Training Cucumbers: String and Trellis
Trellising cucumbers helps with plant disease, reduces the space they need, and makes them easier to pick. UT Assistant Professor of Horticulture Natalie Bumgarner shows two methods of having cucumbers climb. First, she shows how to set up a system to use a top wire and twine so the cucumbers can climb. She also shows what to do when the cucumber gets to the top of the string and is still growing. This method is especially useful when you have only a few plants. Then, she shows how to install a livestock panel as a trellis. She also talks about tendrils and other useful information about cucumber plants.
Related Videos: Cucumbers Why are my cucumbers bitter this year? Related Resources: Vine Crops for the Tennessee Vegetable Garden Growing Cucumbers in the Home Garden |
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Squash Vine Borer
This week in the garden Chris Cooper finds a squash plant that is infected with squash vine borer. He tries unsuccessfully to find the borer and then talks about how to prevent squash vine borers. >>Watch
Garden Notes
When to Harvest Green Beans 
You should harvest green beans at the optimum time, so they are large, but still tender. Booker T. Leigh shows beans that are both too small and too large as well as a bean that is at the correct size to pick. >>Watch |
Mixing and Applying Fungicide
Mike Dennison shows how to mix fungicide and apply it to tomatoes to prevent blight. He tells how to read the fungicide label and calculate how much concentrate to use. He then shows how to mix the concentrate in a sprayer. Finally, he shows hot to apply the fungicide to tomato plants to cover all the leaves. >>Watch
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Tomato Support: The Florida Weave
Tomatoes need to be supported as they grow to prevent disease and fungus. Natalie Bumgarner, shows how to use the Florida weave method to hold up tomato plants. Natalie talks about different post and twine options. She shows how to tie the twine to support the tomatoes and gives pointers on tying the tomatoes up. >>Watch
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Building a Blackberry Trellis
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Viewer Questions
This is likely a disease called black rot. Natalie Bumgarner says this can infect the fruit, leaves, and shoots. Spraying is the way to take care of this problem, but you have to do it at the right time. Waiting until you see the problem is too late. You have to spray preventatively on a schedule. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper thinks it could be anthracnose. In either case the correct spray will take care of the problem. For the timings and chemicals contact your local extension office for their recommendations for your area.>>Watch
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I repotted my rubber tree and overwatered it. Are the brown leaves from overwatering?
This is most likely a case of overwatering your Ficus or rubber tree. Natalie Bumgarner recommends letting the new soil media dry out, but not all the way. She also recommends checking the roots to see if you have decay. Also check your growing points to see if they look good. House plants tend to respond more slowly than outside plants so it may take a while. >>Watch
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Why is my hardy fig tree growing weird looking figs?
This was likely caused by a late spring frost at the time the bloom was forming. This can also be caused by nematodes or an unusually wet spring. Rain could have also interfered with pollinator activity. >>Watch
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How do I get rid of crape myrtle suckers around my hydrangea?
When living crape myrtles are cut down they send up many, many suckers from the roots. Agent Chris Cooper offers a few options for killing the roots. The non-chemical way is to keep cutting off the suckers as they come up. The roots will eventually exhaust their energy reserve and die, but this may take several years. Or you can use glyphosate on the shoots. Because there is another desirable plant in the area don’t spray, wipe. Take a brush or sponge and wipe glyphosate concentrate on the leaves of the shoots. >>Watch
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More Questions & Answers
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