MIRAGE-Benchmark/MIRAGE huggingface dataset:
Weed Identification

Question: Hello, Could you help me identify this weed please? It is massive! We live on a county road surrounded by fields. I would like to identify it when young so that I can pull out early. Thank you!

responder: Don Creamer   Replied August 20, 2024, 9:05 AM EDT
response: Hi Hancock County, sorry I'm late in getting to this.  The internet here is spotty at times.  The plant is GIANT RAGWEED, Ambrosia trifida.  It can get 10 or more feet tall and is a huge plant with a lot of seed produced as well as pollen to irritate anyone nearby and not so nearby.   I would caution you that when you start pulling out this giant weed that you can get a massive dose of pollen just from disturbing the pollen on the flowers.  My dad decided he would use the brush hog on a plot with a lot of ragweed one summer.  He didn't notice anything until evening and then he couldn't talk for several days.  It is a vicious weed.  Get a mask!  Giant ragweed comes up very early in the spring and makes a huge root system that feeds the giant plant to tower above the cornstalks.  It produces tons of seed and lots of pollen.  Be careful.  Don

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 20, 2024, 12:55 PM EDT
response: Thank you, Don! Your response was so helpful to me! My husband is allergic to agreed, so we will now be more vigilant around this and he wears a mask for outside work now. Thanks, again! On Tue, Aug 20, 2024, 9:05 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Don Creamer   Replied August 21, 2024, 1:24 PM EDT
response: Hi again, I found a very complete write up on ragweed including the seeds and seedlings that start to show up in March.  They are very distinctive and easily spotted and are easy at that time to use a hoe and get them out of the way.  This is the site:  https://offer.osu.edu/blog/september-27-2019-137pm/giant-ragweed-weed-extremes  A mask would be useful because when you disturb the stalk of the plant you can watch the cloud of pollen swirling around.  WOW!!  Don

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 21, 2024, 1:46 PM EDT
response: Thank you so much! I appreciate your time in researching this! On Wed, Aug 21, 2024, 1:24 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Yellow jacket I’d and advice

Question: Hello. We think we have yellow jackets who have made a huge nest inside the house siding on our deck. They fly very fast and crazy. We can’t go outside. Is this a yellow jacket? Can you suggest how we can deal with this? Our daughter begins UMD next week! Thank you!!! Go, terps!!!

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 19, 2024, 9:57 AM EDT
response: Yes, these do look like Yellowjackets, though there are several species in Maryland and we can't see enough body markings clearly to determine which one this is. (For management options, it won't matter.) The only recourse is to either spray the nest entrance (if it can be located) with wasp spray, as per product label directions, or to hire a pest control professional with wasp removal experience to take care of it for you. Some can vacuum out the wasps in order to remove the nest with less risk of stings, though even then, they will probably use at least a little bit of wasp spray. More than one spray treatment might be needed. Ideally, once under control, the nest should be removed from the wall void so the dying larvae in the combs are not a draw for mice or other pests. Otherwise, nests are not re-used from year to year.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 20, 2024, 1:55 PM EDT
response: Thank you very much, Miri! I’ve taken steps to eliminate the threat. Wish we could coexist. Alas…MikeSent from Yahoo Mail for iPhoneOn Monday, August 19, 2024, 9:57 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 20, 2024, 1:58 PM EDT
response: You're welcome.
Tomato fruit problem

Question: This season, I find a newish problem..interior of several ripe tomatoes with large area of brownish, hard 'core'..  A change we made to soil preparation this year was tilling in the bat poop that collects in our barn loft --- any possible connection there???  Thanks in advance for your help.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 21, 2024, 10:48 AM EDT
response: Thank you for your question. Internal fruit rots tend to occur when opportunistic pathogens enter the fruit through any openings or wound sites. Do the tomatoes have any growth cracks or areas where it looks like the rot-causing organisms could have entered the fruit? Microbes can sometimes enter through the stem end when water pools there as well. I do not think the bat manure would have anything to do with this fruit rot issue per se. As a reminder, using any animal manure poses risks in terms of produce safety, especially a less commonly used type like bat manure that has not been composted or sterilized. Make sure you are following best practices such as proper sanitation of equipment/tools and applying any manure well in advance of harvest. Feel free to reach out to any of our MSU staff who specialize in produce safety with any specific questions on using manure as a fertilizer source : https://www.canr.msu.edu/agrifood_safety/Contact-Us/

