Recent Q&As
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What should I spray on my crabapple tree to prevent spots on the fruit?
You can prevent the spots and rots on the apples by using a fruit cover spray. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison says these sprays contain a fungicide to prevent the rots and an insecticide to protect from insects.
Related Videos: Apple Tree Diseases Pruning Apple Trees Related Resources: Apple & Crabapple Diseases Crabapple Diseases |
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How should I treat the hairy orange spores growing out of my pears?
This is pear rust. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison says it spends part of its lifecycle on a cedar tree and part on a pear. It can be treated with an orchard cover spray.
Related Videos: Can you spray copper fungicide on blooming peach and pear trees? Pear tree that requires minimum maintenance? Related Resources: Pear Rust Cedar Apple And Related Rusts on Ornamentals |
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What happened to my cucumber?
This is bacterial wilt. The plant will die. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper says the bacteria that causes the wilt is transmitted by the cucumber beetle. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison says the cucumber beetle is hard to control because it is a strong flier. He recommends immediately removing the diseased plant and throwing it away in the trash. Also, plant more cucumber plants so even if some die others will produce.
Related Videos: Cucumber Bacterial Wilt Bacterial Wilt on Peppers Related Resources: Cucurbit Bacterial Wilt Cucurbits, Bacterial Wilt |
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Our blackberries turn white after blooming. Why?
Normally when blackberries stay white after blooming it means it did not get pollinated. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison says in most of the viral diseases of blackberries the fruit stays red. Mike thinks there may be something else besides pollination going on here. He suggests testing the soil to look for a deficiency or pH problem. It could also be that there is a drainage issue.
Related Videos: My blackberries used to be sweet now they are sour. Why? Blackberry Pruning and Fertilizing Related Resources: Growing Blackberries in Your Home Garden Blackberry |
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What can we do to get moles out of our yard?
The best way is a mole trap. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison says one mole can tunnel over 200 feet in a night, so it may look like you have many moles, but it is probably just one or two. Mike explains what trap to use and how to place it. Mike has moles in his yard and traps many every summer.
Related Videos: How do you get rid of moles without using traps? What is the best way to get rid of moles in your lawn? Related Resources: Controlling Nuisance Moles Mole |
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My baby squash is falling off and ants are eating my squash blooms. What do I do?
The ants are probably not creating this problem. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison says the baby squash are falling off because they were not pollinated. It is important to remember that there are male and female squash flowers, and the pollen needs to be moved from the male to the female flower.
Related Videos: Squash Squash Pests Related Resources: Pollination Problems of Vegetables Yard and Garden: Solving Common Problems with Summer Squash |
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How can I overwinter my
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Should I prune my crape myrtle to one trunk or several?
Most crape myrtles are pruned to an odd number of trunks, usually three or five. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond talks about how to do it.
Related Videos: Crape Myrtles Pruning (Not Murdering) Crape Myrtles Treating Crape Myrtle Bark Scale Related Resources: Crape Myrtle Culture Crapemyrtle - Flower of the South |
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Do I need to amend the hard soil in my perennial bed?
You do not. Perennials need very little care after they are established. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond explains what the hard ground may mean and how to amend the soil if you want to.
Related Videos: Soil Preparation Soil Testing Houseplant Potting Soils Related Resources: Care and Maintenance of Perennials Soil Preparation for Vegetable Gardens Building Healthy Soils |
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Do resurrection ferns growing on my trees hurt them?
They actually help the trees. Resurrection ferns live on the bark of the trees. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says if chunks of dirt and ferns are falling, it is most likely the result of animals knocking it off.
Related Videos: Keeping Your Orchid Alive Propagating Ferns from Spores Related Resources: Resurrection Fern Resurrection Ferns Making Their Appearance |
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How do I get thicker aloe
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When will my hazelnut trees
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How should I treat an apple with spots on the leaves and fruit?
