Search Results

severely wind burn azalea and camelia plants #858117

Asked January 30, 2024, 12:28 PM EST

The combined strong east winds and cold temperatures from recent January storms left our camelia, azalea and escallonia (i believe) with severe leaf burn. We covered the camelias but did not the others. I've attached photos showing the damage. I'm interested recommendations you can provide to help us treat these plants and help them recover from this damage. Thank you for your assistance!



Washington County Oregon

Natural, not harmful fruit tree pesticides #857819

Asked January 25, 2024, 2:16 PM EST

I have Apple and cherry trees on my property in Bend Oregon. Is there anyway to prevent the fruit maggots without applying harmful chemicals or killing beneficial insects? How do I keep my fruit organic and free of worms? I want to be very careful not to harm pollinators.

Deschutes County Oregon

Next steps for Em8998 #857816

Asked January 25, 2024, 1:46 PM EST

Hello, My name is Kyoo Park, a research associate working with Dr. Vaughn Walton in the horticulture department. I am currently working on publishing extension papers with Linda Brewer. I received a link to a Box for EM revision 8998 before and have uploaded revised text along with visuals in their respective folders. I am wondering what the next steps are for publishing the extension paper. The link to the Box for EM8998 is below https://oregonstate.box.com/s/5ubmmlvikcvj0lmbvrxcf7skp2aowv30 Thank you!

Benton County Oregon

Does viburnum virus affect the native crabapple #857782

Asked January 24, 2024, 6:01 PM EST

We lost a viburnum to a virus in the soil last. We would like to replace it with a crabapple and would like to know whether it too might be affected by the virus. Thank you.

Lane County Oregon

Doug Fir Replacements #857776

Asked January 24, 2024, 5:11 PM EST

My neighbor's Doug Fir fell during the recent Arctic Blast. It caused little damage to nearby homes or cars. We were LUCKY! Neighbors on both sides of me and I have 3 Doug Firs that we are considering taking out because they put our homes in danger of being crushed by the next storm. . We bought our homes in part because of the shade they provide in summer and the wildlife they support (speaking for myself). MY QUESTION: If we take these firs out, what are the best trees we can plant to replace them and protect our homes and encourage wildlife? I, in particular, want a PNW native on my property. My neighbors may want something different. Hence, I am interested in both natives (for me) and non-natives (in case my neighbors want something different. Deciduous or evergreen trees are both in the running.

Clackamas County Oregon

Looking for help to begin landscaping a new build on our family farm #857747

Asked January 24, 2024, 7:45 AM EST

Hello, my wife and I are building a home on our family farm west of Wooster. We are building in the middle of a 65 acre cornfield, parceled off into about 10 acres with plans to landscape 3 acres. We are hoping to link up with someone who can advise us on this blank slate! We are about a mile from the Mellinger Farm and frequently visit the Secrest Arboretum for inspiration. Any help is appreciated!



Wayne County Ohio

Mulch for trees #857700

Asked January 23, 2024, 12:35 PM EST

I live in a subdivision and we are having a discussion as to whether or not you should put mulch rings around trees. We all agree Volcano mulches are bad, but is a ring of 2” deep mulch beneficial to trees? We typically do not mulch our pines, but we do mulch, our crêpe myrtles, some oaks, and other ornamental trees. Also, does a needfor mulch depend on the age of the tree? May be a baby tree, you mulch, but a mature tree you don’t? Please solve the riddle, mulch, or no mulch.

Harris County Texas

How do juniper berries and needles affect my soil? #857681

Asked January 22, 2024, 6:31 PM EST

Hello! I am an avid gardener and have planted a lot of plants on my property. It used to be all grass… I have five very large juniper trees on my property that drop lots and lots of berries and a lot of needles as well. I couldn’t really find what I was looking for on the Internet, so could you tell me generally how decomposing needles and berries affect my soil? Does it make it more acidic or alkaline? Are there certain plants I should avoid in these areas? Or plants which prefer their presence? And of course it is always dry around the trees… Any general help would be awesome, thank you!



