MIRAGE-Benchmark/MIRAGE huggingface dataset:
When will our growing season start in Lodi, Ohio?

Question: We are a Garden club at Lodi Family Center in Lodi, Ohio. We are learning about growing our gardens, and want to know when it will be safe to plant our garden? We have already planted Peas, Broccoli, cabbage, spinach and beets. Will they survive? 

Thank you,

The Garden Club at Lodi Family Center
Kay Marx

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied March 30, 2023, 3:52 PM EDT
response: I am not an active "ask an expert." Please reassign.Cassie Cote On Thu, Mar 30, 2023 at 1:12 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: Cassie Cote - MGV, A question assigned to your group, #0093521 has presently gone unanswered.  Please try to respond or reassign the question at your earliest opportunity. To view or respond to the question, please login. You're receiving this notice because the question is assigned a group of which you're a member.(Note: On June 21 we increased the overdue time frame from two business days to three business days to give experts more time to respond. If you have any questions or feedback, please let us know at <personal data hidden>.)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/.

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 17, 2023, 8:25 PM EDT
response: Can you tell me what type of hornet this is? The picture is not so good, but it is mostly yellow. They are very aggressive and were living in the ground in Medina Ohio. the sting was very painful and swelled up. The skin was hot to the touch and the are was hard. Thank you  Kay Marx

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 18, 2023, 3:35 PM EDT
response: Hello Kathleen,  The photo is too blurry to be certain but it is either a yellow jacket or paper wasp.  Yellow Jackets nest in cavities under ground, in pots, behind siding, under decks etc.    Paper wasps create a small, open faced paper nest usually in the eves of buildings, around decks, in trees, etc.   Since you said they are in the ground, i'm going to assume yellow jackets.    If the nest is on your own personal property, you can treat it yourself or hire a professional.  If the nest is on a publicly accessible site like a community center or school, a commercially licensed pesticide professional must be hired to apply pesticides.  If it is in an area you can tolerate, you can wait until a good hard freeze and they will have all died off and you can then dig out the nest or leave it decompose under ground.  They will not reuse the nest in the following year.  https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-2075-11
Recommendation for shrubs along a fence

Question: Hello,
I need to create a shrub barrier for privacy along my low wire fence that separates my property and my neighbor's property and gives me privacy. 
What do you recommend? I have a dog so it has to be non-toxic.
See pictures attached.
Sincerely,
Maria of Kensington, MD

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 March 28, 2023, 3:49 PM EDT
response: Hi Maria, Based on your photo, this looks like a small stretch with lots of sun.  You will need to measure the area and decided how high you want the natural fence to be. The other thing to consider is weather you want an evergreen shrub, or can live with a deciduous one.  The link below will take you to an article that includes lots of plant options.  Most are native to the east coast and all are non-toxic. Plants for Mixed Privacy Screens | University of Maryland Extension (umd.edu) Thanks for contacting us. Judy

responder: The Question Asker Replied March 28, 2023, 4:56 PM EDT
response: Thank you. Do you have a nursery recommendation near by? I live in Kensigton but can travel to get a diversity of shrubs.

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 March 28, 2023, 7:56 PM EDT
response: Hi Maria, Any nursery or greenhouse should carry most of the shrubs listed in the article.   Try to avoid the "big-box" places like Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, etc.  A good approach is to ask them where they get their plants/shrubs from; i.e. do they use local growers. Also ask if they offer a guarantee.  Some nurseries offer a 3-6 mos. guarantee and will replace the shrub if it dies during that time. You could also contact the Montgomery County Master Gardeners for references in your area.  You shouldn't need to drive all the way to Baltimore County for this. Good luck!
Potential pests

Question: Hello,  I bought a house in Lakewood last fall and found that two of the younger trees in my backyard have some damage that I think could potentially be caused by a boring pest. One of the trees has more damage than the other. I've attached a few photos for reference. I believe the trees may be Honey Locust or Black Locust. I've also seen woodpeckers in my backyard, so maybe it could be a combination of things?  Thank you for your time,  Cameron

responder: Hania Oleszak  Replied March 28, 2023, 4:37 PM EDT
response: Hi Cameron, Thanks for reaching out! Are you able to send photos of the whole trees, as well as scale the size of the holes for me? Some of the holes look really large to me, but that just might be because the branches/trunks are smaller than they look? Thanks! Hania

responder: The Question Asker Replied March 31, 2023, 10:20 AM EDT
response: Hi Hania,  Thanks for getting back to me! I really appreciate it. Attached are a few additional photos. I included a full tree photo of the one with the most damage. I also included a few photos with a quarter for size reference. Cam  IMG_3530.JPG IMG_3531.JPG IMG_3532.JPG IMG_3533.JPG IMG_3534.JPG IMG_3535.JPG IMG_3536.JPGOn Tue, Mar 28, 2023 at 2:37 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Hania Oleszak  Replied March 31, 2023, 1:36 PM EDT
response: Hi Cam, Thanks for sending those over - unfortunately, I need access to open the photos. Would you, by any chance, be able to send those directly to my email? <personal data hidden> Thank you!!! Hania
Appropriate Replacement of dead shrubs

Question: Hello, the December 24, 2022 winter storm killed all of my front shrubs.  I am interested in replacing them with a hardier non-toxic to dogs, no berry/dropping,non-flowering, non bird attracting,  low scent, green year round shrub.