This is apple scab, a fungus that affects the fruit and leaves of apple trees. There are several things you can do to reduce the occurrence of the fungus. There are also some chemicals you can use to control the fungus.
Related Videos: Apple Tree Diseases Disease Resistant Apple Trees Choosing the Right Variety of Apple for Your Area Related Resources: Apple Diseases Apple - Pear Diseases |
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How do I control earwigs in
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Why are the edges of the leaves on my Japanese maple turning brown?
When the edges of Japanese maple leaves turn brown it is usually a sign of a watering problem. Landscape Specialist Rosa Garcia says most of the time the plant is being overwatered. She gives some tips on how to make sure you water your potted Japanese maple correctly.
Related Videos: Japanese Maple Basics Can I cut back large Japanese maples without harming them? Related Resources: Acer palmatum: Japanese Maple Japanese Maple |
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What is the best way to control crabgrass in my lawn?
Crabgrass is a summer annual weed that comes up from seed every spring. UT Extension Agent Joseph Seago describes how crabgrass grows and gives ways to discourage it. He also talks about chemicals that can be used to control it.
Related Videos: What can I use to prevent and kill crabgrass in my backyard? What can I use to kill crabgrass and leave torpedo and Bermuda alone? Pre-Emergent Herbicides Related Resources: Controlling Crabgrass After It Emerges Crabgrass Species Control in Turfgrass |
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How do I get rid of nutsedge in
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What is this tree with blackberries on it?
This is mulberry, and the blackberry-looking fruit is edible. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper talks about the tree, its fruit, and leaves.
Related Videos: How can we I.D. male and female mulberry trees when they are young? We have a mulberry tree with dark coloring on the bark. What is it? Related Resources: Magnolia Growing Southern Magnolia |
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How do I get rid of these tiny flying insects in my houseplant soil?
These are fungus gnats and while they are annoying, they don’t harm your plants. There are a couple of ways to take care of them.
Related Videos: What is this white stuff? It grows on my houseplants - A: Mealybugs Houseplant Potting Soils Interesting Houseplant Options Related Resources: Fungus Gnats as Houseplant and Indoor Pests Fungus Gnats on Houseplants |
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One Fungicide to Treat All Common Rose Fungal Diseases
There is one product that treats the most common rose diseases: black spot, powdery mildew and rose rust. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper talks about how all-natural Neem Oil can help.
Related Videos: Basic Rose Care Horticultural Oils Related Resources: Growing Roses Rose Insects & Related Pests |
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Why are my purple iris starting to bloom white?
This is caused by revision. In other words the plant is reverting back to the wild color of iris that it is descended from. There are some other environmental conditions that might be contributing too.
Related Videos: Iris How and when does one separate and replant iris? Related Resources: Growing Irises Culture of Iris |
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How do I keep Japanese beetles away from my roses?
Japanese Beetles can quickly devour a rose bush and make it look awful. Mary Schmidt from Lichterman Nature Center says beetle traps only attract more beetles to the area. She recommends knocking them off the plant into a dish of soapy water.
Related Videos: Japanese Beetles Killing Japanese Beetles Related Resources: The Japanese Beetle Japanese Beetles in the Urban Landscape |
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How do I keep snails from devouring my hibiscus?
There are many natural solutions you can use to control snails. Mary Schmidt from Lichterman Nature Center talks about several options. You can also use a snail bait.
Related Videos: What is the best way to get rid of snails? Kicking Insect Pests Out of Your Garden Related Resources: Snails and Slugs Management Guidelines Less toxic iron phosphate slug bait proves effective |
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What is making the leaves on my magnolia tree turn grey and die?
This is fungal leaf spot. You should watch and remove any affected leaves if you can. Pick up any fallen leaves and throw them away.
Related Videos: Why are my magnolia leaves curled? Eight Common Magnolias Spring-Blooming Deciduous Magnolias Related Resources: Magnolia Growing Southern Magnolia |