Removing infected foliage at the right time is one of the most effective and least costly tactics home gardeners, landscapers, and orchardists have to slow or stop plant disease spread. In New Hampshire, where the climate swings from wet springs to humid, storm-prone summers and cold winters, timing and technique matter. This article explains when […]
Fungal leaf spots are among the most common and persistent problems affecting ornamental plants in New Hampshire. Cool, wet springs and humid summer evenings create conditions that favor fungal infection and spread. This article explains the common types of fungal leaf spots you will encounter in New Hampshire ornamentals, how to recognize them, how they […]
A major pest infestation in a New Hampshire garden is distressing, but it is also an opportunity to reset practices, rebuild soil health, and prevent recurrence. This article walks you through an organized, practical response covering immediate containment, correct disposal, soil and plant recovery, monitoring, and longer-term integrated pest management strategies tailored to New Hampshire […]
Understanding disease pressure in New Hampshire New Hampshire’s climate shapes which fungal diseases are common and when they threaten home gardens. Cool, wet springs and humid summers create ideal conditions for many foliar pathogens. Common problems in the state include apple scab, powdery mildew on many ornamentals, late blight and early blight on tomatoes and […]
Why root rot matters in New Hampshire Root rot is one of the most common and destructive problems facing container gardeners in New Hampshire. Cool, wet springs, humid summers, and freeze-thaw cycles in fall and winter create conditions that favor waterlogging and disease organisms. In containers, roots are confined and cannot escape saturated conditions the […]
Gardening in New Hampshire presents a specific set of opportunities and challenges: a cold winter, a relatively short growing season, and a mix of urban, suburban, and rural properties with varying habitat value. Intentionally attracting beneficial insects to your garden is one of the most cost-effective and ecological ways to increase plant productivity, reduce pest […]
Sapsuckers are a familiar source of frustration for New Hampshire property owners who value their shade trees. These medium-sized woodpeckers can inflict repeated rows of small, evenly spaced holes in trunks and branches while feeding on sap and the insects attracted to it. Left unchecked, their activity can reduce tree vigor, create entry points for […]
What Does Bacterial Spot Look Like On New Hampshire Fruit Trees? Overview: why this matters in New Hampshire orchards and backyards Bacterial spot is a common, potentially serious disease on several fruit tree species found in New Hampshire, especially peaches, nectarines, plums and apricots (stone fruits). The causal bacteria and the exact pattern of symptoms […]
New Hampshire gardens sit in a humid continental climate where seasonal moisture patterns strongly influence plant health. Moisture–whether in the soil, on leaf surfaces, or in the air–creates the environmental conditions that many fungal pathogens need to germinate, infect, and spread. Understanding how rainfall, dew, humidity, drainage, and irrigation interact with temperature and plant physiology […]
Scale insect outbreaks have become an increasingly common and visible problem in New Hampshire landscapes. Homeowners, landscape managers, and nursery operators report more trees and shrubs showing yellowing, dieback, sticky honeydew, and heavy sooty mold. Understanding why scale outbreaks occur, how scale insects operate, and what practical steps reduce risk and impact can help preserve […]
Deer are a common and growing presence across New Hampshire. Their browsing and rubbing can damage ornamentals, vegetable gardens, young trees, and landscape beds, and repeated pressure can leave a yard stripped of favored plants. This article provides practical, site-specific strategies you can implement now — physical exclusion, plant selection, deterrents, habitat management, and maintenance […]
Early blight is a common and potentially serious disease of tomatoes, potatoes, and other solanaceous crops in New Hampshire. For home gardeners, spotting early blight early can mean the difference between a small, manageable outbreak and major defoliation, reduced yields, or rotting fruit. This guide explains what to look for, how to distinguish early blight […]
Why blossom disease control matters in New Hampshire Blossom infections are the gateway to many of the most damaging orchard diseases. In New Hampshire, cool wet springs and frequent rain-on-snow or prolonged wetting events create ideal conditions for pathogens to infect blossoms, then move into shoots and fruit. A single heavy infection event during bloom […]
Overview: why soil-borne pathogens matter in New Hampshire Soil-borne pathogens cause significant economic and ecological damage in New Hampshire, affecting vegetable crops, nursery stock, ornamentals, and native trees. The state’s cool, humid climate and areas with poorly drained soils create conditions favorable to many root-infecting organisms. Early recognition, accurate diagnosis, and an integrated management approach […]
Collecting and submitting samples for pest diagnosis requires planning, correct technique, proper packaging, and timely delivery. This guide provides clear, practical, and detailed instructions tailored to New Hampshire conditions and regulatory realities. Follow these steps to maximize the chance of a fast, accurate diagnosis and useful management recommendations. Why good samples matter Accurate identification depends […]
