Problems & pests

(Poa annua) Annual meadow grass  is a common weed of lawns, beds, borders and containers. It sets a lot of seeds each year and so spreads readily around the garden.What is annual meadow grass?Annual meadow grass is, as its name suggests, an annual grass. It sets a lot of seeds each year and so spreads readily around the garden. These seeds ...

(Mercurialis annua) Annual mercury is a common weed throughout the garden, but particularly wherever soil is disturbed or cultivated. It sets lots of seeds each year and spreads readily.What is annual mercury?Annual mercury is, as its name suggests, an annual weed. It sets a lot of seeds each year and so spreads readily around the garden. These ...

Neonectria ditissimaApple canker is a fungal disease that produces often deep, sunken dead areas on the branches and stems of apple, and sometimes, Sorbus trees.Symptoms Sunken, often deep, dead areas on stems and branches Dead bark falls from the tree Growth above the canker dies Fruit is often attacked, which rots and falls prematurely What ...

Venturia inaequalis and Venturia pyrinaApple scab and pear scab are fungal diseases that produce dark, scabby marks to form on the fruit and the leaves of apples and pears respectively.Symptoms Black or dark scabby marks on the fruit Cracked and distorted fruit Cracked fruit may rot Yellow, then olive-green spots and marks on leaves, which ...

Blossom end rot produces dark patches on the bottom of tomato fruits – as well as peppers and aubergines. This plant disorder is mostly caused by irregular watering.Symptoms Roughly circular black or brown patches at the bottom (blossom end) of the fruit As they age, the patches may become sunken What is blossom end rot?Blossom end rot is ...

Boron is a micronutrient, needed by plants in small amounts. A deficiency can cause poor and stunted growth and a range of other symptoms, depending on the plant.Symptoms Stunted and poor growth Leaf tip browning and dieback A range of other symptoms, depending on the plant What is boron deficiency?Boron (B) is one of the micronutrients or ...

Various Formica, Lasius and Myrmica species Ants rarely do any direct damage to plants, but their mining can kill roots, and their effects are secondary. But their anthills are a nuisance in lawns and borders.Symptoms Ants crawling over structures and plants – either individually or in large numbers Anthills – mainly in lawns ...

(Crioceris asparagi) Asparagus beetle is the most serious pest of asparagus. Heavy attacks by this distinctive beetle weaken the plants and reduces crops in the following year.Symptoms Black beetles with six yellowish blotches on plants Greyish-black, six-legged larvae on plants Foliage eaten away Foliage dries up and turns brown What is ...