Donate Contribution

PlantVillage is an open access public resource at Penn State that aims to help smallholder farmers grow more food. Please consider donating LINK and helping us, help smallholder farmers. Your gift will go 100% to PlantVillage and is tax free in the USA.

Recent Questions Most Viewed

Showing:

What to do against Japanese Beetles on grapes

Grape Lausanne, Switzerland

My grapes are suffering badly from japanese beetles that seem to have taken over the plants - see images below. Does anyone know how to solve this problem - i.e. how can I get rid of the beetles before they start killing off the other plants? Many thanks!

Asked by: deactivated ( points) Posted:July 21, 2013

7 answers 7890 views

No Image

Avocado tree shedding all leaves.

Avocado State College, PA

I bought a beautiful Avocado plant in summer and planted it outside in a spot with full sun. In the nursery they had advised me to plant it in acidic soil, so I did. Shortly afterwards all the leaves' tips started turning brown and wrinkly. I feared that maybe the spot I had chosen was too hot,...

Asked by: Rahel Salathé ( points) Posted:November 17, 2014

2 answers 7818 views

No Image

Ants in a potato box

Potato None Given

How do you get fire ants out of your raised bed?! I went on vacation and came back to a giant mound of ants in my potato box, obviously i don't want to spray anything toxic as they have made their home above my potatoes! Also do they cause any harm to the tubers or are they ok to eat after...

Asked by: Mark ( points) Posted:June 4, 2013

3 answers 7792 views

No Image

What is causing white spots on my kale leaves?

Kale None Given

I have some white spots on my kale leaves but they don't look like they are insect related or fungal. The plant is kept in a pot and I'm in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. I will try to upload an image soon. What do you think?

Asked by: reem ( points) Posted:March 30, 2014

1 answer 7667 views

Training a young avocado plant in container

Avocado Pennsylvania, USA

My avocado plant that I grew from a seed seems to be doing really well (thanks to all on PlantVillage who helped me to grow it). I have re-potted it into a large clay pot and it is outside on the porch to soak up the summer sun. The plant is growing rapidly and in addition to what I believe is a...

Asked by: Lindsay McMenemy ( points) Posted:August 9, 2013

2 answers 7652 views

No Image

Best method of protecting plants from late frosts?

General UK

Always like to be prepared, I live in Scotland and the weather can be quite unpredictable and it wouldn't be the first time I have been caught out with a frost and lost my young plants. I haven't planted anything outside yet but I wondered what people's thoughts were on different types of...

Asked by: Robyn ( points) Posted:April 10, 2013

4 answers 7629 views

Black currant leaves turning yellow with brown edges

General Canada

Hi, I'm putting this under general questions because there is no option for currant. Hopefully that can change with time. I planted a new orchard this spring and most everything is doing really well except for the black currants. They seem to be struggling, and I'm not sure what the cause...

Asked by: Jeremy Kirouac ( points) Posted:May 21, 2014

3 answers 7566 views

No Image

Growing avocado from seed

Avocado South Carolina

Has anybody ever managed to successfully grow an avocado tree from the seed of a store bought one. I have a seed that I have saved from an avocado I had last week. If I plant it will it grow into a tree and if so how do I do it... I’d love to try...

Asked by: Simon ( points) Posted:February 3, 2013

2 answers 7555 views

Brown spots and holes on leaves on my mint and basil plants

Mint United States

Hello, I bought and planted some herbs in pots that I keep on my porch about 2 weeks ago. I am starting to see holes and brown spots on all of my plants: peppermint, spearmint, and basil. I have looked up a lot of information and pictures about what potentially might be causing the issue, but...

Asked by: Monica ( points) Posted:May 19, 2015

3 answers 7500 views

No Image

How can I stop arugula bolting?

Arugula PA

My arugula plants have already bolted :-( I planted them from seed in containers and was hoping I would be able to harvest over the summer but the leaves are very bitter now. Does anybody have any tips on how to care for arugula to extend its harvest, would it be better to plant straight into the...

Asked by: Marsha Anderson ( points) Posted:June 16, 2013

2 answers 7138 views

Wilted rosemary plant

Rosemary Pennsylvania, USA

I transplanted an established rosemary bush to a new location in the garden several days ago and despite taking care to keep it well watered each day it is wilting badly. The position I moved it from was situated too closely to another plant and both were struggling. When I dug down into the soil...

Asked by: Lindsay McMenemy ( points) Posted:August 16, 2013

5 answers 7078 views

No Image

Can I grow potatoes over summer?

Potato MD

From what (very) little I know about vegetable gardening they seem to be harvested in winter. I would love some home grown potatoes over summer to make potato salads and things. Can I plant them for harvest over summer? If so how is it done?

Asked by: Mel ( points) Posted:April 8, 2013

3 answers 7013 views

No Image

Should I remove dead/dying leaves from pumpkin plants?

Pumpkin MD

My plants are doing well and look healthy, both have fruits which are looking great. My question is, should I be trimming off the dead leaves? I'm not sure if it is better to leave them be or take them away. Which is more likely to encourage diseases?

Asked by: Mel ( points) Posted:July 6, 2013

2 answers 7006 views

No Image

What vegetables can I plant on a slope and what's the right way to do it?

General near Johnstown, PA

Towards the end of my back yard there is a slope down towards an old railroad. I go back and forth on whether I should plant anything there. We usually plant in an area closer to the house but it is tempting to extend our garden to plant a few more vegetables. The truth is I am not sure of what...

Asked by: Larry Pelenski ( points) Posted:April 11, 2013

2 answers 6974 views

No Image

What edibles can I grow in the shade?

