Recent Q&As
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What is in this fallen oak branch?
This is an insect called a twig pruner. The larvae is making tunnels in the branch and then bores away the wood in a circle causing the branch to fall. This is not a major problem and you do not have to spray. Just pick up the fallen branches and throw them in the trash. That will keep the larvae from becoming adults to continue the cycle.
Related Videos: Tree Holes and Borers Tree Borers Related Resources: Fallen oak shoots may be work of the twig pruner Twig Girdler and Twig Pruner |
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Can I transplant crape myrtle suckers to another site?
Yes you can as long as the suckers have roots on them. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond has done this. She says you need to dig up a sucker and some roots that are growing away from the trunk and plant them. Then make sure you keep the ground watered until the new tree is established.
Related Videos: I cut down my crape myrtle. How do I stop the suckers Transplant Shock Related Resources: Crape Myrtle Culture Propagating Crape Myrtle Trees |
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What is this tree with fruit? -A: Persimmon
This is a persimmon tree. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says it is a good native tree that has edible fruit. If you want to eat the fruit wait until it turns orange which indicates it is ripe. If you don’t eat the fruit your local wildlife will enjoy it.
Related Videos: When will my persimmon tree start fruiting? Webworms On Persimmon Trees Related Resources: Home Garden Persimmons Persimmon |
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What are these tiny white bugs on my plant?
These are aphids. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says aphids are easy to control. She recommends insecticidal soaps, neem oil, and horticultural oil. There are also beneficial insects that will feed on the aphids.
Related Videos: Horticultural Oils Aphids on Milkweed Related Resources: Aphids Aphids and Their Management in Home Gardens |
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Can I move a blueberry plant?
Yes, you can move a blueberry plant. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says blueberries like very acidic soils. Soils high in organic matter tend to have higher pHs. The plant would probably do well in your native soil. Get a pH test and adjust the soil pH to 4.8-5.2.
Related Videos: Can I transplant a blueberry from the ground into a pot? Can I transplant wild blueberry plants from the woods to my garden? Related Resources: How to avoid a common blueberry planting error Blueberry |
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Why do I have dead spots on this row of evergreen trees?
This looks like bagworm damage. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says you should be able to see the bags the worms make. You can pick the bags off in the summer or fall and throw them away. When the crawlers are active in the spring you can spray with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). This will kill the caterpillars before they spin the bag. Once they are inside the bag insecticides are ineffective.
Related Videos: When should I start treating for bagworms Can knockout roses get bagworms? Related Resources: Bagworms Bagworms on Landscape Plants Bagworm and its control |
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What is this spring-blooming shrub? A:Deutzia
This is Deutzia. It has not been commonly used until recently. Horticulturist Jason Reeves describes the plant and talks about some of the newer cultivars including ‘Chardonnay Pearls.’ It is a tough, very drought tolerant plant.
Related Videos: Perennials for Blooms all Summer Annuals and Perennials for the Garden Related Resources: Deutzia gracilis Fuzzy Deutzia |
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What else can I do to loosen my raised bed soil?
To loosen soil just keep incorporating organic matter into the raised bed. Working in the organic matter will eventually loosen up the soil. UT Horticulture Specialist Celeste Scott recommends a good quality compost product. She also offers some other tips that would help in this situation.
Related Videos: What kind of soil do I need for a new raised bed garden? Don’t use 100% compost! Changing Garden Soil pH Related Resources: Soil Preparation for Vegetable Gardens Building Healthy Soils |
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My muscadines are shriveling up. What is happening?
This is bitter rot. Bitter rot starts to appear as the fruit develops, and as the name suggests makes the fruit bitter and shriveled. UT Horticulture Specialist Celeste Scott talks about how the fruit gets infected and treatment options to easily prevent it.
Related Videos: Grapes and Muscadines How do you root muscadine? Related Resources: Bitter Rot of Grapes Muscadine Resources |
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What is a deer resistant fast-growing shrub for privacy?
There are several shrubs that can fill this requirement in the south-east United States. Eastern Redcedar is recommended by Horticulturist Jason Reeves and will grow anywhere as long as it is not in a wet spot. ‘Grey Owl’ juniper is also a good option. In any case it depends on how hungry the deer are. Very hungry deer will still eat “deer resistant” plants.
