Aster Powdery Mildew Symptoms Powdery mildew is a fungal disease caused by Erysiphe cichoracearum. It is one of the most common diseases found in plants and afflicts not only flowers but vegetables and woody plants as well. The first indication of the disease is a white, powdery growth visible on the upper leaves. This white powder is made up of threads of fungal tissue (mycelium) and mats of asexual spores (condia)....

Blueberry Stem Blight Info More commonly referred to as ‘blueberry dieback’, stem blight on a blueberry is caused by the fungus Botryosphaeria dothidea. The fungus overwinters in infected stems and infection occurs through wounds caused by pruning, mechanical injury, or other stem disease sites. Early symptoms of stem blight on a blueberry are chlorosis or yellowing, and reddening or drying of foliage on one or more branches of the plant. Inside infected stems, the structure becomes a brown to tan shade, often on only one side....

Is a Tree Dead or Alive? These days of high temperatures and little rainfall has taken its toll on trees in many parts of the country. Even drought tolerant trees become stressed after several years without sufficient water, especially in soaring summer temperatures. You need to find out whether trees near your home or other structures are dead as early as possible. Dead or dying trees can topple in winds or with shifting soils and, when they fall, can cause damage....

What Trees Grow Quickly? It may seem discouraging to plant a tree seedling that won’t reach a reasonable height for years. This isn’t the case with all tree species though, so look for trees that grow quickly. What trees grow quickly? Luckily, there are quite a few fast-growing trees out there, making it very likely you can find one to suit your planting location. Be sure to select trees that grow well in your hardiness zone and exposure you can offer it....

What are the most common trees and shrubs for maritime forests? Read on for info on maritime forest plants. What Is a Maritime Forest? Maritime forest trees grow very close to the ocean. That means that trees and shrubs for maritime areas must tolerate salt, as well as wind and drought. The maritime areas with tropical maritime climates are found in warmer areas, while colder zones are home to temperate species....

What is Cactus Scab? Cactus scab is particularly common on prickly pear cactus but can affect many other varieties. It is a form of edema, where something has stimulated an abnormal increase in the size of the cells. This results in strange patches on the skin of the plant. It occurs in many other plants too, such as: Tomatoes Cucumbers Potatoes Begonia Violets Cabbage Cracks, discoloration, dry scabby lesions? Identifying the issue is quite easy, although the appearance can be mistaken for sunscald or spider mite attacks....

Reasons for Trumpet Vine Leaves Falling Off Heat – Excessive heat may be the reason for trumpet vine leaves falling off or turning yellow. If this is the case, the plant should rebound as soon as temperatures moderate. Insects – Pesky insects, such as scale or mites, may be to blame for problems with trumpet vines. Scale consists of tiny, sap-sucking insects that live under waxy shells. The shells are often seen in clusters....

Can You Grow an Eggplant Upside Down? Yes, vertical gardening with eggplants is indeed a possibility. The benefit to eggplant, or any veggie, is that it keeps the plant and resulting fruit off the ground and away from any pests that might want a snack and lowers the chances of soil-borne diseases. Hanging eggplants may result in a more robust plant, hence more plentiful fruit. Upside down eggplant growing is also a boon to the gardener lacking in space....

Cold Frame Hardening Off Seedlings which have been started indoors or in greenhouses have been exposed to conditions much different than those that occur outdoors. Grow lights emit enough light to nurture and encourage growth in seedlings, but the strength of the light is not comparable to that of direct sunlight. Additional factors, like wind, may damage delicate transplants. These outdoor variables can make adjusting to new growing conditions quite difficult for young plants....

What is Horticultural Soap? What is horticultural soap? Horticultural soap is not a cleaning product for foliage–it is an environmentally friendly application used to eliminate small soft-bodied insects such as aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, and mealybugs. Horticultural soaps may be used either on indoor houseplants or on outdoor plants, including vegetables. Insecticidal soaps have several advantages over pesticides in that they leave no nasty residue, are non-toxic to animals and birds, and do not harm beneficial insects....