Do you have any recommendations for replacement of boxwoods, giant juniper (I think?) -south east facing front yard, south west side yard.     Please see attached pictures.

Thank you for your time!

responder: Charles E. Stamper, Ed.D.   Replied April 12, 2023, 12:09 PM EDT
response: Hello. Thank you for your questions. Unfortunately, the pictures did not come through clearly. Could you please send them directly to the Fayette County Horticulture Agent for assistance? I apologize for the delay.  Jamie A. DockeryExtension Agent, Horticulture<personal data hidden><personal data hidden>Fayette County Extension Office1140 Harry Sykes WayLexington, Kentucky 40504

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 12, 2023, 6:35 PM EDT
response: We dug up the dead boxwood and Leyland Cypress - what shrub is hardy and green all year with no berries, strong odor, sap or toxicity to animals to replace them with? ThanksOn Apr 12, 2023, at 12:09 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Charles E. Stamper, Ed.D.   Replied May 08, 2023, 1:17 PM EDT
response: Hello,  Thank you for your patience. Please see attached document.
Beetle larvae found in firewood

Question: I am trying to figure out what kind of insect I have eating my firewood.

responder: Evelyn Locke, MN Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor, Volunteer    Replied March 27, 2023, 8:35 AM EDT
response: It looks like a flat head borer of some kind. They are often species specific. Try a search of flat head beetles of the species of wood it is eating with google.

responder: The Question Asker Replied March 27, 2023, 10:35 PM EDT
response: I did a lot of searching as suggested, but In my research, it seems this is a type of round head boring beetle larvae.   I've found them in Apple wood (dead and cut for many years) and cherry firewood obtained at "MN DNR certified" vendors.  it seems that these larvae do not get very big - about 3/4" long or so.  Definitely 1" or less.    I have never seen an adult beetle present on my firewood or apple wood, only the grubs.   They have not bothered any of my live trees in my yard, only cut and long dead dry fruit wood trees it seems.    On Mon, Mar 27, 2023 at 7:35 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Evelyn Locke, MN Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor, Volunteer    Replied March 28, 2023, 6:48 AM EDT
response: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/pests-weeds-diseases/insects/what-are-those-worms-my-firewood https://www.mrtreeservices.com/blog/why-are-there-worms-in-my-firewood/ https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/E-67/E-67.html It is highly likely that the larvae you are finding only live in dead wood. Hopefully the links above will be helpful.
Removing ivy from a steep hill

Question: What is the most efficient way to remove ivy from a steep hillside where it isn’t safe to dig it out? I have been sitting on the hill and hand pulling it away from desired vegetation.

responder: Jacki D., Master Gardener Diagnostician Volunteer (Washington, Multnomah and Clackamas Counties) Oregon State University Extension Service Volunteer Metro Master Gardeners (http://metromastergardeners.org/) Replied March 28, 2023, 12:50 AM EDT
response: Ivy is tenacious and does a good job at holding soil on a steep slope. I can give you information about how to approach removing ivy, and how to prioritize the areas where success is most likely. First, though, what is your plan for replacing the ivy? Erosion is a factor on a hill like this. There's a retaining wall at the bottom that looks like soil and water could overflow it in heavy rains.  How long have you been removing the ivy by hand? It often regrows within a year or two, discouraging gardeners. I don't have easy answers for you, but recommend you have a full plan for your project, and possibly approach it over multiple years so desirable plants have time to establish in a progression. Here's some reading. Ask follow up questions here or contact the Metro Master Gardeners directly.  Ivy removal in a home landscape. Solve pest problems about ivy removal. Ivy files from Portland Park.

responder: The Question Asker Replied March 28, 2023, 12:49 PM EDT
response: Hello, thank you for your response. I and my husband and a neighbor are slowly adding natives back to the slope. What natives can compete best with the ivy? I have been clearing the ivy away from areas where we are planting natives. It is a long, hard, tedious process, but the reward is worth the effort.SusanSent from my iPhone On Mar 27, 2023, at 9:50 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Jacki D., Master Gardener Diagnostician Volunteer (Washington, Multnomah and Clackamas Counties) Oregon State University Extension Service Volunteer Metro Master Gardeners (http://metromastergardeners.org/) Replied March 29, 2023, 12:07 AM EDT
response: The ivy out-competes almost everything. I suggest you focus on natives suited to the soil, drainage, and light exposure of your site. Monitoring for ivy regrowth will be part of ongoing maintenance. This publication, EC 1557, is a basic about natives. Watering for the first years is needed to get most established. Soil and water conservation districts in the area are good sources for bare-root plants, with sales often held January to March. Recovering a patch of soil is rewarding: best wishes.
Azalea with single cluster of curling, tiny stems and leaves

