WSU Extension Q&A: Check outdoor plants for bugs before bringing them indoors

A. It is a good idea to check plants before bringing them indoors. Closely inspect the stems and leaves, looking for aphids or mites. (The black bugs on your plants are probably aphids.) If you find them, spray the plant with insecticidal soap according to label directions.

A check of the plant and beneath the pot may not reveal all potential hitchhikers. While still outside, consider submerging the pot for 15 minutes in a bucket of tepid water to help force out critters like slugs, ants and sowbugs. If you notice earthworms, relocate them to the garden. If you want to be sure there are no creatures lurking in the soil, you may want to repot the plant with fresh potting soil and a clean pot. Inspect your plant regularly for any signs of insects and treat accordingly.

A. Carrots planted in the summer may be left in the ground until a killing frost. Some gardeners place a straw mulch over the row so that carrots can be harvested until the ground freezes solid.

A. Boron is the most prevalent micro-nutrient deficiency found in alfalfa. Sandy soils do not hold on to boron as tightly as finer textured soils and therefore is more often leached and become deficient. Boron deficiencies can be mistaken for lack of water or drought damage. Symptoms include the youngest or upper leaves exhibit yellowing or red in color while the lower leaves stay green and healthy and should not be misdiagnosed as virus damage. Internodes in stems can also be shortened.

In northern Idaho, the average alfalfa yield response to applied boron in a deficient soil was 13 percent. Because of the low rate of material needed and toxicity if boron is applied in excess, boron is often mixed with other fertilizers such as potash. Do not apply boron near germinating seeds.