping diseases before they become a problem. >>Watch

Monarch Butterfly Tagging

Tagging monarch butterflies is a fun way you can participate in citizen science and help understand their migration patterns. Monarchs, known for their remarkable journey from North America to Central Mexico, can be tracked with the help of specialized tags. Here’s a detailed guide on how to properly tag these iconic butterflies. >>Watch

Common Tree Diseases

Options for Preserving Herbs

A Guide to Understanding
Drip Irrigation

Enhancing Your Landscape with Plant Screens

Summer Rose Care: Get Prolific Fall Blooms

The Secret to Houseplants:
Light and Moisture

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Viewer Questions

What is causing parts of my spirea to twist and turn silvery?

This is powdery mildew. Powdery mildew likes to grow in warm moist conditions. It has a silvery appearance and also causes the affected branches to twist. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond suggests allowing for more air circulation, which will help prevent the powdery mildew. >>Watch

What is this on my peas? A: Aphids

These are aphids. There are a number of ways you can control them from insecticides to blasting them off with a stream of water. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond goes through some of the options. >>Watch

What are some plants I can use in my wet yard?

Wet conditions limit the plants you can use in your landscape, but there are some plants that do very well in these conditions. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond recommends three that she has planted and are proven in wet conditions. >>Watch

What is wrong with my
chestnut tree?

This is probably just end of season leaf diseases. It is nothing to worry about. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says it was a hard summer and the leaves are about done for the year. They will fall off and new healthy leaves will come out next spring. >>Watch

What is this bug? A: Kudzu Bug

This is the kudzu bug. It is in the stinkbug family. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper says the kudzu bug is difficult to control. The best thing to do is if you see one squish it or knock it into a container of soapy water. >>Watch