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Sp290-R-Whiteflies In Ornamentals, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Whiteflies are economically important insects on ornamentals grown in the greenhouse. Although these pests are most serious in the greenhouse, whiteflies may also attack ornamental plants grown outdoors. Some of the preferred woody ornamental hosts include barberry, redbud, Fucshia, honeylocust, black locust, Hibiscus, Lantana, coffeeberry, rose and Jerusalem cherry.

Sp290-T-Holly Leafminers, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Holly leafminers are the most injurious pests of holly in the eastern United States. The holly leafminer was introduced from Europe. This insect is a primary pest of American or Christmas holly. Injury results from the larval mining activity just under the upper leaf surface. Additional damage is caused when females repeatedly puncture the leaves with their ovipositor (egg-laying structure). Punctured leaves become deformed.

Sp290-W-Euonymus Scale, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Euonymus scale, Unaspis euonymi (Comstock), is the most reported insect pest of euonymus, pachysandra and American bittersweet species in the Southeast. Other known host plants for this insect include hollies, camellia, twinberry, boxwood, Daphne, English ivy, hibiscus, jasmine, privet, honeysuckle, Pachistima and Prunus. Winged euonymus is usually free from this scale.

Pb1622-Disease And Insect Control In Home Fruit Plantings, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Growing fruit in the home garden can be an interesting, fun and rewarding hobby. Many novices dream of plucking perfect fruit off trees in their yards. This does not happen without a great deal of work. Control of pests (insects and diseases) is an integral part of the care necessary to achieve good results.

This publication provides guidelines for spraying home fruit plantings, but good pest control is not possible if spraying is the only action taken. Cultural practices such as pruning, sanitation, variety selection and selecting open, sunny sites for planting are necessary for good pest control. Specific cultural …

Sp291-I-Weed Control In Home Gardens, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

A weed may be broadly defi ned as any unwanted plant, or as I have heard it said many times, “a weed is a plant out of place.” For example, a corn plant is a weed if it is in a strawberry planting. Most weeds are plants that are generally considered undesirable by gardeners. They are neither eaten nor considered attractive. They are frequently invasive and diffi cult to control.

Sp291-Q-Rhubarb In Home Gardens, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

The rhubarb or pie plant (Rheum rhaponticum) belongs to the Polygonaceae or buckwheat family. The plant is a herbaceous perennial with leaves growing directly from the crown. The leaf petioles or stalks are used in making pies, sauces and various tart food items. The leaf blades contain considerable soluble oxalic acid and are poisonous to humans. Less oxalic acid is present in the petioles. The lower concentration and the decreased solubility of the oxalic acid in the petioles make them edible for human beings.

Nutritionally, rhubarb provides appreciable amounts of Vitamins A and C. It also contains moderate …

Sp291-B-Growing Vegetables From Seed, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Growing vegetables from seed is often more demanding than growing vegetables from transplants. There are more steps in the process, as well as more critical tasks to perform. Yet most vegetables are commonly planted in the garden as seed; thus, it is important that the essential operations be understood and followed.

Sp291-C-Soil Preparation For Vegetable Gardens, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

The first step in preparing vegetable gardens for planting is cleaning the site. Remove boards, rocks, old plant supports and general debris. Cut or chop weeds and crop residue. If the residue is free of disease and mature weed seed, the material may be worked into the soil or composted. Otherwise, it should be discarded. Bulky plant material, like corn stalks, will need to be chopped before it is incorporated into the soil.

If initiating a new garden into a sodded area, it is beneficial to plow the sod in the late fall or winter. The heavy root system of …

Sp291-D-Care Of The Vegetable Garden, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

A productive garden requires considerable attention and care. Insects, diseases and weeds must be controlled; water and nutrients must be supplied; plants must be supported; and harvests must be made at the proper time for best fl avor, yield and nutritional quality. This factsheet discusses these practices.

Sp290-Q-Boxwood Leafminer, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Boxwoods were brought into the United States in the 1800s. With the introduction of this plant came the boxwood leafminer, Monarthropalpus flavus (=buxi) Schrank.

The boxwood leafminer is considered to be the most serious pest of boxwoods. It occurs from the Atlantic to the Pacific, wherever boxwoods grow. All varieties of the boxwoods are attacked; however, the slower-growing English varieties are less susceptible than the American varieties.

Sp341-N-The Eastern Tent Caterpillar And Its Control, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Nests or tents of the eastern tent caterpillar are a part of the landscape along fence rows and in trees in many parts of Tennessee. This insect has become an increasing problem as more subdivisions spring up in rural areas.

Pb1595-Using Pesticides In Greenhouses, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

The objective of using pesticides in greenhouses is to reduce or manage pest populations without endangering the lives of greenhouse workers or customers, and without harming plants. To achieve this goal, it is essential to maximize pesticide exposure to the targeted pests and minimize human pesticide exposure. The first part of this publication will address issues related to pesticide applications, whereas the second part addresses human safety issues.