Onions and their close relatives–chives, garlic, shallots, and leeks–are among the oldest home garden plants. Allium is the genus for these crops. All varieties of Allium require loose, well-drained soil rich in nitrogen.There are hundreds of varieties of onion family plants. All suffer from similar pests, diseases, and cultural problems Good Products for Pest and […] More
Beets grow best in cool weather. For best fresh eating, harvest beats when they are half grown–about six weeks after sowing. Beets will still be good eating when grown to full size. Thinning beets is important: thin first when roots begin to thicken–the tops will be young and tender and can be served fresh in […] More
Fresh-picked home-grown green peas are worth the effort. The flavor of fresh-picked peas will far outdistance the flavor of store-bought peas because the flavor of peas dulls quickly after picking as sugar changes to starch. Peas grow best in cool weather, but peas are not limited to spring planting. Late summer and fall planting can […] More
Okra can be grown with ease wherever sweet corn is grown. Okra is often associated with the South–think gumbo soup, but it grows well in northern gardens as well. Okra grows in average soil; start okra when the soil and air temperature are right for planting corn For okra growing tips see Okra Growing Success Tips […] More
Carrots and parsnips grow best in loose, sandy, humus-rich soil. Size does not make for more flavorful carrots and parsnips. For the best flavor, lift both crops before they reach maximum size. Carrots and parsnips can be sown thickly; later thin both from 2 to 2½ inches apart or more depending upon the variety. Young […] More
Cauliflower is grown much like cabbage but requires more careful treatment. It is best to start cauliflower indoors where it can be protected from both cold and hot temperatures. Spring-planted cauliflower is likely to face early cold and late heat which will make the effort difficult. Summer-planted cauliflower for fall harvest will be both easier […] More
Artichokes grow best in areas with long mild winters and cool summers. Artichokes do not grow well where the summers are sweltering, and where winters are cold and the ground freezes, artichokes must be replanted each year. Perennial artichokes should be cut back to about 12 inches in winter and the roots and crown heavily […] More
Grow turnip, rutabaga, and kohlrabi in cool-weather. Get these vegetables started early in spring at least two months before the onset of very warm weather, or plant them in late summer so that they come to harvest in the cool days of autumn. Grow turnips, rutabagas, and kohlrabi rapidly–these crops are most flavorful if they […] More
Beans: garden beans–including pole, bush, and shell–lima beans, mung beans, scarlet runner beans, asparagus beans, and southern peas (which are not beans but share similar cultural requirements). All of these crops share similar problems. Here is a list of common bean problems and possible causes and cures. For more on vegetable garden pests and diseases […] More
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
Tomatoes and peppers drop their blossoms when environmentally stressed. But when conditions are less extreme, a plant that has dropped its blossoms will flower again, set fruit, and be productive. Temperatures too cold or too hot; weather too dry or too wet; soil too nutrient-rich or deficient are the most common reasons tomatoes and peppers […] 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
Stephen Albert