Want to use eggshells in your garden? Learn the best techniques for breaking them down in your compost and using them as a soil amendment. And find out the truth about whether eggshells really repel garden pests. To learn more about turning eggshells into garden amendments instead of landfill waste, read more now.
Ripening tomatoes sometimes develop a dark, sunken spot at the blossom end, known as blossom-end rot. But this damage to your crop is not a sign of disease – it’s due to a lack of calcium in the fruit. Read on to learn about the measures you can take to keep your tomatoes safe from this physiological disorder.
Zucchini are famously prolific, but that doesn’t mean they’re without their share of potential issues. You might be facing yellowing leaves, falling flowers, or pest problems. If you’re having trouble with your zucchini, learn about 11 common problems, how to identify what’s going wrong, and what to do to fix it.
Sex appeal comes in all shapes and sizes, but in insects, it’s often rooted in trace amounts of a pheromone. Gardeners and growers use this to their advantage by luring and trapping the males or preventing them from finding their mates. Read on to learn how to use these hormones to control pests in your garden.
Garlic’s pungent smell repels many pests, but there are a few bugs out there that love to prey on garlic. If you want to know what they are and how to fight them, this article will reveal the top five bugs that plague garlic. Plus, you’ll learn what you need to know to keep your garlic healthy. Read more now.
Almond hull rot occurs at hull split and can limit the ability of the trees to bear fruit in the future. And the infected nuts that remain on the tree can harbor navel orange worms. This disease is much worse in well-fertilized and properly irrigated trees. Read on to learn how to prevent and control almond hull rot.
Lovely as roses are, they are prone to disease, and knowing what to do early on is key to protecting the health of your plants. Our guide describes the common rose diseases you are most likely to encounter and offers effective treatment plans for each. Check out our solutions to your roses’ woes now in this guide.
Cabbage maggots are tiny insects in the soil, and often by the time the plants show symptoms, it is too late to save them. Knowing what to look for lets you monitor for them and identify their presence in time to implement control measures. Read on to learn how to identify and control these pernicious pests.
Armillaria root rot is a serious fungal infection that attacks many different plants. This fungus can devastate apples and most other kinds of fruit trees. Resistant to fungicide treatments, it is difficult to control. Learn what makes this pathogen so hard to control and how to prevent infection in your apple trees.
Stressed pecan trees can be susceptible to pecan twig dieback disease. Caused by fungi, this infection cannot be cured by fungicides. Learn how to identify pecan twig dieback and steps you can take to prevent it from taking hold and how to treat infected trees. Plus tips on how to keep your trees healthy. Read more now.
Are you aggravated by ants crawling around your home? If you have an infestation in your house or yard, it can be very difficult to get it under control. Discover the different methods for controlling ants, including how and when to use bait and what works best for different species. Learn how to eradicate ants now.
Pecan nuts that start to turn black and fall off the tree may be suffering from stem end blight. This fungal disease is spread by insects feeding on your trees and can cause severe damage to your crop. Fungicide treatment may be necessary if your trees are infected. Learn how to identify and treat this serious disease.
Thief ants get their name because they steal food and larvae from other ant colonies. These tiny ants have the dubious honor of being among the most difficult types of ants to control in your home – and they can spread human diseases. Learn how to identify, prevent, and manage a thief ant infestation. Read more now.
Argentine ants are one of the most invasive of all ant species. With multiple queens and colonies, they can quickly take over large areas, spreading disease and encouraging crop pests. Learn how to identify these insects and strategies to manage an Argentine ant infestation in your home and garden. Read more now.
Pavement ants make their nests in concrete slabs under houses or in foundations. You can tell an infestation by the tell-tale piles of soil or sand near the colony. Fortunately, they are fairly easy to control once you know how. Learn how to identify and treat a pavement ant infestation in your home. Read more now.
Despite kale’s tendency to be healthy and vigorous, the plants can be vulnerable to insects, nematodes, bacteria, and fungi under certain circumstances. Read on to learn how to identify and control pests and pathogens on your kale plants.
Don’t let your kale get overrun with pests. If you’re growing kale in your vegetable garden there’s a good chance you’ve got some insects damaging your plants. If they get out of control you’ll want to take action. Learn how to identify who’s chomping on your greens and kill these bugs naturally. Read more now.
The invasive spotted lanternfly is currently under quarantine in multiple states, and could easily cause billions of dollars of damage in Pennsylvania alone. It feeds on hardwood and fruit trees and vines, and is a particular threat to grape vines and hops. Read on to learn how to manage an infestation.
