In this episode of Plant Doctor with Mike Meier, Mike dives into a variety of listener questions and offers practical advice on lawn care, pest control, and plant health. The episode kicks off with a call from Mary, who is curious about the best time to aerate her lawn. Mike explains the importance of soil moisture and suggests fall as the optimal time for periodic maintenance aeration. Mary also asks about weed control, and Mike recommends using Four Speed XT for broadleaf and grassy weeds, providing detailed instructions on its application.

Next, Jim Dandy calls in with a mole problem exacerbated by his dogs digging up the yard. Jim shares a home remedy involving castor oil and dish soap, but Mike debunks its effectiveness and suggests using pinwheels to deter moles. He shares his own surprising success with pinwheels, despite his initial skepticism, and emphasizes the importance of non-chemical solutions.

Kevin texts in about his pumpkin plants, which flourish but produce few pumpkins. Mike identifies potential issues such as insufficient sunlight and acidic soil due to proximity to a spruce tree. He advises moving the plants and testing the soil to improve next year's crop.

Mike then addresses a widespread issue with lilacs in the area, likely caused by a bacterial blight known as Pseudomonas syringae. He provides a comprehensive guide on diagnosing and managing the disease, including pruning dead branches and avoiding fertilization.

In the second half of the show, Mike discusses the notable absence of bats this summer and their role in controlling mosquito populations. He explains the impact of white nose syndrome on bat colonies and suggests ways to safely encourage bats to return without spreading the disease.

Finally, Mike tackles the common problem of tomatoes not ripening due to high temperatures. He explains the role of lycopene and carotene in the ripening process and offers insights into how to manage this issue, emphasizing the importance of temperature regulation.

Whether you're dealing with lawn aeration, pest control, plant diseases, or garden productivity, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical solutions to help you maintain a thriving garden.