Recent Q&As
Q&A – What is causing the black spots on my rose leaves?
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What is causing the black spots on my rose leaves? Answer: This is rose black spot, a fungal disease. Rose expert Bill Dickerson says once the fungus starts to grow, a black spot develops, the leaf yellows, and then falls off. Once it has infected a leaf you might as well pull it off the plant and throw it in the trash. Also, clean all the fallen leaves and put them in the trash, not the compost pile. Bill recommends spraying with a fungicide during the growing season. You can also plant resistant varieties of rose. Related Video: Basic Rose Care Mixing and Applying Fungicide Related Resource: Disease and Insect Pests Rose Black Spot |
Q&A – How do I kill wild strawberry plants? They are all over my yard.
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How do I kill wild strawberry plants? They are all over my yard. Answer: Wild strawberry is a broad leaf weed so UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper says a broadleaf herbicide will kill them. He gives some suggestions. He also says the best time to apply the herbicide is when the plant is actively growing - spring and fall. Also, if you grow a thick lawn it will outcompete the wild strawberry and other weeds. Make sure you grow the right kind of grass for your conditions. Related Video: Phenoxy Herbicides |
Q&A – How do I correct disease pressures in my raised beds, especially tomato blights?
Question: How do I correct disease pressures in my raised beds, especially tomato blights? Answer: The plants have probably used up many of the nutrients in the raised beds. Adding compost and other nutrients can help the plants be healthier and resist the disease better. Also check the soil pH. Plants can’t get nutrients out of the soil if the pH is wrong. Crop rotation will also help. Growing the same plant in the same place every year will lead to a buildup of diseases that affect the plant. Move them around. Related Video: Composting Soil Testing Garden pH Basics Related Resource: Disease Management in the Home Vegetable Garden Home Vegetable Garden Disease Control |
Q&A – Is my decomposed woodpile already compost?
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Is my decomposed woodpile already compost? Answer: It is already compost. Rose expert Bill Dickerson says even if many of the nutrients are already used up it can add valuable amendments to the soil. Related Video: Composting Turning a Compost Pile |
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Q&A - How do you know when to pick figs?
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How do you know when to pick figs? Answer: Fig expert Bill Colvard talks about how to know when a fig is ready to pick. Figs will sit on the bush as a hard green object for a very long time. Then it will change color and in three days double in size. After that it will droop. At this point some varieties of figs are ready. Other varieties may require one more day on the plant. If you have ant problems you can pick it when it droops and take it inside to continue to soften for a day or two. Realted Videos: Figs When is the best time to prune figs? Related Resources: Fig Figs Fig Questions |
Q&A - What is this growing in my mulch?
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I have puzzling thing growing in my mulch. What is it and what do I need to do about it? Answer: This is bird nest fungus. It is growing on organic mulch. If you would like to remove it you can just fluff up the mulch with a rake. The fungus is not doing anything bad, it is just decomposing the mulch. Related Videos: What are these things that appeared in my flower bed? I have mushrooms in my mulch. Do I need to get rid of it? My Mulch Looks Like It Has Mold On It Related Resources: Nuisance Fungi in Landscape Mulch Fungi in mulch Mulch Molds – What is Growing on my Mulch? |
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Q&A – When is the best time to prune figs?
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When is the best time to prune a fig tree? Answer: The best time to prune figs is after the last frost, but before there is new growth. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison says if in doubt, err on the side of later. The cold weather may kill tissue so you want to wait until you can see what is dead and what survived the winter. Related Videos: Figs How do you know when to pick figs? Related Resources: Home Garden Figs Figs in the Home Planting |
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Q&A – What is the best way to get rid of small trees?
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What is the best way to get rid of small trees? Answer: This is likely caused by roots left in the ground from another tree that was cut down. There are several options here. UT Extension Agent Booker T. Leigh recommends using a stump rot to kill the existing roots. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper recommends cutting the sprouts and then painting the cut ends with a 41% glyphosate solution. Related Video: How do I get rid of crape myrtle suckers around my hydrangea? How can I get rid of Hackberry and honeysuckle growing in shrubs? Related Resource: Controlling unwanted trees and shrubs September 5, 2020 |
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Q&A – Is it okay to use a herbicide now, and in a week plant new grass plugs?
