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Recognize and manage peach leaf curl in the home orchard

May 28, 2026

Over the past month, the tri-county Extension offices have received several calls and emails regarding peach leaf curl. Given the wet spring conditions, it is not surprising that this fungal disease is showing up in home orchards this year. However, early symptoms can easily be mistaken for frost...

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close up of tomatoes at end of gardening season with leaves dying

Fall veggie garden clean-up can yield spring rewards

October 3, 2025

Over the Garden Fence

Once fall hits, I feel myself starting to lose interest in my garden. As I pull the last few tomatoes out and look at the squash with their dessicated, powdery mildewed leaves, I long for the fresh new promises of spring. But, like it or not, there are a few chores left before shutting down for the...

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Garden tips to transition to fall

August 23, 2021

Want to know when new topics post here? Subscribe to Over the Garden Fence emails. Jumping worm update Jumping worms continue to be confirmed statewide, and late summer into fall is an easy time to spot those...

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Protect apple foliage and fruit with a spray schedule

April 12, 2021

The Garden Scoop

Last week, I wrote about what I feel is the most damaging fungal disease for apples and flowering crabapples – apple scab. These ...

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Don’t lose your crabapple and apple foliage

April 5, 2021

Over the Garden Fence

Our Master Gardener help desk gets emails mid-summer when apple trees drop many of their leaves, except for the outer 12 inches or so. The same thing can happen to our ornamental ...

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Manage pests and disease in home orchards

February 15, 2021

Over the Garden Fence

Note: this is the fourth post in a series on fruit trees. Read part one. For fruit growers, nothing may be more disappointing than finding insect and disease damage on our...

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Weather influences foliar disease

September 7, 2020

The weather can, does, and will influence foliage disease each year, starting in the early weeks of spring. While early spring was a long time ago, many diseases are now quite visible in the home landscape. Ornamental flowering crabapples and apple trees have had...

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Why are some plants’ leaves white now?

August 31, 2020

What do lilacs, phlox, vine crops, peonies, and lawns all have in common this time of year? First clue – it is weather related. Second clue – if you touch it, it will rub off. Final clue – it looks like it came out of the kitchen pantry and you would sprinkle on your pastries, pancakes, and waffles...

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How plants and pests begin preparing for fall

August 24, 2020

Over the Garden Fence

By this time of year, woody plants have taken care of business, meaning the foliage already has produced the energy needed to form buds for both foliage and flowers for next year. If there is a fruit or pod containing seeds, that is nearly, if not already completed, as well. In the next few weeks,...

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Late summer questions to the Master Gardeners

August 17, 2020

This time of year, many of the messages coming into our local Master Gardener Help Desks are commonly asked questions that track with our seasonal weather. Here are a few: Q: My lawn has looked pretty good until two weeks ago, what’s up with all the...

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Plant Disease Blogs