Kale Uses and Benefits Have you wondered what to do with kale that’s growing in your garden? Kale is chocked full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. There is no doubt health-conscientious gardeners are growing this leafy green as a means to improve their diets. Yet, growing kale and using kale are two different undertakings. So, let’s explore how to use kale in the kitchen: Kale chips– This healthy alternative to potato chips is simply addictive....

How to Get Rid of Flea Beetles Knowledge of your enemy is the first key to flea beetle control. The insects are small beetle-type pests that hop when disturbed. The larvae overwinter in the garden and become adults in spring. There may be up to two generations of the tiny shiny beetles per year. Some varieties are striped or spotted and may be brown, tan, and black. It is easier to prevent the damage rather than to kill flea beetles unless you resort to chemical controls....

Considerations for Front Yard Vegetable Gardens Creating an edible front yard does not have to be complex. You might want to just incorporate an herb garden or potted vegetables tucked in amongst existing landscaping. In my neighborhood, every house has a parking strip. You know the ones, generally covered with grass that is often ignored. Many of my neighbors have replaced the grass with raised vegetable beds. If you live in a neighborhood governed by a homeowner association, it would be wise to check the rules....

Groundcovers you can walk on are versatile plants that may also crowd out weeds, conserve moisture, prevent soil erosion, and provide habitat for beneficial pollinators. Here are a few examples of attractive and durable groundcovers for foot traffic. Choosing Groundcover That’s Walkable Here are some good groundcovers you can walk on: Thyme (Thymus sp.) – Includes several walkable groundcovers such as woolly thyme, red creeping thyme, and mother-of-thyme. Thyme thrives in full sunlight and nearly any well-drained soil....

Using Ancient Herbs Most of the common herbs we use today are the same herbs used by our ancestors. In fact, herbal remedies were once handed down from one generation to the next like family heirlooms. In 65 A.D., Dioscorides, a Greek physician and botanist, wrote “De Materia Medica” – a guide to herbs and their uses. Many of the herbs Dioscorides wrote about are still commonly used today and some have been scientifically proven to treat exactly the same disorders that Dioscorides prescribed them for....

If you’re looking for corn rootworm information, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about the corn rootworm beetle and how to control it on your home-grown corn. What are Corn Rootworms? Corn rootworms are the larval stage of the corn rootworm beetle, a pollen-feeder that can cause considerable damage to corn and soybeans. These yellow-green beetles are elongated, measure up to about 5/16 inches (8 mm....

What are Decorative Gourds? Gourds are relatives of pumpkins and squash, annual vines easily grown from seed. The edible type of gourd is a garden vegetable. Ornamental gourds are dried and hardened to use for decoration. Edible squash is picked when immature, but decorative gourds must be allowed to mature and dry on the vine. Ornamental Gourd Harvesting Ornamental gourd harvesting should never involve twisting. Instead, use shears to harvest the gourds, snipping the stem to leave several inches (8 cm....

What are Fosteriana Tulips? Fosteriana tulip plants perennialize beautifully. Their reliability year after year is one reason gardeners are wild about these bulbs. Yet, others are the jewel tones and architectural stature combined with some of the biggest tulip flowers available. They are also one of the earliest tulips to bloom in spring. Growing tulips takes some preplanning, as they need a chilling period and must be installed in fall. However, once the bulbs are in their happy place, they will return annually with bigger displays and larger blooms....

What are Frisée Greens? Frisée is often referred to as a lettuce, but it is not really lettuce. It is more closely related to chicory and endive, but it can be used like lettuce or any other salad green. Also called curly endive, frisée grows in a head like other greens. The leaves are green on the outside and paler and more yellow on the inside. The leaves resemble ferns, with a lot of forking, giving it a frizzy or curly appearance....

What are Lettuce Aphids? Lettuce aphids come in multiple hues ranging from green to orange to pink. The adults have black markings on their leg joints and antennae. Some have black markings on the abdomen as well and may be winged or wingless. Lettuce Aphid Information Lettuce aphid information informs us about their prolific reproduction, which is definitely no boon to the gardener. Aphids are both viviparous and parthenogenic, which means the females are capable of producing living offspring without any sexual activity....