Some animal is chewing the bark off my fig tree in rather large areas plus in some small spots. This is the first time I’ve seen such damage in this tree, which is at least 30 years old. Any idea on what might be doing this and do I need to try to prevent it somehow? Thanks!

My lilac bush suffered last year with the drought. What do you recommend for pruning it? I.e. timing; how far back, etc.

Hi Master Gardeners,

I'm a long-time gardener at the Newark St Community Garden. I grow a variety of veggies, herbs and flowers throughout from Spring to late Fall. My question is in regard to no-till gardening. I understand this promotes healthy microorganisms and organic materials, but what about loosening the soil to promote root growth? Should I turn over the soil as I've been doing for many years to loosen and aerate? If not, my soil is very compact and I'm afraid plant growth will be affected. What to do?
Thanks in advance!
Sally

Dear extension this past summer most of the flowering plants developed a Brown black dying of the leaves and stunted growth especially in the Dahlias, blackeyed susans, Shasta Daiseys and sunflowers. This is the first time I have seen this kind of wilt and brown black color in the raised boxes. The plants where removed by high-school kids under my supervision. So so of the perennials came out of the old rotting wood boxes with more roots than others. But the blight also occurred on newly planted sunflowers. In the new raised boxes.which are built out of Doug Fir 2 X 8 s stacked 3 high with a 2 X 6 laid flat on top to sit on. Attached is a picture of a picture of the brown black blight on blackeyed susans.

I'm not sure who to send this to in the Extension so I'm picking on you garden folks hoping you'll know where to send this if it's not in your lane. I feed the local Potomac fauna 'critter food' in the winter. I usually get deer, foxes, and the occasional raccoon although I haven't seen any of those in several months. I read an article today that said that it is bad to feed the deer in the winter - especially corn - because the gut bacteria change with each type of food associated with each season and it disrupts gut chemistry in the winter to feed summer/fall food. I've also heard that our deer sometimes starve in the winter because there are so many of them but this article said that in the winter, deer mainly subsist on tree bark and branches of which we have plenty. I know they eat my arbor vitae but I don't mind at all. I certainly don't want to be doing something that could harm the creatures we share the land with so I'm not sure what to do. I know I'm probably contributing to the deer population growth but I just can't help myself. :) I had 4 deer resting in the snow in my front yard overnight this past weekend. Anyway, back to my question. Other than contributing to our deer overpopulation problem, am I doing any other kind of harm to these critters? And what about the foxes? Thanks so much for your help. You have always been so kind to respond to my many questions in the past and I love that you are there to set me straight. Gerri Grove

Howdy! I just moved to Minnesota and am looking to get into gardening- specifically food (fruits, veg, and herbs). Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of outdoor space, so I am looking to grow some plants indoors. I have north, east, and west facing windows. Any advice on how I can start growing food indoors, and what may grow best, please?

How can I get rid of bed bugs

Hello,

Looking for suggestions to re-make front yd after losing important shade tree in a storm.  have removed failed shade loving plants, now need to plant small (2-3ft max)

shrubs and colorful flowering plants (reds, whites preferred) which will stand up to full sun.  Would like a minimal result vs filling every inch w/ product.  Can always add later

if needed. I enjoy gardening, and can maintain much myself, but am looking for low maintainance result.

Row house in NW DC.   Appreciate any suggestions.  Thanks.  EAS

Last year my plum tree suffered what I’m pretty sure was powdery mildew. I don’t see any advice on this in the home orchard guidelines, so what can you recommend?

please identify this bug. I have also sent via <personal data hidden> Finding them on window sills and ceilings near lights. please cc results <personal data hidden>