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 23, 2024, 2:18 PM EDT
response: Thank you for the followup information..  I'll continue with my harvest & processing as usual --- always using on the 'cut out the ugly stuff' approach.  The tomatoes we grow are rarely pretty -- lots of blips, bumps & cracks, and the plants themselves begin to yellow and drop leaves (bottom up) well before fruit is ripe -- always plenty of fruit, just ugly plants -- see attached photo.  We presume this to be some form of fungal blight -- have tried many 'sure things' to avoid, but......Our variety of choice (for size, shape, flavor) is Better Boy.  Is there a variety you would recommend that may be more resistant to 'yuk'??Thanks again for your commentsJanie BareSent from AOL on Android  On Wed, Aug 21, 2024 at 10:48 AM, Ask Extension wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 29, 2024, 3:18 PM EDT
response: The larger tomato varieties tend to crack easier than smaller or cherry tomatoes. Jetstar and Mountain Spring are a few varieties that are claimed to be more resistant to cracking. Sometimes it will say in your seed catalog if a variety is less prone to cracking or other disorders. Fluctuations in water (like heavy rains) tend to cause tomatoes to crack - that is why it is much less of an issue for high tunnel tomatoes. To whatever extent possible, keep moisture consistent and that should help reduce defects that can lead to fruit rots.
Sunburst Maple turning autumn color

Question: We have a Sunburst Maple approximately 25’ tall. Some upper branches are turning a rust autumn color. The remainder of the tree has green leaves. We are concerned the early color change could be a result of Verticillium Wilt. We appreciate your advice.
Thank you

responder: Thanks for using Ask Extension  Replied August 19, 2024, 3:06 PM EDT
response: Michael The color change on your maple may be an environmental result and not verticillium wilt. It could be a result of the dry windy hot spell we had a few weeks ago. To be sure, I suggest that you take your samples to the Carvel Center for firm identification.  County Seat Highway is State Route 9, The Carvel Center is west of Georgetown just west of Sussex Tech High School.  Carvel Research and Education Center16483 County Seat Highway Georgetown, Delaware 19947 Thanks for using AskExtension Tony

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 20, 2024, 9:19 AM EDT
response: Thank you!  Mike  On Aug 19, 2024, at 3:06 PM, Ask Extension wrote:    ﻿
Older bush (Lilac?) in trouble

Question: What is the recommendation regarding the older bush pictured on the attached photos?  Can it be rejuvenated or saved?

responder: Lindsey K. Kerr, MS, MHP (she, her, hers)  Replied August 21, 2024, 11:03 AM EDT
response: This shrub is definitely a lilac. I think that with some judicious pruning, you can rejuvenate it. However, I would wait until late winter/early spring to prune it. Right now, if you were to prune it, it may push new growth that will not harden off before the winter cold hits and it could suffer additional die back. This fall, I would start by removing the rocks at the base of the shrub and any soil that is pile up around the crown (trunk) of the plant. I would remove the fallen leaves and put them in the city compost collection in case they have a bacteria or fungal disease. I would put arborist chips or a hardwood mulch or layer of shredded leaves at the base of the plant. In late winter or early spring, I would prune it. Here is a good resource from Nebraska Extension that explains how to rejuvenate lilacs. I would recommend using what the Nebraska publication calls a 3 year plan. I would use a handsaw and cut the largest trunk (to the left in your photos) basically to the ground. I would also remove 2-4 of the older, really gnarly trunks that I can see coming from near the center of the shrub. I would leave the younger growth. The shrub will push a lot of new growth during 2025. In late winter 2026, you can remove a few more of the oldest trunks and select which of the new trunks you want to keep. I do not recommend shearing lilacs. It looks like someone has sheared your lilac multiple times. It is better to prune it per the Nebraska article. If you find that you don't like its size or habit, and you are tempted to shear it to keep it in check, then you should probably remove it and replace with a shrub that behaves the way you want it to. If it comes to that, you can always send us a message asking for a recommendation of a plant that fits your parameters.

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 21, 2024, 11:20 AM EDT
response: Lindsey K. Kerr, MS, MHP (she, her, hers) Thank you for your detailed advice and instructions.  I will follow them since I'd like to save it, if it were possible. Murray DPost Resource Officer/Bar Committee Chairman American Legion Post 364     On Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at 11:03:22 AM EDT, Ask Extension wrote:
Pruning Ash trees neccessary?