Citronella ants feed on insect secretions rather than human food. So, you might not think they are a threat. However, these ants frequently invade houses when they swarm and look like termites. Read on to discover the difference between citronella ants and termites and what to do when you are under siege.
Apricot soft rot caused by Rhizopus is a very serious infection that can destroy all your ripe peaches, apricots, nectarines, or plums . However, you can take steps to minimize the chances of your stone fruits from being infected. Read on to learn how to prevent Rhizopus rot in your harvest.
Pharaoh ants are highly difficult to control. While they are extensive problems in Florida and Texas, they also infest buildings in cooler climates. These aggressive ants will even attack the skin of burn victims in hospitals. Read on for tips on controlling these foreign invaders.
While you may think of potatoes when you think of soft rot, these bacterial diseases destroy a range of plants – from broccoli to tomatoes. There is no cure once your produce is infected, but there are steps you can take to prevent infection. Read on to learn how to protect your stored crops against bacterial soft rot.
Turnip mosaic virus affects cabbage and a broad range of cole crops along with many other types of plants. Weeds serve as reservoirs for the disease, which is spread by aphids. Read on to learn how to control this potentially devastating disease.
Phytophthora and the fungi Armillaria, Phymatotrichum, and Xylaria can all cause devastating cases of root rot on fruit, nut, and landscape trees along with woody shrubs. Prevention is the best way to manage these diseases. Read on to learn the best ways to avoid these diseases and biocontrol agents and fungicides that may help with Phytophthora root rot.
Odorous house ants are native to the entire continental United States and are one of the most common types of ants that infest houses. They prefer warm, moist places like hot water heaters and will even nest behind paneling. Read on to learn how to eradicate these invasive creatures.
An incurable grapevine disease that is spread by very common insects threatens grapevines in warmer parts of the United States. However, there are steps you can take to prevent your plants from becoming infected by both tackling the insects that spread it and implementing cultural methods to protect your plants. Read on to learn how to prevent Pierce’s disease.
Although slugs can be highly serious pests of cabbage and other cruciferous veggies, there are a variety of techniques that you can use to control these land mollusks. Read on to learn a number of ways to banish slugs from your garden. You have options ranging from barriers to traps to predatory slugs and bait.
White spot fungi are selective in the crucifers they infect and cause disease on the leaves of turnip, rutabaga, canola, mustard, radish, and horseradish. The fungi overwinter on volunteer plants and cruciferous weeds. Read on to learn how to control white spot fungus on crucifers.
Cabbage butterflies live throughout the US and southern Canada. While you can handpick the cabbage worms if there are just a few, large numbers can kill your cabbage plants and many other cole crops and crucifers. Read on to learn how to control these voracious caterpillars.
Turnip and rutabaga plants can be severely infested by several types of insects. While row covers can prevent some of these infestations, wireworms are soil-borne threats that can cause the end of the season’s crop in an infested field. Read on to learn how to manage cabbage aphids, root maggots, flea beetles, sawflies, and more.
Although kale plants are usually healthy, yellowing and thinning leaves can be signs of potentially fatal bacterial infections. These diseases rapidly spread to nearby plants and can destroy whole fields. Read on to learn how to prevent leaf spot bacteria and black rot from infecting your plants.
From its initial discovery in California in 2009, the spotted wing Drosophila spread throughout the US wreaking havoc on raspberries, blueberries, and many other types of fruits. This fly is very difficult to control, but you can do so organically. Read on to learn how to control this pest in your home garden.
Fungi, bacteria, and water molds cause multiple types of diseases on the leaves or roots of turnips and rutabagas. In addition, turnip mosaic virus is a debilitating disease. You can prevent many diseases by using clean or heat-treated seeds. Read on to find out what symptoms to look for on your crops.
Numerous fungi and viruses can infect hydrangea shrubs. In addition, two types of bacteria can also cause important diseases. You can treat most of these diseases and save your plants. Read on to learn how to diagnose and treat diseases on hydrangea.
Bacterial leaf spot on turnip can be caused by two different types of bacteria. This disease spreads easily and can be very difficult to control. Preventing the pathogens from becoming established is the best way to protect your turnip crop. Read on to learn how to protect your plants from these bacteria.
If your apples have green dimples on them, they do not have a fungal disorder. Your fruit lack calcium and have apple cork spot. You can prevent this from happening in the future by liming your soil or spraying your trees with calcium. Read on to find out how to diagnose and prevent this physiological disorder.
Cool, wet conditions favor downy mildew infection on turnips. Not only can the pathogen destroy the leaves, but it can also spread into the root and cause the turnips to crack. Fall crops are particularly susceptible to this fungus-like organism. Read on to learn how to prevent and control this disease.
