Q. We have tiny (pinhead sized) brownish/reddish bugs everywhere in our soil. The soil is from Miracle Grow. I don’t think these bugs are clover or spider mites but they are around the same size. We’ve noticed some “silvering” and premature dropping of our leaves, but no mite-like webbing or discoloration. What are these bugs, [...]
Also posted in insects, soil | Tagged insects, soil |
Q. Something is eating my Wave petunias. Not sure what it is. They are torn in the middle of the stem, like something is gnawing them?
Jacksonville, Illinois
A. Thanks for growing Wave Petunias. My best guess is the problem you have is rabbits. I have a rabbit problem in my Aurora, Illinois, subdivision so I’ve seen [...]
Q. I have some pumpkin plants that are a few weeks old. They had become infested with aphids so I sprayed them with a home remedy that I found online, ( 1 part veg oil 3 parts water and a few drops mild dish soap.) Well the aphids are now gone but the plant I [...]
Q. I have two bamboo plants. One has a much smaller leaf than the other. One is a tree-like plant in the corner of two walls, and the other is a screen behind a small wall, which acts as a partition. I have noticed that the leaves on both plants have a very shiny sticky [...]
Also posted in bamboo | Tagged aphids, bamboo, honeydew |
Q. I live in the desert southwest and my rosemary plants have a white liquid substance on them. It looks like cotton, but it is liquid. What can I do?
-Surprise, Arizona
A. It sounds like Spittlebug on your rosemary, but being from the Mid-West I was not sure what it’s cycle was in the desert area. [...]
Also posted in herbs, rosemary | Tagged rosemary, spittlebug |
Q. I believe a bunny is eating my flowering annuals. Do they even eat flowers? What can I do?
-Needham, Massachusetts
A. Bunnies have become a huge problem here on Cape Cod in the past two years. Around here, bunnies are eating just about everything, even things they are not supposed to like! Young bunnies will try [...]
Q. Something is bothering my newly planted tomato plants. I keep finding leaves that have been cleanly clipped from the stem lying on the soil surface. I looked for horn worms, but the plants are so small I don’t think this is the problem. Any ideas on possible causes and solutions? Thank you.
-Pueblo, Colorado
A. If [...]
Also posted in tomatoes, vegetables |
Q. It’s nearing the end of sugar snap pea season here in Sacramento. A bunch of my plants, while still producing a few peas, are covered with what appears to be a mildew or mold that turns the leaves and stems white (powdery). Some of the pea pods themselves are mottled on the sun side [...]
Two answers for this one! Twice as nice!
Q. Do any of the “sonic” type devices help with chasing moles away; do you have any recommendations?
-Omaha, Nebraska
A. My customers have had mixed results from using the sonic mole repellent. I have several customers who have had great luck. They had tried all kinds of things to [...]
Also posted in lawn | Tagged lawn, moles |
Q. Grondhogs ate my pea vine and most of the leaves from 12 inches down to 4 inches will they grow and produce peas?
-Spring City, Pennsylvania
A. Oooh, I can feel your pain. I have successfully fed the local woodchuck community with my pea and bean plants as well.
Having been in your spot, I can [...]