Question: Hi there - I searched the ask2.extension website trying to find an question/response like mine but couldn't find anything (nor could I find anything on the Google)... This anomaly was found on two plants that row of 4 or 5 azaleas against a west facing, wood-sided garage. I didn't see any visible infestation on the otherwise seemingly healthy hedgerow. These two abnormal tufts reminded me of a variation on rose rosette. Wondering if this is something that just should be removed or treated. Many thanks (grateful for this service!) ...

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 March 27, 2023, 4:52 PM EDT
response: We've seen this before on occasion, and it appears to be a phenomenon known as "witches' broom." What causes this can be varied (though in this case isn't usually serious) and the affected stems can be trimmed off. If it returns after one or more removals in different seasons, it might be caused by a pathogen, but even in that event it's not something virulent enough that we ever see it spreading from plant to plant aggressively. Sometimes exposure to certain herbicides can cause growth abnormalities like this type of stunting and congestion, but in that event we'd expect to see more affected stems. In both cases -- herbicide injury and a genuine witches' broom -- only new growth produced while it's exposed to the agent causing the mutations will be affected; that is, it can't retroactively shrink or distort existing and older foliage/branches.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 01, 2023, 2:30 PM EDT
response: Thank you, Miri!!! I so appreciate having this information.
How do I safely remove all of the grass from my front yard that includes a steep slope?

Question: I recently purchased a home this winter and am starting to be able to see a very overgrown lawn under the snow.  Whatever type of grass this is, it seems to grow in tufts and has all gotten tall enough to fall over.  Additionally, the frontmost 40 - 50% of the lawn is on a steep slope pointed towards the street.  Ultimately, I don't want grass at all; I'd much rather have a garden of some kind.  I don't have funds to hire a landscaper right now, and I don't have the strength or endurance to uproot all of the grass myself.  Also, I'd rather not wash the entire slope into the street during the first rain.  Can you recommend a good way to remove the grass and some sort of ground cover that can protect the ground for a few years, until I can figure out how I'd like to finish the yard?

responder: MJ Replied March 26, 2023, 9:22 AM EDT
response: Hi Lisa, It’s hard to tell at this time of year, but some of that grass looks like it may be a no-mow, low-care variety that was planted as a ground cover to hold the slope. They grow five or six inches high and flop over, never getting any higher. See this: https://turf.umn.edu/mow-no-mow What it is will be clearer when it begins to grow in spring.If you want to remove the grass and replant, it’s a big job. You can kill the grass with a chemical like glyphosate (be aware this chemical will kill anything green, so care is required), dig it up or use solarization. Here’s info on that: https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/solarization-occultation Planting a ground cover means laying burlap or landscape fabric to hold the soil until the plants get established. If you’re looking for a more carefree approach to the yard while you get settled in your house, leaving the front slope as it is until you’re ready to tackle this project may be the easiest thing to do. Hope this helps. Feel free to contact us again once the plants are growing. Identification will be easier then.

responder: The Question Asker Replied March 30, 2023, 7:18 PM EDT
response: Thank you very much for your response.  I'll give the grass a little time to come back and see what it looks like then.  Lisa WassermanOn Sun, Mar 26, 2023, 8:22 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: MJ Replied March 31, 2023, 8:04 PM EDT
response: You’re welcome!
Tree Trimming

Question: We planted this Autumn Blaze Maple tree about five years ago.  When the wind storm came through in December 2021, it took down a branch on the side.  Because of it, we let the lower branch continue to grow instead of trimming it off, as we had originally planned.  Now that lower branch has grown quite a bit over the past couple of years.  I need to trim up the tree before it fully comes out of hibernation, but how can I go about shaping this tree better without taking too much off?

responder: Thank you,  Replied March 27, 2023, 9:30 AM EDT
response: Hi Geri thank you for using Ask Extension.   Do you need to cut that lower branch off? What are your intended goals or outcome by removing it? We sometimes get into a mindset that lower branches are bad for the tree when in truth it's quite the opposite. Lower branches help develop strong taper in the trunk preventing it from looking like a lollipop.   If you do plan on removing it now is a great time. Research has changed when it comes to pruning trees. We used to recommend doing it when the tree is dormant. However, we now know that trees are better able to respond in mid-March through late May or early June. Maple trees do not seal over wounds well. By waiting another week or so we increase the trees ability to seal over the wound.  In short. If you do not need to remove the branch - don't.

