MIRAGE-Benchmark/MIRAGE huggingface dataset:
Concern about Rose

Question: I've had this rose bush for about 20 years. The new growth looks healthy but it develops strange problems as the season progresses. I hope this photo captures the problem areas.  I have had to remove some Rose bushes due to that roseola disease and I hope this one doesn't have it.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied August 15, 2024, 11:34 AM EDT
response: Unfortunately the photos of the rose buds and other parts are not in focus, and we can't identify the issue. Can you please resent photos of the symptoms that concern you? You might be able to find a symptom match in our rose diagnostic web page. We do not see evidence of Rose Rosette Disease, which is a viral infection.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 15, 2024, 12:44 PM EDT
response: Thank you! I think it's rose midge. I will prune it and put the clippings in yard waste. I have heard that it's not a good idea to fertilize stressed plants. Maybe after I prune it I will apply compost.  Generally I apply compost in April June and August. I try to just use soapy water spray instead of any herbicide or insecticide for aphids in the Spring. I will monitor it more closely.  Pat

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied August 15, 2024, 1:28 PM EDT
response: You're welcome! Yes, a compost top-dress should be fine, as long as it doesn't cover the roots with more than about an inch of depth, which can impact oxygen availability for the roots.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 15, 2024, 2:51 PM EDT
response: Thanks again! I finally completed a survey from my last inquiry.  I'll try to find answers through the app and the website before asking an expert in the future. Pat

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied August 15, 2024, 2:56 PM EDT
response: You're welcome.
Loriope on the Hell Strip

Question: These are two pieces of problematical parking strip near my house.  Pin oaks are overhead and only part of the space receives full sun.  Do you think loriope would grow there?

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied August 15, 2024, 11:41 AM EDT
response: It might, but we do not recommend the use of the groundcover (running) species of Liriope (Liriope spicata), as it can be very aggressive, hard to remove (if you or someone else wanted to change plantings in the future) and invasive. Clumping Liriope (Liriope muscari) is more well-behaved overall, but offers little if any wildlife value.  We overhauled our Groundcovers web page this summer, including a number of native and non-native non-invasive plant species as suggestions for different site conditions (sun vs. shade, damp vs. dry, etc.). It's not an exhaustive list, but may offer some ideas. Native plants would be preferable and can support more wildlife, but whatever is used, a mix of species is best. This helps to improve the resiliency of the planting as a whole, since different species have different tolerances and vulnerabilities. Since the soil in this location is probably quite compacted, amending it with compost as you plant can help plants establish, and any species chosen (even drought-tolerant ones) will need careful attention to watering needs after planting for their first full year in the ground at least, especially in areas where tree roots infiltrate the site.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 15, 2024, 1:02 PM EDT
response: Thanks, Miri.  Would one plant clumping liriope (if one were to do so) in the fall or spring?  I doubt that anything I plant is going to discourage the deer, rabbits, and foxes that I’ve seen in my area!Sent from my iPhone On Aug 15, 2024, at 11:41 AM, Ask Extension wrote:﻿

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied August 15, 2024, 1:20 PM EDT
response: Fall or spring would be fine, though fall might be slightly better for the plant (as long as it's not late fall) so it has longer to establish before dealing with summer heat and drought. While herbivores tend to avoid Liriope most of the time, we have seen it nibbled. Few groundcovers are reliably deer-resistant (and also rabbit-resistant), unfortunately, though some are rarely bothered. Foxes mainly prey on rodents, rabbits, and other animals, though they might nibble plants (mostly fruits and seeds) from time to time, so they are not really a garden pest the way groundhogs, rabbits, etc. can be.  Miri
Overrun with crabgrass

Question: I have been trying, unsuccessfully, to convert our very small urban front yard to a grass+clover mix for a couple of seasons. In the spring, the clover+grass mix seems to take nicely but by midsummer crabgrass starts growing and by this time of year, the whole thing is taken over by crabgrass! I was hopeful this summer would be different with all the rain we're getting - I thought the clover would be super happy but it got smothered out again with crabgrass. 

We're in Minneapolis and the yard is on the east side of my house, so it gets lots of morning sun and then is in the shade all afternoon. You can see in the picture that the portion of the yard that is under a large pin oak tree is fine, it's just the portion of the yard that's in the morning sun that is all crabgrass. The whole thing is a very small patch of lawn - the rest of the yard is landscaped. I end up having to re-seed it every spring and fall, so from what I understand I can't really use a crabgrass preventer because the clover and grass won't germinate? 

