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TOPIC: Home, Garden, and Yard

• 29 Jun 2009
  I have a peach tree with lots of little branches that look burnt at the ends. The rest of the tree looks healthy, but the ends of the branches keep turning black and dying.
• 29 Jun 2009
  I have an older crab apple tree that is focal point of my small yard. About 3 years ago the leaves became infected with powdery mildew. I have been told to not do anything with this, as it will eventually go away and the tree will fine - but over the years it has gotten much worse each spring. There are only about 60% of the leaves that are starting to look healthy by mid-June. Over all, the leaves are withered and this year we have very few blossoms. Another problem: The tree also has four large limbs that come out of the trunk. I noticed that there seemed to be wood pulp inside a place where a branch was cut off years ago. I scooped out the pulp and found that some bug or other creature has created a cavity that goes 6” into the 10-12” diameter limb and a large man’s fist could easily fit into the hole that has been created. While inspecting the hole I discovered a ¼” or so hole in the very back of the cavity, but no sign of the culprit. The limb seems to be doing fine, as the leaves on the branches from this limb are in no better or worse shape than the rest of the tree. I had my tree pruned by a highly recommended person this spring, in hopes that this would help with my powdery mildew problem. I love my tree, what should I do next about my perpetual powdery mildew problem and the unknown culprit who is dinning on my tree limb?
• 29 Jun 2009
  I have successfully grown summer squash for many years, but this year the newer leaves on the plants (sunburst hybrid) are wilting and dying, despite (or because of?) the cool wet June weather we are experiencing. The more mature leaves seem to be okay. I cut one of the leaves off at its base and didn't see any evidence of insect infestation in the stem or on the leaf. The base of the plant also appears to be free of insect infestation. Do you know what might be causing the problem, can it be treated, or do I need to pull up the plants, and if so, can I put new plants in the same location (the rest of the garden space is already filled)?
• 29 Jun 2009
  We would like to remove the lawn from a large area around some 40-50 ft pine trees and cover the area with decorative bark. The roots are close enough to the surface in some areas that using a sod cutter would damage the trees. Would it work to just spray the grass with a killer, such as Roundup, and then put the bark directly on the dead grass? Would this affect the trees in the areas of the partially exposed roots? Any other suggestions?
• 24 Jun 2009
  Where can I buy a kumquat tree in Utah? Will it survive living outdoors in SLC?
• 24 Jun 2009
  I want to limit growth of newly planted fruit trees and wonder if it would be possible to do that by making a large wooden box and planting each one in a box in the ground? Also if it would work to do that, do I need redwood? I have a stack of 4 x 12 x 16 douglas fir lumber which had been painted on one side and I wondered if I could use them to do this or will they create bug problems?

• 10.0 (1) - Do you have tips for high altitude baking?
• 10.0 (1) - How do I keep my family from getting sick from food poisoning?
• 10.0 (1) - How can I make sure my eggs are safe?
• 10.0 (1) - Do you have tips on safe food handling techniques?
• 10.0 (2) - How long can I keep meat, poultry, vegetables, etc. in the freezer?
• 10.0 (1) - How can I complain about a product I purchased that is not working right?
• 10.0 (1) - I'm in the middle of baking cookies, the recipe calls for baking powder and I am out. Is there a substitute?
• 10.0 (3) - How many Tablespoons in a cup, quarts in a peck, etc.?
• 10.0 (3) - How many tomatoes, potatoes, etc. in a pound?
• 10.0 (1) - I am making candy and it isn't working. I heard you need to make an altitude adjustment to your thermometer, how do I do that?