Search Results

Getting rid of Lily of the Valley #422904

Asked August 22, 2017, 10:42 PM EDT

We have a substantial bed of lily of the valley in our front yard, and it keeps growing every year.  We are doing some major grading to try to alleviate water in our basement, and we want to take out the lily of the valley. I have been told they are very hard to eradicate. Would you please give us directions on how to best get them "gone". One friend said to mow them down first, then try to eliminate them. Please let me know if this step is necessary, helpful or not helpful. Our gardening skills and knowledge are limited, sad to say!

Hennepin County Minnesota

Growing Aspen Trees #667512

Asked July 22, 2020, 5:10 PM EDT

When should I plant an Aspen tree from Colorado in southwest PA? How can I protect it from insects and fungus?

Westmoreland County Pennsylvania

Growing Problems #360494

Asked September 07, 2016, 2:44 PM EDT

We've planted vinca ground cover in 2 areas in late May. There are two pictures attached that show the healthy area and unhealthy area in hopes that you can help us with this issue. Healthy area is on sloped hill and unhealthy area is in front yard on flat ground. Both areas mostly shaded. Had trouble in past growing anything looking healthy in front which happens to be under an oak tree. Please help?



Kenton County Kentucky

Growing vegetables in flower beds? #290557

Asked November 16, 2015, 3:25 PM EST

Is there any catalogs by OSU on this topic?

Linn County Oregon

HDPE Lumber for Raised Beds. #308082

Asked March 19, 2016, 7:43 PM EDT

Is HDPE lumber safe for raised beds?  Will it leach into food?
Brands such as Azek or Bearboard.
I am looking for a product that will last longer than 2x6 cedar.



San Juan County Washington

Hello, I bought this ... #151324

Asked September 05, 2013, 9:29 PM EDT

Hello, I bought this aloe plant in February. It seemed to me that it was too big for the pot it was in and I separated it into three plants. I used cactus potting soil when I transplanted them and only water them every 3-4 weeks. The plants are now tall and thin, with semi-brown stalks and dehydrated leaves. They do not look well and would appreciate any advice on how to help them.



Anoka County Minnesota

Help Please! #199311

Asked July 14, 2014, 5:45 PM EDT

Hi, I'm hoping you can help me!  The leaves on our trees are being destroyed. I think they are Elm trees but don't know what kind. I'm attaching a photo taken today. Thanks for any help :)



Natrona County Wyoming

Hibiscus Gall Midge #147160

Asked August 14, 2013, 3:50 PM EDT

I live in Houston and for a week or so, my hibiscus seem to produce only tiny buds which turn yellow and fall off.  I thought it was thrips until I read about the gall midge.  I have been picking the buds off so not to let them hit the ground.  I would prefer to use a natural predator if there is one, but if not, do you recommend a certain systemic to control them.  I have quite a few hibiscus and they all seem to be doing this.  In the picture the bottom bud is already turning yellow.  HELP!

While I'm asking, what do you recommend for thrips?

Thanks in advance for your time. 



Harris County Texas

hog pecan trees #276438

Asked September 07, 2015, 8:37 PM EDT

   Near my Pecan orchard are native trees that  I have heard called hog pecans , they are extremely large trees that produce a tiny pecans that  have no core. They do this every year,and there are lots of these type trees, I read somewhere that these trees are a cross between a pecan tree and a walnut tree. I also have wild walnut trees in the woods around them.  Thanks Lonnie

Freestone County Texas

Honey Crisp and Zestar Pollination #202397

Asked July 25, 2014, 9:10 PM EDT

Will Honey Crisp and Zestar apple trees work together for pollination?

Jackson County Oregon

House Foundations and planting Hazelnut, Apple, Cherry and Grape #368668

Asked October 08, 2016, 12:33 PM EDT

My husband and I are thinking of planting an apple tree, cherry tree, grapes and hazelnuts in our yard but were wondering how far from the house they would need to be planted to prevent damage to the foundation and to overall promote healthy plant growth. I'm assuming variety will make a big difference and would appreciate recommendations on that front too. Thank you!

Multnomah County Oregon

I have a Ponytail Palm t... #228582

Asked February 23, 2015, 1:34 AM EST

I have a Ponytail Palm tree that was my grandmothers. My Mom thinks its over 50 yrs old, it stands about 13 ft. tall. is there anyway to tell what its age is?

Clatsop County Oregon

I have a two year old bl... #270428

Asked August 15, 2015, 6:04 PM EDT

I have a two year old blue spruce. I noticed that the ground around the tree was dry with cracks in it. I watered it heavey and put some miracle grow at the base then mulched around the base, about week or two later the needles start turning yellowish brown.

