Over the year, I get questions about flora and fauna that I try to answer. Here is a sample from this year. I hope your gardens are amazing and your vegetables are sweet!
Why do tomatoes get blossom end rot?
Rot is caused by a calcium shortage within the fruit itself and is rarely a soil problem. However, the real culprits are inconsistent watering (too wet and too dry swings), rapid early growth, or excess nitrogen fertilizer. Often, it is the water that we get wrong. A steady, deep watering program often solves the rot problem. One to two waterings a week, enough to soak 6-8 inches down. Water at the base not overhead and mulch to keep evaporation at a minimum.
Why are most of my brassica’s (kale, broccoli, cauliflower) get bug eaten so much?
Brassicas are pest magnets. They produce sulfur compounds that give them a sharp, mustardy smell and taste. This smell was meant as a defense against insects, but a whole group of pests have evolved to detect the smell as a homing signal. The plant’s chemical defense has become a dinner bell. The brassica is also easy to chew with a lot of nitrogen in the leaves which makes them more nutritious. Row covers are recommended for physical exclusion.
I have a native garden, with aphids on some plants, should I get rid of them?
No! This is a good sign. Aphids on native plants are part of a functioning food web. Native plants and native aphids co-evolved along with the predators that eat them — ladybugs, lacewings, parasitic wasps, hoverflies, and birds. A healthy population of aphids is often just feeding that whole chain.
Why do marigold flowers help repel insects?
Marigold foliage and flowers contain volatile compounds that give them their sharp, distinctive smell. Many insects rely heavily on scent to find host plants, and marigold’s strong odor can mask the smell of neighboring plants or simply smell unappealing to certain pests, especially aphids and whiteflies.
Is grape vine something that should be removed from trees?
Wild grape is a native plant. We struggle with the cut and don’t cut grape. A young, small vine on a large healthy tree isn’t a serious threat. The weight and density of the vine can overtake a tree. The grape climbs into the canopy and can shade out the tree’s leaves. Over time, this can reduce the trees’ ability to photosynthesize. Vines can add significant weight and wind resistance to branches, increasing the risk of limb breakage or even toppling the whole tree in storms. The easiest removal is cutting the vine at its base and letting it die and dry out on its own.
How can you know if a lake is ‘clean’ enough to swim in?
It’s always best to check posted advisories or check your state/county health department — many post real-time water quality testing. If no such information exists, there are a few visual and sensory checks. Clarity — you should be able to see your feet in waist-deep water. Murkiness can indicate high bacteria or algae levels. Smell — sewage or rotten-egg or chemical odor is a clear red flag. Color — bright green or blue-green or scummy surface can indicate an algae bloom which could be toxic. Foam or oily sheen, especially near shore, can indicate pollution runoff. Avid water right after heavy rain as stormwater runoff often washes bacteria, fertilizer and sewage overflows into lakes and levels can stay elevated for a day or two. Water with high numbers of waterfowl tends to have higher bacteria. Stagnant, slow-moving water with little circulation is more prone to bacterial and algae buildup.
Cecilie Keenan is a Noble County Master Gardener.
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