Brown patch is one of the most common and damaging turfgrass diseases in Tennessee, especially on cool-season lawns such as tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass. Knowing when to intervene and which actions to take can mean the difference between a short-lived cosmetic issue and widespread turf loss that requires renovation. This article provides in-depth, practical […]
Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are among the most economically important plant-parasitic nematodes for Tennessee vegetable producers. They attack roots, reduce water and nutrient uptake, and cause localized feeding sites called galls that directly reduce yield and marketability of many vegetable crops. This article summarizes the root-knot species you are likely to encounter in Tennessee, how […]
Leaf yellowing, or chlorosis, is a common and visually striking symptom that can indicate a range of problems in Tennessee gardens, lawns, and landscapes. Because nutrient problems are among the most frequent causes, it is essential to follow a systematic diagnostic process to distinguish nutrient deficiencies from other causes (disease, pests, water stress, soil compaction, […]
Understanding the pest and the problem Cucumber beetles (primarily the striped and spotted cucumber beetle species) are one of the most damaging pests of cucurbits in Tennessee. Adults feed on cotyledons and young leaves, scarring fruit and stems, and they transmit bacterial wilt and several viruses. Larvae feed on roots, which can weaken plants and […]
Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica) are a familiar seasonal pest in Tennessee. Adults skeletonize leaves and feed on flowers in June and July, and their white grub larvae can cause extensive turf damage in late summer and fall. Successful control requires understanding the beetle life cycle, consistent monitoring, and an integrated approach that combines cultural, biological, […]
Why disease resistance matters in Tennessee gardens Tennessee’s climate, with hot, humid summers and frequent summer storms, creates ideal conditions for many plant pathogens: fungal spores, bacterial inoculum, and virus vectors thrive when humidity and temperature are high. Gardeners in Tennessee face recurring problems such as late blight and early blight on tomatoes, powdery and […]
Eastern tent caterpillars are a common spring nuisance across Tennessee. Their silken tents and groups of fuzzy black-and-white larvae on cherries, apples, and other hardwood trees can be alarming to homeowners and managers of public landscapes. This article explains how to identify eastern tent caterpillars, understand their life cycle and impact, and choose practical, effective […]
Bacterial wilt is one of the most dramatic and frustrating diseases a Tennessee tomato grower can encounter. It causes rapid collapse of otherwise healthy plants, often with little sign that a vascular disease is present until the plant is severely stressed. This article describes what bacterial wilt looks like in Tennessee tomatoes, how to distinguish […]
Vine weevil (most commonly Otiorhynchus sulcatus) is a persistent pest of many container-grown ornamentals and edibles. In Tennessee, where container production and patio gardening are popular, vine weevil can cause serious root damage and plant loss if not detected and managed proactively. This article explains how to identify vine weevil, describes its lifecycle and seasonal […]
Maple trees in Tennessee are a familiar and much-loved part of landscapes, lining streets, anchoring yards, and shading parks. Tar spot is one of the most visible and commonly encountered diseases on maples in the state. Homeowners and municipal arborists often notice black, tar-like blotches on the leaves and worry that the trees are dying. […]
Aphids are among the most common and persistent pests of landscape ornamentals in Tennessee. Their rapid reproduction, ability to transmit plant viruses, and production of sticky honeydew that leads to sooty mold make them a frequent concern for home gardeners, landscapers, and public green spaces. This article provides practical, field-tested strategies for reducing the frequency […]
Gardeners in Tennessee face a range of soilborne pests and diseases, and Southern blight (caused primarily by the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii) is one of the most destructive when it appears in vegetable beds. This guide explains how to recognize the disease, why Tennessee conditions favor it, and — most importantly — what practical, proven steps […]
Evergreens dropping needles suddenly is an alarming sight for homeowners and landscape managers in Tennessee. Needle loss can be a normal seasonal process, but when it happens rapidly and across multiple parts of a tree or shrub it is a sign of stress, disease, insect attack, or environmental damage. This article explains common causes of […]
