Fallen leaves can feed tomato fungus
Posted on Sunday, July 6, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/Living/66841/
Question: My tomatoes wilted and died. What caused this ?
Answer: Your tomatoes probably suffered from Southern blight. This is a soil-borne fungus that lives on organic material in the soil. Deep burial of undecomposed organic material in the soil will reduce this problem. Control foliage diseases of tomato plants because the fallen leaves around the base of the plant will feed the fungus, and it will build up this area and cause damage later. Crop rotation will reduce the incidence of Southern blight. Question: What should I do with my paeonia after it stops blooming ?
Answer: After your paeonia stops blooming, cut off the dead flowers. Leave the green leaves on the stems so that they may nourish the roots. After a freeze or when the stems turn brown, you may cut the stems down to the ground.
Question: When can I prune my trumpet vine ?
Answer: Trumpet vine should be pruned any time after it blooms. These vines take over if they are not pruned yearly and severely.
Question: There are white bugs on my plants that can hop about a mile when I spray them with water. What are they, are they harmful to my plants and how can I get rid of them ?
Answer: The insects you describe must be what is known as froghoppers or spittlebugs. They lay their eggs in the fall, survive the winter and hatch when the weather warms. The young spittlebugs produce a foamy froth that protects them from the sun and predators. The adults hop or fly away when disturbed. Use a garden hose to wash spittlebugs from plants. If plants are heavily infested, use a spray such as bacillus thuringiensis.
Question: I want to clear an area for a pasture. The place I want to clear is overrun with honeysuckle. What can I do to clear this land ?
Answer: Cut back as much of the honeysuckle and other weeds as you can. Then spray the remaining land with Round-up. It may be necessary to repeat the treatment at least once more.
Send your gardening and landscaping questions and tips to Washington County Master Gardeners, 2536 N McConnell Ave., Fayetteville AR, 72704. You may also call 444-1755 for answers to your questions.