Question:
How do I get rid of the worms in my radishes? They’ve been a problem for the last couple of years.Answer:
- The Vegetable Root Maggot is the white worm that attacks radishes, turnips, carrots, onions, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels Sprouts.
- With the root crops, the maggots bore into and damaged the edible part of the plant. With the above-ground crops tunnel into the below-ground stems and larger roots, severing the water supply and nutrients to the plant(s). With above-ground crops, they tunnel into the below-ground stems and larger roots, severing the water supply and nutrients to the plant(s).
- Yellow or wilted leaves are often a sign of the problem; however, by then, it’s usually too late to save the plants.
- The maggots thrive in cool, moist weather, so it’s a problem in the early spring as the rainy season concludes and again in the late fall. They can overwinter in the soil in the pupa stage.
- In the spring, the adults emerge and lay their eggs at the base of the host plant(s).
- They are very good at detecting newly planted areas. The adults are dark ash, gray in color, about one-quarter of an inch long, and look smaller like the common housefly.
- They can be controlled in several ways without having to use any chemicals. Radishes are a short-term crop, usually maturing in thirty days, so a simple solution exists. You avoid the problem by postponing the planting until mid-spring when the rainy season has concluded.
- Also, never plant when the yellow Mustard is blooming. This is when the adult fly is emerging from the ground.
- With other longer maturing crops, rotate the plantings to a different location each season and apply
- Beneficial Nematodes to the soil. The Nematodes will seek and destroy the soil pupa and or maggots. The plant debris should be removed and or roto-till under immediately after harvesting to destroy the overwintering site.
- Another option is to place Yellow Sticky Traps in the area. The traps will capture many adult flies before they mate and lay eggs.
Question:
Three years ago, we planted several English Lavender plants. They are full and bushy but get no water except when we periodically drag a hose to them. Should the flowers be trimmed off after blooming, and when is the best time to shape these plants?Answer:
- After blooming, the old spent Lavender flowers should be removed along with the stems. The plant could then be lightly trimmed with hedge shears, but don’t prune it back to bare stems.
- In most gardens, Lavender plants have a short life span of no more than five years. In our clay soil, the primary problem is the companion plants mixed with the Lavenders.
- These plants require much more water and fertilizer, while lavender plants thrive on neglect. So, I wouldn’t change a thing you are currently doing or suggest anything different.