Deschutes County Oregon

Home garden Peach tree's #857643

Asked January 22, 2024, 8:55 AM EST

want to plant a couple peach tree's, what diseases are most common in Mid-Mich and what are the best conditions/times of year to spray copper fungicide? Does MSU offer a guide book for the home Peach grower?

Ionia County Michigan

Establishing a new lawn in afternoon sun in 27511 #857593

Asked January 20, 2024, 3:38 PM EST

Hi, I would like to establish a new lawn in an area that seems best suited to warm season grasses. It appear zoysia grass could be a good fit but I cannot afford sod at the moment and the area is too large to establish via plugs (about 3,000 square feet). I read that the newer Zenith and Compadre cultivars can be seeded on your website, but cannot find anyone who carries these seeds. Do you know of anywhere I could purchase zoysia grass seed? Thanks!

Wake County North Carolina

Needlecast and canker on my evergreens #857554

Asked January 19, 2024, 3:09 PM EST

How should I treat these diseases/bore problems for my 60+ evergreens? I have quotes from 5 services. They all tell me different things: 6 sprays for needlecast and 3 sprays for canker; 3 sprays for both. 5 sprays and deep root feeding, 4 sprays and inject all the trees. I am perplexed due to the different approaches and the costs run from $4000 to $6500. Your guidance would be appreciatied. Thanks

Oakland County Michigan

Micro-Grants for educational garden space on church property #857495

Asked January 17, 2024, 8:33 PM EST

Hey Extension! My name is Jake and I'm a Ag student at UMass Amherst. I'm helping a family friend plan out a garden for educational purposes as well as some food production for a nearby food pantry. He wants to have 10-12 dwarf to semi-dwarf fruit trees (peaches, plums, crabapples, apples, etc) as well as a small amount of viticulture on the property. Overall it is less than 1 acre of land, but it is very diversified and he uses sustainable soil health practices. I've already looked at Western SARE but I've had no luck finding anything that we could use. We should not need more than 10,000$ for this project, and that is a very very generous estimate for how much we will need. What are some good resources for microgrants in the area for this kind of thing?

Arapahoe County Colorado

Syntropic Agroforestry #857470

Asked January 17, 2024, 10:22 AM EST

Good morning. I am currently in planning of an syntropic agroforestry project (as developed by Ernst Gotsch) at my home in Westminster and I am looking for assistance in plant selection. I am looking for plants and trees to fill different strata starting at ground level and up to a tree with a mature height of at least 50". I am looking to use native plants and trees and others who will grow in my hardiness zone. I've attached a photo for reference. My plan is to make this a productive food forest but with other beneficial plants and trees involved. Thank you again.



Carroll County Maryland

Project happy apples? #857385

Asked January 15, 2024, 12:02 AM EST

Hi! I just heard about some project called Happy Apples that tells apple tree owners what to use for insecticide and when to apply it. Could I be added to that list?

Crook County Oregon

Home Orchard #857384

Asked January 14, 2024, 9:35 PM EST

I have a small mixed hone orchard consisting of cherry, pear, apple and peach trees, Can you provide me with advice on what orchard sprays and schedules I need to follow in treating them for common insect and fungal pests?

Washtenaw County Michigan

Lime application to lawns #857352

Asked January 13, 2024, 1:23 PM EST

Does the Extension have a soil testing service? Lawn application of lime might be needed but testing is desired beforehand. When should lime be applied? Thank you

