Muskmelons, cantaloupes, winter melons, and watermelons: they all thrive under the same cultural conditions and they all share similar growing problems. Melon problems and solutions Leaf problems Leaves curl under and become deformed and yellowish. Aphids are tiny, oval, and yellowish to greenish pear-shaped insects that colonize the undersides of leaves. They leave behind sticky […] More
Most vegetable garden diseases can be prevented and controlled. Limit disease damage by identifying diseases quickly and taking action. Regular visits to the garden will help you spot diseased plants before the disease spreads. Choose the most effective control and then work to prevent future disease outbreaks. Listed here are 25 common vegetable diseases. The […] More
Anthracnose—also called leaf spot fungus–is a catch-all name to describe several diseases caused by fungi that flourish in wet weather. Anthracnose causes small, dark spots with yellow halos to develop on leaves. The spots become sunken lesions. Lesions may also form on stems and fruits. Leaf spots grow larger, become angular, and then dry until […] More
Bacterial leaf spot disease produces small, dark irregular spots on tomato and pepper leaves as well as other crops. Leaves infected with bacterial leaf spot eventually turn yellow and drop off. Because bacterial leaf spot can cause the defoliation of a host plant developing fruits can suffer sunscald. Small, dark, wartlike raised spots with slightly […] More
Late blight is a fungus disease that can infect tomato and potato plants. The disease spreads rapidly and will likely destroy the infected plant in a few days. Wind- and water-borne fungal spores can quickly spread to other plants—including eggplants, and peppers. Late blight commonly strikes when nights are cool and moist and days are […] More
Early blight is a fungal disease that targets tomatoes in particular but also hits potatoes, peppers, and eggplant. Early blight can infect plants at almost any time during the growing season. It is most prevalent in regions where there is high humidity and when temperatures are greater than 75°F. Fungal spores carrying the disease are […] More
Septoria leaf spot is a fungal disease. It is one of the most destructive tomato plant diseases and affects a wide range of other vegetables and garden plants as well. Septoria fungal leaf spot is most severe in regions where warm, wet, humid weather extends over several days to weeks. Disease range: Throughout North America […] More
Rust is a fungal disease that attacks many vegetable and fruit crops and ornamental plants as well. Rust fungal spores are commonly carried on moist winds until they land on plant leaves, stems, flowers, or fruits. The spore pustules multiply creating a rusty-colored coating of spores. The coating of spores can eventually cover leaves and […] More
Sometimes there will be problems in the vegetable garden. There is always a cause and there is often a cure or control. Pest problems are often easy to spot: leaves or fruit look chewed or puckered from sucking pests. Diseases can be fungal, bacterial, or viral; often symptoms may look the same–brown or yellow spots […] More
There are natural, organic ways to control pest and disease problems in the garden. These techniques have proven effective over hundreds and even thousands of years. Today these techniques are often called Integrated Pest Management (IPM) or Organic Pest Management (OPM). Fundamental to IPM or OPM is close observation—meaning getting into the garden often. Early […] More
Damping off is the term gardeners use to describe the wilting and death of seedlings just before or just after they emerge from the soil. Damping off is caused by a fungus or mold that thrives in cool, wet soil conditions. Seedlings that suddenly collapse or fall over or bare spots in containers or in the […] More
Diseases and insect pests that often attack fruit and nut trees, grapes, and brambles in spring and summer can be headed off during the winter. Dormant sprays—which kill overwintering pests and some diseases—are best applied when plants are in the dormant stage—after leaves have dropped in the fall and before leaf buds open in spring. […] More
Stephen Albert