Tomatoes

Q- I live in Prescott, and my tomatoes will not turn red. Any suggestions on how to get them to ripen before a freeze hits?

A- Lee Ann Aronson, University of Ari-
zona Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Master Gardener, has two methods for ripening green tomatoes: Two to three weeks before your average freeze, use a pitchfork to gently loosen the soil around the roots of your tomato plants. (Your cooperative extension office can provide average first freeze dates, or you can check the National Climatic Data Center table at http://cdo.ncdc.noaa.gov/climatenormals/clim20supp1/states/AZ.pdf.) Loosening the soil stresses the plants so that a hormone is produced that will ripen the green tomatoes on the vine.

Another option is to harvest green to-matoes from the vine and wrap each separately in a sheet of newspaper. Place them in a box in a cool, dark place and check on them periodically, discarding any that rot. For best flavor, never store tomatoes lower than 55 degrees. Bring green tomatoes up to 70 degrees to ripen. Or, use one of the many tasty recipes for green tomatoes.

Q- My ash tree’s leaves are turning brown and falling off, and there’s a large mushroom growing at its base. What’s happening?

A- The symptoms you describe match a fungal disease known as Ganoderma root rot, according to Cathy Rymer, Certified Arborist, Master Gardener and water conservation coordinator for the city of Chandler. During the summer rainy season, this fungus enters its reproductive phase and produces mushroomlike growths at the bases of infected trees. Your tree could live for several more years or decline suddenly. Because the root systems of the infected trees are weakened, they are susceptible to blowing over in strong winds, thus becoming potential hazards.

Unfortunately, there is no cure or treatment for this fungus. The best option is to avoid infection in other trees by watering effectively to minimize stress; in addition, avoid wounding the trunk with lawn mowers, Weed Wackers or improper pruning cuts. More details and photographs of this fungal growth and an affected ash tree can be seen at http://ag.arizona.edu/PLP/plpext/diseases/trees/Ash/Ganoderma.htm.

Q- I planted carrots this month and now they seem stressed. How can I protect the seedlings until the heat fades?

A- You might try covering them with 50-percent shade cloth, suggests University of Arizona Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Olin Miller. The lengthy planting window for carrots is from August through April, according to Vegetable Planting Calendar for Maricopa County at http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/az1005.pdf.

In Miller’s experience, the optimum planting time for carrots may be late September through October, which eliminates the need for shade cloth while still producing seed germination. Another good time for sowing carrot seeds is mid-December through January. Although germination is slower in the winter, taking up to three weeks, you will have plenty of time to replant if necessary.