I'm open to growing something other than a grass/clover mix up there if there's something that might be a better fit. Thanks for any ideas you might have!

responder: MaryKay, Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor Replied August 21, 2024, 7:52 PM EDT
response: You will need to use either a pre or post emergent crabgrass treatment to get rid of crabgrass.  The post emergent may be the best choice as it won’t interfere with germination of the clover and grass seed.  The following websites give more details including timing for post emergent control. 1. https://extension.umn.edu/weeds/crabgrass 2. https://turf.umn.edu/home-lawn-care-newsletter-april-2023

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 04, 2024, 8:46 PM EDT
response: I will plan for that next year, but this year I struggled to find a post-emergent that wouldn’t hurt the clover. Is there one you recommend?   From: "ask=<personal data hidden>" on behalf of Ask Extension  Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at 6:52 PM To: Jamie Perez  Subject: Re: Overrun with crabgrass (#0151507)

responder: MaryKay, Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor Replied September 04, 2024, 9:23 PM EDT
response: I am wondering what type of clover you used.  Some are annuals and some are perennial.  The following website gives our recommendations for clover and grass mixes.  See:  https://extension.umn.edu/landscape-design/planting-and-maintaining-bee-lawn  Now is the time to use post emergent crabgrass chemicals.  They are storing food for winter and take up the chemicals.  They will not prevent germination of grass seeds if correctly timed.  You will need to check each of the post emergent chemicals in the following website for effects on clover.  Print out the article and take it with you to the garden center and ask for assistance or read the labels carefully.  We are not allowed to recommend particular weed control products. https://extension.umn.edu/weeds/crabgrass  You may also have a soil issue.  A soil test may help determine why you are having difficulty sustaining grass and clover.   https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/
Is it OK to have Tansy weed in Champoeg State Park?

Question: Is it Ok for Tansy weed to grow in Champoeg State Park? I saw lots of it especially by the visitor center upper pa rking lot hill.

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 16, 2024, 3:41 AM EDT
response: My son and I went for a walk yesterday on August 15th, 2024, and saw a field full of Tansy weed in Champoeg State Park. I live in Silverton and read Silverton Connections Facebook page. Somone said that Tansy is poisonous to cattle. They said Oregon used to put a predatory moth out to kill it. Is it OK for it to be growing in abundance? This park also does some agriculture I think hay.

responder: Brooke Edmunds Oregon State University Extension Community Horticulturist  Replied August 19, 2024, 7:07 PM EDT
response: Thanks for reaching out.  Tansy ragwort is considered a B-level noxious weed. Here is more information from the Oregon Department of Agriculture. (opens as a pdf).   ODA encourages you to report this weed. For Marion County sites, please reach out to the Marion County Weed District for further assistance.
Lilac bushes

Question: Can you please tell me what to do for these brown spots on my lilac bushes?

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 14, 2024, 10:24 PM EDT
response: On Wed, Aug 14, 2024, 10:19 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:  Dear Pamela, Thank you for using Ask Extension. A request for support has been created and a representative will follow-up with you as soon as possible. Questions are usually answered within two business days. You can view this question's progress online. YOUR QUESTION #0151484: Lilac bushes Can you please tell me what to do for these brown spots on my lilac bushes? Ask Extension offers one-to-one expert answers from Cooperative Extension/University staff and volunteers within participating Land-Grant institutions across the United States. If you wish to provide additional comments or information regarding the issue, please login to your account for a complete archive of your prior questions and answers.  This message for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for personalized professional advice. For specific local information, contact your local county Cooperative Extension office or other qualified professionals. eXtension Foundation does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, professional services, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned. Reliance on any information provided by eXtension Foundation, employees, suppliers, member universities, or other third parties through eXtension is solely at the user's own risk. All eXtension content and communication is subject to the Terms of Use which may be revised at any time.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 16, 2024, 8:57 PM EDT
response: Please send pictures of the plant and close ups of the brown spots. Thanks  On 08/15/2024 2:54 PM EDT Ask Extension wrote:        Hi Mary, Question #0151484 has been assigned to you by Marie G. Lilac bushes Can you please tell me what to do for these brown spots on my lilac bushes?  From: Pamela WebsterSubmitted: 08/14/2024 10:19 PM  To view/respond to the question, please login.  Please join the Ask Extension Experts group in Connect Extension. We will use that group to post updates about Ask Extension.This message was sent by Ask Extension. If you need help, please visit https://askhelp.extension.org/.
Identify shrub