Companion planting is not a magic bullet, but when combined with crop rotation, habitat enhancement, careful monitoring, and good cultural practices it becomes a powerful tool to reduce pest pressure in New Hampshire gardens and small farms. This article explains how to design companion plantings that fit New Hampshire climates and seasons, lists practical plant […]
Growing seedlings in New Hampshire presents a particular set of challenges: late frosts, variable spring weather, and a suite of pests that remain active in cool conditions or take advantage of tender young plants. Protecting seedlings is not only about keeping temperatures up; it is about creating an environment that minimizes pest access and stress, […]
Introduction: why buffer strips matter in New Hampshire agriculture and horticulture Planting vegetated buffer strips is an evidence-informed, low-tech strategy that reduces the movement of plant pathogens, improves water quality, and enhances on-farm ecological resilience. In New Hampshire, where diversified agriculture, orchards, vegetable production, and forest edges sit in a humid continental climate, disease pressure […]
New Hampshire gardens benefit enormously from intentionally attracting beneficial predators. Thoughtful plant selection and garden design reduce pest outbreaks, lower pesticide needs, and create a resilient ecosystem that supports vegetables, fruit trees, and ornamentals. This article explains which plants work best in New Hampshire climates, why they matter, how to plant them, and practical maintenance […]
Root rot is one of the most common and destructive problems affecting container-grown plants in New Hampshire. It is not a single disease but a syndrome caused by a range of water-loving pathogens and aggravated by cultural conditions that keep roots wet and oxygen-poor. This article explains what root rot looks like in container plants, […]
Understanding how soil conditions influence disease risk is essential for successful gardening in New Hampshire. Gardeners often treat foliage problems as the primary disease issue, but many plant diseases originate in or are greatly influenced by the soil environment. Soil factors such as texture, structure, moisture, pH, temperature, organic matter, and biological activity interact with […]
New Hampshire summers present a mix of conditions that can favor outbreaks of certain tree pests. Warm temperatures, variable precipitation, shifts in seasonal timing, and human land use all interact with tree physiology and insect life cycles. The result is that some pests are becoming more abundant, reproduce more quickly, or cause more severe damage […]
New Hampshire winters are long, cold, and changeable. Those conditions influence how pests survive the off-season and how quickly they rebound in spring. Thoughtful winterizing of plants and landscape areas reduces shelter and food that allow rodents and insects to overwinter successfully, lowers disease pressure, and gives beneficial predators a head start. This article presents […]
Vegetable disease monitoring in New Hampshire requires a blend of local knowledge, systematic observation, and timely action. The state’s climate–cold winters, variable springs, and warm humid summers–creates conditions that favor a range of fungal, bacterial, and oomycete pathogens at different times of the growing season. Early detection reduces yield loss, limits spread, and can often […]
Vegetable gardeners in New Hampshire face a mix of climatic benefits and disease pressures. Cold winters reduce some pests, but cool, wet springs and humid summer conditions create favorable environments for fungi, oomycetes, and other pathogens that persist in soil or crop debris. Strategic crop rotation is one of the most effective, low-cost tools to […]
Gardens, farms, and natural areas in New Hampshire benefit from a diverse community of predatory and parasitic insects that reduce pest pressure without chemical inputs. Understanding which insects are effective locally, how they live and hunt, and what habitat they need lets gardeners and growers encourage natural pest suppression. This article profiles the main types […]
Maintaining a garden in New Hampshire presents unique challenges: cold winters, humid summers, and a mix of bacterial and fungal pathogens that thrive when conditions are right. A deliberate garden hygiene routine reduces disease pressure, protects next season’s plants, and preserves soil and plant health. The steps below are practical, seasonal, and tailored to the […]
Spring is the critical reset point for garden sanitation in New Hampshire. A well-executed spring cleanup reduces pathogen carryover, helps avoid early-season outbreaks, and sets the stage for a productive growing season. This guide provides season-by-season, practical sanitation strategies that fit New Hampshire’s climate and common garden pests and pathogens. Why seasonal sanitation matters in […]
Fruit trees in New Hampshire reward home gardeners and small orchardists with beautiful spring bloom and high-quality fruit. They also face a distinct set of pests and diseases: borers that tunnel in trunks and limbs, and cankers that kill bark and cambium. Left unchecked these problems weaken trees, reduce yield, and can lead to death. […]
Growing vegetables in New Hampshire presents a mix of opportunity and challenge. Short growing seasons, cool springs, humid summers in some areas, and a landscape that varies from coastal lowlands to cold mountain valleys all influence what pathogens can thrive. Planting disease-resistant vegetable varieties is one of the most effective and practical choices a home […]
