Fertilizer should save asparagus
Question: I’ve been trying to grow asparagus for years. I just purchased some established plants in spring and planted them along my fence. Someone mowed over the ferny tops of the asparagus plants this week. Will they come back, or will I have to start all over again in the spring?
Answer: If the plants were healthy and doing well all summer, there is a good chance they will sprout in spring. You may want to fertilize with a low-nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer next spring to give them a bit of a nutrient boost since the leaves were removed prematurely. Consider a bit of fencing or staking (you probably already have) to protect your plants from rogue lawn mowers.
Q: Should I be worried about all the leaves with black spots from my backyard maple tree?
A: If the spot looks like someone spilled tar on the leaves it is tar spot. This fungal disease has become a common problem on our maples. Fortunately, it is a cosmetic problem and not a threat to the health of your tree.
Mulch the soil around the tree and water thoroughly during dry periods to keep trees healthy. Rake and destroy the infected leaves to reduce the source of infection next year.
You can burn if your community allows and you’re not concerned with impact on air quality, bury or compost the infected leaves quickly at a high temperature. To truly be effective you need to get your neighbors to do the same.
Q: What are all the orange “seed-looking things” on milkweed pods? The pods are sticky to the touch.
A: The orange things on the pods are aphids. These insects suck plant juices and secrete the excess as a clear sticky substance called honeydew. You may notice ants crawling all over your plants. They are eating this sugary substance.
In some cases, your plants may also be covered with a black substance called sooty mold. This fungus grows on the honeydew, not the plant. A thick covering of sooty mold can prevent sunlight from reaching the leaves. This along with aphid feeding can cause leaves to yellow.
Q: Japanese beetles are eating my hibiscus and roses. We have tried spraying, but they still come back pretty persistently. Any advice?
A: The adult Japanese beetles feed on hundreds of different plants with roses and hibiscus being a few of their favorites. Once you have these beetles feeding on or near your plants, they will attract more beetles to your landscape. This is why Japanese beetle traps are notorious for bringing more Japanese beetles to your landscape.
In the future, try removing these voracious insects as soon as you find them in your landscape. Keep a close watch on your roses and hibiscus so you can find and remove or manage these pests earlier in the season. Fortunately, individual gardeners often see a temporary drop in populations after a few seasons of extremely high populations. Hopefully, your turn is coming soon.
Email questions to Melinda Myers through melindamyers.com, or write her at P.O. Box 798, Mukwonago, WI 53149. http://melindamyers.com/