AYGQ: LIVE – August 2026 Session Links and Resources

Fruits & Vegetables

Pears

Q-Why are pears dropping from the tree?
A-Fruit drop may occur naturally when trees produce more fruit than they can mature. Heat stress, moisture fluctuations, and insect pests can also contribute. Codling moth and plum curculio were discussed as possible causes of damaged fruit. Fallen fruit should be examined for signs of insect activity and removed when possible. Good sanitation can help reduce future pest populations.

• Growing Pears in Wisconsin – wisc.edu
• Bagging Apples for Insect Control – wisc.edu
• Codling Moth – wisc.edu
• Plum Curculio – wisc.edu

General Gardening

Using Manure as Compost

Q-Is manure safe to use in a vegetable garden?
A-Well-aged or composted manure can be an excellent soil amendment when applied appropriately. Fall applications allow nutrients to stabilize before planting season. Gardeners should know the source of manure and avoid using fresh manure immediately before planting. Organic amendments can improve soil structure and water-holding capacity. Soil tests can help guide nutrient management decisions.

• Using Manure in the Home Garden – wisc.edu
• Soil Testing and Analysis – wisc.edu

Roses

Q-How to care for Pretty Lady Rose?

Houseplants

There were no questions on houseplants this month.

Insects

Special Update: Spotted Lanternfly Monitoring in Wisconsin

Spotted lanternfly is an invasive insect that continues to move westward and has become established in the Chicago area. Although it has not yet been confirmed as established in Wisconsin, southeastern Wisconsin is considered a likely area for future detections. Gardeners are encouraged to photograph and report suspected sightings. Tree-of-heaven remains a key host plant to monitor, and early detection will be important for limiting spread and protecting agricultural and landscape plants.

Q-What is the size of the Spotted Lanternfly egg mass?
A-Egg masses are roughly 1-1.5 inches long.

• Spotted Lanternfly
• Tree of Heaven
• Reporting Spotted Lanternfly

Ants

Q-How can I control ants in my vegetable garden?
A-Ants are often secondary scavengers rather than the original cause of plant damage. They are attracted to exposed sugars and plant juices created by other injuries. Cracked fruit, insect feeding, and environmental stress can all attract ants. Gardeners should focus on identifying the primary cause of damage. Addressing the underlying problem is usually more effective than targeting the ants themselves. Scout for primary causes.

• Aphids – wisc.edu
• Scale Insects – wisc.edu

Lawns

How to differentiate drought stress from disease issues

Q-How do you differentiate between drought-stressed lawn and summer patch?
A-Summer patch and the related disease necrotic ring spot often produce distinct circular patches or rings of dead turf, sometimes with healthy grass remaining in the center of the affected area. Drought stress and heat injury tend to appear more irregular and may affect larger sections of the lawn without a clearly defined pattern. Lawns with excessive thatch, compacted soils, heavy clay soils, or shallow root systems are often more prone to recurring disease problems. Turfgrass insects such as chinch bugs, sod webworms, and white grubs can also create brown patches that resemble disease or drought damage. If the lawn does not recover when cooler temperatures and adequate moisture return, overseeding and diagnostic testing may be necessary.

• Lawn Disease Quick Reference – wisc.edu
• Chinch Bugs – wisc.edu
• Lawn Insects – wisc.edu
• Sod Webworms – umn.edu
• White Grubs in Turfgrass – wisc.edu
• Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic (PDDC) – wisc.edu
• UW Turfgrass Diagnostic Clinic – wisc.edu
• Lawn Maintenance – wisc.edu

Bee Lawns

Q-How do I establish a bee lawn?
A-Bee lawns incorporate flowering plants such as clover and self-heal into traditional turf areas. These lawns provide resources for pollinators while often requiring fewer inputs than conventional turfgrass. Bee lawns are best established during favorable growing conditions, especially in fall. Plant selection should be based on site conditions and intended use. They can increase biodiversity while maintaining a lawn-like appearance.

• Pollinators – wisc.edu
• Bee Lawns Video – wisc.edu

Plant Diseases

Aster Yellows

Q-What is aster yellows?
A-Aster yellows is a phytoplasma disease spread by leafhoppers. Symptoms may include distorted flowers, unusual branching, discoloration, and stunted growth. These symptoms can resemble other disorders, making diagnosis difficult. Laboratory testing can confirm the disease. Early diagnosis helps gardeners make appropriate management decisions.

