More stories

  • in , ,

    Eggplant Growing Problems: Troubleshooting

    Eggplant growing1

    They can be difficult to grow without these ingredients. Here is a troubleshooting list of possible eggplant problems with control and cure suggestions: (More eggplant growing success tips are at the bottom of this post.) Eggplant seed and seedling problems Seedlings are cut off near the soil surface Cutworms are gray or brown grubs that […] More

  • in , ,

    Celery Growing Problems: Troubleshooting

    Celery in row

    Celery requires plenty of moisture, fertile soil, and a long, cool growing season. You can start celery from seed, but germination is slow–about four weeks. Sow seeds indoors at least 10 weeks before seedlings are to be set out. A better plan might be to purchase celery starts when you are ready to plant. Even […] More

  • in , , ,

    Mid-Season Pepper Problem Cures

    Peppers growing1

    Peppers are tropical plants and can be temperamental–especially the further they grow away from the tropics. They demand warm temperatures—not too cool and not too hot, organically rich soil, and even soil moisture—not too little and not too much. Give peppers these optimal conditions and they will produce until the first frost in autumn. Common […] More

  • in , ,

    Pepper Growing Problems: Troubleshooting

    Peppers along wire1

    Peppers–sweet peppers and hot peppers–share nearly all of the cultural and growing requirements of tomatoes. If you can grow tomatoes, you can grow peppers. Choose a site with full sun where the soil is moisture retentive but well-draining. If you are planting sweet peppers and hot peppers in the garden, give them some distance so […] More

  • in , ,

    Corn Growing Problems: Troubleshooting

    Corn in garden1

    To come to harvest quickly corn requires warm temperatures, rich soil, and even, regular watering. Corn is wind-pollinated so planting in blocks or multiple rows to ensure pollination is important. Here is a troubleshooting list of possible corn-growing problems with control and cure suggestions: (Read to the bottom of this post for corn-growing success tips.) […] More

  • in ,

    Corn Earworm Organic Pest Controls

    Corn in garden

    The corn earworm—which is also known as the tomato fruitworm and the cotton bollworm—is a caterpillar that eats the fruit and leaves of corn, tomatoes, beans, peppers, squash, lettuce, peas, potatoes, and other crops. Corn earworms also chew tomato fruits from the blossom end, eat into bean pods and nibble lettuce. Earworms also attack okra […] More

  • in , ,

    Cucumbers Growing Problems: Troubleshooting

    Cucumber flower1

    Give cucumbers the right conditions–warm, sunny weather and consistent water–and they will be one of your top-producing garden crops. To keep ahead of cucumber problems, pests, and diseases, here is a troubleshooting list of possible cucumber problems with brief control suggestions. Cucumber problems and solutions Seed and seedling problems Plants are eaten or cut off […] More

  • in ,

    Cucumber Beetle Organic Pest Control

    Cucumber beetle spotted1

    The cucumber beetle is an oblong greenish-yellow beetle with black spots or stripes on its wing covers. The cucumber beetle is about ¼ inch long. Cucumber beetles feed mainly on members of the cucurbit family—cucumbers, melons, and squashes—and also asparagus, early beans, corn, eggplant, peas, potatoes, and tomatoes. They attack seedlings feeding on young shoots […] More

  • in , ,

    Squash Growing Problems: Troubleshooting

    Squash plant leaves

    Squash can be susceptible to several garden pests and diseases. When it comes to solving plant problems, diagnosis is 9/10 of the cure. You must know what is wrong with your plant before you can select the right control measure. Squash problems and suggested controls Seed and seedling problems Seeds fail to germinate. Some squash […] More

  • in , ,

    Asparagus Growing Problem Troubleshooting

    Asparagus in rows

    Asparagus is a perennial vegetable that will keep on producing for 20 years or longer given the right location and care. A healthy asparagus patch requires a bit of attention. Rule Number One: Keep ahead of asparagus problems, pests, and diseases. Here are asparagus growing problems and solutions: Whole plant problems Yellow to orange to […] More

  • in ,

    Asparagus Beetle Organic Pest Control

    Aspargus beetle 12 spot

    The common asparagus beetle adult is a shiny, elongated blue-black beetle with a reddish-brown thorax and four cream-colored spots surrounded by a red border on the wing covers. The adult asparagus beetle is ¼-inch long. The larva is a greenish-gray, wrinkled, humpbacked grub with a dark head about ⅓-inch long. Common asparagus beetle adults and […] More

  • in , ,

    Potato Growing Problems: Troubleshooting

    Potato plant closeup

    Potato growing success can be had with well-drained, deep, sandy loam containing plenty of humus paired with cool, moist conditions. Plant potatoes in early spring after the danger of frost has passed. Use disease-free seed potatoes; cut each potato so that two eyes are on each piece. Even under these ideal growing conditions, potatoes are […] More