My grape vine has warty-looking lumps all over the leaves. What is this and what can I do about it? Will this kill the vine?
What you describe is most likely grape phylloxera, which is a microscopic aphid-like insect that feeds on roots and leaves, forming galls on both. It is native to North America, primarily the eastern areas. The root form can stunt or even kill a vine within a few years; The leaf form is generally not fatal to the vine but causes stress. Fruit from affected vines is safe to eat. Phylloxera reproduces rapidly, producing multiple generations per year. It can be hard to control; thus, prevention is key in this situation. Good hygiene, including tools and footwear, is important in preventing spread. Using chemical controls on the root form is generally not effective because the chemicals are not able to reach into the soil enough to be effective. Synthetic insecticides, either systemic or contact, can be effective on the leaf form if applied in early summer when the newly hatched larvae are moving to new leaves. Organic controls are also possible. Kaolin clay forms a repellant barrier to keep the crawlers away. Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) foliar spray, applied in early summer, can help suppress the larvae. Cultural controls can also help, including good sanitation and reducing plant stress by good management of water and nutrients. Soil type also makes a difference, as phylloxera doesn’t do well in very sandy soils, but thrives in heavy clay.
I water my tomatoes and other vegetables a little every day. Is this good practice?
Watering daily in measured amounts is not as good for your garden as watering deeply every few days. Deep watering less often actually encourages the plants, particularly tomatoes, to grow deeper roots and will help them resist hot and dry spells more effectively. Sparse daily watering leads to more shallow roots. A good layer of mulch will also help the plants retain moisture and require less watering, even during hot and dry spells.
Is it necessary to put gravel in the bottom of my flowerpots to improve drainage?
Although this has been standard practice for a long time, it is actually not a good idea and does not help with drainage. In fact, this practice actually does the opposite and keeps the soil soggy. Water does not move easily from fine soil into gravel unless the soil is overly saturated, trapping water where it can encourage root rot. In addition, using gravel reduces the amount of soil available to the plant’s roots, which is not good for the growth of the plant.
Is it a good idea to use landscape fabric under mulch to prevent weeds?
Landscape fabric prevents mulch from decomposing, adding nutrition to the soil. Most weeds that will appear in the mulch are from seeds that have been carried to that spot, not from the soil beneath. A better choice under the mulch would be either layers of newspaper or sheets of brown cardboard.
Readers can pose questions or get more information by calling 417-874-2963 and talking to one of the trained volunteers staffing the Master Gardener Hotline at the University of Missouri Extension Center in Greene County located inside the Botanical Center, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, MO 65807.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Common gardening mistakes from watering to landscape fabric
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