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can encourage the problem. Compost sold specifically for tomatoes, such as grow bags, contains sufficient calcium for a good crop of fruits. Never apply fertiliser to dry soil, always give plants plenty of water first. tomatoes, peppers

can be eliminated by calling in professional pest control companies, or if the nest is small enough, by using a proprietory product from any hardware store.fruit trees and busheslate-summer to autumnMore common garden pestsSlugsAphidsEarwigsMealybugs

Sun-loving tomatoes can suffer outdoors during spells of cold weather, with ideal temperatures from 18-24˚C and no lower than 13˚C. If it is too cold there might be poor pollination, curling of leaves and the fruits might be scarred, with holes

problems affecting fruit bushes and treesGrey mould on soft fruitsApple sooty blotchPeach leaf curlBrown rot on apples, pears and plums

The cause of the splits is invariably irregular watering. When the tree suddenly gets a hefty drink following a period of drought, the apples quickly expand, which often leads to the skin cracking. The fruit usually produces a corky, scab

problems, so ensure you clear away all fallen, affected fruits and leaves by late-autumn. Dispose of them but not on your compost heap, as this could redistribute the fungus around the garden.There's no specific control, but spraying for apple scab using

can cause fruit to split, will help reduce the likelihood of an attack. Spray the tree with myclobutanil during the summer.apples, pears, plumssummer, winterCommon problems affecting fruit treesPear leal blister mitePear wasp damageApple and pear scab

Left unchecked, canker can gradually spread to affect whole branches and sections of trees. Severely-infected old trees may be beyond rescue, while young trees are vulnerable to infection, particularly where other susceptible trees are growing

and fruit. Clear up infected, fallen leaves around trees. Cover fence or wall-trained trees with polythene sheet in January and February to prevent development of fungus. Alternatively, erect an open-sided 'tent' over bushes in the open garden. Mulch around

-the-counter solution.pearssummer, autumn, winterMore advice on growing pear treesRemoving codling moth from pear treesTreating apple and pear scabPreventing pear leaf blister mite