responder: The Question Asker Replied March 27, 2023, 2:41 PM EDT
response: Some of the lower branches become more in the way as the year progresses. Our dogs have decided to also use those lower branches as perch-points for treeing squirrels. ‍♀️ I'm just never sure how much is okay to prune, so I've only ever done very minimal trims and just deal with the unexpected clotheslining and face-slapping when I mow or am in that area of the yard.  Haha I'll leave the bigger branch there and just trim up some of the smallest lower branches this year, and I'll be sure to wait a few more weeks, too.     Thanks for your help!     Geri   Get Outlook for Android  From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Sent: Monday, March 27, 2023 8:30:23 AM To: Geri Surley <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: Tree Trimming (#0093384)
Please identify the pest and and how to manage it

Question: Greetings. After years of successfully growing bananas and plantains, this plantain plant look fragile as if I already harvested a crop, which it still has not produced. I took out a son and it looked damaged. If possible, I want to know what is causing it and how to manage it (organically). Thanks

responder: Roberto M. Pereira, Ph.D.  EXTENSION PROFESSOR Florida Pest Management Assoc. Endowed Professor   Replied March 27, 2023, 8:57 AM EDT
response: This plant is probably too far gone to allow a precise cause of death at this point in time.  Some fungal diseases are common on banana plants such as Panama disease ( or Fusarium wilt) caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense.  Also, bacterial diseases may occur such as Rhizome rot caused by  Erwinia carotovora or Erwinia chrysanthemi.

responder: The Question Asker Replied March 27, 2023, 7:40 PM EDT
response: Greetings.Thank you for sharing your knowledge.On Mon, Mar 27, 2023, 8:57 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Boxwood plants are yellow

Question: I have boxwood plants along my driveway that are turning yellow and I am not sure if I need to discard them or treat them. They have been there for ten years, but this year the leaves are yellowing. The drainage isn't great, they are along a driveway and a fence, but they have prospered for years. Can you provide insight if I have a plant that needs to be treated or discarded?

responder: Yen.H OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer  Replied March 28, 2023, 10:54 AM EDT
response: Hi Carl. From your images, it looks like you might have Boxwood Leafminer problem. This is caused by leafminer flies laying eggs into the leaves and the hatched larva would then feed on the leaf. You can try to prune your boxwood back. If you are willing to use chemical, you can use an insecticide (such as spinosad). Please be sure to follow the label for your safety and effectiveness. For more info, please read the article here   Boxwood Leafminer on Shrubs | University of Maryland Extension (umd.edu)  or here:  Boxwood leafminer (missouribotanicalgarden.org)  For other boxwood diseases, PennState Extension has a good list:   Boxwood Diseases (psu.edu)  I hope you have great success treating your boxwoods.

responder: The Question Asker Replied March 28, 2023, 11:01 AM EDT
response: Thank you for your help! I was happy to see this service and get help-a pleasant surprise to get the information, as for the boxwoods, I will work on thatCarl Kilduski On Tue, Mar 28, 2023, 10:54 Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Yen.H OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer  Replied March 28, 2023, 11:03 AM EDT
response: You are very welcome. I have a long row of boxwood along my drive too so totally understand your concerns.
Fungus? Root growth? Trying to identify mystery organism on exposed tree roots

Question: Hi. We noticed a weird spiraling substance on several of the exposed roots of a large tree. It wasn't on all the roots, but it did seem to be on the largest ones. Have never seen anything like it before, so we're mystified as to what it might be. Hoping you can help! This was at McCrillis Gardens in Bethesda on March 21. Thanks!

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 March 27, 2023, 2:45 PM EDT
response: Hi,  Thanks for sending in this photo - it is so interesting! To our knowledge and research this looks to be the inside of a burl. Tree burls grow for various reasons but as a response to some type of damage either from environmental cause (weather, freeze, lightning strike), insect damage, fungus etc. There is not much of a scientific explanation as to why this happens though. Since this was at the base of the tree, maybe it was mowed over at some point and caused the tree to grow like this. We don't think it is damaging the growth of the tree.  Nature is neat!   Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied March 27, 2023, 3:22 PM EDT
response: Thanks so much for the quick response!! We'd sort of reached the same conclusion after consulting with a number of other sites — but you hit all the elements that had been discussed so far, in a single response!Really appreciate your getting back to me!Take care —Betsy *****************************Betsy Rubinstein6408 Stratford RoadChevy Chase, MD 20815Ph:<personal data hidden>*****************************  On Mar 27, 2023, at 2:45 PM, 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 March 28, 2023, 12:52 PM EDT
response: you're welcome! That is a really neat thing to see!