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Garden Talk

Gardening tips and information from KTOO in Juneau. Tune in Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m. on Juneau Afternoon.

Damage to a turnip caused by root maggot larvae is shown in this image from a UAF Cooperative Extension Service flyer. Note the scars of surface feeding and entrances to feeding tunnels within the root.

Gardentalk — Mounting best defense against root maggot attack

Master Gardener Ed Buyarski says the larvae attack the roots of cabbage, radish, kale, rutabaga, cauliflower, broccoli and turnips. In warm weather, their leaves wilt because their damaged roots cannot pull up enough moisture. Root maggot larvae burrow into the roots and leave tell-tale holes and tracks.

Hold on! This alder may show some cold damage on the lower portion of its branches, but it is budding with new growth and appears in overall good health.

Gardentalk — Practice pruning patience with more resilient species

Rhododendrons, and pine and cedar trees may have suffered damage from this winter's cold temperatures and relatively low snowfall. Master Gardener Ed Buyarski urges patience before pruning away any apparent damage. Some species are fairly resilient and will likely rebound later this spring.

Sprouting potatoes

Gardentalk – Spacing sprouting spud seeds

Gardeners thinking about a crop of cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower later this season should start them indoors now.

Close-up of tiny Primrose flowers as they bloom in a North Douglas garden.

Gardentalk — Prepare the way for perennials, national primrose show

Submit your own entry for the National Primrose Show and Conference which runs May 4-6 in Juneau.

Garlic poke through the soil at the KTOO Agricultural Test Station and Garden of Science in late March 2018.

Gardentalk – Attacking greenhouse mold and mildew

Master Gardener Ed Buyarski also has some hints for keeping our garlic going until harvest later this summer.

This okra should probably be picked now and put in tonight’s gumbo.

Gardentalk — Don’t settle for being medi-okra

Master Gardener Ed Buyarski provides some tips for care of okra plants and tool maintenance. A garden tool workshop starts 3 p.m. this Saturday at the Douglas Library.

The tulips are up, but haven't bloomed yet at Centennial Hall in late March 2018. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)

Gardentalk — Where are the blooming bulbs?

Some bulbs may still be buried by snow, but those that have already emerged are in danger of being hard-frosted by overnight temperatures in the 20s.

This North Douglas greenhouse, made entirely from discarded and upcycled materials, still needs more preparation for early spring use.

Gardentalk — Spring pruning and greenhouse planting

Master Gardener Ed Buyarski advises gardeners to thin out their apple and cherry trees, and start sowing spinach, peas, radishes, kale, and early mustards in their greenhouse or hoophouse.

Cucumber seedling

Gardentalk – Getting started now with seeds indoors

Master Gardener Ed Buyaski says starting seeds indoors is a good way to get an early jump on the gardening season, especially if the ground is still frozen or it's still too cold outside.

Dahlia (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)

Gardentalk – Season finale

Master Gardener Ed Buyarski provides some advice for fall and winter care of begonias, dahlias and fuschias.

Garden Talk