Question: Hi, I received this shrub from the Midland County Extension spring plant sale about five years ago. I would like to know the name of it. I assume it is native since it came from the conservation. There are clumps of berries, larger green leaves, at this time it is about 7 feet high with several shoots. Thank you so much for your help.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 15, 2024, 4:31 PM EDT
response: Hi Kathy. Thank you for your inquiry.  You have a High Bush Cranberry, or Cranberry Bush Viburnum. It is indeed native to most of the northern tier of the US, including Michigan...Especially in wet or  swampy areas.   Highbush cranberry is a deciduous shrub with sour tasting small red berry-like fruit. It is a beautiful plant with clusters of tiny red glossy berry-like drupes. The tangy edible red berries have a sour taste, just like cranberries. The berries can be eaten fresh off the bush or used to create a sweet and sour sauce to serve with meat. The high bush cranberry shrub has dense arching stems with reddish-brown bark and attractive maple-like leaves. Its red berries brighten up fall and winter garden landscapes.   Other names for the high bush cranberry include cranberrybush  viburnum, highbush cranberry, or American cranberry. Despite its name, the small shrub isn’t related to the cranberry (Vaccinium subg. Oxycoccus). Instead, the name cranberry comes from the resemblance of the shrub’s red fruits to cranberries. Like cranberries, the small bright red berries persist on the plant until early winter.  Its leaf shape is another recognizable feature of this viburnum  plant. The foliage consists of maple-like leaves with a rounded bottom and serrated margins. The large high bush cranberry shrub comes to life in spring when clusters of pretty white flowers bloom. These are followed by bunches of shiny round pale red to bright red berries. In the fall, the shrub’s foliage turns a spectacular red color. The link below will give you more information on this plant:  https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c365

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 15, 2024, 6:11 PM EDT
response: Thank you so much, you have answered my questions and now I can refer to my bush with a name!Sent from my iPhone On Aug 15, 2024, at 4:32 PM, Ask Extension wrote:﻿
Yellow Mustard Plants?

Question: Looking for help identifying a plant. I think it is very common in my area. I think it is called Wild Mustard but not sure and would like your expert opinion. It has yellow flowers, shallow roots. Thank you so much for your help.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 15, 2024, 10:55 AM EDT
response: This isn't mustard. Mustard is a brassica so it's leaves are cabbage-like in texture and the blooms have four petal flowers with rounded petals.   This is a type of Solidago, likely Solidago canadensis, an important plant for supporting beneficial insects and wildlife.  https://lsa-miflora-p.lsait.lsa.umich.edu/record/454  https://bees.msu.edu/goldenrod/

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 15, 2024, 6:19 PM EDT
response: Thank you so much for your response to my questions. You have answered all my questions. I will certainly look at these plants in a different way knowing how beneficial it is to my area.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 16, 2024, 9:02 AM EDT
response: We are happy to help. Don't hesitate to submit any other questions that you have!
Identification of this plant with yellow flowers

Question: I would like help identifying this plant. I would like to know the name if the flower, wondering if it is native and if it’s invasive. Right now it is growing into the branches of a pine tree in my back yard. There are some that are as tall as 5 feet. The flowers are yellow and remind me a little bit of snap dragons but I know they are not. Thank you for your help.

responder: Lindsey K. Kerr, MS, MHP (she, her, hers)  Replied August 15, 2024, 12:35 PM EDT
response: Your plant is the native common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis). You can read about it and see more photos on michiganflora.net.  Here is a link to more information and photos from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.  Common evening primrose blooms in the evening and is attractive to moths, native bees, and hummingbirds. The first year, it is only a rosette of leaves near the soil line. The second year, it puts up a flower stalk. They can get very tall and have hundreds of flowers. In a garden setting, they can become quite weedy as one plant produces a lot of seeds.

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 15, 2024, 6:19 PM EDT
response: Lindsey, thank you so much for your response. You have answered my questions. It looks like I will leave the primrise  plants where they are and enjoy them!KathySent from my iPhone On Aug 15, 2024, at 12:35 PM, Ask Extension wrote:﻿
Eating my rhubarb

Question: All over the milkweed

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied August 15, 2024, 11:10 AM EDT
response: We can't identify these snails to species, but we do include management options on our Slugs and Snails on Flowers and Slugs and Snails on Vegetables web pages (you mention rhubarb and milkweed, so we don't know if they are on both or just the pictured milkweed).  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 15, 2024, 11:34 AM EDT
response: On both milkweed and rhubarb. I'd let them have milkweed but only so much rhubarb to go around. On Thu, Aug 15, 2024 at 11:10 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 15, 2024, 11:34 AM EDT
response: On both milkweed and rhubarb. I'd let them have milkweed but only so much rhubarb to go around. On Thu, Aug 15, 2024 at 11:10 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied August 15, 2024, 11:43 AM EDT
response: Indeed. The management options given in the pages we linked to should help to reduce snail numbers, then, so ongoing damage is reduced or halted.  Miri
Discolored and/or Dying Grass

Question: Hello... Thanks in advance for taking the time to field my question.  There are areas of my lawn that appear to be discolored and/or dying.  I have no clue why as this just started appearing about three weeks ago.  In the beginning, I thought the painters had cleaned their brushes out and whipped them forcefully to get rid of the water and residue.  I'll attach a photo below to give you a good idea of what's going on.  The only thing I have at my disposal at this time is some granulated lime.

