| Subject | Date Asked |
|
| White residue on tomato plant soil? | 11/16/2009 |
Q: I've been noticing a white residue on my tomato soil lately; I've enclosed a picture; do you know ...
A: Kay, it could be a fungus or the residue from the water soluble fertilizer. Fertilizer should only ...
|
| Potatoes | 11/12/2009 |
Q: how do grow potatoes?
A: Potatoes should be grown in loamy soil that has been highly supplemented with organic matter such as ...
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| Watering tomato plants and suckers | 11/10/2009 |
Q: I have newly transplanted tomatoes into containers (35-40cm), and I've read all kinds of conflicting ...
A: There really is no reason to remove the flowers. Some gardeners feel this results in a larger ...
|
| Overwintering artichoke plants | 11/9/2009 |
Q: I live in Kingman AZ. Zone 8. I started artichoke plants from seed this year. 2 are about 3' tall, 2 ...
A: You can either cover them with row covers or mulch them heavily with straw or shredded leaves. I ...
|
| Grow Lights | 11/4/2009 |
Q: Mike, I am new to the growing era in central Mich.I have the privilage of growing in a greenhouse ...
A: Gro-lights need to be on 10-12 hours per day when the seedlings are small; 8-10 hours once they ...
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| Fertilizer for tomatoes | 10/30/2009 |
Q: I live in AUstralia and am currently in the process of transplanting tomatos from little containers ...
A: Kathy, tomatoes require high amounts of phosphorus and calcium. The phosphorus promotes large ...
|
| Raised Beds | 10/16/2009 |
Q: I have a concrete patio that measures 25ft x 40ft. I would like to Build four raised beds on my ...
A: I usually recommend 8" or more when building a raised bed on soil. For concrete, you definitely want ...
|
| Tomato plant problem | 10/14/2009 |
Q: I am trying to grow tomato plants for the first time. The plant I have was purchased from a graden ...
A: It looks like the leaves have suffered from sun scald or from too much water. Since the plant had ...
|
| Butternut squash | 10/12/2009 |
Q: because of the early frost and freeze some of our squash is still has green veins on the skin. will ...
A: Squash will continue to ripen after removing them from the vine, although the process will be slower ...
|
| Jalapeno's | 9/10/2009 |
Q: I have some peppers that have turned red with lines. The same plants have produced good peppers. Why ...
A: This is a normal part of the ripening process. Jalapenos, like any other pepper, will eventually ...
|
| Squash Vine Borer | 8/28/2009 |
Q: The squash vine borer has invaded my garden. I had to pull out one of my acorn squash vines. Will ...
A: Squash borers are very common pests for all members of the squash family. These pests bore into the ...
|
| Tomatoes | 8/27/2009 |
Q: Ms area and have tried to garden for the past 6 summers. I use to garden in Wisconsin and had pretty ...
A: Successful tomato gardening requires ample sunshine, loamy soil, and a high ratio of phosphorus in ...
|
| Eggplants | 8/26/2009 |
Q: i planted eggplants a couple of months ago, and for a month it's been flowering and no fruits coming ...
A: Miracle-gro is sold for different applications. The standard all-purpose blue fertilizer has a NPD ...
|
| Compost | 8/22/2009 |
Q: what from a veg garden can you NOT add to a compost bin.can you add corn husks?
A: Everything from the vegetable garden can be added to a compost pile. The only exception would be a ...
|
| Seedless cucumbers | 8/14/2009 |
Q: I love seedless cucumbers (the seeds don't agree with me), & I've just this year started growing ...
A: Diane, seedless varieties are hybrids that have been genetically bred to produce fruit with no ...
|
| Tomato stem disease? | 8/11/2009 |
Q: I would like to ask for a second opinion. You helped me out about two months ago as I was over ...
A: I would suspect one of three fungus diseases; late blight, verticillium wilt, or fusarium wilt. ...
|
| Broccoli | 8/10/2009 |
Q: My Hubs and I live in Chino Valley AZ about an hour south of Flagstaff. We are growing Broccoli for ...
A: Victoria, if you planted back on Mother's Day, you should already have been harvesting full heads. ...
|
| Pumpkin flower trouble | 8/9/2009 |
Q: First off here is a little info on where I live. I live in the southwest desert in mesa Arizona and ...
A: The first flush of flowers are always males. Male blossoms only stay on the plant for one day and ...
|
| Bush beans | 7/31/2009 |
Q: My husband planted bush beans in a row without anything for them to climb on, he said they were bush ...
A: Bush beans do not climb; they are self-supporting. I stopped growing the vining varieties several ...
|
| Zuchinni | 7/30/2009 |
Q: Can I trim back the huge leaves to get more sunlight to the vegetable part? I have had about ten ...
A: I never recommend cutting leaves of squash unless you cut them right at the base. My reasoning is ...
|
| when butternut squash is ready to harvest | 7/28/2009 |
Q: I am a first time gardener and have planted six butternut squash plants in a planter that is on my ...
A: Lorraine, butternut squash will always start off with a greenish tint that gradually evolves into a ...
|
| Bell Peppers; Black Bottoms | 7/27/2009 |
Q: My green bell peppers are turning soft and black. Do they need calcium like tomatoes? This is my ...
A: Norma, you are correct. Like tomatoes and eggplant, peppers need calcium in the soil. Otherwise, the ...
|
| Jalapeno bugs | 7/26/2009 |
Q: Have a couple of questions. I mix up soapy solution to get rid of the aphids and it works but it ...
A: Les, homemade insecticidal soap must be made from non-concentrated dishsoap. Simply mix one ...
|
| Japeleno peppers | 7/24/2009 |
Q: i've noticed black discoloration on my peppers. they are in containers. lots of blooms and peppers. ...
A: This is actually normal on jalapenos as they mature. It's much like bell peppers when they begin to ...
|
| Jalapenos; Growth Issues | 7/22/2009 |
Q: My jalapenos plants did not grow very big, about 8 inches tall, they bloom and give peppers, but the ...
A: It sounds like a problem with your soil. Either the ph level is out of balance or you are lacking ...
|
| Zucchini problems | 7/20/2009 |
Q: I thought growing zucchini was foolproof, but my plants are small and the fruit shrivels and turns ...
A: The plants are most likely getting too much water, which in turn depletes the soil of phosphorus and ...
|
| Corn plants | 7/19/2009 |
Q: I have a couple of corn plants outside and I want to know how to get rid of the bugs that eat the ...