If you are dealing with plant disease issues in Tennessee, you want rapid, accurate, and locally relevant help. Extension services, diagnostic laboratories, experienced county agents, and trained volunteers are the most reliable sources for this kind of assistance. This article explains where to find help in Tennessee, how to prepare and submit samples, what to […]
Black spot is the most common, visible, and damaging fungal disease of roses in Tennessee and throughout humid regions. Knowing when to apply fungicides is only part of an effective control program. Timing must be combined with the right product, good spray coverage, and cultural practices that reduce leaf wetness and inoculum. This article gives […]
Whiteflies are among the most persistent insect pests in greenhouse production, and Tennessee growers who produce vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals encounter significant challenges from several whitefly species. This article describes the species most likely to appear in Tennessee greenhouses, explains the types of damage they cause, and provides an in-depth, practical guide to monitoring and […]
Introduction Container gardening is a popular way for Tennessee gardeners to grow vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals in limited space. Containers concentrate both opportunity and risk: they are convenient, but roots are constrained and disease can spread quickly. Root diseases are among the most destructive problems in container systems because symptoms often appear aboveground long after […]
Tennessee gardeners face a long, warm growing season, high humidity, and a wide range of vegetable pests from flea beetles in early spring to squash vine borers in summer. Low-toxicity approaches emphasize preventing pest outbreaks, encouraging natural enemies, and using targeted, least-harmful products when necessary. This article provides practical, Tennessee-specific strategies and step-by-step treatments you […]
Fruit-tree borers are one of the most destructive insect pests for home orchards and small commercial plantings in Tennessee. Left unchecked, borers can girdle trunks and major limbs, weaken trees, reduce yields, and kill otherwise healthy trees. This article gives clear, practical, and regionally relevant guidance — life cycles, detection, cultural practices, physical and biological […]
Attracting native predatory insects to gardens in Tennessee is an ecologically sound strategy that reduces pest pressure, lowers chemical inputs, and strengthens overall garden resilience. Predatory insects–such as lady beetles, lacewings, syrphid flies, parasitic wasps, ground beetles, and spined soldier bugs–provide continuous, targeted pest suppression when they are supported with appropriate habitat and resources. This […]
Bacterial spot is one of the most destructive diseases of peppers in Tennessee and the southeastern United States. Warm, humid summers and frequent rainfall create ideal conditions for Xanthomonas bacteria to spread rapidly through fields and high tunnels. When bacterial spot appears it can reduce yields, make fruit unmarketable, and increase production costs through extra […]
Roses in Tennessee are prized for their blooms and fragrance, but they also attract one of the most persistent and cryptic pests: spider mites. This article explains, in practical detail, how to recognize spider mite damage on roses in Tennessee, why these pests thrive in certain conditions, how to monitor and confirm an infestation, and […]
Scale insects are among the most persistent and damaging pests of landscape ornamentals in Tennessee. They feed by sucking plant sap, produce honeydew that encourages sooty mold, and can cause yellowing, branch dieback, and even plant death when populations become severe. Because Tennessee spans USDA hardiness zones roughly 5 through 8 and has warm, humid […]
Overview: what leaf gall looks like and why Tennessee gardeners notice it Leaf gall on azaleas is a common, distinctive disorder that shows up most often in spring in the Southeast, including Tennessee. Affected leaves and occasionally flowers become thickened, fleshy and distorted; colors range from pale green to pink or white, and infected tissue […]
Introduction Tennessee’s humid climate and wide range of turfgrass types create ideal conditions for fungal diseases. Lawn owners who ignore diagnosis, cultural controls, and careful chemical use often see repeated outbreaks and declining turf quality. This article provides an in-depth, practical guide to identifying, preventing, and managing the most common fungal problems in Tennessee lawns, […]
