Garden Notes
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Identifying Crape Myrtle Bark Scale
Crape myrtle bark scale can severely weaken or even kill crape myrtles. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper finds some crape myrtle bark scale and talks about how to control it.
Related Videos: Treating Crape Myrtle Bark Scale Scale When and how should I treat crape myrtle bark scale? Related Resources: Crape Myrtle Bark Scale Identification and Control Crape Myrtle Bark Scale: A New Exotic Pest Crapemyrtle Bark Scale |
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Control Weeds with Landscape Fabric in the Vegetable Garden
Landscape fabric is often used around perennials, but it can also be used to almost eliminate weeds in the vegetable garden. Horticulturist Jason Reeves shows a planting of pumpkins and other squash that has no weeds thanks to the landscape fabric. He also talks about how landscape fabric helps conserve water.
Related Videos: Should I remove landscape fabric in the winter? Maximizing Your Garden with Straw Mulch Related Resources: Landscape Fabric Landscape Fabric for Garden Bed Weed Control: Good or Bad choice? |
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What Does “AAS Winner” mean on Seed Packets and Plant Containers?
AAS stands for All-American Selections, which is an independent non-profit plant testing organization. Horticulturist Jason Reeves describes the testing process plants go through to get this certification. A plant that performs well in many areas of the United States is granted the “AAS winner” label and will probably grow well in your garden.
Related Videos: Plant Societies and Garden Clubs Interesting Houseplant Options Related Resources: Pruning Trees and Shrubs Pruning and Care of Tree wounds |
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Spraying Fungicide
This week in the garden UT Professor of Residential and Consumer Horticulture Natalie Bumgarner applies fungicide. Fungicide is preventative, it will only prevent a new infection, it won’t cure an infection that is already present. Natalie says there are many fungicide options on the market. Choose one that will address the problem you are dealing with and read the label. Good coverage is critical. Fungicide will only work on the surfaces it has been applied to. Reapplying every 7-10 days will maintain that protection.
Related Videos: Mixing and Applying Fungicide Fungicides Related Resources: Fungicides and Bactericides for Home Fruits, Vegetables, and Ornamentals (UT Redbook) Using Organic Fungicides |
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Problems with Rubbing Branches –
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Aphids on Tomatoes
Aphids are a very common insect pest in the garden. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper identifies aphids living on tomatoes and talks about what to do to get rid of them.
Related Videos: Aphids on Milkweed Ladybugs Rescuing Us from Aphids Related Resources: Aphids in home yards and gardens Tomato Insect IPM Guidelines |
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Ladybugs Rescuing Us from AphidsThe tomato plants in the Family Plot garden are infested with aphids. This could be a huge problem, but on closer inspection, ladybugs are working on controlling the problem. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper was able to easily find every stage of the ladybug lifecycle on the plants: larvae, adult, and egg. They are happily munching on aphids and getting them under control. If you have an aphid problem, wait, don’t spray insecticides. The beneficial insects are not far behind.
Related Videos: Beneficial Garden Bugs How do I control aphids on my greens? Aphids on Milkweed Related Resources: Beneficial Insects, Spiders, and Other Mini Creatures in Your Garden Beneficial Insects in the Yard and Garden Beneficial Insects and other Arthropods |
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Annual Flowers: Plan Before You Plant
By carefully choosing the kinds of flowers you plant you can create a beautiful flowerbed. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond shows a flowerbed planted seven weeks ago. The bed was planned with complementing colors and textures and it looks good.
Related Videos: Annual Flowers for Full Sun, Part-Shade, or Shade Planting Spring Annuals: SunPatiens, Sweet Potato Vine, and Blue Ageratum Landscape Planning Related Resources: Developing a Home Landscape Plan Growing Annual Flowers: Planning, starting and caring for a garden |
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Powdery Mildew on Coneflower
Powdery mildew can ruin your coneflowers, but it can be treated. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper identifies powdery mildew and then talks about treatment options.
Related Videos: Powdery Mildew on Zinnias Planting Coneflower, Beebalm, and Black-Eyed Susan in the Butterfly Garden Fungicides Related Resources: Powdery Mildews Powdery mildew in the flower garden |
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Chrysanthemum Lace Bug
Chrysanthemum Lace Bugs are small insects that feed on plants in the chrysanthemum family. UT Extension Agent Celeste Scott shows the damage these insects cause and talks about how to control them.
Related Videos: Systemic Insecticides Azalea Lace Bugs Related Resources: Chrysanthemum Lace Bug Control of Lace Bugs on Ornamental Plants |
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Mushrooms in Mulch
After long periods of rain, mushrooms appear in mulch. They can spring up overnight and can be unsightly. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper talks about what to do.
