Jessica Walliser stories, Page 4

We’ve certainly had our share of rain this spring, and as a result, I’ve been hearing from gardeners about various fungal issues appearing in their landscapes. Fungal diseases tend to be exacerbated in wet weather due to the spores easily germinating on wet plant foliage. While there are dozens of...

Question: My husband planted some shallot starts in the garden last fall. They sprouted this spring and they seem to be growing pretty well. This is our first time growing shallots, and we both just realized we have no idea how and when to harvest them! Advice would be appreciated....

Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium ) is one of my favorite garden perennials. It’s a North American native plant that’s quite commonly found in the wild in its straight species form, which produces white, flat-topped clusters of flowers atop feathery foliage. In fact, the straight species is so common that in...

Question: A friend was telling me how she pinches back a lot of her perennials this time of year because it keeps them shorter and then she doesn’t have to stake them. She says it doesn’t hurt their flowers, but I don’t understand how that can be. I know you...

If you planted garlic in your garden last fall and have pretty much ignored the plants for the last several months, it’s time to start paying attention to them again. Garlic is a fairly trouble-free crop that’s easy to grow, but it does require proper care. Early summer means it’s...

Question: Last year we had trouble with our cucumber plants. They didn’t really form many cucumbers. We had a lot of flowers and the vines were quite large and seemed healthy, but we only had two or three cucumbers from each plant. We’ve never had this problem before. Was it...

For many gardeners, the arrival of summer also means the arrival of insect pests. While most pests don’t cause significant harm to ornamental plants, certain leaf-munching insects can be quite destructive to vegetable gardens. It’s particularly important to pay attention to the products you use to control pests on food...

Question: I think we have grubs in our lawn. There are dead patches that lift up very easily. I dug down with a trowel in those areas and found a few grubs. Is there a way I can control them that doesn’t involve using a chemical that could hurt my...

If you’re a “lawn lover” who’s been trying to get rid of the clover in your lawn, it’s time to change your tune. Up until the 1950s, white clover was included in every lawn seed mixture. Clover and turf grass went hand-in-hand. Having a lush, clover-infused lawn was thing of...

Question: We are looking to add a small flowering tree to our front garden. The area gets sun throughout the early part of the day, but is shaded by a larger tree in the late afternoon and evening. Do you have any good suggestions? Answer: There are many lovely small...

Carrots are among the easiest crops to cultivate in a home garden. They’re easily grown from inexpensive seed with reliable germination rates. Carrots are tolerant of both cold and hot weather, and if you sow a few more seeds every week or two, you’ll have a continual carrot harvest from...

Question: I am in love with all of these great succulent plants that I keep seeing at garden centers. I’d like to plant a bunch of containers full of them for my garden. We go away a lot in the summer, and I know they don’t have to be watered...

If you’re looking to try something new in your vegetable garden this season, perhaps the tiny but mighty cucamelon would be a good fit. Cucamelons ( Melothria scabra) are also called Mexican sour gherkins or mouse melons. They’re closely related to cucumbers and other cucurbits. They’ve been grown as a...

Question: I’d like to grow morning glories in my garden, but I’ve trouble growing them in the past. People say they can be invasive, but I can’t even get mine started. I planted the seeds in peat pots filled with potting soil inside two years ago, but when I moved...

Spring is a busy time for gardeners, but if you’re a blueberry grower, I encourage you to take the time to head out to the garden to observe one of my favorite spring garden sights: blueberry pollination. While hives of imported European honeybees are often the pollinators of blueberries grown...

Question: We have Triple Crown Blackberry bushes at our residence. What is the proper care for these particular bushes? They get overrun with weeds and grass during the late spring to early summer. Should they be cut completely down periodically? Any help or suggestions will be appreciated. Answer: Triple Crown...

Though it’s still about a month too early to plant tomato plants outdoors here in Pennsylvania, I thought I’d help you get a jump start on the season by offering some tips for planting this year’s tomato crop. Proper planting starts with the proper timing, of course. Tomato plants don’t...

Question: I am looking for some advice on growing gardenias in Pennsylvania. What are the tricks to success? Answer: Gardenias (Gardenia jasminoides) are a favorite flower of many people, but caring for the plants in cold climates like ours can be difficult. This beautiful, tropical plant produces pure white blooms...

I hear from many gardeners each season who face animal issues in their garden. While deer seem to be the most common leaf-munching culprit, two other mammals cause gardeners a great number of headaches: groundhogs and rabbits. Today, I’d like to take a closer look at some ways gardeners can...

Question: I have several pink Knock Out roses that I’ ve had for several years, and they have always been healthy and lovely. I make sure I care for them properly. Recently I noticed that all of them have cankers and discoloration (black and dark brown) up and down the...

Viral, bacterial or fungal plant diseases can affect plants in many different ways. Some are asymptomatic (meaning they show no symptoms), while others can kill an entire plant in short order. Some diseases limit photosynthesis or inhibit flower and fruit production, while others stifle nutrient absorption or cause significant aesthetic...

Question: I heard you talking on your radio program about using corn gluten meal to keep the weeds from coming up in my beds. Can you give me a little more information on how and when to use this product? Answer: Though they will not rid your lawn or garden...

While deer-browsing habits are always more aggressive in the winter, this winter and early spring seem to be especially bad. I’ve been hearing from gardeners across the region about how the deer have nibbled their foundation plantings to the nub. If deer are problematic in your neighborhood and you’ve had...

Question: My dad always put lime on our lawn every year when I was growing up. My wife and I just moved into our first house, and I’d like to know if I should be following in my dad’s footsteps and putting lime down on the lawn every year, too....

I’ve heard from several gardeners recently about an issue they’re having with their pachysandra. During last year’s growing season, the plants developed black blotches on their leaves and eventually the plants turned mushy and died. Pachysandra is a popular ground cover, but unfortunately, a stem and leaf blight called Volutella...