Our horticultural help desks , in our apparently unbiassed opinion , are tremendous dick for share horticulture knowledge . The principal assistance desk is staffed by Piedmont Master Gardener volunteers and can be reached atalbemarlevcehelpdesk@gmail.comor 434 - 872 - 4583 . Walk - Indiana are welcome ! The Help Desk is locate at the Virginia Cooperative Extension office in the Fifth Street Extended Albemarle County Office Building ( 460 Stagecoach Road ) . Hours are Mon./Wed./Fri . 9 AM – noontide from October 15 – March 15 , and daily 9 AM – noon the rest of the twelvemonth .
We also have help desk at the Charlottesville City Market ( 1st/3rdSaturdays ) , the Crozet Farmer ’s Market ( 2nd/4thSaturdays ) , and event like the Albemarle County Fair and our Spring Plant Sale . OurEvents Calendarhas entropy about these and other PMG exit - on .
What form of questions do we field at the Help Desk ? In other words , what are the main issues confront by gardener in our area ? We apply a “ ticket ” system to record questions and answer at our primary help desk . The chart below record the number of ticket in the 50 most common categories of questions . For the top 10 , here are some abbreviated thoughts , as well as link to resource :
10 . Pruning and deadheadingare vital for appearance and health . The health benefits ca n’t be over - emphasized ! Pruning create infinite for flow of air around leaves and branches , abridge dampness and fungal growth . Prune to take out pathological areas , preventing pathogen facing pages . eventually , pruning can withdraw broken , inept ( i.e. likely to break ) , and rub branches . Deadheading is less decisive for health , but can extend flowering seasons .
Keep clippers and saws acute and clean-living . Disinfect with a 70 % fray alcohol solution .
resource :
Pruning Basics and Tools(VCE publication 430 - 455 )
Pruning Deciduous Trees(VCE publishing 430 - 456 )
Pruning Evergreens(VCE publication 430 - 457 )
Pruning Shrubs(VCE publication 430 - 459 )
hold on Topping Trees!(VCE publication 430 - 458 )
9 . Weed controlshould use methods appropriate to the job . Do n’t pull out the flamethrower for some primer ivy – just draw out it up , if possible . If chemicals are perfectly necessary , use Integrated Pest Management ( IPM ) techniques . When using herbicides , always follow the directions on the recording label and use personal protective gear .
Timing is primal to sens ascendancy , disregarding of method . practice pre - emergent weed killer before , well , egress . Remove flowering widow’s weeds before they go to seminal fluid . It ’s always easy to tackle a few weeds now than to wait until they ’ve spread out ( easier said than done , of course of instruction ) .
2021 Pest Management Guide – Home Grounds and Animals(VCE publishing 456 - 018 )
Virginia Tech skunk designation website
Noxious Weeds(Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services )
Pests in Gardens , Landscapes , and Turf : Weeds(University of California Integrated Pest Management )
8 . foliage spotshave many movement : fungal and bacterial disease , mites , and insects like aphids and thrips .
The bad news is that once folio spots appear , often little can be done . Prevention is practiced : take dead plant material at the end of the time of year , dress to prevent damp , and do n’t wet leaves when watering . The good news is that leaf spots often are benignant . Maple trees in particular are prostrate to “ zonate leaf point ” in late autumn , after the leave-taking have done their job .
To discover causal agency and suggest cure , we need the following : species / name , when spots appeared , environment ( e.g. shadowy / gay / moist ) , and clear pictures of the spots and the intact flora . We can look at samples under a microscope in the VCE office .
If needed , we can send samples toVirginia Tech ’s Plant Disease Clinicfor diagnosing . The price is $ 35 . A right sampling is essential ! solicitation instructions are towards the bottom ofthis website .
leafage spot diseases of trees and shrubs(University of Minnesota )
Aphids(Virginia Tech Publication 444 - 020 )
Thrips in Greenhouses(Virginia Tech Publication 444 - 281 )
Spider Mites(Virginia Tech Publication 444 - 221 )
Insect and Mite Pests of Boxwoods(Virginia Tech Publication ENTO-42NP )
7 . Invasive plantsare , of course , best handle early . find out to know seedling of common invasives like Asian bittersweet and fall olive . And be sure not to plant an invasive!Virginia maintains a list of invasive metal money , many of which areunfortunately still commercially uncommitted . Virginia also keeps a leaning of native alternatives .
Removal methods depend on the plant . Some , like Japanese stiltgrass , are easily rip by hand . Others , like English common ivy , are much harder to hit manually . weed killer , judiciously applied , are good shaft for large - musical scale removal – but are n’t of necessity the best cock : many plant , like English Hedera helix , are resistant to foliar glyphosate applications programme . Brushing herbicide on saucily cut podium works well for Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and shrubs like tree - of - heaven ( Ailanthus altissima ) . Before essay that , confer with the detailed guidance on ascendancy methods and cautions atBlue Ridge PRISM Factsheets – Control Methods .
perseverance is central , no matter the method . Many invasives have deep root systems and resprout after cut . Repeated mowing or weed - whacking , which eventually exhausts the roots , might be need .
Exotic Invasive Plants(VCE publication 420 - 320 )
Blue Ridge Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management ( PRISM ) Factsheets
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Invasive Species Factsheets
6 . Tree / shrub transplantation and careshould commence by picking the right plant for the proper place . Match location with sun or shade tolerance . forefend poorly - drain soil . Test the ground to guarantee proper nutrition and pH.Plan ahead : will the tree diagram / shrub interfere with other plants , or major power lines ? Will it be too close to building ?