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Is it okay to use a herbicide now, and in a week plant new grass plugs? Answer: The herbicide is unknown, as Bonide is a brand name that markets many kinds of herbicide. UT Extension Agent Booker T. Leigh says the label on the herbicide will tell you how long to wait to plant in the treated area. He thinks the zoysia plugs should be okay after a week, but check the label. Related Video: Inexpensive Zoysia Lawn Related Resource: Managing Weeds in Warm Season Lawns |
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Q&A – When is the correct time to prune my encore azaleas?
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When is the correct time to prune my encore azaleas? Answer: Encore azaleas bloom twice in the year: spring and fall. UT Extension Agent Booker T. Leigh says the best time to prune is right after the spring-time bloom. You may see a slight reduction in fall blooms as a result. Don’t prune in the fall, as pruning encourages new growth, which will be damaged by winter cold. Related Video: Is early spring the best time to prune my azaleas? Can I prune my azaleas back in the fall? Related Resources: Azalea Care Encore Azalea |
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Q&A - What is this plant? -Angel Trumpet
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Do you know what it is? I think I grew it from seed, but writing washed off. Could it be angel trumpet? Answer: This is angel trumpet just like the questioner thought. Related Videos: What is this plant? – Lilly of the Valley What is this plant - Allium What is this plant? –Pink Locust Additional Resources: Angel’s Trumpet, Brugmansia Angel's Trumpet |
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Q&A – Is this a fern or a weed?
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Can you tell me if this is a fern or a pretty weed? I found it growing in a fence row on my property. Answer: This is a fern. TSU Extension Agent Joellen Dimond says she is fortunate it is there. She recommends removing some of the plants around it to encourage its growth. Related Videos: Why are my fern fronds dying Propagating Ferns from Spores Related Resource: Growing Ferns |
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Q&A – Can you deadhead a knockout rose?
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Can you deadhead a knock out rose by cutting off a whole branch-let if every bloom on it is spent? Answer: TSU Extension Agent Joellen Dimond says it is not necessary to deadhead knockout roses because they are self-cleaning. But she is curious about why there are so many on one stem. She is worried that this bush may have rose rosette disease. If it does the plant should be removed to prevent its spread. Related Video: Can knockout roses get bagworms? Related Resources: Cutting or "Deadheading" Roses Rose Rosette Disease |
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Q&A – What is this weed that is taking over our yard?
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What is this weed that is taking over our yard? Answer: This is ground ivy or creeping Charlie. Ground ivy is a perennial weed in the mint family. UT Extension Agent Booker T. Leigh says ground ivy that is already growing can be controlled with 2,4-D. Using a broadleaf weed preemergent will control the spread of the plant by seeds. Related Video: How do I kill creeping charlie without killing zoysia? Related Resources: Become a Smarter Gardener in 2019: How to manage Creeping Charlie Ground Ivy |
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Q&A - How do you control annual bluegrass in a fine fescue lawn?
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How do you control annual bluegrass in a fine fescue lawn? Answer: Annual bluegrass or poa annua is very hard to control in fescue because both grow at the same time and respond to the same chemicals. You can carefully use glyphosate to spot spray. The best way to control poa annua is before it germinates with a pre-emergent herbicide like Dimension or Snapshot. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper says annual bluegrass likes soils high in nitrogen that have poor drainage and are compact. Fixing these problems will reduce the number of weeds. Related Video: Can you grow fescue grass in deep shade? Fescue Or Zoysia In Low-Sun Related Resources: Managing Weeds in Fescue Lawns Annual Bluegrass Control in Residential Turfgrass |
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Q&A – What weed killer should I use for sandspurs in Florida?
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What weed killer should I use for sandspurs in Florida? Answer: This depends on what kind of turf you have – which is not specified. If you have Bermuda or zoysia grass you can use Pendimethalin as a pre-emergent and Quinclorac as a post-emergent herbicide. In any case UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper recommends contacting your local county Cooperative Extension office and getting their recommendations that are specific to your area. Related Resources: Get Sandspur BEFORE They Get You! Take the Sting Out of Sandspurs |
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Q&A – Why is my moonflower not blooming?