A: If you prefer to stay organic, I would use a product called rotenone. This is a natural insecticide ...
|
| Tomato leaves turning yellow | 7/17/2009 |
Q: I live in north east pa. many of the lower leaves on my healthy tomato plants are turning very ...
A: Kathy, poor soil is the primary reason plants fail to do well. Tomatoes need magnesium and calcium ...
|
| Butternut squash | 7/16/2009 |
Q: I have several ques about BN squash. First of all, some of the squashes only got to be the size of ...
A: Butternut squash will always start off with a greenish tint that gradually evolves into a light ...
|
| URGENT! vegetable garden dying ... need immediate help!! | 7/10/2009 |
Q: For the past three years, I have planted a fairly large vegetable garden. Every year it looks like ...
A: If it were one type of vegetable, I would suspect a specific insect infecting the plants. But given ...
|
| Cantaloupe and watermelon | 7/9/2009 |
Q: and would like to know when do you know its time to pick watermelon and cantaloupe off the vine
A: The best way to tell when a cataloupe or watermelon is ripe is when the stem slips easily from the ...
|
| Lettuce; Harvesting | 7/8/2009 |
Q: I am growing lettuce in 4 foot raised beds. They are coming good. When can you start eating lettuce? ...
A: Jerome, it is always best to harvest the outer leaves and allow the plant to continue growing. ...
|
| summer squash is rotting | 7/7/2009 |
Q: My summer squash have been growing great - now i have a few blossoms on each plan with small 2 inch ...
A: Sue, it most likely is the rain, especially if your soil is not draining sufficiently. This can be ...
|
| spaghettie squash | 7/6/2009 |
Q: I have lots of flowers on my plants. Sometimes you`ll see the beginnings of squash, then the flower ...
A: When blossoms or young fruit fall off prematurely, it is usually an indication of one of two ...
|
| Tomatoes - When to Pick | 7/5/2009 |
Q: I have 3 tomato plants whic all have small green tomatoes on them. My Early Girl has one small red ...
A: Nancy, Early Girls are one of the smaller varieties, growing to only about 6-8 oz., or the size of a ...
|
| Yellow tomato leaves | 7/4/2009 |
Q: We have several tomato plants (different varieties), lots of blossoms and already some small ...
A: Jennifer, both of the possibilities you mentioned are the primary reason for yellow leaves on ...
|
| Squash; Blossom-end Rot | 7/2/2009 |
Q: my yellow squash is getting rotten a the blossom end,the squash is only 3-4in. long. i'm i supposed ...
A: When young fruit of squash plants develop soft black spots on the bottom, or shrivel and fall off ...
|
| zuchini & pumpkin | 6/18/2009 |
Q: I have beautiful Zuchini plants and pumpkins, too, and the flowers just fall off and nothing ...
A: Mary, when blossoms or young fruit fall off prematurely, it is usually an indication of one of two ...
|
| Sick tomato plants | 6/17/2009 |
Q: We live in northwest Mt. My tomato plants started out healthy but slowly, one by one, they are ...
A: The symptoms you described lead me to believe the problem is one of two things. The most likely is ...
|
| Peas | 6/16/2009 |
Q: I live in S. New Hampshire and I planted my peas in late April. They grew nice and looked very ...
A: Phil, peas are a short season crop which thrives in cooler weather. They normally blossom in early ...
|
| Strawberries; Runners | 5/30/2009 |
Q: ..this may sound like a stupid question but here goes. I recently planted strawberries with my ...
A: John, since the runners draw their nutrients primarily from the parent plant, all you have to do is ...
|
| Spaghetti Squash | 5/29/2009 |
Q: I have several squash plants growing in a very sunny INDOOR garden. The plants are about 4-6 weeks ...
A: The flowers will need pollinated; either by bees or by hand. Given your situation, manual ...
|
| Twisted and purplish tomato leaves | 5/28/2009 |
Q: my parents planted healthy tomatoes and suddenly they started to look weird. The leaves started to ...
A: Several factors can play into this, but it usually narrows down to either too much watering or ...
|
| Cucumbers; Growing Methods | 5/27/2009 |
Q: I live in Nova Scotia , canada. I am trying square foot gardening, well 5' by '5' square gardening. ...
A: Jerome, I do not plant cucumbers and squash in hills or mounds. Instead, I plant three seeds per ...
|
| Squash are Dying | 5/21/2009 |
Q: I live in Austin, TX and have planted some squash (specifically Pumpkin, Butternut, and Delicata). ...
A: Bryan, it sounds like your plants have been infested by the squash borer. Squash borers are very ...
|
| Organic/non-hybrid seeds | 5/20/2009 |
Q: Are all "Organic" labeled seeds non-hybrid? I am looking for non-hybrid seeds locally and I only ...
A: Ben, organic seeds can be purchased as hybrids or non-hybrids. All organic means is that the parent ...
|
| growing from seed | 5/4/2009 |
Q: Mike, This county is planning a community garden for everyone to plant organically. My questions ...
A: It is not too late. The last expected frost date for NE PA is May 20th; therefore you can plant the ...
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| Tomato Plants Dying once Transplanted | 5/1/2009 |
Q: We have purchased about 20 tomato plants in the past month and all but 2 have died within a couple ...
A: Shanna, I would assume these plants have been hardened off at the nursery or garden center from ...
|
| Seedlings Dying | 4/30/2009 |
Q: I am trying to start my squash indoors to give them a good start. I planted seeds in peat pots and ...
A: Tina, the reason your seedlings are falling over and dying shortly after germination is due to a ...
|
| Tomatoes; Less than full sun | 4/28/2009 |
Q: Can you grow tomatoes without direct sunlight? I live in a large multi unit building, and our ...
A: Maria, unfortunately, tomatoes need a minimum of eight hours of direct sunlight per day. Any less, ...
|
| Summer squash | 4/26/2009 |
Q: Mike, my yellow squash and Zucchini are shriveling up when they reach about two inches, then they ...
A: Daphne, when young fruit shrivel or fall off prematurely, it is usually an indication of one of two ...
|
| Container Gardening | 4/25/2009 |
Q: I am looking into growing my own veggies this summer my only problem is i live in a rental house and ...
A: Kim, the three things to keep in mind when gardening with containers are size, materials, and ...
|
| HELP! My tomatoes are dying!!! | 4/24/2009 |
Q: I have been growing tomatoes for over 15 years. This year I have about 250 or so tomatoes plants. ...
A: Teresa, it is one of two things. Either the tomatoes have contracted a disease specific to tomatoes, ...
|
| Raised bed garden for veggies near pine trees | 4/23/2009 |
Q: What impact will acidity of pine trees have on a raised bed garden about 5-10 feet away? Looking to ...
