MIRAGE-Benchmark/MIRAGE huggingface dataset:
Winter squash taking over garden

Question: Hi there. This is my first year growing winter squash and I clearly did not understand how much room it needed. These baby butternut plants are engulfing all the nearby eggplant and cucumber plants and just keep going. What can I do at this point to help keep them in check and give more breathing room for the plants around them? There are plenty of squash starting to develop, so I'm not sure how best to trim it back if that's what should be done. I think it's too late for trellising. Thanks for any advice you can provide.

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 July 24, 2024, 1:49 PM EDT
response: You can try to prune them back by leaving around 3 to 5 developing fruits to keep the vine growing well, while also ensuring you have enough squash to harvest. You can cut the vines with no developing fruit at the base or cut at one or two leaf nodes beyond the last fruit. You may have to do this every few weeks or so to keep it at bay and let the other plants have some space and light. Another option besides pruning is to redirect the stems by gently picking them up and positioning them in a better way. If they have began to root, gently loosen the roots from the soil before you try to move them. The vines may appear wilted once moved, but should recover in a few days. You can make sure to provide sufficient watering. Some squash varieties also take well to training up an A-frame trellis or within a tomato cage, which will free up space on the ground. As long as you don’t cut the main stem or crush the leaves the plant should be fine.  Let us know if you have further questions.  Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 29, 2024, 7:46 PM EDT
response: Thanks, Emily! I appreciate your advice.  On Wed, Jul 24, 2024 at 1:49 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 July 30, 2024, 10:50 AM EDT
response: You're welcome!
Echinacea yellowing

Question: I have a few large patches of common echinacea in my yard and throughout these patches are a few plants that look like this picture. I hope you can tell me what’s wrong and how to fix it as I love these flowers and so do the pollinators and birds. Thank you!

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 24, 2024, 11:03 PM EDT
response: Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.  I have linked three fact sheets regarding echinacea disease.  None of the diseases listed seemed to correlate with your pictures.  What do you think?  Please let us know if you have further questions.  Carol B. MGV  https://extension.psu.edu/echinacea-diseases https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/echinacea/ https://crowwingmastergardeners.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Echinacea_Coneflower.pdf

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 25, 2024, 8:24 AM EDT
response: I agree with you that none of these seem to describe my echinacea problem. Can you recommend another place/person I can go to for advice/diagnosis? Thanks so much!Sent from my iPhone On Jul 24, 2024, at 11:03 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:   ﻿

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 30, 2024, 9:01 PM EDT
response: Hello again!  I'm not sure what county you live in in Ohio but I suggest you contact your local OSU extension agent.  Give them a call.  They may want pictures emailed or have you bring in a sample.  Below is a link to find your local office.  Carol B. MGV   https://extension.osu.edu/lao#county
Pole Bean Problems

Question: Hi, 
Generally pole beans do amazingly in my garden, but this year is different. They have not reached the usual height, they have good looking leaves towards the base but the upper leaves are small and curled in with yellow edges and exaggerated veins. They are flowing but mostly not producing fruit. Some of the growing tips are also brown. I noticed these changes during the 100+ hear wave a couple weeks ago but the look of the plants doesn't seem to resemble heat stress in online pictures. 
Thanks for your help!

responder: Deb K  Replied July 24, 2024, 4:46 PM EDT
response: Thanks for contacting "Ask Extension" with your question about your pole beans. From your pictures, I suspect this is herbicide damage. Phenoxy-type herbicides, such as ones containing 2,4-D, are most often the culprit. These herbicides are absorbed by the plant and transported to its growing points, and can cause damage at just 1/100 of the label rate. Unfortunately, they are quite volatile (especially the ester types), and can drift up to a mile or more, especially with even relatively light (10 mph) winds, and some formulations can even re-volatilize for days after spraying, when temperatures are over 80 to 90 F degrees. Because air currents are usually quite variable, damage can be spotty, and may even “skip” over one portion of a field, making it more difficult to determine the source. Hope this helps!