General San Jose, CA

A good portion of my backyard is shady - probably only around 3-4 hours of sun per day due to tree cover, however I'd still like to try and grow something edible there to maximize my production. What plants will still produce something edible in this much shade?

Asked by: Amie Frisch ( points) Posted:February 13, 2013

6 answers 6960 views

No Image

How can I tell determinate and indeterminate tomatoes apart?

Tomato FL

I have been trying to help my sister with the tomato seeds she planted and when I asked if they were determinate or indeterminate she looked at me like I just grew another head. Of course she has lost the packet and has no idea what kind of seeds she bought. My question is will I have to wait for...

Asked by: Denice Williams ( points) Posted:February 22, 2013

2 answers 6894 views

White growth on ceramic pots

General MI

This white stuff is growing all over my indoor ceramic pots which have my pepper plants growing in them. Is this a fungus or something? Could it be related to the death of my pepper plant which was in one of these pots? (Posted in pepper section). Is it something I should be concerned about and...

Asked by: Abby ( points) Posted:February 2, 2013

2 answers 6890 views

No Image

What yield of onions can I expect from one acre

Onion Tanzania

How many tons of onions I can harvest in one acre of onions

Asked by: MIGUEL ANNAN ( points) Posted:February 13, 2015

2 answers 6820 views

No Image

When and how to plant pear tree

Pear MO

I really want to try planting some fruit trees in my back yard this year. I’d really like a pear tree. I’ve been trying to read up on how to do this but some sites recommend winter and others say spring for planting. I’m confused. Does any body have any experience with fruit trees and if so can...

Asked by: Dave P. ( points) Posted:February 4, 2013

1 answer 6742 views

No Image

Is it usual for potting soil to smell rotten?

General PA

I have been out buying some gardening supplies today to get started growing some seeds and I bought a bag of Scott's potting soil. When I opened it up it smelled terrible, I don't even know how to describe it. It smelled rotten. There was definitely something like manure but it wasn't the...

Asked by: Karen Miller ( points) Posted:March 16, 2013

3 answers 6670 views

Apple trunk lesion

Apple Albuquerque, NM Zone 7b

Trying to figure out what is going on with this apple trees trunk it is about 3 years old.The lesion appears to be spreading growing. Any ideas and or treatments would be appreciated.

Asked by: Wurgulf ( points) Posted:April 23, 2013

3 answers 6669 views

No Image

How do I ripen green tomatoes before cold weather?

Tomato None Given

I would like to know what is the best thing to do with tomatoes that are still on the plant which have not ripened. I have several plants which still have fruit but I am worried about the weather turning colder and potentially killing them before they have a chance to ripen. Can I move the plants...

Asked by: Yvonne ( points) Posted:October 18, 2013

7 answers 6593 views

No Image

Tomato plants turning white

Tomato South Carolina

I have a question about my tomato plants. I transplanted them about a week ago and after a few days I noticed that one of them was turning bleached looking and white. Over the next few days all of the plants began to look the same. I'm at a loss, this has never happened before. The plants were...

Asked by: Simon ( points) Posted:May 28, 2013

3 answers 6525 views

No Image

When to plant brussel sprouts

Brussels sprouts PA

I am confused about when to plant brussell sprout seeds in my garden. This will be my first time growing them and I am not sure how to time them properly. It seems to be recommended to harvest them after frost as it makes them taste better so how long do they take to be ready to harvest roughly....

Asked by: Karen Miller ( points) Posted:May 20, 2013

3 answers 6442 views

Leaf spot in secondary Oil palm nursery

Oil palm Eluru,Andhra pradesh,India

My name is nagaraju and I am from Andhra Pradesh, India. I have some leaf spots on the oil palm in our nursery and I want to know what it is. Please help me find out the cause and tell me how to prevent this disease

Asked by: nagaraju a ( points) Posted:April 6, 2014

3 answers 6371 views

White spots on tomato plant

Tomato

I've noticed some white spots on my tomato plant, what could it be?! what can I do to help the plant? Thank you! (sorry for the bad image quality)

Asked by: Romina ( points) Posted:November 8, 2013

3 answers 6347 views

Can anyone identify this disease of the oil palm?

Oil palm Vietnamses

Dear Sirs/Madam My name is Thuan, I come from vietnamese. I have some pictures of the oil palm sick. I want to know what it is. please show me know the cause and how to prevent this disease Please help me. Thank you very much ( I am not good at english, lol) Periods of a disease...

Asked by: Thuan_attapeu ( points) Posted:July 30, 2013

3 answers 6319 views

No Image

Best way to support tomato plants?

Tomato MI

Can somebody recommend a good way of supporting my tomato plants. I have always used cages in the past but I find the standard ones to be very unstable and I am always scared that a good gust of wind will topple the whole thing. I am growing Brandywines and Cherokee purples for the first time....

Asked by: Abby ( points) Posted:May 23, 2013

5 answers 6293 views

White spots and dead leaves on my mint

Mint brooklyn, ny

I have white spots and dead leaves on my mint. I've sprayed with organic insecticide and funguscide and no difference. Any idea what it is? Any help will be greatly appreaciated. I've looked online and can't seem to find an answer. Hopefully my attachment will work

Asked by: michele ( points) Posted:August 10, 2014

3 answers 6287 views

No Image

When should I fertilize and mulch transplanted seedlings?

General NJ

This is something I never seem to get right. Should I fertilize directly after transplanting seedlings to the garden or hold off to let them establish? Also when is the correct time to apply straw mulch to the plants? Thank-you!

Asked by: Beth Johnson ( points) Posted:March 18, 2013

3 answers 6232 views