Quad Cities Times, IA
07-02-06
Ask the experts
By ISU extension
Q: When is the best time to water a lawn?
A: Early morning (5 to 9 a.m.) is the best time to water a lawn. A morning
application allows the water to soak deeply into the soil with little water lost to
evaporation. When watering is completed, the turfgrass foliage dries quickly.
Watering at mid-day is less efficient because of rapid evaporation and strong
winds may cause uneven water distribution. Strong, mid-day winds may also
carry water onto driveways, sidewalks or streets, wasting considerable amounts
of water. Watering lawns in late afternoon or evening may increase disease
problems.
Round things on potatoes
Q: I recently found several small, round, green objects resembling miniature
tomatoes on my potato plants. What are they?
A: The small, round, green objects are the true fruit of the potato plant. While
potato plants may bloom heavily in late spring, most of the flowers dry up and
drop from the plant and don’t develop into fruit. The fruit that do develop are
relatively small and inconspicuous and often go unnoticed by most gardeners.
The variety “Yukon Gold” fruits more heavily than most other potato varieties.
Potato fruit are not the result of cross-pollination of tomatoes with potatoes.
Tomatoes and potatoes belong to the Solanaceae or Nightshade Family. Plants
within a family share certain characteristics. The flowers on tomatoes and
potatoes are similar. The shape of the fruit is also similar. While similar in shape,
potato fruit are much smaller than those on tomatoes.
Potato fruit are of no real value. The small fruit should not be eaten as they
contain a poisonous alkaloid (solanine). The fruit are not useful for planting
purposes as potatoes don’t reproduce true from seed.
Compiled by the horticulture staff at Iowa State University, Ames.