Question: I want to start by saying thank you. The CSU extension is such a wonderful resource, and this Coloradan greatly appreciates your help. My wife and I were fortunate to purchase a house last year with a gorgeous ash that is about 35 years old. We recently had the ash treated for EAB and the Arborist mentioned that it has a poor structure and should be structurally pruned. They quoted us 2000$ which was quite a sticker shock. We want to take great care of our tree, but I am having trouble understanding some of the topics around pruning. Can someone please help me with these pruning questions? Can you please help me understand why 'urban' ash trees require pruning, even if they are not endangering any structures, when natural ash trees have longer lifespans and do not receive pruning? I don't mean to be dense, I am genuinely trying to understand. When is the best time to prune? I have heard conflicting things - my Arborist says any time is ok, but I've also heard it should only be done in winter. What is correct?The Arborist recommended a structural pruning every five years. Does this seem reasonable? They also recommended a fertlization that costs about $200. We mulch our grass and yard clippings and apply compost and pellet fertilizer 2x a year. Is more fertilization really beneficial? Thank you for all of your time and help. I hope you have a great rest of your day. Best, John

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 22, 2024, 9:48 AM EDT
response: Good morning! Thank you for reaching out - these are great questions! Urban trees usually have less space for their roots than trees in a natural forest. Your tree has some great space for its roots but it also has concrete on all four sides of it which can stress out it's roots.  I always suggest frequent pruning on trees! Every three to five years. This helps provide the tree with a strong canopy for any weather stresses and allows it to grow successfully in an urban setting. Pruning is expensive but it is worth it. Once the arborists get up into the tree they may be able to see some weaker structures within the tree that need to be pruned out as well as any initial signs of Emerald Ash Borer. Winter is the best time to prune because you can see the structure of the tree better without the leaves, but pruning now is not going to be detrimental to the tree. If you can wait, I would suggest waiting till the tree defoliates to prune. Arborists will usually do a deep root fertilization which is more targeted to those roots that can absorb the nutrients instead of the woodier roots at the surface. Let me know if you have any more questions!Rachel

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 24, 2024, 4:57 PM EDT
response: Thanks Rachel. I really appreciate all of the help!
What is happening to my Deep Rose Magenta Petunias?

Question: They were healthy when I planted them earlier this summer and then the color of the flowers started fading to pink and then white. Then they produced deformed light colored flowers before stopping blooming altogether after I deadheaded them. The leaves appear to be  normal except for a few spots on them here and there and after they stopped blooming they formed witches broom type growths on the tips.

responder: Linda G Tenneson, Benton County Extension Master Gardener & Tree Care Advisor Replied August 17, 2024, 4:23 PM EDT
response: Aster Yellows is the likely culprit. See these web pages. https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/annualperennial/petunia/flowersmalformed.html https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/aster-yellows

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 17, 2024, 11:41 PM EDT
response: Thank you for your help. Aster Yellows was what I was thinking, too On Sat, Aug 17, 2024, 3:23 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Red Sunset Maples pale leaves and smaller than others planted at same time

Question: Hello, We have a tree line of red sunset maples planted at the same time approx 7 years ago—see pics.  2 doing well, 4 leaves are paling with main vein being pronounced green (these trees are much smaller also).  I have included close up of the pale leaves of smaller trees and the non-pale leaves of the larger trees. Can you advise of possible problem and how to correct?

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 18, 2024, 10:22 AM EDT
response: It appears that your maples are suffering from iron deficiency.  This is not uncommon in the Midewest due to high pH (alkaline) soil. As the pH increases, it makes it more difficult for trees to access essential nutrients, including iron and sometimes manganese. Chlorophyll, which gives plants their green color, is necessary for photosynthesis, the process that creates a plant's energy. Iron (and manganese) deficiency results in leaf yellowing (chlorosis).  Over time, this can cause scorching of foliage, dieback and even death of the tree.  A quick method to conclusively diagnose which micronutrient deficiency a plant has involves spraying solutions of iron, magnesium, manganese or zinc sulfate (approximately 5% weight/volume or approximately 1 ½-2 tablespoons  per quart of distilled water on separate branches of an affected tree, and observing which, if any of the treatments  correct the chlorosis. Access to these solutions can be difficult for the home gardener.  So, I recommend taking a soil sample to your local extension office.  They can send the sample out for pH and micronutrient testing and recommend a specific treatment.  Locate an Office | OSU Extension   Depending on the results, you may be able to acidify the soil, add compounds to the soil to make the micronutrients more availables or apply a foliar spray.   It is important that you do this soon, as this condition will continue to weaken your trees.  Fact sheet about Iron Chlorosis: BP-27-W.pdf (purdue.edu)  All the best, Roxanne

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 20, 2024, 9:12 AM EDT
response: Thank you so much!CherylSent from my iPad On Aug 18, 2024, at 10:22 AM, Ask Extension wrote:﻿

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 20, 2024, 2:11 PM EDT
response: Cheryl You are most welcome. ROX
Tree identification

Question: This upright evergreen has volunteered next to my driveway.  The only similar tree I have in my yard is a crawling evergreen.  Can you identify this tree and give me information on how big it may get and what kind of shape it will have?  Thank you.

responder: Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I answer using human intelligence, not AI)  Replied August 17, 2024, 11:37 AM EDT
response: Both your pictures are very low resolution. I can do much better with closer in and 2-3 meg.   However, the top one looks like a volunteer Eastern Red Cedar.  https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/tree/eastern-red-cedar https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/trees/eastern-red-cedar.html  The bottom one is some kind of creeping juniper.  https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/shrub/creeping-juniper  We are seeing very high die off of magnolia because of scale.  Junipers are thriving. You should take that into account in making landscaping decisions.

