By Stan V. GriepAmerican Rose Society Certified Consulting Rosarian – Rocky Mountain District Rose Rosette disease, also known as witches broom in roses, is truly a heartbreaker for the rose loving gardener. There is no known cure for it, thus, once a rose bush...
Ask Mr. Burger – Should I apply lime to my yard in the spring?
Lime can be applied to a lawn or garden any time of year that soil isn't frozen, but it is most often done during spring or fall. The need to lime can be determined by soil tests. Working towards an ideal pH level will help bring the soil into balance and allow...
Ask Mr Burger – My Colorado Blue Spruce tree is all brown in the middle
and losing its needles; what is the problem?
This symptom can be caused by a disease known as “Needle Cast” in spruce trees. Below is a good article on Stigmina And Rhizosphaera Needle Cast In Trees by Jackie Carroll “Have you ever seen a tree, such as spruce, with healthy looking needles at the tips of...
Ask Mr. Burger – I see little red spiders on our sidewalk; what are they and how do I get rid of them?
In late spring to early summer you tend to see these little guys and what you see are most likely Clover mites (Bryobia praetiosa). They are small, reddish mites, about the size of a pin head and usually moving around very quickly. If you would happen to crush one of...
Ask Mr. Burger – Knockout Rose Pruning Tips
Nothing could be easier than pruning Knockout roses as they are a low maintenance rose bush. Most of the roses will respond very well to an annual clean up and pruning, done in early spring just as the bud eye starts to emerge, but before active growth is...
Ask Mr Burger – How To Grow Garlic
Every once in a while we get questions on how to grow garlic. So we’ve attached part of an article written by Nikki Tilley, author of The Bulb-o-licious Garden. How to Grow Garlic Garlic can be grown easily, and again, it is typically grown from cloves, not garlic...
Ask Mr Burger – My dogwood tree leaves have spots on them and are starting to curl; what can I do?
This symptom known as “Dogwood Blight” or “Anthracnose”, is fairly new for Dogwood trees, but can be treated with a fungicide spray like Daconil, if caught early. Mr Burger suggests treating the tree at the first signs of a problem and again four weeks later. Spray...
Ask Mr. Burger – What Is Wrong With My River Birch?
River birch is a tough and adaptable native tree that is also a popular landscape plant. There a three common indicators however that can indicate something wrong is going on with your tree. 1) If you notice some of the leaves on your river birch have become...
Ask Mr. Burger – Can coffee grounds be used in my garden and lawn?
Ask Mr. Burger – Can used coffee grounds be beneficial for my garden or lawn? This question typically comes up this time of year when people are looking for ways to feed their plants more organically and be environmentally friendly. While we can’t say for sure how...
Ask Mr Burger – The deer in my neighborhood seem to be eating everything in sight. What can I plant that the deer won’t eat and how can I keep them out of my garden?
Ask Mr. Burger – The deer in my neighborhood seem to be eating everything in sight. What can I plant that the deer won’t eat and how can I keep them out of my garden? Its easy to get discouraged when you spend good hard earned money and spend precious time to beautify...
Gardening Tips – Mr. Burger, I See Little Red Spiders On My Plants. Are they Harmful?
First of all you need to figure out if the "little red spiders" are clover mites or red spider mites. Clover mites are relatively harmless while red spider mites are a garden pest that you will need to control. Clover Mites In late spring to early summer you tend to...
Gardening Tips – Mr. Burger, I Think My Crape Myrtle Is Dead; How Can I Tell for Sure?
Patience, patience, patience! Crape Myrtles typically are very slow to show signs of being alive and showing new growth in the spring. While Crape Myrtles are hardy for our area; it’s not uncommon for prior year’s growth to be “dead as a doornail” after a hard winter....
Gardening Tips – Mr Burger, What’s Eating My Roses? Is it Rose Slugs?
A common question we get during the springtime and sometimes throughout the year. Customers often say their knockout roses look beautiful and are blooming gorgeously and then all of the sudden the leaves start to turn white or brown. This phenomenon can often be...