Managing plant pests and common diseases focus of Master Gardeners
“Managing Plant Pests and Common Diseases” is the theme for this year’s Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Butler County education booth at the Butler Farm Show.
This year, Butler County Master Gardeners are responding to common questions asked each year by home gardeners visiting the education booth. Gardeners often ask questions such as: What causes the brown spots on my tomato plants? How do I manage Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica)?
Visitors to the Master Gardeners’ booth can learn about three common plant diseases (tomato blight, brown spot, powdery mildew) and five pests: Japanese beetles, nematode worms (Nematoda), aphids (Aphididae), squash bugss (Anasa tristis), and molluscs (snails and slugs). Information on mammalian pests, such as ground hogs (Marmota monax) and Eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus), will be available.
Learning how to mitigate plant diseases and control pests involves a combination of preventative measures and treatments that if learned and followed, may protect garden plants. The reward will be an increase to the gardener’s satisfaction and sense of accomplishment in growing healthy plants and harvesting a higher yield.
The Master Gardeners’ booth also will provide updated information on the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicaluta). This insect is considered a threat to Pennsylvania’s agricultural crops and trees having been identified in all or part of 56 counties in Pennsylvania. Penn State Extension, including the Butler County Master Gardeners, is working to keep this insect from spreading by educating the community and will be available to explain how to identify the spotted lanternfly as well as its host plant, the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), and how to report your spotted lanternfly sightings.
Master Gardeners will be in attendance to answer questions on all garden-related topics throughout the duration of the farm show. Information about becoming a Master Gardener and the next Basic Training Certification class will be available.
The Master Gardeners look forward to meeting you!
The Farm Show will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 4 through 9 at the Butler Farm Show grounds on Evans City Road in Connoquenessing Township. Tickets can be purchased at the gate for $10 per person. Admission includes parking, entertainment, exhibits, most grandstand events and unlimited midway rides (except boat rides). Visit the Butler Farm Show website at https://butlerfarmshow.com/.
Terri Helfer in a Penn State Extension Butler County Master Gardner.