Early detection of pest damage gives Tennessee gardeners the best chance to stop a small problem from becoming a crop-ruining disaster. Tennessee’s climate — humid summers, mild springs, and short cold snaps — favors many insects, mollusks, and small mammals that feed on vegetables, fruits, ornamentals, and native plants. This article explains the most reliable […]
Dormant oil is a fundamental tool in integrated pest management for Tennessee orchards. Used correctly it reduces overwintering pest populations, lowers early season pest pressure, and can improve the effectiveness of follow-up sprays. This article explains what dormant oil is, when and how to apply it in Tennessee climates, which pests it targets, how to […]
Houseplant growers in Tennessee routinely encounter two related groups of sap-feeding pests: scale insects and mealybugs. These pests are small, often cryptic, and can cause major stress to indoor plants through direct feeding, honeydew production, sooty mold growth, and secondary disease. This article describes the common types you will see in Tennessee homes, explains how […]
Tomato viruses are a common and costly problem for growers in Tennessee. Warm humid summers, abundant insect vectors, and widespread solanaceous weeds create an environment where viruses can spread rapidly and reduce yield and fruit quality. This article provides a clear, step-by-step diagnostic workflow, practical sampling and sanitation techniques, and management recommendations tailored to Tennessee […]
Understanding the Tennessee context: why fungal control matters here Tennessee’s climate is warm, humid, and often rainy during the growing season. Those same conditions that favor rapid plant growth also favor fungal and oomycete diseases: powdery mildew, downy mildew, leaf spots, early blight, anthracnose, rusts, botrytis, and soilborne rots. Organic home gardeners in Tennessee therefore […]
Codling moth (Cydia pomonella) is the single most destructive insect pest of apples, pears, and several other pome fruits in Tennessee. Left unchecked, codling moth larvae tunnel into fruit, causing direct loss, chronic fruit drop, and secondary rots. Protecting trees effectively requires an integrated approach timed to local seasonal conditions: sanitation, monitoring, cultural controls, biological […]
Beneficial nematodes are microscopic, wormlike organisms that parasitize many common soil-dwelling insect pests. For Tennessee gardeners, turf managers, and small farmers seeking low-toxicity, environmentally friendly pest control, entomopathogenic nematodes offer a highly practical tool. This article explains how they work, which Tennessee pests they control best, how to choose and apply them, and how to […]
Root rot is one of the most common and frustrating problems for container gardeners in Tennessee. Warm humid summers, heavy rainfall, and dense clay soils make the state a favorable environment for soilborne pathogens and for the prolonged wet conditions that encourage them. In containers the problem is amplified: restricted root space, slow-draining media, and […]
Cedar-apple rust is a distinctive fungal disease that alternates between junipers and members of the rose family, including apple and crabapple trees. On Tennessee junipers, which are commonly used in landscapes across the state, the disease produces a series of recognizable symptoms that make field diagnosis straightforward once you know what to look for. This […]
Flower beds in Tennessee can be a showcase of color and texture, but slugs and snails often turn tender foliage, seedlings, and petals into ragged lace. Controlling these mollusks successfully calls for a combination of cultural practices, physical barriers, monitoring, biological options, and, when needed, carefully chosen baits. This article explains the biology and behavior […]
Peach brown rot is one of the most important diseases affecting peaches in Tennessee. It can destroy fruit in the orchard and during storage, reduce marketable yield, and increase production costs through repeated sprays and sanitation labor. Understanding why brown rot develops in Tennessee orchards and how the pathogen behaves is essential to manage it […]
Bacterial leaf spot is a common, yield-limiting disease of many vegetable crops in Tennessee, including tomato, pepper, brassicas, cucurbits, and leafy greens. Management requires a proactive, integrated approach that reduces inoculum, minimizes spread, and supports plant health so crops can tolerate occasional infections. This article provides practical, science-based recommendations for growers, gardeners, and extension professionals […]