• Aster Yellows – wisc.edu
• Coneflower Disease Comparison – osu.edu
• Aster Leafhopper and Aster Yellows – colostate.edu
• Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic (PDDC) – wisc.edu

Trees & Shrubs

Forsythia

Q-Why did established forsythia branches suddenly die?
A-Forsythia is generally a resilient shrub with relatively few serious pest or disease issues. Branch dieback may be related to environmental stress, winter injury, age, mechanical damage, or root disturbance. Older plants often benefit from rejuvenation pruning to stimulate new growth. Dead stems should be pruned back to their point of origin. Monitoring for continued decline can help determine whether the problem is temporary or ongoing.

• Forsythia – wisc.edu
• Pruning Deciduous Shrubs – wisc.edu

Buckthorn Management

Q-What understory plants can outcompete buckthorn resprouts? A-No single understory plant will reliably outcompete buckthorn. Effective management requires continued control of resprouts through mechanical removal and, when appropriate, herbicide treatment. Native woodland species can help restore biodiversity once buckthorn has been suppressed. Restoration plantings support long-term site health but are not a substitute for active buckthorn management. Continued monitoring is essential.

• Common and Glossy Buckthorn – wisc.edu
• Common Buckthorn – wisconsin.gov
• Common Management Methods – wisc.edu
• A Guide to Forest Understory Revegetation – umn.edu

Plants Near House Foundation

Q-How to manage mature trees and foundation plantings around a home?
A-Protecting trunks and root systems from damage is essential to long-term tree health. Mulch rings can help reduce mower injury, but mulch should not be piled against the trunk. Shrubs should be planted with adequate spacing from foundations to allow maintenance and airflow. Dense vegetation against buildings can also favor nuisance insects. Certified arborists can provide site-specific evaluations when concerns arise.

• Finding the Right Certified Arborist – wisc.edu
• Planning and Designing Your Home Landscape – wisc.edu
• Mulches for the Home Garden – wisc.edu
• Midseason Plant Care Adjustments – wisc.edu
• Gardening for Weather Extremes in WI: Extreme Heat and Drought – wisc.edu

Silver Maple

Q-Why is a mature silver maple tree losing large branches?
A-Branch dieback may result from root damage, soil compaction, environmental stress, girdling roots, or normal aging. Symptoms can appear long after the original injury occurred. Silver maples naturally shed branches as they mature. Because falling limbs can create safety concerns, affected trees should be evaluated carefully. A certified arborist may help determine the cause and recommend management options.

• Silver Maple Tree – ncsu.edu
• Shade Tree Disorders – wisc.edu
• Finding the Right Certified Arborist – wisc.edu
• Herbicide Damage – wisc.edu

Honey Locust

Q-How to manage honey locust tree sprouts?
A-Repeated mowing or pruning is generally the safest control method. It is important to determine whether sprouts are connected to the parent tree. Herbicides applied to connected sprouts may affect the mature tree. New sprouts may continue to appear over time. Consistent monitoring and removal usually provide the best results.

• Honey Locust Tree – ncsu.edu

Weeds & Invasive Species

Waterhemp

Q-How can waterhemp be controlled in gravel driveways and rural landscapes?
A-Waterhemp is a difficult weed to manage because many populations are resistant to commonly used herbicides. Management should focus on preventing seed production through cultivation, hand removal, heat treatments, or labeled herbicides. Accurate identification is important because waterhemp resembles other pigweed species. Repeated monitoring throughout the growing season is often necessary. Long-term success depends on preventing plants from replenishing the soil seed bank.

• Waterhemp Identification – missouri.edu
• Waterhemp Control – osu.edu

Managing Weeds in Established Flower Beds

Q-Best way to manage weeds in established flower beds?
A-Weed management begins with proper identification. Hand-pulling, mulching, cultivation, and dense plantings remain effective long-term strategies. Living mulches and groundcovers can reduce opportunities for weed establishment. Herbicide options may be limited because desirable plants can be injured. Consistent maintenance provides the best results.

• Weed Identification – wisc.edu
• Why Weeds are a Chronic Problem – wisc.edu
• Options for Managing Yard & Garden Weeds – wisc.edu
• Weeds & Invasive Plants Identification Videos – wisc.edu

Wildlife

Wildlife Ecology Factsheets

• UW Wildlife Ecology factsheets – wisc.edu