Fall is declining, but there is still much to do in the garden. You have many questions. Ask an expert from the Oregon State University Extension Service Online Q&A tool for answers. OSU Extension faculty and senior gardeners will answer questions within two business days, usually less. Simply go to ask a question OSU Extension Website Write it down and include the province where you live. Here are some questions from other gardeners. What is yours?
Q: In the last two weeks, my tomatoes have developed this unusual stain, I hope you can give me some advice on the cause and possible solution? – Benton County
A: Mosaic can be a virus. I’ll link to you to see if some sites look like yours here, here and here.
This virus can be very dangerous at any time. The leaves may show a messy color and weak growth as well as weak fruit set. The fruit looks as messy as your picture and usually turns brown on the inside of the dead area. Cut out some and see if there are any colors.
If you think this might be right, you should remove and discard the plant, clean all your tools, buckets, nests, or anything you use in the soil with a 10% solution.
Next year plant tomatoes in clean soil. Plant this year’s tomato bed with green manure or cover crop. There are many types of diseases that can cause problems in many plants.
This link provides more information about this disease. There is no cure.
Your tomato looks like a “marbleling” for many viruses. Your leaves may be sunburned or have tomato contamination or tomato rash.
The only way to find out is by laboratory analysis. I will send a link from the state of Oregon to the laboratories you want to contact. This was last fixed in 2017, however, I know the OSU Plant Identification Laboratory is still working.
You can send samples to the laboratory, leave the plant and tomato in the ground and other tomatoes will grow in the same way as in the picture (this plant tells me it has the virus) or you can drag everything into the trash. If you do this, do not reuse the soil at night (tomatoes, potatoes). Since it is in a pot, separate it from other plants if you decide to keep it and watch the presentation.
Here is another link for you – look at the picture above and then scroll down and look at the leaf on it. But your tomatoes do not look sick. – Shirley Cassette, OSU Extension Master Gardener
Q: I used baking soda as a deodorant in an area rich in bees and now I’m worried it might be unwanted and toxic to bees. When I searched for an answer online, I could not find the right answer. Is baking soda harmful to bees? – Benton County
A: I don’t think it will affect your bees based on your description of baking soda. – Ramsh Sagili, OSU Extension Bee Specialist
Is it possible to lighten wood chips in preparation for installation? Depends on the depth and size. File file.
Q: After washing and upgrading, we plan to plant clover in the congested yard. It now has wooden chips on it. The landscaping expert said the sawmill should be removed before planting and planting as it will prevent the seeds from growing. I know that wood chips absorb nitrogen when mixed with soil, but my idea is to add more nitrogen to it. Am I wrong? I did a soil test. Prior to planting, 3.4% nitrogen, 3% potash, and 0.6% sulfur were reported per 1,000 square feet.
My question is – how best to continue to help grass grow? – Washington County
A: It depends on the thickness of the wood chips layer and the size of the chips. If it is a thin layer (less than 1-2 inches) and the chips are more like dust, it is best to soak them in soil until they form a layer and at least 6 pieces of wood chips. It is about an inch deep, so you are melting it well. You’re right, microbes use nitrogen to break down carbon off wood chips. But there may be other problems (see below). As a rule, I think if you cut into pieces of wood and are mostly lost in the soil, then they will be fine.
They are trying to get rid of a lot of organic matter. If the organic matter is too high, you may experience waterlogging in areas where the soil contains too much water, which can cause disease problems, or hydrophobic droplets (actually dry). A common disease with a lot of organic matter is a myth ring. This fungus can produce fungi, and both green and hydrophobic (very dry) rings.
If the layer of wood chips is heavy or the wood chips are large, I will probably remove them or use them for landscaping or give them to your neighbor.
I think you should ask yourself what could be the worst outcome? What if you put the wood in and you have problems? The solution is really difficult. Evaluate that effect by simply lifting and removing them to the pile. – Brian McDonald
Locust seedlingsOSU Extension Service
Q: How do you kill a black locust tree? Two trees were cut down. Leaving the stumps, dozens of seedlings have now invaded our courtyards and streets. – Clackamas County
A: Here is an extension article to help control this invasive species. Note that not all chemicals are available to homeowners, and assuming that all other methods are not effective, they should only be used in accordance with designation guidelines. – Chris Lamar, OSU Extension Master Gardener
Gardeners need light shade. What can you try? Oregon file file. Elsie-Oregonian
Q: Our former homeowners built a beautiful fern garden, but they removed a large tree that provided shade for them. We want them to give us more shade, but keep our vision. Can you recommend any trees that are 15-20 feet tall for light light (partial shade)? Dog wood comes to mind, but I am curious about other choices. – Multinoma County
A: OSU Extension Edition (also available in app version) is here for tree selection and care. This publication focuses on potential local plants. – Chris Lamar, OSU Extension Master Gardener