In The Backyard

As anticipated for the past few weeks, the fungal leaf spot diseases are wreaking havoc on ornamental and fruit trees alike. The main culprits at this time are anthracnose on good quality shade trees, apple scab on production apple trees and crabapples, and leaf curl on peaches. The common factors, as in any disease problem, are a susceptible host, weather favorable for the disease, the...

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West Nile Virus (WNV) has, unfortunately, become a household phrase. WNV was first isolated in Uganda, Africa. It can harm humans, birds, and other animals. It is transmitted by infected mosquitoes, primarily the northern house mosquito. The mosquito becomes infected after biting wild birds that are the primary hos...

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We are now in the middle of the correct planting time for the warm loving vegetables for our gardens. This would include lima beans, cucumber, eggplant, melons, peppers, summer squash, winter squash, and pumpkins. Pumpkins for use as fall ornamentals should be planted around Father's Day so they have less chance of rotting before fall display. Believe it or not, we're at the proper timing for f...

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With the type of weather we have had, it should have been expected many different diseases would come our way this spring. Well, they are here. Here are some shorts on the past week and some of the items found without looking too hard. Peach leaf curl is caused by a fungus on trees in the stone fruit family. This would include mainly peaches and plums. It is rather striking with the br...

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Continue with fruit spray programs. Be careful with insecticide applications during bloom periods, because of pollinators. The next couple of weeks are ideal to fertilize the lawn and control broadleaf weeds. Best to wait on the weed control if you have put down new seed this spring. Begin planting tender vegetable and flower crops. Of course, it's best to check the w...

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Throughout the year I get several calls and samples brought in dealing with puffballs or toadstools. This year we have had an unusual amount of calls about dark green grass in rings that kind of looks like a target pattern. These rings are called fairy rings. Fairy rings are caused by a fungus in the soil...

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Here is a listing of common borers and their control times: Ash borers (early June and early July), Bronze birch borer (mid May and repeat two times at two week intervals), Dogwood borer (mid May and mid June), Flatheaded apple borer (late May and repeat in t hree weeks), Lilac borer (early June and early July), Loc...

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With the cool, damp spring we expected to have a problem. The great outdoors now seems like one of those commercials for mosquito repellent, where a brave person puts his arms into a tent full of hungry mosquitoes. We not only have mosquitoes, but also the biting midges. These also are called biting gnats, punkies, buffalo gnats, no-see-ums, and worse. Some of these names are specific for black...

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Roses - the "Queen of Flowers," should be in full glory in the month of June, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. "The many colors, scents and flower sizes are all qualities the rose connoisseur craves," said Martha Smith. "Rose care is not difficult. What roses require, h...

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