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 24, 2024, 9:31 PM EDT
response: Yikes!! Thanks Deb for your response! I did have a neighbor spray out some blackberries not 15 feet from these beans on the other side of a wooden fence. Would you suggest giving the whole plants a good drenching to try to rinse it off? My irrigation is from small sprinkler heads and don't wet anything above about a foot.  Thanks again for your help!  On Wed, Jul 24, 2024, 1:46 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Deb K  Replied July 25, 2024, 9:23 AM EDT
response: Rinsing off the plants with water is effective, but it has to be done within 3 hours after contact with the herbicide.  The only thing you can do now is to keep the beans as healthy as possible by giving them adequate water and fertilizer. (But don't give excessive amounts of either!) You want to give your plants the best chance possible to recover.    If your neighbor is receptive, you might give him the following recommendations to avoid herbicide drift.  Never spray when it is windy. Any herbicide can drift due to the slightest breeze. Drift can be reduced by lowering sprayer pressure to produce coarse spray droplets. Keep spray boom or nozzles close to the ground and spray only the targeted area. When applying herbicides containing 2,4-D, use only the amine or the low volatile formulations and spray when air temperatures are below 80F.  Here is a link to an article from Utah State University with more information about herbicidal drift. https://extension.usu.edu/planthealth/ipm/notes_orn/list-treeshrubs/herbicide-injury#:~:text=Water%20dilutes%20the%20herbicide%20and,may%20not%20give%20any%20control. Happy Gardening!
Withering elderberry bush

Question: I have an elderberry bush that has leaves slowly turning yellow.  This started over the past two or three weeks  and ,now, the leaves  are getting brown on the edges.  I watered it once two weeks ago and then really drenched it last week but didn’t Notice Any change for  The Better.
I’ve attached three photos of the
Bush to show what it looks like.

Also, I have another elderberry, that is a different variety,  next to it that doesn’t have this problem 
I’m looking forward to your advice on what I can, do if anything, to help this bush
Thank you

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 July 24, 2024, 9:58 AM EDT
response: Elderberry prefers moist soil and the ongoing drought we've had most of the summer has caused many plants stress, especially those that don't want to dry out like Elderberry. While the watering you provided should help, it can't reverse any damage that developed before that point; leaves can't heal, though new growth should look better if drought was the main contributor to damage.  Overlapping issues may also be present, like spider mite feeding on the leaves being a potential cause of the yellowing. A fungal leaf spot infection might be causing some of the brown spots (earlier drought stress might be causing others), but it does not require treatment. If you are growing Elderberries for harvest, we do have a fairly new web page with cultivation tips that might be useful: Less Common Fruits for a Home Garden. If grown only for wildlife value instead, then less routine care is needed.  For now, just keep monitoring it for watering needs and check for spider mites on the leaf undersides. If they are present or abundant, a strong spray of plain water from a garden hose will knock some of them off (make sure any hot water is emptied first), and if repeated every few days or so for a few cycles. Aim the spray at the underside of the leaves. It's possible the other plant that looks better was less stressed for some reason or happens to have more resistance to leaf spot.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 24, 2024, 11:57 AM EDT
response: I checked under the leaves and could not find any evidence of mites so I’ll just be more vigilant with watering. Thank you very much! Don

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 24, 2024, 11:57 AM EDT
response: I checked under the leaves and could not find any evidence of mites so I’ll just be more vigilant with watering. Thank you very much! Don

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 July 24, 2024, 12:17 PM EDT
response: You're welcome.
Should I remove low hanging Baldfaced Hornet nest over walkway?

Question: The nest is only 7 or 8 feet up in a low branch, and kids walk by going to school. I’ve read these can sometimes be left alone, but I’m afraid a kid might get a stick and mess with it. Should this be removed?

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 July 24, 2024, 11:24 AM EDT
response: As ecologically beneficial, native members of our ecosystem, we would normally say that removal is not recommended if a Baldfaced Hornet nest can be avoided until autumn/winter, when the nest members will die out. If some type of fencing, sign, or other warning or barrier can't be used to keep people far enough away from the nest (a few feet in all directions should be all that's needed, both for people walking and anyone mowing the grass directly under the nest), then it might need to be treated. Wasp spray, used as directed on the product label, is the only option, and it will kill the wasps (probably over the course of a few days).  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 24, 2024, 12:58 PM EDT
response: Okay, thanks very much.  On Wed, Jul 24, 2024 at 11:24 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 July 24, 2024, 1:12 PM EDT
response: You're welcome.
Fungus Treatment?