Related Videos: Nuisance Wildlife: Deer Fences to Keep the Critters Out of the Garden Related Resources: Deer Resistant Plants Preventing Deer Damage to Your Trees and Shrubs |
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Does fish emulsion go bad?
Fish emulsion is used for fertilizer in the garden, and it always smells bad. But even with the bad smell it is still good. UT Horticulture Specialist Celeste Scott says if it is stored in a dark area with somewhat constant temperatures, it should last almost forever.
Related Videos: Composting Worm Composting Related Resources: Scale up your garden’s health with fish emulsion fertilizer Fertilizer From the Sea |
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What is causing these rusty patches on my daylily leaves?
This is the natural process of daylilies. As the plant blooms it robs energy from the foliage which makes it look bad. Horticulturist Jason Reeves says many daylily growers will cut off the foliage after bloom and let it regrow. He describes some of the other things he sees on the leaves.
Related Videos: Daylily Basics Dividing Daylilies Related Resources: Daylilies Daylily |
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What are these yellow worms on
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What is wrong with my blueberry bush? The leaves are turning brown.
It looks like this is caused by drought stress or fertilizer burn. UT Horticulture Specialist Celeste Scott says it is not a fungus.
Related Videos: Preparing Blueberry Plants for Winter Blueberry pH Problems Related Resources: Blueberries in Home Gardens Growing Blueberries in Your Home Garden |
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Where should I start with edible landscaping?
Pick plants you can grow with your other landscape plants. UT Horticulture Specialist Celeste Scott and Horticulturist Jason Reeves talk about several options they like. Jason also recommends talking to or perhaps joining your local master gardening group. They have a lot of information to share.
Related Videos: Landscape Planning Edible Shrub Related Resources: Landscaping with Fruit & Nut Crops Edible Landscape Species – Shrubs, Vines, and Groundcovers |
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Why do my peony buds die just as they start to bloom?
This is referred to as “bud blast.” UT Horticulture Specialist Celeste Scott talks about several conditions that can cause the flower to die before it blooms.
Related Videos: Besides dividing peonies, how else can you contain the width? How do I get rid of the blight on my peonies? My peonies have a powdery look with black spots. What do I do? Related Resources: A Visual Guide: Peony Problems Bud-blast of Peony |
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What is this stuff? A: Dog Vomit Fungus - Everything You
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Do I have to use mixed neem oil immediately, or does it keep?
When neem oil is mixed with water it begins to break down rapidly, so you want to use it immediately. UT Horticulture Specialist Celeste Scott says once mixed it remains effective for a maximum of 24 hours.
Related Videos: Will neem oil hurt the vegetables in my garden? Can I mix neem oil and Captan fungicide for my peach tree? Horticultural Oils Related Resources: Neem Oil General Fact Sheet Insect Control: Horticultural Oils |
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Are nandina shrubs poisonous to birds?
All parts of the nandina are poisonous with cyanide. UT Extension Horticulture Specialist Celeste Scott explains that a bird would have to eat many berries to be affected. There are some newer cultivars of nandina that do not produce berries and you can select these if you are worried about birds getting sick from eating the berries. Celeste also gives some other options for native berry plants that are beneficial for wildlife.
Related Videos: Pruning Nandina Why are my burning bushes (nandina) losing their leaves? Viburnum Related Resources: Nandina Fact Sheet Nandina, Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica) |
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Why are my tiny turnips going
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How do you stop mint from spreading?
Mint likes to take over, but there are several things you can do to keep it from getting out of control. First, plant it in a pot set on concrete. Also, you can plant it in a pot in your garden. The pot allows you to see where it should stay.
Related Videos: Containing Mint in the Garden Cutting Back Mint Related Resources: Mint in the Garden Herbs in Southern Gardens Herb Gardening Herb Container Gardens |
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How many watermelons should be allowed to grow on each plant?
It depends on the size of the plant. UT Extension Horticulture Specialist Celeste Scott says large-fruited varieties of watermelon can support 2-3 fruits, while smaller varieties can support up to 5 fruit. Celeste says you do not need to worry about thinning your watermelons because the plant will abort the fruits it cannot support.
Related Videos: Watermelons In Raised Beds What is a good calcium nutrient for blossom end rot on watermelons? Related Resources: Watermelons How to Grow Watermelon in Your Garden |