Recent Q&As
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What can I use to control ticks, ants, and grubs in my lawn?
Each of these bugs require a different approach. UT Extension Agent Celeste Scott talks about what to do to reduce each. This can range from mowing lower, to applying insecticides which she lists.
Related Videos: Chiggers, Ticks and Mosquitos Fire Ant Control Related Resources: Creating a Tick-Resistant Garden Ants in the Garden Managing White Grubs in Turfgrass |
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How can I get garden snakes to leave?
The key to getting snakes to leave is to reduce their food supply. UT Gardens - Jackson Horticulturist Jason Reeves says controlling rodents will make the snakes move on. UT Extension Agent Celeste Scott suggests reducing hiding places for the snakes and their prey by mowing lower. Also, Celeste talks about how to use sticky traps to catch the snakes. She then talks about how to safely release them from a sticky trap.
Related Videos: Snakes in the Garden What kind of snake is this in my garden? Related Resources: Control Snakes on a Home Property Snakes In and Around the House |
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If I trim my crape myrtle by 2 feet will it encourage lateral growth?
It depends on what kind of crape myrtle you have. UT Gardens - Jackson Horticulturist Jason Reeves says smaller shrub forms of crape myrtle will bush out and become thicker if you prune them, but larger tree forms will not bush out down lower on the tree. If it is a tree form, he recommends planting other shade tolerant plants under it to make a visual barrier.
Related Videos: Pruning (Not Murdering) Crape Myrtles What is the most I can trim on my crape myrtles without permanently damaging them? Crape Myrtles Related Resources: Crape Myrtle Pruning Pruning Crapemyrtles Crapemyrtle Pruning |
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What is the average lifespan of a ginkgo tree?
Ginkgo trees can live many hundreds of years. UT Gardens – Jackson Horticulturist Jason Reeves says because each tree is different you can’t make a universal statement.
Related Videos: What is the best way to germinate and grow ginkgo trees? How a Tree Works Related Resources: Ginkgo or Maidenhair Tree Ginkgo Biloba |
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What deterrent can I put around my garden to keep dogs from killing my plants?
The obvious answer is a fence, but there is no other long-lasting answer. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper says there is a product called Liquid Fence that is a repellent. Unfortunately, it must be reapplied every so often including if it rains.
Related Videos: How do I keep the neighbor’s cats from using my garden as a litter box? Plants to Avoid Around Pets Fences to Keep the Critters Out of the Garden |
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Why are my amaryllis not blooming like they used to?
If plants are not doing well look around and see what has changed in the area. UT Extension Agent Celeste Scott recommends looking to see if other plants have gotten larger and are now shading the amaryllis. Horticulturist Jason Reeves says something may have changed with the water flow to the plants, especially in the winter.
Related Videos: Daylily Basics Perennials for Blooms all Summer Related Resources: Growing Amaryllis Growing and caring for amaryllis |
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What are these bumps on my Tupelo tree leaves?
These are bladder galls caused by an eriophyid mite. UT Extension Agent Celeste Scott says it is only cosmetic and does not harm the tree. She talks about different kinds of galls this small insect can cause.
Related Videos: Tree Galls Oak Galls Related Resources: Galls on Shade Trees and Shrubs Insect and Mite Galls |
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What is eating my calibrachoa?
This seems to be slugs or snails. Horticulturist Jason Reeves talks about how to control slugs and snails by denying them a place to hide during the day and using baits.
Related Videos: What is the best way to get rid of snails? Slugs In My Flowerbeds Related Resources: Snails and Slugs Slugs and Snails |
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How do I get rid of creeping Charlie and dichondra in my St. Augustine?
Both of these weeds are broadleaf. UT Extension Agent Celeste Scott recommends using a broad leaf 3-way herbicide. She lists several options. This will kill the weeds, but the lawn is shady and these weeds like shade. Also, the grass likes sun. Getting more sunlight on the grass will help the grass outcompete the weeds for a permanent solution.
Related Videos: Herbicide Basics Cultural Lawn Weed Control Related Resources: Controlling Creeping Charlie Dichondra |
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What is this fungus growing on my mulch?
This is a slime mold that is commonly called dog vomit because of its look. UT Extension Agent Celeste Scott says it feeds on decaying organic matter, which is exactly what mulch is. It will not harm your plants. If you find it unsightly you can scoop it up and dispose of it.