Question: The plants in my yard are showing major signs of sickness and this year these random tiny dots showed up on my siding so I googled it and it looks like it may be artillery fungus which lives in rotting mulch- is this the same thing making my plants sick? How do I treat them?

responder: Barbara, Anoka County MG, TCA Replied July 23, 2024, 10:37 PM EDT
response: I do not believe the two things are related except for moisture.  Moisture is needed for the fungus to grow and your daylilies look like they are too wet.  That will cause the yellow spears.  The other plant has a form of leaf fungus. I believe it is Septoria Leaf Spot:  https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/annualperennial/rudbeckia/leavesspots.html  You can click on the link under that section for more information.  Again, the wet year has promoted a lot of leaf diseases too this year.  https://portal.ct.gov/caes/fact-sheets/plant-pathology/sphaerobolus-stellatus--the-artillery-fungus

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 25, 2024, 5:28 PM EDT
response: Thank you so much for the response! We haven’t even watered this year!Hopefully they’ll improve their health!  The pictures I sent were of irises and peonies not day lilies if there’s anything additional you might add based on that info- sorry- should have put that in my initial request. Sent from my iPhone On Jul 23, 2024, at 9:37 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:   ﻿

responder: Barbara, Anoka County MG, TCA Replied July 25, 2024, 6:19 PM EDT
response: Your iris also has leaf spot: https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/annualperennial/iris/leavesspots.html  They are awfully crowded.  Next month would be a good time to dig them and trim back the blades.  They replant with more room.
Crepe Myrtle

Question: My Crepe Myrtle is losing it's bark. I have had the tree the tree for several years and I don't remember this happening before.  Several squirrels are often present in this tree.

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 July 24, 2024, 9:38 AM EDT
response: Shedding outer bark layers is a normal feature for Crapemyrtle trees (once the wood reaches a certain age, which is why it's not present on young plants) and we don't see any health concerns in the photos.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 24, 2024, 5:20 PM EDT
response: Thank you very much!  Mary    On Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 09:38:12 AM EDT, 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 July 25, 2024, 7:57 AM EDT
response: You're welcome.
Tall Fescue Clumps

Question: I understand that the only way to get rid of tall fescue clumps is to kill and replant. Can you recommend a way to get an estimate from a reputable lawn professional.?

responder: Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I answer using human intelligence, not AI)  Replied July 23, 2024, 7:37 PM EDT
response: Thank you for writing. You can poison it https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/lawns/1529-tall-fescue-weed-bluegrass-lawns/#:~:text=You%20can%20spray%20fescue%20clumps,a%20new%20roll%20of%20sod. but on the other hand, a bluegrass lawn is an unstable monoculture. This might be  good time to consider moving to a diverse bee lawn. Here are some other management ideas.  https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/how-do-i-control-tall-fescue-my-lawn

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 23, 2024, 8:52 PM EDT
response: Hi Steve, I have been considering slowly killing the tall fescue and reseeding. But I live in an HOA which has a vendor do the lawn cutting. They buzz from yard to yard with their riding lawn mowers. So if I reduce the clumps in my yard, will they just be transferred back to my yard with the lawn mowers? Should I avoid purchasing any new seed with fescue in it? Thanks, Larry Bresina, Lake Elmo   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask ExtensionSent: Tuesday, July 23, 2024 6:38 PMTo: labbresina <<personal data hidden>>Subject: Re: Tall Fescue Clumps (#0148396)

responder: Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I answer using human intelligence, not AI)  Replied July 24, 2024, 1:07 PM EDT
response: Thank you for writing. I find no data suggesting that mowing increases the spread of tall fescue.  chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/TURF-63-W.pdf  Tall fescue is a bunch-type grass that spreads by tillering, or vertical shoots, that grow from the base of the plant.
Trying to identify Weed that has sprouted up

Question: Hello!
I'm trying to identify what this plant is that has started sprouting in a few spots in my yard.
I tried asking some Reddit forums and received multiple answers and wasn't able to narrow it down.
I was told it could be a harlequin glorybower (peanut butter tree) or Paulownia (empress tree).
I can't tell myself and understand there could be different repercussions for how each is removed!

responder: Sylvan Kaufman Replied July 24, 2024, 1:44 PM EDT
response: I think it probably is harlequin glorybower, Clerodendrum trichotomum, although I'm not personally very familiar with the tree. Empress tree (Paulownia tomentosa) tends to have large lobes or points on at least some leaves and the undersides of the leaves would have more hairs.  Here's a link to a short discussion on removing glorybower, https://ask2.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=415012#:~:text=Removing%20a%20suckering%20woody%20tree,the%20plant%20to%20the%20roots.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 24, 2024, 1:49 PM EDT
response: Hi Sylvan!  Thanks very much for your response. I believe you are correct - I've since discovered my neighbor has 2 harlequin glorybowers (peanut butter trees) along our fence line. and that seems like it would explain the shoots popping up.  Thanks again, Tyler Benson  mobile:<personal data hidden>      On Wed, Jul 24, 2024 at 1:44 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Yellowish Swiss Pine

Question: We have four Swiss Pine trees. Three of them are a nice green color and this one is yellowish. Any ideas what it may need?  Also, there is no clear leader at the top. Should I try to do something with that?  
Thanks!