Species of the fungus Alternaria can infect your turnips, causing leaf spots and spreading to the seed pods. There are a number of methods to prevent this disease, and both microbial and synthetic fungicides that will control it. To learn how to prevent and control this disease, read more now on Gardener’s Path.
Although yellowjackets consume a large volume of agricultural pests, they are very aggressive when protecting their nests and cause most of the stinging deaths in the US. Read on to learn how to manage these inhospitable guests on your property.
Black rot of turnips caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris is a devastating bacterial disease that is easily spread. Since it is very difficult to control, preventing it from becoming established is your best bet. Read on to learn how to keep your turnips from becoming infected with black rot.
Cotton root rot infects more than 2,300 plant species in the southwest, including apples, peaches, almonds, and most other fruit and nut trees. While the disease is usually fatal, there are some steps you can take that might save your tree. Read on at Gardener’s Paths to find what to do if your tree has this disease.
White rust infects cruciferous plants, including turnips, around the world. It produces white pustules on the leaves and can distort the flower heads. However, this organism does not kill the plants. Read on to learn how to prevent white rust using cultural control methods.
Wet soils encourage the development of fatal Phytophthora infections on fruit trees. However, you can take measures to prevent these infections. Read on to learn how to avoid collar and crown rot on your trees.
Do your shade, nut, or fruit tree limbs and trunks have unsightly growths on them? If so, they are probably burr knots or crown gall. One is due to roots growing on the stems, while the other is a bacterial infection. Prevention is the best bet for these disorders. Learn how to prevent and, in some cases, control them.
Walnut husk flies are damaging pests, particularly in California and Washington State. The flies pupate in the ground for 1-2 years and spend their larval stage hidden inside the husks. However, by monitoring the adults, you will know when to treat these pests before they lay their eggs. Read on to learn how to control these voracious insects.
Since southern blight can infect hundreds of plants and live in the soil for years, it is a severe threat to apple and crabapple trees. Especially if you live in the south, learn how to prevent this disease and keep it at bay with rigorous sanitation.
The complex of apple black rot cankers, black rot on fruit, and frogeye leaf spot can cause serious losses on apples and crabapples. However, you can minimize the damage by removing dead tissue and mummified fruit. Read on to learn the details of controlling these diseases.
“Damping off” is a phrase that is enough to strike fear into the heart of any grower. A must-read for anyone wanting to grow their own seedlings, learn everything you need to know about this devastating disease and how you can prevent this pathogen from pestering your seedlings, check out our guide now!
Do you ever watch your backyard bees? Busy collecting pollen and sipping nectar, these benign little creatures pollinate our crops and flowers as they peacefully fly about. But when they nest nearby, it’s a smart idea to know how they’ll behave around your home. Join us now to learn about some common native species.
If you’re growing caraway in your herb garden this year, you may have to deal with insect pests or diseases that are common to this plant. Read on to learn about preventative measures, how to recognize signs of trouble, and methods for addressing an infestation or infection, in this concise guide.
Is your apricot, peach, plum, cherry, or apple tree oozing a lot of gum? If so, it may be infected with the fungus Leucostoma that causes apricot gummosis and cankers. This fungus only infects stressed trees and enters through wounds, so you may be able to avoid it entirely. Read more about how to prevent this disease and ways to treat it.
The fungus Armillaria attacks trees and shrubs in a wide variety of soils around the world. It can cause a fatal root rot on all fruit trees, including apricots. Read on to learn how to prevent this tree killer from infecting your apricot tree.
Crown gall bacteria can infect apples, crabapples, peaches, pears, nectarines, apricots, and plums throughout the world – causing unsightly growths that can girdle the trees and kill them. Read on to find out how to prevent this soil-borne disease from attacking your fruit trees.
Bot rot (white rot) can result in cankers on the limbs and twigs and fruit rot that may not show until your apples or crabapples rot after storage. Fortunately, this fungus only infects trees that are stressed. Read on to learn how to prevent infections from occurring.
Sago palm makes a sturdy addition to the garden in warm climates. But what should you do if pests and disease plague your cycads? Whether you’re dealing with scale, rot, yellowing, or mold, a nutrient deficiency, or a simple case of overwatering, we’re here to help with our pro tips! Read more now on Gardener’s Path.
California is trying to avoid Florida’s fate of the destruction of its citrus industry due to citrus greening. Homeowners are the focus of preventing the spread of this lethal disease because all of the infected trees in California have been residential trees. Read on to discover what you can do to protect your tree.