A: Dawn, most vegetables, including the ones you've listed, prefer a ph level of 7.0, which is ...
|
| soil fertilizer | 4/21/2009 |
Q: Last spring I started my first vegetable garden and I used sheep manurer. It turned out very large ...
A: Cynthia, I am a strong advocate of using organic amendments in the garden. As you experienced first ...
|
| Starting a garden | 4/20/2009 |
Q: I was thinking about trying to grow spaghetti squash in a kiddie pool, would that work? We have a ...
A: A sun room is an ideal location to grow plants. The great thing about a sun room is they will be ...
|
| Tomatoes in pots | 4/9/2009 |
Q: I would like to grow tomatoes in large 10"x12" pots. Is there anything special I need to do? I am ...
A: Terry, make sure you only grow one plant per pot. Use an organic mix or a fertile potting soil as ...
|
| Pepperoncini | 4/3/2009 |
Q: What kind of pepper plant can I grow to make pepperoncini? I would like to can them.
A: The best peppers for pepperoncini are the roasted varieties. I personally grow the Godfather and the ...
|
| Potato leaves; Brown Spots | 3/28/2009 |
Q: I planted potatoes in February; they are now about 6" to 8" tall and are developing brown spots on ...
A: Daniel, when leaves turn brown it is usually an indication of too much water or fertilizer. Excess ...
|
| Spaghetti squash | 3/27/2009 |
Q: Can you grow Spaghetti squash upside down? Also do you know anywhere that sells the seedlings ...
A: Squash can be grown vertically; as for upside down, it can be done, but you would need a means by ...
|
| Oak Leaf "mulch" | 3/23/2009 |
Q: We are in the midst of spring clean up and planting. We have raked and "vacuumed" several bags of ...
A: Nancy, oak leaves are a perfect organic material for mulch or compost. In my yard, it is my mulch of ...
|
| Corn Gluten Meal | 2/27/2009 |
Q: If I wanted to use CGM as a source of nitrogen for my vegetables and a weed surpressant in my ...
A: Weed suppressants strictly inhibit germination. They have no effect on seedlings or established ...
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| Corn and Pumpkins | 2/25/2009 |
Q: I started growing some pumpkins and corn last spring. When winter hit they of course died. Do I need ...
A: Sarah, you will need to clear the area and till the soil for this year's crops. You certainly can ...
|
| Lettuce and cabbage | 2/21/2009 |
Q: zone 6b when is a good time to plant lettuce and cabbage i can start them indoors and then plant ...
A: Mikki, the last expected frost for zone 6b is usually around April 25th. For cool-hardy plants such ...
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| Powdery Mildew | 2/9/2009 |
Q: I live in south central alabama and I had a real problem last year with all my vine growing vegies. ...
A: Corey, your plants have been infected with powdery mildew, a fungus disease that is especially ...
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| Buying Seeds | 2/5/2009 |
Q: I need to buy seed for a 5000 sq ft vegetable garden. I live in Southern New Hampshire and I was ...
A: Phil, the only difference is that organic seed is bred from plants grown in pure organic soil and ...
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| Soil PH | 2/4/2009 |
Q: Were can I find the P/H of garden vegetables
A: Larry, the attached chart will give you the recommended ph for every vegetable. Just keep in mind ...
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| Buying Seeds | 2/1/2009 |
Q: I need to buy seed for a 5000 sq ft vegetable garden. I live in Southern New Hampshire and I was ...
A: Phil, I purchase most of my seed online. The two companies I have come to trust most are Park Seed ...
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| Acorn squash | 1/30/2009 |
Q: I have been having a difficult time buying good acorns squash. Once a I bake them I find them ...
A: Many variables distinguish a good vegetable from one that is substandard. When buying from a grocer, ...
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| Starting seeds | 1/28/2009 |
Q: Greetings. I live in Chillicothe, OH, and have tried starting seeds indoors before. I can get them ...
A: Amanda, the reason your seedlings are falling over and dying shortly after germination is due to a ...
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| Heirloom pumpkins | 1/26/2009 |
Q: I have been growing heirloom pumpkins in my home garden for 5 years. I save the seed and use last ...
A: Dana, many gardeners save seed and propagate new plants from heirlooms. Never in all of my years of ...
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| Coffee Grounds | 1/24/2009 |
Q: Could used esspresso grounds or any used grounds be used? Will it compost faster?
A: Absolutely. I have gone so far to ask our local coffee house for their used coffee grounds. ...
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| growing vegies in the house | 1/20/2009 |
Q: Witch veggies are best to grow in the house? I live in an apartment and I would like to have a ...
A: Nancy, good candidates include lettuce, spinach, chard, and herbs. I really would not grow any ...
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| tomatoes | 1/19/2009 |
Q: I have had a txnh6garden for 35 yrs.I have a problem now with my tomatoes they grow great have ...
A: If you purchase the fungicide, the ratio will be provided on the bottle. It varies from 1-3 tsp. per ...
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| tomatoes | 1/17/2009 |
Q: I have had a txnh6garden for 35 yrs.I have a problem now with my tomatoes they grow great have ...
A: It sounds like your plants have contracted a fungus disease. Although there are literally hundreds, ...
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| Starting tomatoes | 1/15/2009 |
Q: i started my tomato seeds indoors with organic potting soil and have transplanted the babies into ...
A: Elise, the Miracle Gro potting soil uses synthetic fertilizers, therefore it is technically ...
|
| Seedless tomatoes | 1/10/2009 |
Q: Where do seeds for seedless tomatoes originate?
A: They come from a hybrid seed that is genetically coded from two different varieties of tomatoes. It ...
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| Bell Pepper Seeds | 1/9/2009 |
Q: Mike- What preparation should be done to the seeds of a Bell Pepper in order to plant them in May or ...
A: I grow bell peppers every year from seed and never do anything special to the seeds. Some gardeners ...
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| Japanese Maples | 1/1/2009 |
Q: will Japanese red maple winter over in zone 5
A: Kay, Japanese Maples will survive in zone 5 unless we get long periods of extremely cold winter. ...
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| Tomatoes; Propagation from Suckers | 12/31/2008 |
Q: can you start another tomato plant from the sucker branches from a hardy tomato plant
A: Suckers from any plant are an ideal method of propagation. Simply remove the sucker below the soil ...
|
| Transplanting established tomato plants | 12/29/2008 |
Q: In about 3 weeks I will be moving house. I have several established tomato plants over a meter high ...