Douglas County Oregon

Submerged Blueberries #857345

Asked January 13, 2024, 9:27 AM EST

My blueberries were totally under water overnight from the July flooding last July. I hosed the silt off them before it dried on. The berries were nearly ripe and fell off immediately, which I think was a good thing. Later in the season I picked around 15 lbs. of my normal 90 lbs. They were mostly eaten by me and I am still living! This spring I will add my compost and Holy Tone then rototill it in. My concern is that a small brook overflowed it's bank and deposited lots of gravel and silt on my 3 acres. The gravel/silt had no place to go because the brook runs into the Winooski River which was 8ft.above flooding. I will have the soil tested this spring. Anything else I should know? I have 25 bushes and surround them with 4x6 frames stood side by side and top covered. This happens each spring and fall. PS even had a 4in.trout and a 3in. minnow caught at 5ft in my gill net frames. Thanks for listening, Ron Brown

Washington County Vermont

Peat-free potting soil #857264

Asked January 11, 2024, 5:35 AM EST

I conduct winter sowing workshops as a master gardener. In a recent workshop, the concern came up regarding the use potting mixes that contain peat. What research-based evidence can UME provide to address the concern of using peat-based potting mixes? Is harvesting of peat as bad as some think? Or is it just hype? My limited research is providing mixed messages. Please advise. Thank you.

Charles County Maryland

Seeking horticulture programs! #857167

Asked January 08, 2024, 6:42 PM EST

Good evening! I am inquiring about information on what colleges around us offer Landscape Horticulture programs. I own a local (southeast MI) garden maintenance and design business and am hoping to find some new team members this season! While attending OCC for my own horticulture degree in 2016, I found a temporary job with a gardening company that was looking for student workers by posting on the college sites/boards, so I am hoping to do the same (if allowed!) Any info at your convenience is appreciated!!

Wayne County Michigan

Grandiflora Catawba Rhododendron Problems #857162

Asked January 08, 2024, 4:33 PM EST

Around this time last year, I planted a hedgerow of Grandiflora Catawba Rhododendron with mixed results. Three died quickly of what I suspect was root rot but five flowered and weathered the summer, fall, and now winter with no problems with the exception of a couple that had a clusters of leaves that had faded yellow edges. In addition, some of these affected leaves looked as something had been munching on them. This problem occurred not long after they were planted in the spring. I sprayed them with a seaweed iron solution in the summer, but they still have not regained any green coloring. So as to not repeat whatever I did wrong last spring what advice might you offer?



Multnomah County Oregon

Pre-emergent herbicides safe for horse grazing pasture #857087

Asked January 07, 2024, 9:44 AM EST

Last summer's excessive rain caused every available weed seed to germinate and take over my horse pasture. I am looking for a pre-emergent herbicide to use this winter to hopefully get ahead of the weeds this year. What products that are safe for horse pastures can you recommend?

Jefferson County Colorado

peach trees #857084

Asked January 07, 2024, 2:36 AM EST

can you spray peach trees with dormant oil if all of the leaves have not fallen off

Harris County Texas

What help do you offer for managing forested area? #856915

Asked January 03, 2024, 11:09 AM EST

I am newly managing about 85 acres of forested area. I was wondering what services you provide that would help me with managing the forest. Some of the concerns are: Wetland areas and creeks, fire hazards and management, disease, dead and dying trees, and a removal/replacement plan. Any information relative to these concerns would be greatly appreciated. I went to OSU and studied horticulture, but I am new to managing a forest. Is there any way to have someone come out and take a look at the property? I am not exactly sure what services you provide. Thank you so much in advance for any help you can provide.

Washington County Oregon

Hazelnut #856881

Asked January 02, 2024, 3:51 PM EST

Hi, I am having a difficult time finding a cold hardy variety of hazelnut shrub for LaPine that is not restricted here... I prefer a variety that is zone 4 or 5 and soil is sandy but i amend a considerable amount according to type ie. my berries and apple trees that are doing well. Can you point me in the right direction? Thank-you.

Deschutes County Oregon

do you do soil testing #856857

Asked January 02, 2024, 8:13 AM EST

Does the Scott county extension office do soil analysis? If so how long does it typically take? I would like to start an alfalfa stand this year. thanks,

Scott County Kentucky