Annual devastation by spider mites

Hello, master gardener. Spider mites are my nemesis. I engage in a, mostly losing, battle with them every year over the the plants I try to grow in planters on my east-by-south-east-facing Riverdale balcony. They devastate my aristolochia and impatiens,…

Apple maggots

Hello. I can’t find nematodes in Canada that are specifically for apple maggots. The only ones that I have found are the ones that are for lawns. So are these the same? Can the ones used for the lawn be…

Tiny black flying bugs

Hello: Our house is filled with tiny black flying bugs, which fly not just around the plants, but throughout the house; they are attracted to light. In the summer, I put most of my houseplants outside, and bring them inside…

Pear Rust?

These leaves are on our tree in North York. Are these pear rust?…

Controlling Motherwort and Tree of Heaven

Hi, my new neighbour is a herbalist and her motherwort has jumped over to my yard. How can I control it without using herbicides that might make it into her yard? On the same note, I have (and dislike) a…

Insect ID-Japanese Beetle

This insect likes Mallow Okra and even Morning Glory leaves…it is quite destructive…Can you identify it and can you recommend a treatment solution..thank you.…

Moths

I have 2 large black locust trees which this year for the first time ever, had furry black caterpillars about one inch in length. Now there seems to be a large number of brown moths fluttering everywhere. Any suggestions to…

Fungus bloom? Liverwort

Hi.Can you help me with this? Here is a picture of fungus(?) blooming like crazy. It started beneath my pine tree and has spread further. Should I try to change the ph of the soil by adding wood ashes? Would…

fungas gnats, their eggs and larva

Hi, how long does fungas gnats, eggs and larva survive in dry soil with sunshine and circulating air….I didnt see any larva per se, but I would nt know how the eggs look like. I have removed my plant from…