Kelly Feehan

Extension EducatorCucumbers not setting fruit, tomatoes and zucchini developing brown bottoms, and questions about how to avoid squash plants collapsing like they did last year. These are some questions Extension horticulturists are hearing.On vine crops, especially cucumbers, there have been questions about plants not setting fruit or fruit falling off when it’s a few inches long. On cucumbers…

Cucumbers not setting fruit, tomatoes and zucchini developing brown bottoms and questions about how to avoid squash plants collapsing as they did last year. These are questions Extension horticulturists are hearing.

Milkweed has become a popular plant for attracting and supporting monarch butterflies. Once planted in a garden, it may be noticed thta monarchs are not the only insect attracted. While gardeners might become concerned about other insects, most are best not controlled with insecticides to protect monarchs.

The disease aster yellows is infecting purple coneflower and other plants. It is wise to be able to recognize symptoms of this disease. There is no control, and the sooner infected plants are removed, the less likely it is that the disease will spread to other plants and carry over from year to year.

There are a number of beetles bugging us during summer. Some can be harmful, but the majority are not.

Reddish brown patches, pock-marked areas of tan grass and yellowing. These are lawn issues we are seeing and have been expecting given environmental conditions this year, such as rainy weather and now higher temperatures.

Lilacs are tough shrubs but have their share of disease and insect problems. Most will not kill lilacs, but they cause leaf browning and stem dieback. If a lilac has

There are quite a few yellow trees that are not supposed to be yellow. In most cases, these trees are chlorotic. Chlorosis describes any condition where leaves or needles develop an abnormal light green or yellow color.

If you've been in the new community building in Columbus, you may have noticed the small cabinet painted with flowers and vegetables. This is the seed library. It is a co-project of the Columbus Library Foundation and Extension Master Gardener volunteers.

When pesticides are applied, the label needs to be read at purchase, and label instructions need to be followed for application. If not, damage or death to nearby plants can happen, especially if herbicides move into soil.