A: Sam, the good news is that tomatoes are one of the more hardy plants and experience little or no ...
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| Hybrid Seed | 12/21/2008 |
Q: Could you please explain the difference between hybrid and heirloom tomato seeds. I grew both last ...
A: Dave, a hybrid is a cross between two different varieties of the same species to produce a plant ...
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| Starting plants from seeds | 12/13/2008 |
Q: I have tried for the past two years to grow vegatable plants from seeds with no success. I follow ...
A: Dan, without knowing the exact process you are using, it is difficult to assess what the problem is. ...
|
| Topsoil depth | 12/12/2008 |
Q: I am in the process of building a fairly large (450 SF) garden in three tiers enclosed by a block ...
A: Roger, I never recommend adding straight topsoil to my beds. Topsoil is generally deplete of the ...
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| Leaves Curling | 12/5/2008 |
Q: My tomatoes grow very good, but all the sudden the new leaves start to curl up when they get out. ...
A: Rhona, excess fertilizing, especially with a high nitrogen fertilizer such as standard Miracle-Gro, ...
|
| Brown spots on the Boonie plant | 11/30/2008 |
Q: I have two Boonies Pepper plants and both are getting brown spots. They are getting new growth on ...
A: Sherry, brown spots on pepper plants are usually an indication of inconsistent watering. This is ...
|
| Carrots | 11/28/2008 |
Q: I planted Imperator carrot seeds in a pot about 15" deep with organic soil and compost. They grew ...
A: Vicky, the two factors which adversely affect carrots are excess nitrogen and shallow watering. ...
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| Habanero plant vs winter | 11/18/2008 |
Q: I live in San Antonio, Texas I have a habenero pepper plant in a pot that had 1 fruit when I ...
A: Candy, the plant will need 10-12 hours of simulated daylight per day. I would highly recommend in ...
|
| CA seed catalog | 11/11/2008 |
Q: I'm a bit overwhelmed by the options of seed catalogs. I don't see in your profile where you're ...
A: Robert, the three catalogs I subscribe to are Park Seed, Burpee, and Harris Seed. All three sell ...
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| veg. garden used as a cat box | 11/9/2008 |
Q: I have two raised boxes for small vegetables. The cats in the neighborhood love the soft soil and ...
A: There are many chemical repellents sold in local nurseries such as Ropel. Although most are ...
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| Habaneros - Overwintering | 11/8/2008 |
Q: I live in South Carolina and I got a habanero plant in September. I had it in a big pot outside. I ...
A: Luci, peppers are an annual plant, meaning they only have a one year life cycle. Although they can ...
|
| Container veg garden coming indoors | 10/22/2008 |
Q: ive had to drag my whole container garden in from my balcony today because it started snowing!! I ...
A: Lauren, except for the lettuce, which requires low light, none of the others will produce anything ...
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| Plant problem | 10/5/2008 |
Q: I live in LasVegas,Nevada. I just bought 1 tomato plant, 3 putunias, 1 dahlia only about 2 weeks ago ...
A: Michelle, it all depends on whether or not the plant has actually contracted a disease. If so, you ...
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| Butternut harvest and storage | 10/4/2008 |
Q: i am havesting about 1 1/2 acres ofbutternut i planted a little late this year, most are fairly ...
A: If kept in a cool location that is dry, squash will last up to three months without losing taste or ...
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| Avocado Propagation | 10/1/2008 |
Q: I know pretty much nothing about plants.. but I recently (as an experiment) put two stints on either ...
A: Jill, when propagating avocados from pits, the point should be up and the root down. It should be ...
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| Potatoes; Green | 9/26/2008 |
Q: We have just dug our potatoes. We grow organically. Many of the potatoes we dug are partially ...
A: The green portions of potatoes contain a toxin called solanine. If eaten in small amounts, it ...
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| Slugs on tomatoes and potatoes | 9/24/2008 |
Q: I live in the small town of Coleville, Saskatchewan Canada. My question is I have some kind of ...
A: It definitely sounds like a common slug. I, too, have had many heartaches over the damage slugs ...
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| Lots of blossoms, few vegetables | 9/23/2008 |
Q: My tomato and cucumber plants this year produced a multitude of blossoms buy few tomatoes and ...
A: When blossoms or young fruit fall off prematurely, it is usually an indication of one of two ...
|
| Vegetables | 9/16/2008 |
Q: I am a new veg gardener , I live in the North East of England , what can I plant now for a crop ...
A: Carol, most vegetable seeds are sowed indoors or in a greenhouse six weeks prior to transplanting ...
|
| Starting a Vegetable patch in Thailand | 9/15/2008 |
Q: I am currently working as a volunteer for an orphanage in Northern Thailand (IHF in Chiang Rai) We ...
A: My first recommendation would be to not start too big on your first garden. Gardening requires a ...
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| Acorn and butternut Squash | 9/14/2008 |
Q: How do you know when they are ready to be picked.I know you can pick Zuchinni almost any time. Not ...
A: Jim, butternut and acorn squash will always start off with a greenish tint that gradually evolves ...
|
| Tomatoes; not turning red | 9/4/2008 |
Q: at the moment the weather here in the uk is terrible, rain all the time, i have severel tomatoe ...
A: Mike, they will still turn red. The excess water in the soil is leeching nutrients needed for the ...
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| healthy pepper plants, no fuit | 9/3/2008 |
Q: I have large 'healthy' pepper plants, but they do not produce any peppers. They are in a full sun ...
A: Jane, blossom-drop on most vegetables is almost always caused by poor pollination. However, peppers ...
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| Tomatoes; Blossom Drop | 8/21/2008 |
Q: i have problem with my tomatoes. Every time the flower bloom, immediately starts drying and falling ...
A: Petra, this condition is called blossom drop. When blossoms or young fruit fall off prematurely, it ...
|
| Question about My Bell Peppers | 8/20/2008 |
Q: I have Planted 3 Bell Pepper plants. One Red, One Green and the other yellow. They are all ...
A: Emily, when you plant "colored" peppers, the color listed on the package is the color they will turn ...
|
| Black spots on bottom of tomato | 8/19/2008 |
Q: How can I prevent this from happing? I live in Forest Lake, Minnesota. The plants are in larger ...
A: Ronald, when peppers or tomatoes rot prematurely on the bottom of the fruit, it is usually an ...
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| Tomato plants | 8/18/2008 |
Q: hello can you help my tomato plants took a turn the plants are turning yellow and the tomatoes are ...
