Japanese beetles are out in full force. Spray with liquid sevin or dust plants frequently. Continued application for several weeks will be needed to provide adequate control. Calls are still coming in on Oakleaf blister. This fungal disease affects members of the oak family and causes considerable cosmetic damage.
Control is virtually impossible and most often impractical.
Watch tomatoes for spotted wilt virus, early blight and blossom end rot. Learn to correctly identify these problems so a proper control can be selected. Root rot on early plant annuals is now showing up. Early spring rains and over watering are knocking out some of our hardiest annuals. Avoid the temptation of over watering and pull back the mulch around plants that are not on well drained soils.