Peach Trees, Tomatoes, Plant Mildew, Fence Lines
Q. I have two peach trees, and I normally get 30-40 pounds of peaches from each one. The peaches are a nice size, and very tasty. This year my crop was ruined, when the trees became infested with little white worms. I don’t want to use a commercial insecticide to kill the bugs. Can you suggest an organic product? Also, should I spray the trees now, wait until next spring or do both? ’– W.B., Dallas
A. The problem could be the late freeze and the damage it did. Make sure for the future you are using the entire Organic Fruit and Pecan Tree Program. The best thing for now is to spray compost tea plus garlic and mulch the root zone. The entire Basic Organic Program, Fruit and Pecan Tree Program, Edible Landscaping and the Sick Tree Treatment are available by sending a SASE to Dirt Doctor’s Ground Crew, PO Box 796641, Dallas, TX 75379 or by calling toll free 1-866-444-DIRT.
Q. I have been organic for a little over a year, but I am having some problems with my Celebrity tomatoes. The plants are nice healthy plants still setting fruit, but they keep developing what looks like stretch marks on the fruit in concentric circles spreading out from the stem. ’– S.H., Dallas
A. That’s just a cosmetic condition that happens when the temperature goes up and the soil moisture goes down causing the plant and fruit to slow down growth. As a result the skin toughens up. Then when our unusual rains and cooled days and nights came, the plants and fruit started to grow again. The fruit with tougher skin isn’t as elastic now and cracks instead of stretching. There’s nothing you can do about the cracked skins now but the tomatoes should still be delicious and nutritious. Mulching and careful watering is all you can do to prevent the cracks next time.
Q. I work in a doctor’s office that is located inside a hospital. We have a large plant that has a white powdery substance on its leaves, and some of the leaves are turning yellow. We have been told that the plant has mealy bugs. Of course we don’t want to use a insecticide so we are turning to you. Will Garrett Juice help? We were also told that ladybugs would help. L.K., Waxahachie
A. Foliar feeding the plant with any compost tea product will help. Also sprinkle some cornmeal on the surface of the soil and water. Cut back on the watering and fertilizing, but add a ’¼’” layer of lava sand. If the bugs persist use a q-tip and alcohol to kill them. Neem products sprayed and drenched on the soil will also help control mealybugs and other stress related pests.
Q. I am looking for a way to control weeds along my fence lines around acreage. I wanted to know if there is a non toxic way to do so that would be quick acting. ’– S.H., Dallas
A. Straight vinegar (100 grain or stronger) with orange oil, soap and water will do it but I recommend letting the fence lines grow up to encourage biodiversity of plants and animals. Use 1 oz. of orange oil and 1 teaspoon per gallon of spray.