Shade trees are central to Tennessee yards and streetscapes. They provide cooling shade, habitat for wildlife, and visual character. Scale insects, however, can quietly undermine tree health for years before symptoms become obvious. This guide explains how to identify scale problems common in Tennessee, how and when to monitor, and a practical, season-by-season prevention and […]
Tennessee gardeners face a predictable but potentially devastating challenge every growing season: tomato blight. Knowing when to treat for blight in Tennessee requires combining knowledge of disease biology, local climate patterns, visual scouting, and an understanding of available controls. This article explains the differences between common blights, describes the Tennessee-specific timing and risk factors, and […]
Ornamental plants in Tennessee face a wide range of insect pests that reduce vigor, mar appearance, and in severe cases kill prized shrubs and shade trees. Understanding the pests that are most common in the state’s humid, warm climate, how to recognize the symptoms they cause, and what practical management steps work best is essential […]
Diagnosing disease problems in Tennessee orchards requires a methodical approach that combines field observation, knowledge of local disease cycles, careful sampling, and appropriate laboratory support. The region’s warm, humid climate favors a broad suite of fungal, bacterial, and oomycete pathogens on apples, peaches, pears, cherries, and other tree fruit. This article gives a practical, step-by-step […]
Tennessee’s climate — hot, humid summers, variable springs, and a long growing season in the western and central parts of the state — creates conditions that favor a wide array of vegetable pests. Managing those pests in an organic vegetable garden requires planning, monitoring, and a layered approach that emphasizes cultural controls, physical barriers, biological […]
Invasive pests are among the most serious threats facing Tennessee’s forests, urban trees, and backyard landscapes. These insects and pathogens can kill large numbers of trees, alter ecosystems, reduce property values, and impose heavy costs for treatment and removal. Protecting Tennessee trees requires a combination of prevention, early detection, targeted management, and coordinated community action. […]
Gardening in Tennessee offers a long growing season, diverse plant palettes, and a steady parade of both beneficial and pest insects. Embracing native predators as allies is one of the most effective, low-cost, and ecologically responsible ways to keep pest pressure under control. This article explains which native predators matter in Tennessee gardens, how they […]
Fire ants are one of the most persistent and painful turf pests in Tennessee. Their large, dome-shaped mounds and aggressive stinging behavior make them a concern for homeowners, families with children, pets, and anyone using outdoor spaces. This article explains how to identify fire ants, how they behave in Tennessee climates, practical nonchemical and chemical […]
Powdery mildew is one of the most common fungal diseases affecting roses in Tennessee. Although it rarely kills a healthy plant outright, it can seriously reduce vigor, deform flowers and foliage, and make a once-beautiful rose look sickly. This article describes exactly what powdery mildew looks like on roses, how to distinguish it from other […]
Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), often abbreviated EAB, is an invasive wood-boring beetle that has killed millions of ash trees across North America since its detection in the early 2000s. Tennessee has active infestations in many counties, and managing this pest requires a deliberate mix of early detection, timely treatments, coordinated community action, and long-term […]
Dogwood anthracnose is a serious foliar and stem disease that has damaged flowering dogwood trees across Tennessee for decades. Understanding why dogwoods in Tennessee are vulnerable requires looking at the pathogen, the state’s climate and landscape conditions, host susceptibility, and common cultural practices. This article explains the biology of anthracnose, the environmental and human factors […]
Short, proactive actions repeated yearly will prevent many of the most common and damaging plant diseases in Tennessee. This guide focuses on cultural, environmental, and chemical strategies tailored to the climate and common landscape and garden crops found across Tennessee. Practical, step-by-step recommendations and seasonal timing will help you keep trees, shrubs, perennials, vegetables, and […]
Gardens in Tennessee are productive and diverse, but the state’s warm, humid climate also encourages a wide range of pests. Quick identification is the foundation of effective response: the sooner you know what you’re dealing with, the faster you can apply targeted control that reduces damage and avoids unnecessary treatments. This guide gives clear, practical […]