As the plants grow, they will shade out most summer weeds. Weed by hand until the plants are 4 inches (10 cm) tall, gradually thinning plants to 18 inches (46 cm) apart. Position Full sun.
Companions Chinese Cabbage, Cabbage, Beans, Onion and Onions. Spacing Single Plants: 1' 1" (35cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 11" (30cm) with 1' 3" (40cm) row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant Sow direct into the ground in mid spring, and again in late summer...
Tall varieties often are grown as cut flowers. Dwarf types make good edging plants for beds and containers. Position Full sun to partial shade. Troubleshooting White ageratum blossoms go brown as they age, which is not as noticeable in varieties that...
Where Found: Worldwide Description: Small, soft-bodied pear-shaped insects less than three millimeters long are usually aphids. Follow up with two applications of insecticidal soap, one week apart.
Cleome looks best when planted in large clumps or masses. Frost tolerant None. Dwarf varieties can sometimes be found as bedding plants. Grow a mound-forming plant in front of cleome to hide the lowest sections of the plants from view.
Planting and Harvesting Calendar < Back to All Plants Pests which Affect Lily Aphids (General) Slug Snail Companions Dahlia, Hyacinth, Daylily and Echinacea. Tall Oriental hybrids are fragrant, and make long-lived cut flowers.
Companions Zinnia and Dahlia. In fall, lift the corms before the first freeze and let them dry in a warm place for two weeks. Notes Tall gladioli often benefit from staking. Harvesting Cut gladioli for arrangements when one third of the florets are open.
Feeding Before planting, amend the soil with a light application of a balanced organic fertilizer. Varieties with light-colored seeds usually have the best flavor. Harvesting When you see birds pecking at your amaranth, or when seeds fall away from the...
Feeding Mix a light application of a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil prior to planting. Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
Tips: Pole beans often are damaged by Japanese beetles, but because the infested leaves are at eye level, the beetles are easier to gather. A fungal disease called milky spore can be introduced into lawns, where it infects Japanese beetle larvae.
Feeding Mix a light application of a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil prior to planting. In warm climates, gomphrena sometimes reseeds but it is never invasive. Colors include purple, white, and orange.
They are often found in dense clusters on tender new growth. Preventing Problems: Check plants often for early outbreaks. Encourage beneficial insects including lady beetles, syrphid flies, and lacewings, which are important aphid predators.
Mulch to deter weeds and keep soil moist. Frost tolerant Yes. Companions Onion, Onions and Radish. Planting and Harvesting Calendar < Back to All Plants Pests which Affect Parsnip Aphids (General) Carrot Rust Fly Slug Snail Plant Diseases which Affect...
A rare "shelter" plant, sunflowers can be used to create shade for sun-stressed crops. Notes Explore different sunflower varieties, which vary in size, color, growth habit, and the culinary quality of the seeds.
Plant seeds in prepared soil about 2 inches (5 cm) apart and one-half inch (1 cm) deep. Cosmos also can be started indoors in containers and set out when the seedlings have at least five leaves, or purchased as bedding plants.
Position Full sun to partial afternoon shade. Companions Potatoes, Basil, Mint and Tansy. Gradually thin seedlings to proper spacing, and eat your thinnings. Planting and Harvesting Calendar < Back to All Plants Pests which Affect Cilantro Aphids (General)...
Companions Thyme and Portulaca. Dianthus combines well with other cold-tolerant annuals including pansies, dusty miller, and ornamental cabbage and kale. Troubleshooting Both rabbits and deer like to nibble dianthus foliage.
Starting in spring, the moths lay eggs that hatch into tiny green caterpillars with forked tails, often in large numbers. The caterpillars are found mostly on leaf undersides. The adult moths will lay their eggs there rather than on your garden plants,...
Companions Asparagus. Malabar spinach is typically grown on a tower, fence or tepee style trellis. Four trellised plants will occupy a space 18 inches (45 cm) square at maturity. Spacing Single Plants: 11" (30cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 9" (25cm) with...
Preventing Problems: Plants including buckwheat, borage, catnip and radishes attract numerous beneficial that can help control cucumber beetles. Floating row covers are the most dependable way to protect plants.
Mulch with grass clippings or straw. Spacing Single Plants: 2' 11" (90cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 2' 11" (90cm) with 2' 11" (90cm) row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant Purchase dormant plants and set them out in early spring.
Companions Corn and Sunflower. Gather and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Grow at least two plants, spaced close together, to insure good pollination. Frost tolerant None.
Frost tolerant Seedlings may need protection from light frosts. Harvesting Gather and dry leaves when plants are 10 inches tall. Position Full sun. Troubleshooting Large plants may be blown over by gusty storms.
Spacing Single Plants: 2' 11" (90cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 2' 11" (90cm) with 2' 11" (90cm) row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant Start with a purchased plant, or start seeds indoors and set out seedlings two to four weeks before your last frost.
Frost tolerant Young seedlings can tolerate light frost, but the plants are easily damaged by hard freezes. Where summers are hot, plants may expire after blooming heavily in spring.
Feeding Fast growth is encouraged by mixing a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil before planting. In midsummer, cut the plants back by half their size to quickly gather up hornworms eating the leaves.
Feeding In early spring, mulch over root zone with 1 to 2 inches of good compost. Harvesting Let experience be your teacher -- taste fruits often as they approach ripeness. Mulch after planting new fruits.