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 23, 2024, 9:53 PM EDT
response: We can't determine what's affecting the tree by viewing the photos.    However, based upon what we can see, tip blight might be present.  This could account for dead and dying terminal growth on twigs and branches, especially near the top.  If tip blight is present, that may explain why the tree has no leader. Unfortunately, it won't be possible to address this problem until there is plenty of healthy new growth in the crown.  The following publication discusses tip blight and how to deal with it.  https://web.extension.illinois.edu/hortanswers/detailProblem.cfm?PathogenID=48  Several factors could account for the yellow (chlorotic) needles.  The following publication discusses pine tree chlorosis.  Although the information was  prepared for Indiana residents, most of it also applies to Minnesota.  https://ag.purdue.edu/department/btny/ppdl/potw-dept-folder/2021/chlorosis-of-pine-trees.html  Here is a reply to a similar question from Michigan.  https://ask2.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=238031  For a  certain diagnosis, ask a certified arborist to assess the tree's health onsite and recommend a course of action.  If you decide to do that, this information may be useful:  https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 25, 2024, 12:23 PM EDT
response: Thanks for the quick reply!  On Tue, Jul 23, 2024 at 8:53 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Lilac bush leaves turning brown

Question: I have a beautiful lilac bush that is turning brown and dry.  The seed pods are still green.  With all the rain, I can't believe it's lack of water.  I did a bit of trimming around the edges this spring, but have done that in the past without this effect.  Any idea what's causing this, and how I can fix it?

responder: Maureen Graber  Replied July 24, 2024, 8:08 AM EDT
response: Good Morning,  Thank you for contacting the U of M Extension Service.  We have had many questions from residents about their lilac shrubs. The problem is a bacterial leaf spot disease. Here is a link from the U of M Extension Yard and Garden website about leaf spot diseases: https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/leaf-spot-diseases-trees-and-shrubs#bacterial-leaf-spots-and-blight-1156513 If you scroll through the information there is a section about management. Hopefully the shrubs will recover.  Lilacs should be pruned in the spring AFTER they bloom, to encourage more blooms.  Here is a link about pruning shrubs to rejuvinate them: https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/pruning-trees-and-shrubs Good Luck!

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 25, 2024, 11:27 AM EDT
response: OK, So is now a good time to spray with "copper or streptomycin as an active ingredient"? Is there a better time of year for this treatment? Thank you!

responder: Maureen Graber  Replied July 26, 2024, 8:15 AM EDT
response: No, at this point, fungicides will not work. Please read through the information I previously sent to you.
Deer problem

Question: What can I do to stop deer from eating my hostas?

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 23, 2024, 12:50 PM EDT
response: Actually saw a doe eating the plants at 630 this morning. Beautiful animal I don't want to hurt just want to stop her salad diet!

responder: Thank you for contacting the Infoline, a service of UNH Cooperative Extension.Danielle Albano Education Center Volunteer Program ManagerUNH Cooperative Extension Education Center Replied July 26, 2024, 9:58 AM EDT
response: HI Pauline, Thank you for reaching out to us at the UNH Extension Infoline. I am happy to hear that you saw the beautiful doe a few days ago! Unfortunately Hosta plants are one of the most favored plants by deer! I completely can relate here with my Hosta! You can try to use a product that is labeled specifically as a deer repellent (many smell bad to them or have an adverse taste!) or even netting the plants, but it is really a tricky battle to win! The only true way to completely eradicate their damage is by fencing in your garden so they cannot get in. Here are a few resources that explain in depth with management methods you can try:https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2019/04/deer-damaged-number-plants-my-garden-over-winter-what-can-i-do-prevent-happening-againhttps://extension.unh.edu/blog/2018/12/keep-deer-out-your-garden-winterhttps://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/white-tailed-deer-damage#diet-1880360https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/hungry_deer_are_devouring_hostas_and_moreI hope that this information helps. Good luck and have a wonderful weekend! Please click here: https://bit.ly/3L6PZy1 to complete our brief demographic survey. This survey is completely anonymous and the demographic questions are optional. If you choose not to participate, please answer “prefer not to respond”. It is important to the university and our organization that we are reaching a diversity of audiences in our state. Your input is critical for our continued success to support and protect both New Hampshire's people and the environment. Thank you for your time!

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 26, 2024, 11:16 AM EDT
response: Thank you for all the information, I really appreciate your reply