Search Results

Larvae on asparagus #750477

Asked May 17, 2021, 4:43 PM EDT

I have a black larvae on the new fronds of my asparagus. No spots so inclined to think it is not an asparagus beetle. Any idea? Thank you for your help. Kathy



Anne Arundel County Maryland

Measure soil quality #750476

Asked May 17, 2021, 4:41 PM EDT

Part of our yard and garden is very productive and supports very diverse trees, shrubs, and plant. Another portion of the yard support almost no plants at all, despite repeated efforts, watering, fertilization, trying different kinds of plants, etc. I would like to have our soil quality tested. Can you tell me how to do this and who to contact? And do you think this is a reasonable avenue to explore? Many thanks, Saran Twombly

Larimer County Colorado

Help assess whether Avian Salmonella infected our large upright-boulder style bird fountain #750472

Asked May 17, 2021, 4:28 PM EDT

Since the Avian infection, we removed and cleaned all bird feeders and have not re-hung them. Our large back yard is filled with natives and bird/pollinator attractive plants and weeds. NO SPRAYING is done. The large upright-bubbling bird fountain is my concern. We have drained and re-filled it, BUT did not test it for avain salmonella. Are such fountains a likely infection source? It sits partly under a pear tree and is visited by many bird species. It has three levels for water -- the bubbler from the large upright boulder, a basin rock that the bubbler spills into, and a pond at the bottom surrounding the whole installation. We live near Reser Stadium. Have you had others ask this question?

Benton County Oregon

Small Flock of Sheep Question re Reproductive Concerns #750468

Asked May 17, 2021, 4:21 PM EDT

Dear Dr. Schoenian, A friend of mine has a very small flock of sheep on a very small farm. Four ewes about 26 mo old. One Ram about 15 mo old. The ewes were bred last year about 1 year of age, Oct 2020, had lambs about Feb-Mar. The ram from that breeding is the 15 month-old. His scrotum is very small, he has undescended testicle/s, and acts not like a ram, but more like a ewe. Recently two of the ewes are showing that they are potentially lambing, showing utter enlargement, so that the ram did breed them. Concern that last year two of the ewes had reproductive problems - one had prolapsed uterus, the other had a lamb that died soon after birth. Your thoughts please. Thank you for kind assistance, expertise. Sincerely, Ed Kane, Ph.D. (equine physiology and nutrition, '78; post-doc canine-feline nutrition, physiology UCDavis '82.) Seattle WA <personal data hidden>

King County Washington

Agriculture Soil Amendment #750465

Asked May 17, 2021, 4:04 PM EDT

I am a local hemp farmer that has been working other peoples farms for several years. This year I have purchased my own acreage and want to start my own crop in 2022. My acreage has been used for orchard grass for many years and the soil has not really been taken care of. I have been reading about organic and microbial ways to amend soil with the goal of making it living soil once again. I would like to use the 2021 season to do this. I have reached out to the big fertilizer companies in our area but they seem to want to push me toward chemical fertilizers. Is there anyone in the Central Oregon area who can help guide me and give advice on natural ways to amend 25 acres with a cover crop and microbial work?

Deschutes County Oregon

Poison Ivy #750463

Asked May 17, 2021, 4:02 PM EDT

I have lived in same house in Southeast Houston for 56 years. In the last two years, poison ivy has begun to take over the yard. It is covering my fence and growing up the trees. Nothing I have tried has slowed it down. My grandchildren are all really allergic and I think it is even causing problems with my poor dog. I am 81 years old and not able to physically deal with it. I have tried spraying Round Up Poison Ivy on it, but it doesn't seem to be doing much good, as well as it is harming my shrubs and bushes. Is there any method you can recommend to get rid of it?



Harris County Texas

River Birch infestation #750462

Asked May 17, 2021, 3:57 PM EDT

My river birch is infested with something which I believe is aphids. What is the preferred treatment, if any? Over the weekend a flock of cedar wax wings arrived to feast on whatever is on the tree if that helps with identifying it! It is very sticky and white.



Anne Arundel County Maryland

Wintergem boxwood disease? #750450

Asked May 17, 2021, 3:21 PM EDT

Pictures attached of a problem with boxwoods planted in a row in home landscaping. A plant on the end is affected worst, spreading in less severity down the row with three affected as of now. Size- 2x3 feet, approx 10 yrs established. Plants affected get the most shade, but do get at least 6 hours sun a day. No new additions to landscaping except hardwood mulch every year. Plants are not watered unless weather is severely dry, no watering yet in 2021.



Livingston County Michigan

Well Water Testing #750449

Asked May 17, 2021, 3:19 PM EDT

Our property is on a private well in Carroll County (Mt Airy). I need to have the water tested as part of applying to be a foster parent. Can the Extension or who do you recommend to conduct the testing?

Carroll County Maryland

Unknown plant #750442

Asked May 17, 2021, 3:01 PM EDT

I'm trying to identify this plant. I suspect its a European weed. Thanks, Clint



Sherburne County Minnesota

How do you kill massive dandelions with the most environmentally friendly way? #750437

Asked May 17, 2021, 2:48 PM EDT

I am an elementary science teacher and I’m going to be having my fifth and six graders try to figure out how to get rid of some massive dandelions we have in one area of the schoolyard. If you have some ideas for us to try we would be open to hearing from an expert as that’s one good solution to any problem.