A: Dave, it sounds like you are missing key minerals in your soil. Vegetables like a soil rich in ...
|
| Turnips! | 8/17/2008 |
Q: I have a problem with bugs eating the turnips. Not the plants but the actually turnips...who do i ...
A: Caitlyn, your turnips are most likely being infested by the vegetable weevil. They look much like a ...
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| Tomato plants; bottoms rotting | 8/15/2008 |
Q: Up until this past week, my tomato plant has been doing great. Its about 5 feet tall and 2-3 feet ...
A: Alexandra, the fruit on the plants are experiencing a non-fatal disease called blossom-end rot. This ...
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| Acorn Squash | 8/14/2008 |
Q: My leaves are turning white and feel gritty What causes this? We have had a lot of rain. Also I ...
A: Toni, if the leaves still are supple, the plant has the first stages of powdery mildew. This is a ...
|
| Tomatoes | 8/13/2008 |
Q: Why are my large tomatoes getting ripe only on the bottom 80% . The top 20% is staying yellow or ...
A: Jim, variety and weather conditions are the two primary factors in the ripening process. When the ...
|
| weak jalapeno peppers | 7/30/2008 |
Q: I live in LaGrange, Indiana. I have 3 jalapeno pepper plants in my home garden. The plants are ...
A: Shawn, when jalapeno or habanera peppers are not hot, it is usually due to the soil being too ...
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| Tomatoes; Blossom-End Rot | 7/29/2008 |
Q: my tomatos have brown spots on the bottom of them when they start to right everyone of them the ...
A: When tomatoes rot prematurely on the bottom of the fruit, it is usually an indication of blossom-end ...
|
| Cucumbers; White | 7/28/2008 |
Q: My cucumbers' leaves are huge, as well as the plant, but the fruit has no taste and it turns yellow ...
A: Lora, when cucumbers do not transition to green, it is due to one of three reasons. First, and the ...
|
| Vegetable garden | 7/21/2008 |
Q: I would like to start preparing a vegetable garden off of a currently weeded hilly area in my ...
A: Lena, you definitely need to till the area, which in turn will kill the weeds. You then need to ...
|
| Cantalope | 7/20/2008 |
Q: My wife planted a cantaloupe here in Provo, Utah last month and there are a number of yellow ...
A: Brian, it could be a number of factors including pollination, soil conditions, and the ratio of male ...
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| Tomatoes; Blossom Rot | 7/14/2008 |
Q: Why are the bottoms of my tomatoes black? I am growing them in an earth box
A: When peppers or tomatoes rot prematurely on the bottom of the fruit, it is usually an indication of ...
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| White growth on tomato plants | 7/13/2008 |
Q: I have a large container garden, and in one of my containers I am growing three large cherry tomato ...
A: Sara, it sounds like the onset of powdery mildew, a fungus disease that is very prevalent during wet ...
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| Tomatoes; Ripening | 7/12/2008 |
Q: how long does it take for tomatoes to become edible?
A: It all depends on the variety of tomato you are growing. Some varieties develop full fruit with two ...
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| Mystery Squash | 7/11/2008 |
Q: We have planted zucchini and yellow squash. We have a weird squash growing that we picked today. ...
A: What probably has occurred is that the two plants cross-bred. This is not uncommon when two ...
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| Tomatoes in containers | 7/3/2008 |
Q: I am growing tomatoes in ,I think, 7 gal pots. Is this big enough? I am getting alot of leaf curl ...
A: It sounds like the size of your container is sufficient, so I doubt that is the problem. ...
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| San Marzano tomato plants | 7/2/2008 |
Q: would like to know if we can just let the vines grow on the ground and do we need to put some kind ...
A: Tomatoes are naturally sprawling plants. The reasons for staking include space conservation and ...
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| Nitrogen and tomatoes | 6/30/2008 |
Q: .we live in northern Delaware and it is obvious that we had too much nitrogen in our soil (we used ...
A: There is no way to neutralize the existing nitrogen except by adding peat and compost to the soil. ...
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| Watermelons | 6/29/2008 |
Q: We have had success at growing the watermelon plants. We have two, but we have had only one melon ...
A: When blossoms or young fruit fall off prematurely, it is usually an indication of one of two ...
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| Texas tomatoes | 6/28/2008 |
Q: Once the spring tomato harvest is done if kept alive and cared for will the tomato plants begin ...
A: Tomatoes will normally produce several harvests before the plant is spent. This is normally 4-6 ...
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| Plum tomato | 6/27/2008 |
Q: My fruit is about 1 inch long and the very bottom of the fruit is black, also the leaves are ...
A: When peppers or tomatoes rot prematurely on the bottom of the fruit, it is usually an indication of ...
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| Squash; Harvest | 6/18/2008 |
Q: 6/17/08- OUR FIRST GARDEN- WE HAVE BUTTERNUT SQUASH GALORE- HOW DO WE KNOW WHEN THEY ARE READY TO ...
A: Butternut squash will always start off with a greenish tint that gradually evolves into a light ...
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| Pepper plants | 6/16/2008 |
Q: My pepper plants's leaves seem to be drooping. We have had tons of rain. Could that be the cause??
A: Excess rain can definitely cause the plants to droop. The reason is that the roots become saturated ...
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| Tomato Plant Wilt post transplant | 6/15/2008 |
Q: I planted my tomato plants a bit too close to each other, and they grew towards each other. So I ...
A: Brian, the plant should recover just fine. Like any plant, transplanting causes an immediate shock ...
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| asparagus | 6/14/2008 |
Q: i have a few asparagus plants that are 2 years old, they are growing but just growing taller and no ...
A: Judy, asparagus can be harvested the third year after planting. Years one and two establish the ...
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| Squash rot | 6/13/2008 |
Q: What would cause my squash to just go mushy at the bloom end?
A: Meloni, when young fruit shrivel or rot and fall off prematurely, it is usually an indication of one ...
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| Tomato Plant and White Flies | 6/11/2008 |
Q: I have a Beef Steak Tomato that was attacked by white flies, I used insecticidal soap which got rid ...
A: Jim, given the early stage of the growing season, the plant should recover. However, it is currently ...
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| Cucumbers and Cantaloupes | 6/2/2008 |
Q: if you have any pictures of any cucumber and cantaloupe plants that would be great. If you don't ...
A: Chris, they are very difficult to distinguish as seedlings. As members of the squash family, their ...
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| Squash vine borers | 6/1/2008 |
Q: My yellow squash has sucumbed to vine borers for a second year. I plan to re-plant, but am ...
