Plant and Pest Questions
| Hydrangea Color Change How can I change the color of my hydrangea bloom? First, please note that white blooms cannot be changed. However, with some patience and persistence, you can change colors from pink(red) to blue and vice versa! The answer is in the soil pH. A soil test can be easily done to test this. The general rules are:
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| Plants Leaning, Falling Over, or Disappearing — Voles My plants are leaning, falling over, or sometimes disappear. What’s going on? Leaning, flopping, or disappearing plants are often the evidence that voles are present in your garden. Voles are small rodents that feed mainly on the roots and tubers of plants. As they feed on the under ground portion of your plants, the above ground portion leans, flops, or may disappear entirely. The Pine Vole is becoming a significant problem in the home landscape as they become more adapted to development and human presence. Several options are available for addressing vole problems in your garden or yard. For more information, come in and speak to our knowledgeable Garden Shop Staff. |
| Deer Problems Deer are driving me Crazy! Is there anything that REALLY works to keep them from eating my plants? YES! Believe it or not there is! For years we have watched new products come and go with mixed results and mixed reviews from customers. That all changed with the introduction of “I MUST GARDEN DEER REPELLENT.” Since we began carrying this product last year, I have heard more good reports than in the many years preceding. It is an all natural taste & odor repellent made from biodegradable botanical oils. The odor is NOT offensive to humans and the protection lasts for months! There are few “miracle” products, but this one is close. |
| Japanese Beetles What can I do to control Japanese Beetles? Japanese Beetles are a significant pest in the garden and can inflict serious damage to your plant life. Control of the these beetles is best achieved using a multi-faceted approach. Beetle traps, along with Sevin dust or spray, and a grub killer is an effective way to protect your garden. Please come in or call one of our knowledgeable staff to explore any or all of these options. |
| Tomato Blossom End Rot Why do my Tomatoes & Peppers have dark spots on the bottom? The condition that causes the dark mushy spots on the bottom of the fruit (or blossom end) is known as Blossom End Rot. This condition is the result of a calcium deficiency and inconsistent moisture conditions. For example, during the summertime, weather conditions often cause wide variations in moisture levels. Conditions may be wet, then dry, then wet, then dry again. This type of environment causes stress on the plants, and contributes to the condition known as Blossom End Rot. To help control this problem we recommend Fertilome Blossom End Rot Spray, which contains calcium chloride. This product can be found on the Garden Pharmacy page of the website. A 2″ layer of mulch around your plants will also help regulate soil moisture, reducing the wild fluctuations. |
| Japanese Stilt Grass What is Japanese Stilt Grass? How can I control it? Japanese Stilt Grass is an annual, invasive grass resembling a small, delicate bamboo. It looks much like several other native grasses, but is distinguished by a shiny midrib and asymmetrical leaves. Early intervention is important. Stilt grass has shallow roots and can be pulled by hand. Extensive infestations can be killed by using Hi Yield Grass Killer with a Spreader Sticker. For more information on Japanese stilt grass and pictures, click this link. |
| Powdery Mildew What is Powdery Mildew? How do I treat it? Powdery mildew is a fungus that attacks plants during warm, moist weather, particularly in areas with poor air flow. It is appears as a white or grayish film on leaves and parts of plants, and will appear to have a powdery texture (sometimes a little slimy). Plants with powdery mildew can be treated with either a contact or systemic fungicide. Contact Fungicides include: Bonide Fung-i-nil, Bonide Sulfur, and Bonide Liquid Copper. Systemic Fungicides include: Fertilome Systemic Fungicide, and Halt Systemic Fungicide |
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