Jessica Walliser stories, Page 4

Jessica Walliser

4 common fungal diseases and how to manage them

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...
How to grow and harvest shallots

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 is a great addition to Pa. gardens

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...
Pinching back plants keeps them compact, increases blooms

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...
Learn how to care for garlic, make your harvest

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...
How to handle poor cucumber pollination

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...
4 bio-pesticides useful in the vegetable garden

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...
How to manage grubs in the lawn

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...
The reasons clover and lawns go hand in hand

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...
The best small flowering trees for Western Pennsylvania

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...
How to solve those carrot problems

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...
Potting, growing succulent plants is simple

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...
How to grow cucamelons

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...
How to grow morning glory vines

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...
Get the scoop on blueberry pollination

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...
Pruning tips for Triple Crown blackberries

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...

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