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Why is my moonflower not blooming? Answer: A common reason why flowering plants don’t bloom is they have too much nitrogen fertilizer. The excess nitrogen stimulates leaf growth. If you are fertilizing, reduce the amount of nitrogen, but increase potassium and phosphorus which promotes root and flower growth. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper says he has seen people grow moonflowers in pots that are smaller than usual to force more blooms. Related Resources: Moonflower Ipomoea alba - Moonflower, Moonvine |
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Q&A - Are these caterpillars dropping seeds into my pool?
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Are these caterpillars dropping seeds into my pool? Answer: These seeds are not from the pool. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison identifies it as the excrement from the fall webworm. Groups of these caterpillars build webs in the trees to provide shelter from predators. They are difficult to control once the webs are visible because pesticides can not penetrate to the worms. The best thing to do is spray Bt or Bacillus Thuringiensis on the tree next year before you see the webs. Bt is organic and will control the fall webworm. Related Video: Q&A – How do I get my severe webworm infestation under control? Related Resources: Fall Web Worm Fall Webworm |
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Q&A - How do you cure blossom end rot on tomatoes?
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How do you cure blossom end rot on tomatoes? Answer: Blossom end rot is a symptom of a calcium deficiency in the tomato plant. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison talks about how this problem happens and what you can do to solve it. It is likely that increasing soil moisture (more water) or adjusting soil pH will solve this problem. Related Videos: TWIG Blossom End Rot What is a good calcium nutrient for blossom end rot on watermelons? Related Resources: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon Blossom End Rot |
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Q&A – Can I transplant a blueberry from the ground into a pot?
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Can I transplant a blueberry from the ground into a pot? Answer: Blueberry plants are very particular about what soil they are grown in, especially the pH of the soil.Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison says that if the blueberry plant is happy where it is planted it will probably have a hard time with the transplant. Also, if the plant is of any size the roots will be damaged in the move. Mike explains all the problems you might have. Related Videos: Can I transplant wild blueberry plants from the woods to my garden? Planting Blueberries Related Resources: Blueberries in Home Gardens Blueberries for home landscapes Site Selection and Preparation |
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Q&A – Why does one of my pepper plants not have any flowers?
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Why does one of my pepper plants not have any flowers? Answer: There are many reasons why this could happen. UT Assistant Professor of Horticulture Natalie Bumgarner talks about some possibilities. The big question is if they are the same cultivar and were they planted at the same time. Natalie also wonders if there are pest issues that are affecting the problem plant especially bacterial leaf spot. Take care of the plant and it will eventually bloom and set fruit. Related Videos: Peppers When to Pick Bell Peppers Related Resources: Peppers Growing peppers in home gardens |
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Q&A – Is there a way to get female flowers on my squash plant?
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Is there a way to get female flowers on my squash plant? Answer: This is one of the most frequent questions about squash. UT Assistant Professor of Horticulture Natalie Bumgarner explains that squash have both male and female flowers. The male flowers appear first followed by the female flowers. Female flowers take a lot more energy to make so if plants are stressed or have non-ideal growing conditions they may not have the available energy to produce female flowers. Natalie also talks about Gynoecious and Parthenocarpic cucumber options that either have all female flowers or do not require pollination. Related Videos: Squash Squash Pests Related Resources: Homegrown Summer and Winter Squash Growing summer squash and zucchini in home gardens |
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Q&A – If you prune a pepper plant will it produce more fruit?
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If you prune a pepper plant will it produce more fruit? Answer: Pruning peppers is not necessary in the garden with most cultivars. UT Assistant Professor of Horticulture Natalie Bumgarner explains how most modern peppers are bred to be compact and do not require pruning. In a hydroponic greenhouses it may be necessary to prune, shaping the plant for that environment, In the garden it is generally not necessary. If you do prune remove the main growing points. This will cause the pepper to become more bushy and spread out. Related Videos: Nutrient-Deficient Pepper Fix When to Pick Bell Peppers Related Resources: Peppers Growing peppers in home gardens |
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Q&A – Why is my hardy fig tree growing weird looking figs?
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Why is my hardy fig tree growing weird looking figs? Answer: 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. Related Videos: Figs Pruning Fig Trees Related Resources: Figs Figs in the Home Planting Fig Production Guide |