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 19, 2024, 7:59 PM EDT
response: Thank you. On Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 10:37:18 AM CDT, Ask Extension wrote:
raspberries

Question: I live in rural Minnesota and have many areas of raspberry plants that grow well. They don’t seem to bear fruit though. At first I tried to tear them out since they were growing everywhere but in recent years I’ve let them grow wild. But no berries. Are they not a viable fruit?

responder: Maureen Graber  Replied August 17, 2024, 8:45 AM EDT
response: Good Morning Rhonda,  Thank you for contacting the U of M Extension Service.  Are these garden plants? Or are they wild raspberries? Please click on the following link from the U of M Extension Yard and Garden website: https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-raspberries-home-garden Here is another link that discusses raspberries: https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/viruses-backyard-fruit If they are wild bramble plants, they may or may not produce fruit. Or, the birds might get the fruit before you do! Good Luck!

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 17, 2024, 10:06 AM EDT
response: How would I tell if they are non bearing brambles vs raspberries since they seem to look alike. My plant identifier app, picture this, says they’re raspberries. Rhonda<personal data hidden> <personal data hidden>On Aug 17, 2024, at 7:45 AM, Ask Extension wrote:﻿

responder: Maureen Graber  Replied August 18, 2024, 9:00 AM EDT
response: Good Morning Rhonda,  The genusRubus includes raspberries and blackberries. In Minnesota, there are 33 native species and 2 named hybrids known. Your plant app will recognize the plant as a "raspberry".  It does not define the subgenera. There are two species of dwarf raspberries (cyclactis),  1 species of cloudberry (Chamaemorus) one species of thimbleberry (Anaplobatus), 2 species and 1 hybrid of raspberries (Idaeobatus) and 27 species of highbush blackberries, dewberries and bristle-berries (Rubus).  When attempting to identify blackberries, it is essential to remember that the canes (stems) are biennial; they live for only two years. During the first year, the cane will produce only leaves and is called a primocane. The second year, the same cane will produce flowers and is then called a floricane. This second year is when they will produce fruit. So you can have primocanes and floricanes on the same plant in the same year.  These details are from Trees and Shrubs of Minnesota by Welby R. Smith. Please click on this link from MN Wildflowers  where you can do further research on your plants: https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/search?kw=rubus Garden raspberry plants are bred by the growers to produce large, healthy berries to grow in the garden. You would purchase them at a plant nursery. I hope the above information helps with your identification.  Good Luck!
Nimblewill native grass identification

Question: I think this is Nimbleweed. Are you able to confirm based on this photo? Thank you!

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 17, 2024, 4:27 PM EDT
response: I meant to write Nimblewill.  Thanks!

responder: Answered by theHome 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 19, 2024, 1:07 PM EDT
response: Update:  I was able to have a colleague who is better on grass i.d. than I take a look and she does think that you have our native Nimblewill pictured.   Can you share another photo with the grass growing in place and with a coin or ruler in the photo? Here is our page on Nimblewill to compare:  https://extension.umd.edu/resource/nimblewill/   Christine

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 21, 2024, 4:53 PM EDT
response: Hi Christine,Thank you for your reply.  I am still trying to track down where I found this grass.  JaniceSent from Yahoo Mail for iPhoneOn Monday, August 19, 2024, 3:10 PM, 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 22, 2024, 12:05 PM EDT
response: you're welcome. Feel free to reach out again if you need further assistance.

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 24, 2024, 6:32 PM EDT
response: Hello Christine,Here are additional photos.  I think this is the same grass although it’s a different area in the yard.  It’s mixed in with a lot of Creeping Charlie. Please see what you think.  Thank you!JaniceSent from Yahoo Mail for iPhoneOn Thursday, August 22, 2024, 12:05 PM, 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 26, 2024, 12:00 PM EDT
response: Hi Janice, Thanks for the additional photos. We have all looked at them and agree that it looks like Nimblewill to us. and yes some creeping charlie in there too.  Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 26, 2024, 2:30 PM EDT
response: Thanks Emily!  I am so excited! I will get after this patch of Creeping Charlie and give the Nimblewill some space.JaniceSent from Yahoo Mail for iPhoneOn Monday, August 26, 2024, 12:00 PM, 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 26, 2024, 2:46 PM EDT
response: great! you're welcome!