Although cedar apple rust won’t kill the junipers or apples and crabapples it infects, it can surely debilitate them. What can you do if you are faced with this complex disease? Read more now on Gardener’s Path to discover how to identify and learn how to control cedar apple rust on either of its hosts.
While you may have heard of mosquito-repelling plants, and while there are some that contain substances that do indeed repel the dreaded pests, it’s a bit more complicated than simply adding new plants to the landscape. At Gardener’s Path now, learn the best way to keep mosquitoes from biting at backyard barbecues.
Carpenter bees are docile insects with the important task of pollinating our food supplies. But they nest in old wood and often choose inappropriate sites – like our fences, garages, and homes. If you’re experiencing problems with an infestation, join us now for a look at how to prevent and be rid of existing nests.
Apricot, peach, nectarine, and plum fruit are susceptible to the unsightly scab disease. Wet weather triggers its spread, but the fungus can lurk on your trees undetected until the tree starts producing fruit. Read now to learn how to control this disease using cultural methods and, if necessary, fungicides.
Interested in finding out how to grow more while doing less? Want to encourage biodiversity to flourish alongside your favorite plants? Read on to find out all about what Integrated Pest Management is and how it could help you in your garden!
Do you have a white powdery coating on the leaves of your apple trees? Are trying to figure out what it might be? It’s likely powdery mildew and it needs to be managed. This disease is found in every region of the world that grows apples and damages leaves, limbs, fruit, and may even make an apple harvest impossible. Read on to learn how to recognize this pernicious disease and how to treat it.
Are your apples covered with flyspecks or large blotches? Fear not. While these diseases look horrible, they are superficial. You may even be able to rub them off! Read on for information on how to prevent and control sooty blotch and flyspeck.
Are Colorado potato beetles devouring your potatoes, tomatoes, or eggplants? Left unchecked, these pests can destroy entire crops. Learn natural ways to stop an infestation with help from the experts at Gardener’s Path, plus tips on how to use pesticides against these beetles as a last line of defense. Read more.
Do you have an infestation of flea beetles? These nasty little critters attack all kinds of produce and ornamentals, particularly nightshades and brassicas. Learn how you can defeat these little insects through various organic methods, or chemical herbicides if worse comes to worst. Read our comprehensive guide now!
Is your garden bugged by stink bugs? Learn how to banish these malodorous, produce-eating pests from your garden once and for all with tips and hints from the experts at Gardener’s Path.
Aphids are a nightmare, leaving plants shriveled and dying after an infestation. Learn natural ways to keep them from making your backyard their home, plus ways to manage an onslaught without resorting to potentially dangerous chemical preparations. We’ve got gardening solutions you can use, here on Gardener’s Path.
Floating row covers are a must for every gardener. From extending the season to keeping out pests, this multipurpose fabric can transform the way you garden. Keep reading to learn how to use floating row covers to make the most of every season.
An iconic troublemaker in the backyard, the Japanese beetle is an invasive species that’s been causing damage to American gardens for over a hundred years. It’s a difficult pest to control, but with help from Gardener’s Path, we can learn about this bug and take the right steps to minimize its impact. Read more now.
Let’s put our hands together for the bats! These flying critters are vital in the backyard and offer their services as bug catchers of the highest caliber. By offering bats a place to roost in your garden, you can encourage them to make regular appearances, offering their mosquito-catching skills. To learn the benefits of bats, plus tips to build your very own bat box, read more now on Gardener’s Path.
Are cockroaches — much to your horror — running amuck in your garden? Check out Gardener’s Path for advice on discouraging and killing these vile creatures. We’ve got ideas for natural deterrents, as well as tips for bringing out the big guns, if you really have to.
Have you heard of juglone toxicity? This side effect of keeping black walnut trees may be killing your other plants. Learn what fruits and flowers can withstand living near the tree and how to properly treat sensitive plants with our owner’s guide on Gardener’s Path.
Bees are so important to our food supply- we wouldn’t be able to produce the vast array of fruits and vegetables that we enjoy on a daily basis without them. Some of the most beautiful plants that we grow in our gardens are a delight to our furry friends. By increasing our plantings of these wonderful flowers, we can help the pollinators to survive and thrive. Read more on Gardener’s Path now to find out how you can help.
What are fleas? Fleas are very tiny parasitic insects that survive by feeding off the blood of mammals. What do fleas look like? Fleas are wingless, usually measure between 1/16th to 1/8th of an inch in size, and have six legs that are adapted for jumping. Fleas are able to move through the fur of …
Is Southern Blight a real problem on tomato plants in your region? Read our tips that may assist you in stopping the blight from devastating your harvest.