Rosie Lerner

rosie@purdue.edu

716 articles by this author

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The Big Chill

When winter temperatures dip below zero and winds howl across the prairie, gardeners may worry that their trees and shrubs are taking a beating. No need for doom and gloom yet – most hardy landscape and orchard plants are reasonably able to cope with most of our winters, including our recent polar vortex. Many factors influence plant injury, including plant species and cultivars, degree of plant dormancy and overall plant health. How low the temperature…Read more about The Big Chill[Read More]

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Question & Answer

  Q. We have several maple trees in our neighborhood afflicted with this black spot (see attached photo) last year. We’re looking for information on cause, prevention, health risk factors (to the trees), treatment and long-term prognosis for the infected trees. A. While I can’t confirm a diagnosis from this photo alone, a fungal disease called tar spot would be a good guess. Tar spot is a common disease on silver maple and is primarily…Read more about Question & Answer[Read More]

Switchgrass Northwind named 2014 Perennial Plant of the Year

Switchgrass Northwind has swept its way to the top as the Perennial Plant Association’s Perennial Plant of the Year for 2014. The Northwind cultivar of Panicum virgatum is distinguished by starkly upright habit compared to the original species. Northwind provides landscape interest from late summer through winter. Blooms appear in late summer, followed by upright seed heads and golden fall foliage. In winter, enjoy the musical swishing sounds as the sturdy foliage sways in the…Read more about Switchgrass Northwind named 2014 Perennial Plant of the Year[Read More]

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Question & Answer

Q. Last year was our first year for mature, pickable strawberries. They were bountiful and delicious, but it was hard to get to them before pillbugs did, even by picking daily. Do you recommend any tips or food-safe treatments to keep these or other pests away? A. It is so very frustrating when insect pests and critters beat us to the harvest! Pillbugs are small, gray creatures with seven pairs of legs; they roll themselves…Read more about Question & Answer[Read More]

Coping with Storm-Damaged Trees

Homeowners assessing tree damage caused by recent storms will want to make a few important decisions soon. Small trees with minor damage can probably be taken care of by the homeowner, but large, mature trees likely will need the help of a professional tree service. It can be hard to decide whether trees with severe damage should be removed. Homeowners often are reluctant to cut down a tree, either because of sentimental attachment or because…Read more about Coping with Storm-Damaged Trees[Read More]

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Question & Answer

Q. We have a Honeycrisp apple tree that is 2-3 years old. It is growing well, but straight up. It has approximately doubled in height in the year since we planted it. My question is: Can I prune the top back to make the tree less tall and bushier? I know not to do that with maple trees, but don’t know about apple trees. A. The quick answer is do NOT prune the top; this…Read more about Question & Answer[Read More]

Plants for Steep Slopes

Perhaps the most challenging landscaping problem is that of what to plant on a steep slope. Slopes require plants that can establish quickly, tolerant of fluctuating soil moisture and potentially poor nutrient availability, and require little care once established. You’re likely looking for small plants for filling this rather tall order! Turf grass is one of the most popular ground covers for keeping soil in place, but mowing on an incline is inconvenient at best…Read more about Plants for Steep Slopes[Read More]

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New Pest Identified in Raspberries

Correction to September 5 In The Grow New Pest Identified in Raspberries I just learned from a couple of observant colleagues that the insect pest described in raspberry fruits in last week’s “In The Grow” column is most likely a new pest, the Spotted Wing Drosophila, that has recently appeared in Indiana. Here is the question and the amended response. Thanks to my colleagues for catching this! – Rosie Lerner Q. I am just sick…Read more about New Pest Identified in Raspberries[Read More]

Question and Answer

Q. I have several rose bushes started from a rose that has been in our family for five generations. My mother also had a bush started from the original. Two years ago, her rose started getting the red, narrow, twisted foliage as pictured. The rose eventually died. I have the only remaining plants, and one of my three bushes now has the same problem. Normal and abnormal foliage can come off the same main cane….Read more about Question and Answer[Read More]

Harvesting and Storing Garden Vegetables

Nothing beats fresh-picked vegetables picked from the garden, but timing is everything! Harvesting at the right stage is essential – proper storage will help maintain homegrown freshness. Some crops are best harvested frequently while still immature, while others need to mature as long as possible. Crops also vary in their optimal storage requirements; some do best in cold, moist storage; others do best in dry storage. The following crops are grouped by similarity of storage…Read more about Harvesting and Storing Garden Vegetables[Read More]

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