Related Videos: What is this? We found it in the garden. A - Bird Nest Fungus I have fungus growing on the side of my oak tree. What should I do? What is this growing in my mulch? Related Resources: Nuisance Fungi in Landscape Mulch Fungi in mulch Mulch Molds – What is Growing on my Mulch? |
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Holly Scale and Sooty MoldThis week in the garden UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper shows a holly tree that is infested by holly scale. As the holly scale feeds on the sap of the tree, it produces honeydew which the sooty mold – a fungus – grows on. Chris recommends using a soil drench with the active ingredient imidacloprid. This will control the scale. The sooty mold will then disappear on its own over time.
Related Videos: Scale Holly Scale and Sooty Mold Horticultural Oils Related Resources: Sooty Mold The Plant Doctor - Sooty Mold |
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What Happens when a Rose is Frozen to the Ground
Garden roses are often made of parts of two different plants grafted together. One part is the plant you see, and the other part is the roots. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper shows a rose bush where the top was killed by a hard freeze. The roots survived and they are now sending up new growth that is not the same as the old plant.
Related Videos: Basic Rose Care Planting Potted Roses Related Resources: Growing Roses Pruning Roses Roses: fertilizing |
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Understanding Vegetable Bolting
Understanding the concept of bolting is crucial for gardeners cultivating Brassica plants like kale, broccoli, turnip greens, and collards, as well as lettuce. UT Extension Area Speciaist Walter Battle explains bolting marks a pivotal phase in the plant's lifecycle, transitioning from vegetative growth to seed production, rendering its edible parts less desirable. While the leaves remain technically edible post-bolting, they often become tougher and potentially bitter. This natural progression is irreversible, emphasizing the importance of timely harvest and attentive garden management.
Related Videos: Protecting Cabbage, Broccoli, and Cauliflower from Hungry Worms Is there a way to keep cool season vegetables from bolting? Cool Season Vegetables Planting Cool Season Vegetables Related Resources: Vegetable Bolting Cool-season vs. Warm-season Vegetables |
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Plant Boosting Mycorrhizae
Adding fertilizer when planting will help a plant, but adding mycorrhizae fungi will help the plant better absorb water and nutrients from the soil for the rest of its life. Kyle McLane, Manager of Grounds Horticulture at Dixon Gallery and Gardens shows the mycorrhizae blend they use when planting. And explains how it works.
Related Videos: Use Red Sand in Your Garden: Get Better Drainage Amendment Related Resources: Mycorrhizal Fungi Mycorrhizal Fungi |
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Spring Dead Spot
Spring dead spot is a fungal disease that affects warm season grass in the spring. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper says it usually appears after a wet fall and keeps patches of grass from greening up in the spring. It can be treated with a lawn fungicide. If you leave it untreated it will not go away but get worse.
Related Videos: Mixing and Applying Fungicide Fungicides Related Resources: Brown Patch & Large Patch Diseases of Lawns Spring Dead Spot in Turf |
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Spring Azalea Care
The spring is a time to enjoy the flowers on your azaleas, but maintenance should wait. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper says you could apply some fertilizer or do a soil test, but don’t do any pruning until after they have finished blooming.
Related Videos: Planting Native Azaleas: Tips for Success Native Azaleas: Add Classic Spring Color to Your Southern Landscape Related Resources: Azalea Care Growing Azaleas and Rhododendrons |
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Native Azaleas: Add Classic Spring Color to Your Southern Landscape
Azaleas, synonymous with spring, hold a secret: their often, overlooked native counterparts. Meet Rhododendron canescens, a native azalea, a member of the Rhododendron genus. These azaleas shed leaves in winter, blooming fragrant pink trusses come spring.
In the wilds of Tennessee and North Carolina, enthusiasts seek out these botanical wonders. Around 15 species live in the southeastern U.S., with a lone representative on the West Coast. Native azaleas thrive in morning sun, but prefer afternoon shade. Despite their beauty, native azaleas are not usually found in nurseries due to slow growth. Yet, their eventual bloom rewards patience with a burst of natural splendor. As interest in native plants grows, these gems reclaim their place in our gardens. Related Videos: Planting Native Azaleas: Tips for Success When is the correct time to prune my encore azaleas? Related Resources: Selecting and Growing Azaleas Native azaleas add charm, early blooms to landscapes |
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Use Red Sand in Your Garden: Get
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Labeling Garden SprayersYou need to make sure you don’t use the same sprayer for herbicides and fungicides. Residual herbicide in the tank will unintentionally damage plants. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper talks about the importance of labeling your sprayers to make sure you don’t mix them up.
Related Videos: Mixing and Applying Fungicide TWIG - Fix a Sticky Valve on a Garden Sprayer Spreader and Sprayer Calibration |