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1. Why are there white, squiggly lines going through my tomato plant’s leaves?

“The squiggly lines are tunnels that insects called leaf miners make as they eat the tissue between the tops and bottoms of leaves,” says landscaping expert Kevin Mulkern of Mulkern Landscaping.
Plants such as tomatoes, zucchini and watermelon are usual targets of these insects. “Because tomatoes are so popular for growing, they’re often planted regularly, causing insect populations to increase,” Mulkern says.  

Fix it: Miners aren’t likely to destroy your plant, but they can defeat the purpose of growing spinach, kale or other plants whose yields rely on whole, undamaged leaves. Regardless, affected leaves are an eyesore.

“One way to control leaf miners is to rotate crops, such as bush beans, as an alternative. By rotating crops, you take away the insects’ favored food supply,” Mulkern says.

Mulkern also recommends using an organic insecticidal soap, such as Safer Brand soap (see sidebar for more), to control the insect. “Make sure products you spray are safe for food crops and that you understand the instructions to apply properly,” he says. Clipping up to 10 percent of the leaves also helps cut down on miners by getting rid of parent bugs before they can lay new eggs. Just don’t mulch the clippings — you could spread the problem.

2. Why are there yellow-brown circles on my lawn?

“One of the most common problems is dog urine,” Mulkern says. “Generally, these yellow spots green up within a couple of weeks because plants use the nitrogen as food; it’s just your pet applies it rather heavily.”  Sometimes, this can also be a result of insects or by over-applying fertilizer.

Fix it: First, identify the problem. If it’s dog-related, the spots should disappear within a few weeks. But if waiting around isn’t your style, consider fencing to keep pets out of the yard, or train them to “go” in a designated area. If the pet isn’t yours, ask neighbors to be vigilant.

To identify whether insects are causing the problem, Mulkern suggests applying soapy water to an affected section. He advises using one tablespoon of either Ivory or Joy brand soap per 5-gallon bucket of water, then dumping it on the area. “This doesn’t kill the bugs, but it irritates them, and you’ll see a variety of insects on the surface of your lawn within about 10 minutes.”
Finally, apply fertilizer evenly and carefully. Water the area to make sure the fertilizer sets in, and cut your grass regularly. 


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