Related Videos: What is this slime growing on my gravel driveway? Nostoc Related Resources: Slime Molds Slime Molds |
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How do I prevent the canna leaf roller in a pollinator friendly way?
You can’t prevent the moth from laying an egg on the leaf, but you can stop the caterpillar that hatches from the egg. UT Gardens Jackson Horticulturist Jason Reeves says you can spray Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) on the leaves. The Bt will kill the caterpillar, but not affect any pollinators. You will need to start spraying early in the spring. He says you can also use carbaryl, but cut all the blooms off the plant before you spray to protect the pollinators. He says once the leaves are rolled it is very difficult to get the spray to the worm. If you have a bad case, he recommends cutting down the plant and letting it regrow.
Related Videos: Canna Leaf Roller Canna Insect Pests Related Resources: Larger Canna Leafroller, Calpodes ethlius Canna Leafroller |
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What kinds of plant labels are weatherproof and won’t fade in the sun?
There are several plant labeling options that will not wash off or fade. Horticulturist Jason Reeves says markers, even permanent markers, will fade or wash off. Pencil will not fade, and you can write on various materials. He shows several different labels he uses with plants at UT Gardens in Jackson, Tennessee.
Related Videos: Labeling Plant Seedlings Plant Propagation Related Resources: Homemade plant tags give gardens personality Keeping organized with DIY garden markers |
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How do you root roses from clippings?
It is not difficult but make sure you do not have a protected variety of rose. It is illegal to root a protected (patented) variety. Cut a 6-8 inch stem from this year’s growth on the rose bush with a 45 degree angle cut. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone or rooting powder and put the cut end in moist peat moss, potting soil, or even the ground. You can even root in water with no hormone. Keep it from drying out and in 4-6 weeks it should have roots.
Related Videos: Easy Way to Root Cuttings from Annuals Potting Rooted Cuttings Related Resources: Rose Propagation Roses: Care After Planting |
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Why does my Japanese holly have dead branches?
This holly is a replacement for another Japanese holly that died in the same location. The other four plants are doing just fine. There are several reasons this could be happening. Holly plants do not like wet feet. They want to have well drained soil. If the roots are always wet they will rot and the plant will start to die. Raise the soil level to allow better drainage. The problem could also be boxwood decline which is a combination of many different issues. Also, it could be dying because a male dog keeps urinating on it.
Related Videos: Planting Shrubs in Wet Heavy Soils Summer Flowering Woody Perennials Related Resources: Holly Holly Diseases and Insects |
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How can we I.D. male and female mulberry trees when they are young?
It is impossible to identify whether the tree is male or female before it starts to flower. You would need a DNA test, which is not commonly available. Once the tree starts to flower you can look at the catkins and tell if it is a male or female. Some mulberry tree varieties have perfect flowers and will be self-fruitful. One idea is to plant many trees and once they flower and you can tell male and female, thin them to the one you want.
Related Videos: We have a mulberry tree with dark coloring on the bark. What is it? I have a tree growing in my yard. What is it? -A: Mulberry Related Resources: Planting Trees Red and White Mulberry in Indiana |
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What are these little white bugs on my jalapeno pepper?
These are likely aphids, probably green peach aphids. The white “bugs” you see are probably what is left over when the aphid molted. You can take care of the aphids by knocking them off with a stream of water or using insecticidal soap.
Related Videos: Nutrient-Deficient Pepper Fix Black Spot on Peppers Related Resources: Aphids, Scales, and Mites on Home Garden and Landscape Plants Insect Pest Management in Peppers |
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What are these spots on my hydrangea?
This is Cercospora leaf spot. It is common on large leaf hydrangeas. It is a fungal disease. Because it is late in the season, it is not really worth treating because the leaves will fall off soon. Make sure you collect the diseased leaves when they do fall and dispose of them in the trash, not the compost pile. If you see it in the spring you can pinch off the diseased leaves and dispose of them.
Related Videos: Why does my hydrangea have brown dark spots all over? Common Hydrangeas My BloomStruck hydrangea are drooping from weight. What should I do? Related Resources: Cercospora Leaf Spot on Hydrangea Leaf Spot on Hydrangeas |
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Why are the tips of my white pines dying?
This is the result of damage of the white pine weevil. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond explains that the weevil attacks the tips of the tree. You should prune out damage. You can use a systemic insecticide to prevent further infestation. If the trees are tall you can contact a certified arborist to go up in the tree and make sure this is the problem.
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