Understanding aphids and how plant choice affects them is the single most practical step a New Hampshire gardener can take to reduce aphid pressure. This article lays out which plants to use, how to arrange them, and when to plant so you get sustained natural control of aphids without relying on insecticides. The recommendations focus […]
Stem rust on ornamentals in New Hampshire can be both striking and confusing. The term “stem rust” is commonly associated with cereal crops, but many rust fungi produce pustules, lesions, and other symptoms on the stems and shoots of ornamental plants. This article describes how stem rusts and related rust diseases appear on common New […]
Spring thaws are a dramatic seasonal reset in New Hampshire. Snowpack recedes, soils warm and dry patches appear across yards, and human activity ramps up with gardening and outdoor maintenance. That same thaw, however, also wakes up or activates many pests that spent the winter dormant, hidden, or in egg form. Understanding the ecological triggers […]
Tomato blights — primarily early blight and late blight — can sweep through a New Hampshire vegetable garden in a matter of days under the right conditions. Gardeners often feel helpless watching healthy plants decline overnight, but the speed of spread is not mysterious once you understand the biology of the pathogens, the state climate, […]
New Hampshire presents a mix of climatic and soil conditions that influence the behavior of soil-borne diseases. Cold winters, variable soil textures, frequent rains in spring and early summer, and a relatively short growing season mean gardeners and small-scale growers must use an integrated, proactive plan to keep beds healthy. This article provides practical, detailed, […]
Gardening in New Hampshire brings many rewards — longer growing seasons in southern counties, cool nights that benefit leafy greens, and a wide selection of perennials and ornamentals. It also brings a reliable nocturnal pest: slugs and snails. These mollusks chew holes in seedlings and leaves, skeletonize hostas and lettuces, and can undermine the aesthetics […]
Managing fungal diseases in New Hampshire vegetable gardens requires timing as much as product selection. The state’s cool, wet springs and humid summers create windows of high disease pressure for many common pathogens. This article explains when to apply fungicides, how to judge risk, how timing differs by crop and disease, and how to integrate […]
Invasive insects are among the most consequential threats to forest health in New Hampshire. They can kill trees, alter stand composition, reduce wildlife habitat, and create long-term economic and ecological impacts. This article provides a focused, practical guide to the main invasive insects affecting New Hampshire woodlands, how to recognize them, and what landowners, foresters, […]
Scouting is the foundation of effective pest and disease management in any vegetable garden. In New Hampshire, where short growing seasons, humid summers, and variable spring conditions create unique stressors, regular and systematic scouting helps you detect problems early, distinguish pests from diseases, and choose effective, low-impact responses. This guide lays out step-by-step procedures, practical […]
New Hampshire gardeners face a distinctive set of pest challenges: a relatively short growing season, fluctuating spring weather that favors fungal pathogens and slugs, and a mixture of insect pests and larger mammals like deer and rabbits. Organic pest control here is not just about avoiding synthetic chemicals; it is about designing a garden ecosystem […]
Aphids and scale insects are among the most common sap-feeding pests affecting New Hampshire landscapes, gardens, and small farms. Left unchecked they reduce plant vigor, distort growth, cause sticky honeydew and sooty mold, and in some cases transmit plant viruses. Managing these pests successfully in New Hampshire requires a seasonally aware, integrated approach that protects […]
Native shrubs are one of the most effective and sustainable tools a homeowner, landscaper, or land manager can use to reduce pest pressure in New Hampshire landscapes. Unlike many ornamental exotics, species that evolved in New Hampshire have coexisted with local insects, fungi, mammals, and climatic extremes for millennia. That coevolution produces a set of […]
Powdery mildew is one of the most common fungal diseases affecting landscape ornamentals in New Hampshire. It produces white to grayish powdery growth on leaves, buds, and young shoots. While seldom fatal, it can reduce vigor, ruin the appearance of high-value specimen plants, and predispose plants to other stresses. This article explains how to recognize […]
Early blight is a common fungal disease that affects solanaceous vegetables in New Hampshire, especially tomatoes and potatoes. It is most visible on leaves and stems but can also attack fruit and tubers. Recognizing the disease early and understanding the environmental conditions that favor it are essential to limiting spread and protecting yield. This article […]
Winter in New Hampshire: climate context and soil implications New Hampshire winters are highly variable across short distances. Coastal areas around Portsmouth and the seacoast generally experience milder winters with more maritime moderation, while the Lakes Region, Monadnock area, and northern interior see longer, colder winters with more extreme temperature swings and greater snowpack. Elevation […]
