ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, June 2, 1996 TAG: 9606040006
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: D-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Dear John
SOURCE: JOHN ARBOGAST
It's at this time of year that many consumers experience a problem with plants in the landscape, garden or lawn and start looking for sprays to correct the problem.
To help address the issue of how sprays can harm the environment, the Roanoke City Extension Office will offer a walking program on "Residential Pesticide Safety" in the lawn and garden section of the Roanoke Lowe's store at 5040 Rutgers Street N.W., on June 15, at 10 a.m.
Participants should gather in the lawn and garden chemical aisle, which is to the left when entering the store's main entrance. Call the Extension Office in Roanoke at 857-7915.
The term "pesticide" refers to any product that is applied to kill a pest, which could be weeds, insects, plant diseases, rodents, etc. A critical part of pesticide safety is the proper selection of the pesticide to do what you want. Also, an investigation must be done to see if the plant problems actually require a pesticide or if they have been caused by something other than a "pest," such as past weather or the growing site.
If you must use a "pesticide," read the label carefully to be sure the product is intended for use on the type of plant you intend to use it on. Pesticide users, whether home gardeners or commercial applicators, are legally bound to follow label directions. You should read a pesticide label thoroughly before purchase, before each use and prior to storage and disposal.
Q: My cantaloupe plants are healthy when planted, but in a few days they are wilted down and then the day after that they are dried up and dead. It is like something is sucking all the life out of the stem. Please give information. H.R.L., Troutville
A: Because the decline and death of your newly transplanted cantaloupes happens so fast, which is probably not enough time for a pest or disease to strike, the following possibilities come to mind: too much fertilizer put in the holes for the transplants; improper planting; too much moisture; or root disturbance in transplanting.
Members of the squash family do not like to have their roots handled or disturbed in any way, which makes transplanting them into the garden from plastic growing containers almost impossible. The solution to this problem is to: (1) use transplants that are grown in degradable containers so that the whole thing for each can be planted without ever touching the root system or (2) directly seed those vegetables into the garden site rather than use transplants.
Q: Where can I purchase the portable compost enclosures mentioned in The Roanoke Times that were to be used for a class you were to teach? I have been looking for one since I saw one in a friend's yard in Minnesota. This would simplify my composting efforts. M.W., Wytheville
A: The bins were available through Roanoke's Clean Valley Council only for participants in the demonstration programs that I have given. The bins are no longer available. However, I talked to Ann Masters, executive director of the CVC, and she offered the following suggestions: look in your locality for a bin at your local garden supply stores or call Billy Branson, the litter-control coordinator for Wythe County, which comes under your county administration, 345 South Fourth St. in Wytheville. The next time you are in Roanoke, get some simple ideas for a permanent compost bin that can be made out of recycled materials by visiting our Roanoke Valley compost demonstration site at Virginia Western Community College and call the CVC at 345-5523 or visit the office on the third floor of the Jefferson Center, 541 Luck Ave. in downtown Roanoke.
Send short questions about your lawn, garden, plants or insects to Dear John, c/o The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491. We need your mail, but this column can't reply to all letters. Those of wide appeal will be answered during the weeks that the subject is timely. personal replies cannot be given. Please don't send stamps, stamped envelopes, samples or pictures.
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