Search Results

Large patches of brown turf #753039

Asked May 31, 2021, 10:42 AM EDT

As the snow melted this spring, large patches of brown, dead grass appeared. Those patches have remained dead through the spring. What caused them? How can we repair the lawn? How can we prevent this from happening again? Thank you for your advice.



Washington County Minnesota

Orange-brown patches in lawn -what are they and how to treat? #753026

Asked May 31, 2021, 8:14 AM EDT

History: Early April applied fertilizer w crab gr prevention, but drop spreader wasn’t working consistently, and had some line appearance. So to treat for broadleaf used ortho with ortho hose-attached sprayer May 16. In retrospect I see I over applied the ortho at 150% recommended. Much of the lawn did not even have weeds. Thought this might be chemical burn, so watered 2-3x per week for one week. Got some mushrooms maybe from dead weeds. Applied mild liquid fertilizer, Urban Farm, at low rate May 22. Don’t think there is any rusty spores on grass. Appears to be green at base of blade with dead section above the base.



Kalamazoo County Michigan

ant hills #753019

Asked May 31, 2021, 2:42 AM EDT

We are plagued by small ants all over our property but our question is specific to hills around the base of a couple of our newer trees. This past year we lost the remaining two trunks of our dear old box elder and we knew it was dying and had hollowed out, growing some amazing shelf fungi at times and the opportunistic ants sort of invaded it, too. In it's place, we have a new maple about 25 feet from an established Autumn Blaze maple and both trees have ant hills this year. I have read that ants are of little concern in healthy trees, preferring to invade older, diseased specimens. Is there a safe, non-toxic method of evicting these wee beasties as we have property roaming pets and feed all manner of bird and ground critters as well? I have also read that planting ant repelling mint, tansy, peppermint, lavender, thyme or rosemary around the base of the trees acts as a natural repellent for ants. Some companies offer cedar oil spray or peppermint oil spray to drive the ants out. We have had the ants identified by a couple of knowledgeable folks who concur that these are not carpenter ants nor are they the standard larger black ant. They are tiny brown (not red) ants. Should we consult an arborist because our local pest control folks are strictly poison people and that is just too scary for me. I have great luck with peppermint dilutions in the house as well as some citrus preparations for the spring invasion that only lasts a short time and they are gone for another year. HELP!

Genesee County Michigan

Poisoned fig tree #753018

Asked May 31, 2021, 1:42 AM EDT

Last fall my neighbors were trying to sell their house and needed to get rid of the 7-8 foot wall of blackberries that stood between us on their property line. They apparently dumped some kind of weed/vine killer to take care of this. I remember telling the guy who cut my lawn to be careful back there because I wasn't sure what they put on it. Fast forward to this spring when things were starting to bloom. I noticed my fig tree closest to the property line was looking sad. I thought I would give it more time to wake up. This week I noticed that only about 1/4 of it produced leaves of any kind and very little fruit. It finally occurred to me that the root system of the fig most likely reaches beyond where the blackberries were. The tree itself is only about 10 feet away from the property line. It stands to reason that whatever they used has hit my tree. There is another fig further away that looks much better, but not 100% of what I usually see. Both trees are very well established. My question is-what can I do to help my fig? Is there something I can do to protect it from further damage and initiate healing? I have not fertilized either tree this year at this time. I didn't think to upload photos with this message, but I can do so if you need to see the tree. I appreciate your information! Julie Osborn

Multnomah County Oregon

Insect infestation in a red pine #753001

Asked May 30, 2021, 9:15 PM EDT

I suddenly noticed my pine tree turning yellow in the needles all throughout tree branches. Today I noticed a bunch of holes about 1/4" in diameter. As I looked closer, I saw a really bad place on the north side of the tree, bark eaten a way and big holes. Pitch is showing, hard white clusters. I need to have this identified in case it is a Japanese beetle. I have pictures.



Washington County Oregon

Disease on leaves #752994

Asked May 30, 2021, 7:53 PM EDT

We don’t know what the plant is, but we think this is a disease we need to treat. Could you tell us what play this is, what the disease is, and how to treat it? Thanks Evangelical Lutheran church garden angels



Frederick County Maryland

Lawn Watering #752991

Asked May 30, 2021, 7:07 PM EDT

Is there a good technique for watering a lawn using soaker hose segments. I now water using a pulse sprinkler, but wonder if using soaking hose segments can replace the pulse sprinkler during the current drought.

Multnomah County Oregon

rhubarb leaves browning #752988

Asked May 30, 2021, 6:34 PM EDT

After a night of frost (27 degrees) we noticed that some of our rhubarb leaves were turning brown and just down the stalk from the leaf the stalk looked wilted, like it had been pinched. It has affected all 3 plants, with more of the outside leaves turning brown and the stalks wilting even more. We had also sprayed Roundup a few days ago around the garden, about the number of days (about 4) ago as the frost, possibly close enough to affect the rhubarb. The new leaves underneath look healthy and dark green, but the larger older ones are dying. What are your thoughts as to the cause of this problem? If it's from Roundup, is the rhubarb safe to eat? If not now, later in the season? Thanks for any help you can give us. We appreciate it! Bev Jones

Itasca County Minnesota

Spider ID #752987

Asked May 30, 2021, 6:29 PM EDT

I’ve never seen this variety of spider; it’s about an inch long (South Lyon, MI). Can anyone ID it for me?



Oakland County Michigan

Ground Cover(?)/Weed Identification Request #752985

Asked May 30, 2021, 6:24 PM EDT

Dear MSU Extension. We have this new plant growing in our yard. We believe it’s a weed but it has a nice look. It seems like a ground cover Thanks Bill Vergin



Macomb County Michigan

New buds turned brown #752981

Asked May 30, 2021, 5:52 PM EDT

What can I do and what caused this?