A: Nancy, squash borers are very common pests for all members of the squash family. This pest boars ...
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| Tomato plant disease | 5/31/2008 |
Q: I am getting black spots on my leaves. What causes it and what do I need to cure it?
A: Richard, black spots on the leaves are usually an indication of a fungus disease. I have found that ...
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| Butternut squash | 5/30/2008 |
Q: Can I use a tomato cage or like product to grow my squash above ground?
A: Dave, although it is a good idea to grow squash vertically to save room and minimize disease, there ...
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| Black ants on zucchini plants | 5/29/2008 |
Q: I am gardening on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, near St. Michaels, MD. I put my zucchini plants in ...
A: Rachel, ants will not normally harm the plant, but they could mound the soil around the plant which ...
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| Black Beauty Eggplant | 5/28/2008 |
Q: The eggplants are about 30" tall and full of blooms. The blooms open up and about a week later they ...
A: Rodney, the plants do need to be pollinated. But when blossoms or young fruit fall off prematurely, ...
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| Soil | 5/27/2008 |
Q: I live in Grande Prairie area.Where I live is all clay.even the topsoil that is brought in for grass ...
A: Colleen, you did all the right things. Unfortunately it takes several years to completely transition ...
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| Bell Peppers | 5/26/2008 |
Q: Never planted before but now have 3 pepper plants. Today I found massive amounts of itty bitty ...
A: Beverly, your plants have been infested by either whiteflies or aphids. Regardless of which, the ...
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| Tomatoes; Leaves Turning Brown | 5/20/2008 |
Q: My plants started out looking great,and all of a sudden they are all drying up especially the ...
A: Carmen, when leaves turn brown it is usually an indication of too much water or fertilizer. Excess ...
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| Replanting Seedlings | 5/19/2008 |
Q: How do I replant habanero seedlings from a crowded pot to individual pots? They are about 1-1/2 ...
A: Miyoko, there a couple of ways to divide the plants. Some gardeners will remove the entire soil ball ...
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| growing bell peppers in SW florida | 5/9/2008 |
Q: first year with garden - cucumbers, tomatoes, herbs, doing fine. bell peppers grow to 10-11", start ...
A: Terry, it sounds like your pepper plants contracted a soilborne disease. Once this occurs, they ...
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| Vegetable blooms falling off | 5/7/2008 |
Q: my first garden - transplants blooms falling off and the plants just not growing, most of the buds ...
A: Sherry, when blossoms or young fruit fall off prematurely, it is usually an indication of one of two ...
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| Fertilizing | 5/6/2008 |
Q: too much fertilizer. How do i nutrilize before it kills my plants
A: John, you need to dilute the area with as much water as possible. If it is a granular fertilizer. ...
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| Growing Asparagus | 5/4/2008 |
Q: I sprouted asparagus seeds and planted them in plastic pots. There are growing up to 6 inches and ...
A: Jasper, you do want to cut the ferns. This growth causes the asparagus to expend its energy into ...
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| Seedless tomatoes | 5/2/2008 |
Q: Last year I found some tomatoes for sale in Zupan's grocers in Portland, OR that were "bullet" ...
A: Richard, there are numerous paste tomatoes available through breeders and seed catalogs. I recently ...
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| Black-eyed Susans; Holes in Blooms | 5/1/2008 |
Q: Once my flowers bloon the petals are full of tiny holes like something is eating them - do you know ...
A: Marilyn, it could be one of many pests. The most common culprits are flea beetles, aphids, and ...
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| squash | 4/22/2008 |
Q: how can keep my squash plants from growing 10 to 15 feet with-out killing them???
A: Marty, you really have no alternative since squash plants are vining and grow to various lengths. ...
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| Cantaloupe | 4/20/2008 |
Q: how do you start planting your cantalope from seeds?
A: Pam, you can either start them indoors in peat pots or directly into the garden once all threat of ...
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| Tomato growth on young plants | 4/15/2008 |
Q: I have potted tomato plants and the plants are still young but beginning to produce fruit. I have a ...
A: Rose, it is highly unusual for a plant that size to start producing fruit. At this stage, it is too ...
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| Asparagus | 4/13/2008 |
Q: We live, in Hurlock, Maryland on the Delmarva Penisula. We got these asparagus plants that are ...
A: Stacey, most gardeners purchase asparagus spears at their local nursery. These normally come as ...
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| Tomato leaves drying up | 4/3/2008 |
Q: I have a question pertaining to Tomato plants I recently started. I have them under fluorescent ...
A: Maryann, although the plants may still be salvagable, they most likely will be set back 1-3 weeks ...
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| Cucumbers and Watermellon | 3/29/2008 |
Q: First time with cukes. seed pack says grow on top of a mound-???. why nit in a trench so they retain ...
A: Dennis, it is not necessary to mound squash plants, although many old time gardeners follow this ...
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| Cold frames | 3/28/2008 |
Q: I am starting seeds in a Jiffy starter tray and live in extreme northern Ohio- they are just barely ...
A: Seedlings only need to be transplanted to a larger container if the root system becomes crowded or ...
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| starting early | 3/20/2008 |
Q: Hey Mike, We live in upstate NY. I've been here all my 58 years, my wife is from dixieland. The ...
A: Wayne, you should not place your plants outdoors before your last frost unless you have a cold ...
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| Growing potatoes | 3/17/2008 |
Q: I have read where people have grown potatoes under straw. I have a lot of pine trees, and was ...
A: Gary, I would not recommend pine straw due to its high acidity. Potatoes like a neutral ph level. ...
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| Soil Type for Jalapeno Peppers | 3/16/2008 |
Q: what type of soil is best for growing jalapeno peppers? I live in southern California.
A: Vic, peppers like a soil rich in nutrients with good drainage and a neutral ph level of 7.0. The ...
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| How to plant a garden | 3/12/2008 |
Q: i am in west GA and i want to start planting a garden every year and i dont have a clue how or ...
A: Adam, my first recommendation would be to not start too big on your first garden. Gardening ...
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| Ants | 3/10/2008 |
Q: what can you put in the ground before you plant the potatoes to get rid of ants. they are also in my ...
A: Ants are very difficult to eradicate without using chemicals. There are many powder-based chemicals ...
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| Starting veggie plants indoors | 3/9/2008 |
Q: I have started my veggies (tomatos, pepppers etc) indoors and they have just sprouted. I have ...
A: Teresa, attached is my step-by-step program for growing seedlings from seed indoors. Included in the ...