Gardens in New Hampshire face a familiar set of visitors: white-tailed deer, voles, mice, squirrels, chipmunks, and occasional rats. Understanding why these animals focus on home gardens is the first step toward effective, humane control. This article explains the ecological and seasonal drivers behind wildlife damage, identifies common patterns of feeding and shelter behavior, and […]
New Hampshire gardens face a unique set of disease pressures. Cold winters, wet springs, and warm humid summers create conditions that favor both fungal and bacterial pathogens. Whether you tend a small backyard plot, several raised beds, a community garden, or an orchard, prevention is the most effective and sustainable way to protect plants and […]
Understanding which pests are attacking your garden is the first step to effective management. New Hampshire gardens face a predictable set of insects, mollusks, and mammals that cause the bulk of observable damage. This guide explains how to identify the most common garden pests in New Hampshire, what signs to look for, and practical, least-toxic […]
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a science-based framework for preventing and managing pests with the least harm to people, pets, beneficial organisms, and the environment. For gardeners in New Hampshire, IPM means using local knowledge of climate, seasonality, native plants, and pest life cycles to make measured decisions rather than reacting with broad-spectrum sprays. This […]
Pest infestations — whether insects, rodents, wildlife, or invasive plants — are a common challenge in New Hampshire. Knowing where to get reliable identification, who enforces rules, what to do in an emergency, and how to protect yourself and your property makes the response faster, safer, and more effective. This article lays out practical, state-specific […]
When, why, and how to treat plant diseases in New Hampshire depends on the organism, the crop, the season, and the type of control available. This article explains the differences between fungal and bacterial diseases, describes the seasonal windows when treatment is most effective, provides diagnostic and decision-making steps, and gives specific, practical recommendations for […]
Overview New Hampshire forests and urban trees face a growing array of invasive pests that damage canopy species, alter ecosystems, and impose significant economic costs. Some of the most destructive agents are insects and nematodes that attack specific tree genera, while others facilitate secondary problems like disease and windthrow. Understanding which pests pose the greatest […]
Diagnosing fungal diseases on vegetable plants in New Hampshire requires a systematic approach that combines careful observation, basic field tests, proper sample collection, and, when necessary, laboratory confirmation. Weather patterns in New Hampshire, with cool, wet springs and warm, humid summers in many locations, create favorable conditions for a range of true fungi and fungal-like […]
New Hampshire yards face a range of pest challenges every year: ticks in the understory, mosquitoes near water, grubs that damage turf, tent caterpillars on shade trees, and invasives like emerald ash borer. Managing these pests without heavy use of toxic pesticides is achievable with an integrated approach that emphasizes prevention, habitat management, targeted mechanical […]
Gardening in New Hampshire presents a rewarding challenge: a climate with cold winters, a relatively short but often intense growing season, and a diverse set of pests and diseases. Successful management depends on prevention, early detection, and using a range of cultural, mechanical, biological, and–when necessary–chemical tactics. This guide provides specific, practical methods tailored to […]
Native plants are a foundational tool for building resilient, low-maintenance landscapes in New Hampshire. Because they evolved in local soils, climates, and with local insect and microbial communities, native species often show greater tolerance to native pests and pathogens than many exotic ornamentals. For homeowners, municipalities, and restoration practitioners, planting natives reduces reliance on chemical […]
Gardens in New Hampshire offer rich summer color and productive vegetables, but two common sap-sucking pests–aphids and scale insects–can reduce vigor, deform growth, and transmit disease. This guide explains how to identify these pests, why New Hampshire’s climate influences outbreaks, and concrete integrated pest management (IPM) steps you can apply on a timeline. The emphasis […]
Winter is not a pause for pests — it is a powerful filter and shaping force. In New Hampshire, the interplay of cold temperatures, snow cover, freeze-thaw cycles, and changing seasonal timing determines which insects, ticks, and rodents survive and thrive the following spring and summer. Understanding these winter influences helps homeowners, forest managers, farmers, […]
Gardening in New Hampshire offers rewards of fresh vegetables, attractive ornamentals, and productive fruit trees, but the region’s climate also creates conditions favorable to plant diseases. Cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers combined with variable spring weather produce infection windows for fungal, bacterial, and viral pathogens. Preventing disease starts with planning and continues through […]
Gardening in New Hampshire rewards patience and planning — fertile soils and a distinct growing season support a wide range of vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals. They also support a predictable cast of pests. Accurate identification is the first step to effective control: different pests leave different signatures, respond to different controls, and appear at different […]