• Soil and Air Temperatures for Growing Vegetables

    Spring vegetable garden

    The most useful measure of the vegetable garden growing season is soil and air temperature averages. Warming soil temperatures activate root growth and the uptake of moisture and nutrients. Soil temperature is very closely affected by the air temperature. As days lengthen in spring and the air temperature warms toward summer, the soil temperature follows. […] More

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  • Cool-Season Vegetable Varieties

    Spinach in the garden

    Cool-season vegetables are for planting and growing in late winter, early spring, or in late summer, autumn, and early winter. These crops do best in temperatures between about 40°F and about 70°F (4-21°C). Many can withstand temperatures colder, but few can thrive in temperatures warmer. Make sure that cool-season crops planted in spring have enough […] More

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  • Dry Vegetable Gardening

    Dry garden corn

    Dry gardening–called dry farming on a grander scale–is a strategy for gardening where rainfall and irrigation water are in short supply. By definition, dry farming is non-irrigated agriculture in a climate where there is 20 inches of rain or less a year. Vegetables require water to germinate, grow, and fruit. Plant cells are made mostly […] More

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  • Ground Beetle Beneficial Insect

    Ground beetle

    Ground beetles are beneficial insects. Adult ground beetles and their larvae eat asparagus beetles, caterpillars, Colorado potato beetles, corn earworms, cutworms, cabbage root maggots, Gypsy moth larvae, slugs, snails, squash vine borers, and tobacco budworms. A single ground beetle larva can eat more than 50 caterpillars. Adults hunt their prey in the soil and on […] More

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  • Common Vegetable Garden Insect Pests

    Aphids

    Vegetable garden insect pests are susceptible to many controls. Limit insect damage by identifying pests quickly and recognizing the damage they inflict. Regular visits to the garden will help you spot pests before they become established. Then choose the most effective control given the infestation. The quickest controls for light infestations are listed below under […] More

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  • How to Harvest and Store Eggplant

    Eggplant Black Beauty

    Harvest eggplant young as soon as the skin becomes glossy. The flesh of young eggplant will be more tender and the seeds smaller. The plant will produce more fruit if kept picked. Related articles: When to harvest eggplant It is better to harvest eggplant just before it’s ripe than to wait too long. Kitchen Helpers […] More

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  • Ladybug Beneficial Insect

    Lady beetle Copy

    Ladybugs are beneficial insects. Ladybugs are also known as lady beetles. Adult and young ladybugs also eat asparagus beetle larvae, Colorado potato beetle larvae, lace bugs, mealybugs, Mexican bean beetle larvae, scale, spider mites, whiteflies, and the eggs of several insects. One ladybug can eat 5,000 pest aphids in its lifetime. The ladybug is also […] More

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  • Praying Mantid Beneficial Insect

    Praying mantid1

    Praying mantids (plural praying mantis) are mostly beneficial insects. Praying mantids eat aphids, asparagus beetles, caterpillars, Colorado potato beetles, earwigs, leafhoppers, Mexican bean beetles, and squash bugs. Praying mantids also eat beneficial insects, butterflies, and bees. The praying mantid is a beneficial insect sometimes known as the “destroyer of other insects.” Praying mantises eat an […] More

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  • Green Lacewing Beneficial Insect

    Lacewing adult1

    Green lacewings are beneficial insects. Adult lacewings feed on nectar, pollen, and aphid honeydew. Young, larvae lacewings feed on the eggs and immature stages of many soft-bodied insect pests including aphids, asparagus beetle larvae, caterpillar eggs and young caterpillars, Colorado potato beetle larvae, spider mites, thrips, whiteflies, leafhoppers, and the eggs of pest moths and […] More

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  • How to Harvest and Store Swiss Chard

    Chard cut come again

    Harvest Swiss chard when the leaves are tender and big enough to eat. Swiss chard is ready for picking 30 days after sowing if you want baby leaves. Harvest chard 45 to 60 days after sowing if you want full-sized leaves with a thick midrib. Related articles: When to harvest Swiss Chard Kitchen Helpers from […] More

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  • Vegetable Garden Diseases Problem Solver

    Blossom end rot closeups

    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

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  • Rust Fungus Disease

    Rust on Raspberry Leaf

    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

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