Question
I live in Nothern Westchester, N.Y. and all of the impatients that I planted this year died-Was this a fungus or just a bad year for for impatients?

Answer
Dear John, I am guessing that the impatiens probably turned black or brown and the stems just rotted away when they died.  That is indeed a fungus, but this isn't usually one that I would spray for.  Impatiens are a soft-stemmed plant and when plants like this develop rotten tissue, it is much better to remove the damaged areas because the stems won't suddenly recover and not be rotten anymore.  Often this happens with impatiens that are in high humidity and high temperatures although it can happen in cooler weather too, and freezes really turn them to mush.  To help prevent this from happening again, remove the dead and diseased plants, and let the area dry out thoroughly.  Impatiens usually prefer to be in a somewhat shaded location.  Try to select plants that aren't crammed together too much, and give them a bit of room when you plant them, although you don't have to space them too widely.  Just be sure that there is good air circulation.  After that it is often just up to the weather to not be overly hot and humid this summer, and it has been pretty hot and humid all over the U.S. this summer.  I hope this information helps.  Write back if you have more questions.  Good luck, Melissa