You can also try growing varieties like ‘Little Leaf' and slicing cucumbers, which lack the bitter gene and are less attractive to the cucumber beetles. Managing Outbreaks: Striped cucumber beetles are difficult to hand pick because they are small and...
Spacing Single Plants: 1' 1" (35cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 11" (30cm) with 1' 11" (60cm) row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant Plant the large seeds in your garden in late spring. A fresh crop of plants can be planted in late summer for bloom in the fall.
At the end of each season, be sure to pull all onions from the garden. Dig and move perennial onions every fall. Beneficial nematodes are the only effective treatment for this pest.
Companions Echinacea, Catnip, Agastache and Dill. Troubleshooting Control valerian's spread by cutting back flowering stems before they can shed seeds in your garden. Store in airtight container.
Troubleshooting Control lemon balm's spread by cutting back flowering stems in late summer. Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
Feeding Topdress with rich compost in spring, when new growth appears. Allow 4in (10cm) between bulbs of miniature tulips, and 6in (15cm) between taller varieties. Spacing Single Plants: 5" (15cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 3" (10cm) with 5" (15cm) row...
In midsummer, drench plants with a liquid plant food to stimulate new growth. Troubleshooting White ageratum blossoms go brown as they age, which is not as noticeable in varieties that bloom blue.
Harvesting Pick regularly as soon as the fruits turn color but are still firm. Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
Notes Thin seedlings to proper spacing when they are 4 inches tall. Germination often takes up to 2 weeks. Companions Onion, Onions and Radish. Spacing Single Plants: 7" (20cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 7" (20cm) with 11" (30cm) row gap (minimum) Sow and...
A wide hole is better than a very deep one. Mulch after planting, and encircle the trunk with a wire cage or protective pipe to protect the young tree from animal and insect pests.
Companions Beet, Carrot, Swiss Chard and Cabbage. Do not feed plants that are nearing maturity if you want very sweet onions. Grow short-day varieties in southern latitudes. Try growing different varieties from seed to explore differences in bulb color,...
Spacing Single Plants: 2' 11" (90cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 2' 11" (90cm) with 2' 11" (90cm) row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant Sow seeds 1 inch deep in rows, or in hills spaced 6 feet apart.
A single female apple maggot fly can lay 300 eggs in her short, 30-day lifespan. Preventing Problems: In areas where this pest is common, hang pheromone-baited sticky traps in apple trees in early summer, before fruits grow larger than your thumbnail.
Spacing Single Plants: 11" (30cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 9" (25cm) with 1' 1" (35cm) row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant Only a few lantana varieties are available as seed, but it is better to start with vegetatively propagated plants because they are seed...
Troubleshooting Rabbits enjoy nibbling chamomile foliage. Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area. When the stems are dry, pop off the blossoms and store them in an airtight container.
Yellowing leaves indicate a need for more nitrogen. Very sweet oranges need a long season of warm weather, but kumquats, calamondin oranges and satsumas fruit well in marginal areas or when grown in containers.
Slow-growing plants can be fed again in early summer. Feeding Fertilize in late fall by spreading a 1-inch (2.5 cm) layer of composted manure over the root zones of the plants. Mulch after planting to keep the soil cool and moist.
A fungal disease called milky spore can be introduced into lawns, where it infects Japanese beetle larvae. Although traps will collect hundreds of beetles, they may attract beetles from far beyond your yard.
Troubleshooting Wait until spring to prune back lavender plants, because the dead stems help shelter the base of the plants from harsh winter weather. Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
Position Sheltered south or south-west facing wall or fence, or under glass in cool climates. Troubleshooting Keeping peach trees dry under cover or under plastic sheeting can help prevent peach leaf curl.
If there are holes in the trunk which leak a gummy substance or sawdust-like frass, the culprit is probably a borer or beetle – to kill this pest, poke a needle into the hole. Companions Marigold, Garlic, Onion, Onions, Tansy and Nasturtium.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area. Notes Requires warm weather to grow well. Wear gloves and a long-sleeved shirt to avoid prickles.
Spacing Single Plants: 7" (20cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 5" (15cm) with 9" (25cm) row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant Start with a purchased plant, or start seeds indoors and set out at about the time of your last frost.
Notes Tie heavy-bearing plants to a single stake to keep them from falling over. Mulch to keep soil lightly moist at all times. Companions Basil, Marjoram, Oregano, Carrot, Tomato, Borage and Dill.
Troubleshooting Native black walnuts are often easier to grow in the US compared to English or Persian walnuts. Mulch after planting, and encircle the trunk with a wire cage or protective pipe to protect the young tree from animal and insect pests.
They do not have the velvety skin texture of cabbage worms, which are a different pest. Managing Outbreaks: Diamondback moths have become resistant to most pesticides, including Bt. Hand picking is a better option, and can make a big impact when you check...
Damage: Black bean aphids are usually visible on plants because of their contrasting color. Follow up with two applications of insecticidal soap, one week apart. They are often found in dense clusters on tender new growth.
