Here’s how to protect your tomato plants from tomato hornworm and other pests for tomatoes. Tomatoes are a beloved crop for many home gardeners, prized for their juicy fruits and culinary versatility. In fact, tomatoes are the number one most popular plant in backyard vegetable gardens. Growing tomatoes can be extremely rewarding. That’s because a homegrown, vine-ripened tomato is delicious and nutritious. Unfortunately, growing tomato plants can be challenging due to a variety of pests that threaten the health of the plants and the quality of the fruits. Enemy number one for tomato plant damage is the dreaded tomato hornworm. A tomato hornworm is actually the caterpillar stage of a hawk moth (Manduca quinquemaculata), which is also known as a sphinx moth or a hummingbird moth. Tomato hornworms are voracious eaters of tomato plant foliage. A hungry tomato hornworm can strip the leaves from a small tomato plant overnight. (They are most active from dusk until dawn.) So, … [Read more...] about Tomato Hornworm and Other Pests for Tomatoes
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How to Grow Cucumbers, Trellis Cucumber Plants, and Treat Cucumber Diseases
A comprehensive guide on how to grow cucumbers, maximize production with a vertical trellis, and identify and treat common cucumber diseases and problems. Growing cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) in your backyard garden can be a rewarding experience. Cucumbers are a versatile vegetable, perfect for salads, pickling, and even eating fresh off the vine. That's why cucumbers are a popular backyard vegetable. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about growing cucumbers, from planting to managing common diseases and pests. Selecting the Right Cucumber Variety and Planting Before you start, choose the cucumber variety that best suits your needs. There are two main types: Site Selection for Planting Cucumbers Planting Time Planting Method Many garden vegetables can be planted directly into garden soil or started as seeds for transplanting into the garden. Cucumbers grow well either way. So, the question about how to grow cucumbers comes … [Read more...] about How to Grow Cucumbers, Trellis Cucumber Plants, and Treat Cucumber Diseases
Prevent Tick Borne Diseases While Outdoors
Here are some easy tips to prevent tick-borne diseases while enjoying your favorite activities outdoors. You’ve grabbed your water bottle, sunscreen, and hat for a hike in the woods or some gardening in the backyard. But add a bit of tick protection when you head out the door for an outdoor adventure, to garden, or play. That's because disease-carrying ticks can now be found in all of the 48 continental states in the US. It’s healthy to enjoy the fresh air in the great outdoors. But ensure your safety by enlisting a variety of strategies to limit your risk of exposure to ticks. Doing so will help prevent tick-borne diseases including Lyme disease rash and tick bite rash. Here are just a few of the ways to increase your safety and enjoyment. Prevent Tick-Borne Diseases To help prevent tick borne diseases, wear light colored clothing to more easily spot a tick before it moves onto your skin. Wear long pants and tuck them into your socks and tuck your shirt into your pants. … [Read more...] about Prevent Tick Borne Diseases While Outdoors
How to Get Rid of Ticks
The question is how to get rid of ticks. But you could call it a tick-ing time bomb. In backyards, forests and fields across America, the population of disease-carrying ticks is increasing. Homeowners and homesteaders alike are wondering how to get rid of ticks on their properties. If that wasn't bad enough, a new species of tick not normally found in the Western Hemisphere has now invaded the United States. As a result, many health and insect control experts are predicting this summer to be another bad season for ticks and their disease-carrying bites. How to Get Rid of Ticks: Lyme Disease Ticks are best known for transmitting Lyme Disease, which can cause a rash, fatigue, fever, chills, and headaches. Lyme Disease can also cause aches in muscles and joints. If left untreated, Lyme Disease can cause arthritis, severe joint pain and swelling. So it's no wonder that summer outdoor activities make us think about how to get rid of ticks and control tick populations. Every … [Read more...] about How to Get Rid of Ticks
Use Insecticidal Soap to Control Insects
Here’s everything you need to know about how to use insecticidal soap to control insects. This is an effective and organic method for controlling aphids and other soft-bodied insects. Understanding and using insecticidal soaps properly will help you manage pests organically, both indoors and out. As you know, not all pesticides are alike. Some chemicals are more toxic, killing a broad range of species, while others are less toxic and more targeted. Insecticidal soaps are among the more targeted pesticides. They have limited impact on beneficial insects, birds, reptiles, fish, and other wildlife (including humans). By understanding and using insecticidal soaps effectively, you can combat common plant pests while protecting beneficial organisms. Why Use Insecticidal Soap? Break down the name and you see that insecticidal soap is literally a soap that kills insects. Insecticidal soaps offer a safe, effective, less-toxic alternative to harsh chemicals for managing garden and … [Read more...] about Use Insecticidal Soap to Control Insects