responder: Stephen Brown, Ph.D.  Replied August 14, 2024, 8:29 PM EDT
response: This is a form of fungus. You can by granulated lawn fungicide at Lowes or Home Depot to control it

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 14, 2024, 9:26 PM EDT
response: Thanks very much for your prompt reply. I really appreciate it. And, I apologize for the duplicate submittals. It appeared not to go through on my phone so I did it again on my iMac.  Thanks again…Sincerely,BradSent from my iPhone On Aug 14, 2024, at 4:29 PM, Ask Extension wrote:﻿
Tomato plant wilting

Question: One of my 3  container outdoor tomato plants is suddenly wilting.  Why and what is the cause?  Is there anything I can do to help the plant? I have sent 2 photos of the wilting tomato plant and 1 photo of a healthy tomato plant that is in a container next to the wilting plant for comparison.

responder: Thank you for contacting the Infoline, a service of UNH Cooperative Extension  Replied August 16, 2024, 10:55 AM EDT
response: Hello Judy,  Thanks for reaching out to the UNH Extension Infoline. Tomato wilting can be the result of several things. First is water. If watering is inconsistent, or it doesn't receive enough, it will exhibit wilting. For container tomatoes, we recommend a minimum 5 gallon size pot in order to hold onto both water and nutrients, as well as provide enough space for the root system to grow properly.  Another possibility could be a fungal wilt disease such as fusarium or verticillium wilt. These diseases are especially common during extended periods of wet, cool weather, or if plants aren't properly pruned or are in less than full sun.  Have a look at this resource on tomato wilting- https://lancaster.unl.edu/tomato-sudden-wilt Also, have a look at the UNH Extension tomato growing fact sheet- https://extension.unh.edu/resource/growing-vegetables-tomatoes-fact-sheet-1 Please ask if you have further questions!

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 16, 2024, 3:25 PM EDT
response: Thank you for your response to both of my questions regarding a wilting tomato plant and a plant I’d.  I greatly appreciate the information you provided me along with your time and effort in emailing me your findings.Many thanks.Judy NOn Fri, Aug 16, 2024 at 10:55 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Butternut squash leaves dying.

Question: Hello, I am growing butternut squash and have 2 issues with them. Powdery mildew has just begun so I am spraying the leaves with a milk/water mixture.  However, the leaves are also turning yellow to the stem of the plant, wilting and drying up.  Most is from the base of the plant and moving to newer leaves.  I thought I may be watering too much, but am trying not to water until the leaves loose some turgor pressure and get start to wilt.  Here are some pictures.  I am wondering if it is Downy Mildew.  Hope you can help me.  I know I need to buy disease resistant seeds next year.  2 pictures of leaves and 1 of earlier in the year.  If you need a newer picture, I can send one.

responder: Thank you for contacting us!  Replied August 14, 2024, 3:29 PM EDT
response: Thank you for contacting Ask Extension. It seems that your squash plant has downy mildew and it can have similar symptoms as powdery mildew, including yellowing and wilting of the leaves, especially from the base of the plant. The picture of the leaves that you sent show that the leaf is beginning to curl backward. This is an indication of downy mildew.  It's important to note that downy mildew favors wet conditions and can be difficult to control once it appears. To manage downy mildew, fungicidal sprays should be started before the disease is observed, as it's difficult to control once it's established. Additionally, cultural practices such as increasing plant spacing and water-use efficiency can help reduce the incidence of powdery mildew and downy mildew. It's important to consider a comprehensive approach to disease management. This may include using disease-resistant varieties, practicing good cultural techniques such as drip irrigation and clean up any debris in your garden, and possibly using fungicides if the disease becomes severe. Note that when disease symptoms are observed it is often too late to apply a fungicide, although fungicide treatments can help to protect new or un-infected foliage.  It's also important to ensure that you're not overwatering your plants, as this can exacerbate disease issues. Try to water your plants when the leaves show signs of turgor pressure loss and wilting, rather than proactively watering like you are now doing. I have included several publications for reference: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/cucumber-squash-melon-other-cucurbit-diseases/ https://extension.umn.edu/disease-management/downy-mildew-cucurbits https://extension.umd.edu/resource/downy-mildew-vegetables/

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 14, 2024, 4:13 PM EDT
response: Thank you for the quick response Diane H.Sincerely, Brian HillsSent from my iPhone On Aug 14, 2024, at 3:29 PM, Ask Extension wrote:﻿

responder: Thank you for contacting us!  Replied August 14, 2024, 4:38 PM EDT
response: Welcome!