Hancock County Ohio

I have a very large and ... #157637

Asked October 18, 2013, 11:21 PM EDT

I have a very large and old oak tree in a southwest corner of my yard. Last year a ring developed in the grass in which all the grass died. We raked it this spring and fertilized and planted grass which did well until this last week. All the grass in this same ring died again. There are several mushrooms growing in this area of which I have removed about three times. Whatever can I do to keep grass going in this ring area? sheribetz1@aol.com

Eau Claire County Wisconsin

I haven't been able to i... #150477

Asked September 01, 2013, 3:19 PM EDT

I haven't been able to identify this weed (?) from pictures on the internet.Thanks in advance for your help.



Travis County Texas

I wouldlike to plant a hazelnut tree that could bear fruit quickly. #407859

Asked June 17, 2017, 6:19 PM EDT

I live in eugene and have a full sun site. I want a filbert. What type of filbert tree do you recommend? Where can I buy it? What age of tree bears nuts? My ninety two year old mother would like to be able to gather the nuts, so the sooner it produced the better. How much should I expect to pay? I have truck and can drive to pick it up. Thank you, Randy

Lane County Oregon

iris roots #318600

Asked May 03, 2016, 7:49 PM EDT

Iris roots have a lot of holes about the size of a round tooth pick, what is it??

Hennepin County Minnesota

Is it possible to cut a ... #231434

Asked March 17, 2015, 11:29 AM EDT

Is it possible to cut a very large amaryllis bulb in 2 to make 2 plants???

Broward County Florida

Italian Plum tree problems #248866

Asked June 01, 2015, 4:50 PM EDT

Located on the NE side of Bend neat the Bend airport. Italian Plum Tree: Before signs of a problem. I treated the tree with a Systemic May 1. May 1st. I noticed the leafs curling and looking like the pic I attached. I sprayed the tree with Bonaide All-Seasons spray which contains Mineral oil as the active ingredient. May 23rd. I sprayed the Tree again with the same treatment. I also removed the worst sections of the tree branches that had the leafs curled. May 28th. I released 1000 lady bugs on the tree. With lady bug nectar sprayed on the tree. I have not noticed any improvement and the tree is getting worse. Is it bugs or something else? The tree does this every year. Each year, I try something different and nothing helps. I still get plums that are good to eat. but by late June, the leafs are getting spots, turning brown and falling off the tree. Tree gets plenty of water. I gave it a dose of magnesium spring of 2014. I also give it a fruit tree fertilizer spike every fall and spring.



Deschutes County Oregon

keeping hydrangeas blooming and thriving #200061

Asked July 17, 2014, 11:42 AM EDT

What can be done to keep hydrangeas blooming and getting  new growth in July and the rest of the summer. 

Montgomery County Texas

killing crepe myrtle suckers #151982

Asked September 10, 2013, 9:28 AM EDT

We had 2 large (>20' high) crepe myrtle trees cut down this spring and are now dealing with loads of suckers.  The roots were ground down about six inches by a commercial stump remover.  Now there are suckers everywhere.    No matter if I cut, dug or sprayed  with weed killers, or all three in combination to kill the suckers above ground,  even more come back in their place. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.


Collin County Texas

Landscape (mature plantings) consult? #324573

Asked May 24, 2016, 9:34 AM EDT

I live in West Des Moines in a home that was built in 1982. My trees, lawn and shrubs are not as vibrant and energized as when we moved here in 1994. Does the Extension Service provide an on-site consult to determine what is happening and make suggestions about further action on my part?

Polk County Iowa

Last fall, I transplante... #237898

Asked April 18, 2015, 2:48 PM EDT

Last fall, I transplanted some hostas into my partial shade backyard. Now as they are starting to come up, they seem to have sunk in the centers, maybe 2-4 inches deeper than the soil around them. Will I have problems if I leave the soil as it is and they grow with a sunken spot (holes average 4-7 inches in diameter). Would you advise that I add soil on top, or try to lift the plant and add soil under it, or clear away some of the ground around them, or just let them go?



Hennepin County Minnesota

Lemon Seeds #275292

Asked September 03, 2015, 9:14 AM EDT

How to prepare Seeds from Lemon without using machine

Dallas County Outside United States

mitigation of the allelopathic effects of winter rye as soon as possible #251590

Asked June 07, 2015, 11:22 AM EDT

Love this access to expert info!
                            Just found out my winter rye which has seed heads is allelopathic in the short term.I have to get the vegetable garden planted soon.Should I yank it out roots and all and use it later for mulch or compost it.Is there some way to minimize the negative effect? Maybe put molasses and fish emulsion to get the microbes going.The garden isn't that big so at least on some of it, labor and costly efforts might be possible.Are there some vegetables less affected.Would transplants grow better than seeds.
                                   Also I would like to increase the worm population in the raised beds{all of the grden is raised beds}.I was going to use coco coir or soil pep {a type of fine pine bark}.Would something else be better for worms.Half the Garden is right up on the front side walk, so it would be better if it looked good.Thanks in advance. If you can only answer 1 question the first one about the rye is most pressing.
Thanks,Jon Valenzuela

Natrona County Wyoming