Rutland County Vermont

Found fuzzy fern looking plant under my trees #752980

Asked May 30, 2021, 5:39 PM EDT

I've never seen anything like it before, I tried looking it up but had no luck. Hoping it's a fern and it will sprout more.



Union County Oregon

What's Going On With These Fitzers? #752974

Asked May 30, 2021, 4:59 PM EDT

At least I think they're fitzers. We live at about 7,800 ft. in Estes Park and these looked fine until the very cold snap and late snows we recently had. We also look like some voles have returned this spring. Can you tell what is causing the discoloration? Are there things we can do to stop the damage/protect the plants? Thank you.  



Larimer County Colorado

Apple tree infestations #752973

Asked May 30, 2021, 4:57 PM EDT

We recently purchased and planted and Johnny Appleseed apple tree. It has now developed fuzzy patches, brown edges and some bugs on the underside of leaves. Pictures attached. What can I do to control these?



Montgomery County Maryland

Japanese knotweed #752963

Asked May 30, 2021, 3:02 PM EDT

Hello, I have a cabin in Hubbard County. About two weeks after a tree service was here, I discovered Japanese knotweed in the yard. Could the knotweed have come from their equipment? They took down trees, ground stumps, and did grading. If so, would Hubbard County be able to do anything for other homeowners? A neighbor in Plymouth had this several years ago and it is very invasive. I would like to use chemicals but not sure because it’s near lakeshore. (About 150 feet). Any suggestions? Should I inform Hubbard County? Thanks, Julie Svendahl



Hubbard County Minnesota

apple espelier #752957

Asked May 30, 2021, 1:37 PM EDT

I planted an apple espelier 3 years ago. It is growing nicely and I am training the 3 main branches without any issue. It has plenty of leaves and branches which I prune to the 3rd node beyond the main branch leaf twice per year ( July and December ). I mulch around it, water it deeply every several weeks depending on rainfall. So, why no blossoms and apples as yet ???

Baltimore County Maryland

What is this - plant or weed? #752946

Asked May 30, 2021, 12:13 PM EDT

This plant self-seeded in a garden by my deck. It survives the winter and is about 2 years old. It is close to my deck and I would like to move it if it's a plant, or remove it if it's a weed.



Washington County Minnesota

bugs in plum tree #752945

Asked May 30, 2021, 12:06 PM EDT

Hello today I noticed I have bugs in my plum tree. Can you tell me what they are and how to get rid of them?  This past year I did have one branch turn blackish and it died.  I have attached pictures.



Harris County Texas

Intense Sun in Boulder #752941

Asked May 30, 2021, 11:40 AM EDT

I need plants which will survive in a very hot sunny location. The bed is on the South side of a rental house in Boulder, immediacy in front of a large plate glass window. The area is irrigated. However, over the winter, when the irrigation is off, the area is typically dry. Other than a rock garden, are there any alternatives? Thanks!

Boulder County Colorado

Help with grass #752933

Asked May 30, 2021, 10:23 AM EDT

I need some help with what to about my lawn. I have been unable to fill in the bald spots for over 4 years. The ground is very hard and the grass is very thin. I have tried everything from planting plugs to fertilizer but nothing has worked. What can repair the lawn? Thanks so much!



Fort Bend County Texas

Question about adding fertilizer based on soil report #752930

Asked May 30, 2021, 10:06 AM EDT

This is regarding Lab ID: S21-02242. This is what the report says: Do not apply more than 10 lb limestone per 100 sq ft at one time as a topdress to existing plantings. Split application over several months. For new plantings, apply no more than 15 lb per hundred sq ft at one time, and till in thoroughly in top 4 - 6 inches. Your soil tested OPTIMUM or HIGH in both phosphorus and potassium. Add 4-5 lb per 100 sq. ft. of a high-nitrogen, low-phosphorus fertilizer, such as 6-2-1, 7-3-4; OR 8-10 lb per 100 sq. ft. of alfalfa meal; OR whatever your local supplier recommends. My questions are these: Should I apply limestone, or just the fertilizer listed? Also, I'm ready to start planting, so how long should I wait to plant after adding fertilizer? Or, am I too late for this season? Lastly, if I am too late, can I just use compost in my individual plantings? That's all I've done in the past.

Washington County Vermont

Hydrangea leaves #752903

Asked May 29, 2021, 10:10 PM EDT

My tiny tuff stuff hydrangea leaves get crumbly and discolored. This is the third year I’ve had them and I’ve even tried moving them. Leaves start out healthy and then start to tinge toward purple before crinkling up and disintegrating.



Calvert County Maryland

What is the disease causing the tips of new growth to turn brown or black and wilt #752898

Asked May 29, 2021, 8:39 PM EDT

This is on snakeroot, willow and sumac that the tips of the plants are wilting and turning dark. Is this a fungus? Can it be treated with spray or systemically? If so, what specific product do you recommend? Thanks.



Hennepin County Minnesota

Growth on plum tree #752894

Asked May 29, 2021, 7:52 PM EDT

We have a few plum trees that we planted about 4-5 years ago. Two of them are doing well but one has developed growths on trunk and branches. Is it possible to treat this or do we need to remove the tree?



Frederick County Maryland

Holly tree #752893

Asked May 29, 2021, 7:50 PM EDT

Last March I planted a cutting from a holly tree and it did very well; it had nice color and robust growth. In the last 2 months it has turned an unhealthy yellow. I do not see insect damage so I was wondering what your thoughts on the matter. I also have a rosemary that has become infested with spider mites. Can I use insecticidal soap on it and still safely eat it.



Baltimore County Maryland