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| Vegetable seeds; Germination | 3/8/2008 |
Q: this is from seeds in the soil. i am wondering because the first time i tried them they didn't grow ...
A: Chris, there is no way to tell until they break the soil. The best barometer is to check the packet ...
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| Planting a garden by moon phase | 3/6/2008 |
Q: I am just curious does it matter what moon phase it is when you plant a vegetable garden. The ...
A: John, this practice began with the Aztecs many centuries ago. They believed that the full moon ...
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| Bell Peppers; Brown Spots | 3/4/2008 |
Q: every year I try to grow a variety of Bell Peppers. Before picking, most of the Bell Peppers get an ...
A: John, brown spots on peppers are usually an indication of inconsistent watering. This is especially ...
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| Club Root in Brassicas | 3/3/2008 |
Q: How deed do the club root spores go in the soil? Whdn solarizing the soil, how high does the ...
A: Most fungus spores are spread through the air. Once in the soil, they are absorbed by the root ...
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| seeds | 2/29/2008 |
Q: i have emailed you before you might remember me i was asking about broccoli. anyway i have a ...
A: Chris, young seedlings need a minimum of 10-12 hours of sunlight per day. Otherwise, they become ...
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| Gourds; No-Weed Gardening | 2/28/2008 |
Q: is there any way to grow gourds without weeds or a lot of work. Pre-emergent like Round- up ?????? ...
A: I wish there was an easy answer and a method that required no work, but that is just not the case. ...
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| Seed Starting | 2/27/2008 |
Q: I am working on my first garden and started tomatoes, cucumber, squash and peppers from seeds inside ...
A: Jennifer, you definitely need to thin them out once they develop their second set of leaves. I know ...
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| Raw Land | 2/25/2008 |
Q: I am stating a massive garden in 2 acres. The land has not been worked for 12 years. The pH is 6.0 ...
A: Kevin, a depth of six to eight inches is adequate for most vegetables. I like my depth a little ...
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| Red Peppers (sweet, not hot) | 2/24/2008 |
Q: Several years ago I grew red peppers which started out sweet, but halfway thru the summer became ...
A: Kevin, any bell pepper should provide the taste you are looking for. They start out green and ...
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| Tomatoes; Determinant vs. Indeterminant | 2/23/2008 |
Q: What is determinant and indeterminant?
A: Determinant and indeterminate are terms related to the growh habits of tomatoes. Indeterminants are ...
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| Tomatoes | 2/19/2008 |
Q: I live in Port Saint Lucie Florida. In the past 8 years I have tried to grow all sorts of fruits ...
A: Sandra, the most likely cause is an imbalance of nutrients in the soil. Tomatoes require nitrogen ...
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| Square foot gardening? | 2/16/2008 |
Q: After lots of reading I like the idea of square foot gardening. I have several hundred cement ...
A: Absolutely. Any hard material that stands at least 8" high and holds in the composition of the soil ...
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| Tomatoes; Blossom Rot | 2/9/2008 |
Q: I have blossom rot every year. I spray them, maybe not enough or the wrong way, and I still have ...
A: Howard, blossom rot is caused by the plant's inability to absorb certain nutrients. This is ...
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| Ornamental peppers; Seed starting | 12/23/2007 |
Q: My question is about my ornamental pepper plant which died couple of weeks ago. I didn't cut the ...
A: Betul, you must first allow the seeds to dry completely. Store them for a minimum of 3 months in a ...
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| Black "spores" on tomato vines and leaves | 12/17/2007 |
Q: My husband and I are attempting to get a second, winter crop from Celebrity tomato plants planted in ...
A: I have found that copper is the best fungicide for tomatoes. I personally use a product called Soap ...
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| Raspberry Plants | 12/16/2007 |
Q: mike, i live in riverton wy. i put in some raspberry plants about 5 years ago yhey were givin to me ...
A: Chuck, it definitely sounds like the problem is with the soil. I would absolutely add organic matter ...
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| Tomato Plant | 12/13/2007 |
Q: I live in South Florida, and I never tried to grow tomatoes before. I'm growing them on my patio ...
A: Donna, once the flowers appear, it is usually 1-2 weeks before the tomatoes start appearing. Once ...
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| New york Tri state Science project: | 12/5/2007 |
Q: I am working on a project with my class. We are going to be growing string beans indoors, in small ...
A: When growing vegetables indoors, the key is strong light, consistent moisture, and a good root ...
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| Tomatoes in Ireland | 12/4/2007 |
Q: I grow tomatoes every year. However I use Tomorite a fertilizer that includes seaweed. I don't know ...
A: Normally this condition is the result of the seed itself, due to the inherent nature of that ...
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| Multigenerational family garden | 12/3/2007 |
Q: This past year I shared a garden with my grandfather-in-law who is an amazing man. The problem is ...
A: As you probably know from reading many of my other responses, I am a firm advocate of organic ...
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| Pepper Plants | 11/11/2007 |
Q: My brother had mostly green pepper and a few other pepper plants growing. They were starting to ...
A: As long as the tips of the plants are still soft and not woody, they can be propagated by dipping ...
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| Blossom-End Rot | 10/14/2007 |
Q: I live on a ranch in northeastern Wyoming, USA. I have had trouble with blossom end rot on my ...
A: Nancy, you are correct that the problem is a lack of calcium. But often, that does not necessarily ...
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| Butternut Squash | 10/9/2007 |
Q: This year I am trying to grow my own Butternutsquash I planted the seeds in June/July They are in ...
A: Iris, butternut squash are usually harvested 70 days after sowing. They will keep producing through ...
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| Jalapeno Pepper Plant | 10/7/2007 |
Q: I have had my plant for 2 yrs. It has put out great this yr. If I bring it in again this winter will ...
A: Pepper plants begin to get woody after the second year. Production definitely suffers at this stage. ...
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| Beds Near Cement | 10/4/2007 |
Q: I started a vegetable garden this past summer in my backyard right next to the house foundation. ...
A: Stephanie, from my experience, this should not be an issue. I know many gardeners who have their ...
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| Cantalope; Sour and Rotting | 9/27/2007 |
Q: I have planted cantaloupe this year in my garden. They are the right size to be picked, they smell ...
A: Linda, if they started rotting and taste sour, you may have waited to long to harvest them. The best ...
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| Growing an Onion Plant Indoors | 9/25/2007 |
Q: I found an onion that had begun to sprout quite vigorously. Just for fun, I planted it in a pot and ...
A: Rick, the onion will continue to grow. The white tips are the pods that will eventually mature and ...
