Last year at the Arboretum MN, I asked staff what they put on the rose bushes as the Asian Beetles didn't destroy them as they did mine. They didn't know, but encouraged me to ask the Master gardeners as they handle that. So, I sure would like to know how to allow my rose bushes to bloom, and not have the Asian Beetles eat them up, what do you use? Thank you :)

I have just purchased a home in Eagan and there is a conifer that is large in the front yard with Pine needles underneath it and weeds. I would like to remove the weeds (buckthorn etc.) and plant a structured grouping underneath it. Are ostrich ferns compatible with the acidic soil? Any other hardy fern compatible? Any other grasses or low landscape plant recommendations? I plan to also visit the demonstration gardens at the arboretum soon. Thx for your help!

I live on 40 acres in Lane County. There are many old dogwood trees on my land. This year they are suffering from something on their leaves, which are turning yellow and dropping off in great numbers. Photos attached.

I accidentally used some Terro ant control powder around a raised vegetable bed. I believed that it was safe for gardens, but upon closer inspection, the container says "for gardens: roses, flowers, and ornamentals." I realized my mistake and raked up the loose powder for disposal, along with digging a 2" perimeter around my raised beds and replaced the soil with a mixture of topsoil and garden soil. Is it still safe to grow my vegetables? Or do I need to dig a deeper perimeter to dispose of the affected soil? I did not use the powder inside the beds, only around the outside.

One camellia suddenly dropped most of its leaves virtually all at once within the last 2-3 weeks. I can't give a more accurate time since I recently had cataract surgery and have not always been outside in that part of the yard as I normally would. I don't know what causes this. If this is a root problem that can't be treated then I assume that I need to replace this plant with something different. Perhaps even remove some soil. The location is on the south side of the house against the side fence. There is no sun in the winter due to the neighbor's fir trees (to the east and south) and due to their 2-story house midday. Two photos are included. One shows the leaves on the ground; the other is the best I can do to show the whole plant.

Dear Dr Coleen Jones, I am Ulises González, technical manager of Agroblosa, Nicaragua. We offer technical support to local little milk producers. We ask for your authorization for using Customized Growth Chart Spreadsheets (which is published in your website). We pretend to use it with our associates. Of curse, we will acknowledge the authorship to Penn State. Lots of thanks.

I just looked at request 0172371 and noticed it has been closed. Per your request, I sent the test report on 5/22/2025 and was waiting for a reply. Apparently, it was not received so, I am resubmitting the question along with the test report: I just received my soil test report which recommended a 1-0-2 nutrient ratio at 1000 sq. ft. When I looked for fertilizer, I could not find any that were near that ratio. My questions are: 1. Do I need a bag of fertilizer that indicates 1-0-2 and the bag coverage does not matter? Or 2. If a bag of fertilizer is labeled 10-0-20 ratio and covers 4000 sq. ft., would that mean I divide the 10-0-20 by 4000 for a 2.5-0-5.0 ratio at 1000 sq. ft? Thanks

I live in Northeast Portland and have come across artillery fungus shooting spores onto my house and car. Is there any product or method of getting rid of this fungus?

I moved the Meyer's Lemon Tree(let) outside. Several of the leave have dried up and fallen off. I don't see signs of insects but sprayed it with Captain Jacks Bug Spray--both sides of the leaves. I went out today and three green leaves have fallen off. Upon inspection, there might be some mild marbling (yellow green) but no brown holes, marks, and again little bug evidence (to me, a new Master Gardener). I am stumped. The rest of the plant looks good--for now, but seeing these three new leaves fall makes me worried. Regarding the pot and soil, I did transplant it about a month ago into new Mother Earth Garden soil. I haven't added fertilizer. The container has good drainage. The plant is still outside on my balcony. A similar thing happened to a Gyanna "Money Tree" which I got as a gift in February. With that, and leaf dropping, I tried the bug spray, and moved it out of direct sun. It seems to be doing better. I do wonder if there was an infestation from the Money Tree to the Lemon Tree but don't see anything. I am sending you photos of these two and an adjacent plant. The Money tree plant looks much better than it did.

This is a Maple tree (don't know what type). It was planted in 2001 when the house was built. It is 13 feet from the corner of the home and part of the landscaping in front of the home. Last year there was bottom branches thar had lost their leaves or had no leaves and had the white spots on the tree bark. i assumed because of dry year. i watered the tree 5 or 6 times. i needed to trim the branches anyways to you can see where i trimmed. This year there are leaf buds but absolutely no leaf growth at all and more of the tree branches have the varying sizes of white spots. Neighbors multiple Maples (different type) have all leaves on trees. The picture of the whole tree shows the base. Zoom in and i moved the landscaping rock away to show there is only one root that shoots out somewhat along the ground. does this tree have some kind of disease or root girdling? IS IT DEAD OR VERY DIFFICULT TO BRING BACK? Because I'm relandscaping and can remove it now. Thanks for your help!