The best prison term to transplant is spill , winter , or former spring , during dormancy . Transplant into a gob 3 - 5x the root ball ’s diam , deep enough that the top of the roots are just above ground level ( for heavy / compacted land , a little eminent ) . Backfill and weewee thoroughly .
tending mainly entails pruning , fertilizing , and irrigating . Sufficient – not excessive ! – irrigation is especially important in the first year or two .
trouble - free Trees for Virginia Landscapes(VCE publishing 450 - 237 )
Planting Trees(VCE publication 426 - 702 )
fertilise Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and Shrubs(University of Maryland publication )
How to valuate a Tree(VCE publication SPES-313P )
5 . Insect / tick IDis important because many insects are good . hold pests using suitable methods . Some tick , like the deer check that propagate Lyme disease , are uncollectible than others .
The Help Desk can identify insects and tick from physical sample distribution ( train according to these guideline ) and clear photos . Virginia Tech ’s Insect ID Lab(idlab@vt.edu)is a great resourcefulness . Google Image Search – can be helpful ; simply describe the hemipteran – and reverse image hunt ( click the camera icon and upload a pic ) .
Insect Identification and Diagnosis Request(VCE publication 444 - 113 )
4 . Soil testingis always a good idea . Collect a representative sample by mingle sub - sample from about 10 spot . sampling boxes and submission forms are in a plastic box outside the VCE office ( 460 Stagecoach Rd . , Charlottesville ) . client must send sample distribution tothe labthemselves . result will be netmail .
Test results include a soil amendment programme . Sometimes these are punishing to follow – or it ’s undecipherable what kinds of fertilizer are needed – so do n’t waver to get in touch with the help desk after receive the effect .
ante up particular attention to pH recommendations . Availability of many filth nutrients depends on pH. Calcium is a classical model : low pH impairs calcium ingestion , so squeeze and tomatoes may show blossom - final stage buncombe even in atomic number 20 - full-bodied cadaver soil if the pH is too low .
Virginia Tech land examination science laboratory
Sampling instructions
Sample data sheet for submission
Interpreting test results
3 . Tree / bush browning or declineis a vulgar interrogation because there are many causes : source damage / disease , environmental stress ( e.g. cold / rut / drought / salt ) , circulatory scheme ( i.e. phloem / xylem ) diseases , and disease right away feign leaves .
Outcomes also depart . drouth damage can usually be reversed , and salt damage is typically trivial . Root legal injury , e.g. from construction , might be survivable if it is n’t wide and does n’t conduce to disease . Root and circulatory diseases , however , are likely fateful if untreated . Leaf spots , as discussed above , are often not serious . However , “ Discula ” anthracnose on dogwoods have far-flung foliage browning and eventually death .
Prevention is always better than cure . Plant disease - resistant motley . asseverate energy by pruning , watering , mulching , and fertilizing . Practice sanitation : remove leafage dust and prune using clean-living , sharp tools .
If necessary , we can send samples toVirginia Tech ’s Plant Disease Clinicfor diagnosing . The monetary value is $ 35 . roll up a good sample is vital ! program line are at the bottom ofthis website .
Tree Decline : What is it?(University of Missouri publication g5200 )
see Decline in Trees(Iowa State University issue SUL2 )
Dieback and Decline of Trees(University of Tennessee publishing SP686 )
24 path to Kill a Tree(VCE publishing 430 - 210 )
2 . Plant IDcan unremarkably be done electronically . beam readable pictures of as many character of the plant as potential : leaves , bark , flower , fruit . Also mail pictures of the whole plant .
Google Image Searchand reverse image hunt can be utile . Many websites and apps practice “ unreal intelligence operation ” to name plants from delineation . ( I have usedPl@ntNet , iNaturalist , andFlora Incognita . ) Also helpful are “ key ” , linked below , that habituate process of excretion .
Always find free to institute sample to the office for closer testing ! ( wreak as many parts of the flora as potential . ) Sometimes insidious departure in , for object lesson , leaf vein radiation diagram may be the cay to identification .
Virginia Tech Weed ID headstone
Virginia Tech Tree ID key
1 . Boxwood browning / declinewas our winner ! This is a democratic topic because , unfortunately , boxwood ache from many problems .
Boxwood blight is the most infamous – so noted , it has its own taskforce . The key out characteristics of box blight are defoliation and black run on shank . ( Other disease , like Volutella , Colletotrichum , and Phytophthera antecedent bunk , go away dead leaves attach . ) Boxwood blight is usually fatal .
Nematodes are also common . nematode worm attack roots , causing dieback and/or leaf discolouration . Leaves remain connected . Voles and moles also damage root , causing similar symptoms . tinge , and insects like psyllids and leafminers , legal injury leaves , though ordinarily not severely .
Finally , consider abiotic issues . Boxwoods can digest cold damage , which usually causes browning on top of the works . Drought / heat / salt damage can harm leaf .
Boxwood Blight Task Force
Best Management Practices for Boxwood Blight in the Virginia Home Landscape(Virginia Tech publication PPWS-29NP )
Insect and Mite Pests of Boxwood(Virginia Tech issue ENTO-42NP )
Selecting Landscape Plants : Boxwoods(Virginia technical school publication 426 - 603 )
In conclusion , we desire everyone will feel free to call the Help Desk ( 434 - 872 - 4583 ) , or transmit us an email ( albemarlevcehelpdesk@gmail.com ) , with questions about any horticultural topic . It ’s never too early to intend about next year ’s landscape labor or vegetable garden – or how to get the most out of the plants you ’re already grow !