Ramsey County Minnesota

marks on trees around Lake Elkhorn Neighborhood in Owen Brown #750434

Asked May 17, 2021, 2:40 PM EDT

Hi I have noticed these ax like marks along many trees in our neighborhood and around the lake. Are they from cicadas? Thanks!!



Howard County Maryland

Help! Native Grass seeding not sprouting #750425

Asked May 17, 2021, 2:29 PM EDT

Hello, I had 4 grasses, little bluestem, buffalo, prairie dropseed, and blue gramma combined into a hydro-seeding my 1/3 acres lot 1510 Hillside Dr. Fort Collins. It's been a cool wet month since planting 4/13/21. Should I be seeing seedings germinating? I would like to speak with an expert, can you refer me? Call anytime of course. Thanks Dana McBride<personal data hidden>



Larimer County Colorado

Red mulberry #750417

Asked May 17, 2021, 1:50 PM EDT

This sapling is in my yard. Haven’t seen blooms or berries. The leaves look like a red mulberry. What do you think? Thanks.



Hennepin County Minnesota

What is happening to my plants? #750415

Asked May 17, 2021, 1:39 PM EDT

We were gone for two weeks and when we came back, many of our plants had the spots shown in the image. Plants affected included lettuce, spinach, onions, broccoli, tulip leaves, and even grass. strawberry and raspberry plants appeared unaffected. What is this and how do I treat it? The plant shown in the image is an onion planted in a raised garden bed. Other plants affected were in individual pots and in-ground beds, as well as the grass.



Oakland County Michigan

planting potatoes near tomatoes #750414

Asked May 17, 2021, 1:32 PM EDT

What is the closest distance that I can plant potatoes near to tomatoes? I have read that potatoes and tomatoes need to be a minimum of 10 feet apart to prevent potential spread of diseases between them because they are both in the nightshade family - is that correct? Can they planted 9 feet apart? 8 feet? 7 or 6 feet? I would have carrots, scallions, beets, and beans on the other side of the potatoes - 3-4 feet from the potato plants - is that OK?

Washtenaw County Michigan

What should I do about dandelions? #750408

Asked May 17, 2021, 1:08 PM EDT

My yard is full of dandelions. I'm trying to grow ground covers which are getting squeezed out by them. Is there a way to get rid of them or contain them (for bees) without having them completely take over?

Boulder County Colorado

Name #750397

Asked May 17, 2021, 12:54 PM EDT

What is name of this perennial?



Harford County Maryland

What is this and how can I get rid of this #750396

Asked May 17, 2021, 12:51 PM EDT

I need to know what this is n how to get rid of it. Previous person said did not know name or how yo get rid of it. Not norm for answering questions Pictures from 3 different areas of garden



Harford County Maryland

Chinese Pistache losing tree bark #750390

Asked May 17, 2021, 12:31 PM EDT

I have 3 Chinese Pistache trees that are approximately 9 years old. Either their tree bark is scaly or falling off. I've read scaly might be okay but I worry about the falling off bark. The worst of the three has south/east sun exposure. I've read that sun scald may be the problem. What do you think? Is taping the trunk to prevent sun scalding what's needed or am I too late in doing this? Any help will be much appreciated. The trees are so pretty and would hate to lose them. Thanks so much for your time and knowledge.



Denton County Texas

Passionfruit #750386

Asked May 17, 2021, 12:20 PM EDT

Hello! I see lots of conflicting information on the internet regarding growing Frederick Passionfruit in Albany. Some say it's hardy to 8b while others claim 9a. Do you have any recommendations for whether I can plant it in the ground as a perennial? Thank you!

Linn County Oregon

Plant that looks like gooseberry #750379

Asked May 17, 2021, 11:59 AM EDT

I have a plant that looks similar to a gooseberry or currant but the flowered are different. Can you help me figure this out



Ramsey County Minnesota

Rosette Disease #750377

Asked May 17, 2021, 11:56 AM EDT

Please see attached photo. Do my roses have rosette disease?



Montgomery County Maryland

Eastern Hemlock and other Tree pests #750371

Asked May 17, 2021, 11:48 AM EDT

Two questions: 

1. In addition to horticultural spray, are there any tree inoculants, other treatments, that are best for either woolly adelgid or leaf scale for Eastern Hemlocks (my big one is losing needles little by little)

2. For the BLS (bacterial leaf scorch) or anthracnose, are there inoculants, soil amendments, other approaches that are in use/in trial phase to try to save trees before they are infected or that make them unpalatable to insects carrying this disease?? 

Thank you.


Prince George's County Maryland

access to Hyslop weather station data? #750367

Asked May 17, 2021, 11:41 AM EDT

Is there a way to download historical weather station data for the Hyslop station? I am really interested in weather data for Linn County, OR, but the Hyslop location was the closest station I could find. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Linn County Oregon