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| Tomatoes; Leaves Brown | 9/22/2007 |
Q: I live in SW Pennsylvania and my soil is fairly good, although a bit clayish. My tomatoes this year ...
A: I was also born and raised in W. PA, although I've since moved to Ohio. But you may have hit on the ...
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| Light Schedule for habaneros | 9/21/2007 |
Q: I am doing some Habaneros in containers this winter and am need of a light schedule for them. Do you ...
A: Dave, habaneros need a minimum of 8 hours of light per day. My recommendation would be to either ...
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| Habaneros - Flower Drop-off | 9/15/2007 |
Q: I have a beautiful habanero plant that is growing very well it keeps putting out loads of flowers ...
A: Janet, blossom-drop on most vegetables is almost always caused by poor pollination. However, peppers ...
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| Growing Peppers | 9/13/2007 |
Q: I planted jalapeno and Anaheim peppers this year. They have both grown extremely well. The problem ...
A: Coralee, both problems are probably related to the nutrient and ph level of your soil. When ...
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| Habanero Peppers | 9/7/2007 |
Q: Mike, I planted a habanero plant in my garden this summer. The peppers came in like gangbusters but ...
A: Larry, it probably is due to the soil being too alkaline, which means the ph is above 7. To lower ...
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| Winter Gardening | 9/6/2007 |
Q: We started a garden this summer and we want to know what we can plant at this time. Wea re keeping ...
A: In warm weather climates, there are many vegetables that can be grown through the winter months. ...
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| Butternut Squash; Blossom Drop | 9/4/2007 |
Q: Have grown my squash from seed and they have done very well. My problem is that when the squashes ...
A: Marilyn, when young fruit shrivel or fall off prematurely, it is usually an indication of one of two ...
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| Tomatoes; Fruit Dropping | 9/3/2007 |
Q: Why are my tomatoes falling off the plant before they are ripe?
A: Norma, when fruit fall from the vine prior to fully ripening, it is usually an indication of a ...
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| Cantalope-help!! | 9/2/2007 |
Q: I have read postings and I pretty much have everything wrong with my cantalope! :( Stays ...
A: Nancy, I doubt the early rain had much to do with this, unless of course the drainage in that ...
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| Tomatoes; Uneven Ripening | 8/31/2007 |
Q: What would cause a Bush Champion tomato to appear to have ripe/red fruit on the outside, yet have ...
A: Sara, uneven watering will cause tomatoes to ripen unevenly. This is especially prevalent when long ...
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| Peppers; Rotting | 8/30/2007 |
Q: I read your reply about blossom end rot on green peppers. I have a square foot garden - this is my ...
A: Joanne, I doubt you have an insect problem. If you did, the peppers would show spotted damage. ...
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| Tomatoes; Stressed | 8/29/2007 |
Q: I am trying to grow a few tomato plants in some pots. I live in Los Angeles... I grew them from ...
A: Paul, the symptoms you've described indicate the plants are stressed. This can result from several ...
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| Grey Mold on Squash Leaves | 8/28/2007 |
Q: We grow our squash in our greenhouse due to the cold conditions here (zone2c). It is a challenge to ...
A: Wren, squash are highly susceptible to a fungus disease called powdery mildew. This disease is ...
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| Summer Squash | 8/24/2007 |
Q: I have a white foam on my squash what is it?
A: Mary, it can be one of two things. If the white substance is dry and sticky, your plants most likely ...
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| Cucumber Problems | 8/17/2007 |
Q: I live outside of Charlotte, NC. This is my first year gardening here in the South, being a recent ...
A: Pam, my recommendation would be to spray the plants with either rotenone or pyrethrum. They can be ...
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| Zucchini and Yellow Squash | 8/14/2007 |
Q: I have beautiful plants with tons of flowers but only 2 zucchini have come from it. Good soil and ...
A: Liz, zucchini, like all other squash, produce a flush of male flowers for the first few weeks. By ...
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| Tomato Stems Bending | 8/13/2007 |
Q: I have several very good looking tomato plants, about 5 feet tall. Good amount of fruit, still ...
A: Beth, it is very common during dry spells for tomatoes to take longer to mature. Since they are not ...
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| Zucchini | 8/12/2007 |
Q: or trying to grow zucchini. My zucchini plant is about 4 ft tall and just that wide. leaves are ...
A: Elaine, zucchini normally starts producing fruit 6-8 weeks after sowing. One factor that will affect ...
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| Corn Borers | 8/10/2007 |
Q: I'm in Irvington, KY, I have a 30x30' vegetable garden, and have a lot of cantaloupe in there too. ...
A: Christina, the little green worm you described is called a corn borer. You prevent them by adding a ...
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| Butterflies | 8/9/2007 |
Q: I'm in Irvington, KY, I have a 30x30' vegetable garden, and have a lot of cantaloupe in there too. ...
A: Christina, you have nothing to worry about. Butterflies are not harmful at all. As a matter of fact, ...
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| Acorn & Butternut Squash | 7/28/2007 |
Q: I have both growing in a fenced in area since they spread so much. Now, the leaves have become ...
A: Squash, like most plants, can be pruned to encourage a more stocky growth habit. But keep in mind, ...
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| Cantalope | 7/26/2007 |
Q: How can you tell if the cantaloupe is ripe? Also, my vines were looking very healthy and now they ...
A: Joy, the best way to tell when a cataloupe is ripe is when the stem slips easily from the vine or ...
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| "Freckles" on Squash Leaves | 7/25/2007 |
Q: My newest crop of 5 week old yellow squash plants appear healthy except for some leaves appearing to ...
A: Nancy, mottled leaves are usually an indication that a sucking insect has infested the plant. As the ...
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| Butternut Squash - Poor Taste | 7/24/2007 |
Q: I recently harvested the first of my butternut squash for the season. This is usually one of my ...
A: April, the ph level of the soil can adversely affect the taste of certain vegetables. Normally, if ...
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| Pole Beans; No Blossoms | 7/23/2007 |
Q: I have always grown bush beans, but wanted to try growing pole beans this year. My husband built ...
A: Tracy, you've done nothing wrong. Pole beans take several weeks longer to start producing than bush ...
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| Butternut Squash | 7/22/2007 |
Q: my boyfiend as planted some butternut seeds they have got some great big leafs and we dont know how ...
A: Butternut squash normally starts producing fruit 6-8 weeks after sowing. One factor that will affect ...
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| Deer and Tomato Disease | 7/21/2007 |
Q: I have a bambi that keeps comin by to eat away at all my garden plants.How can i keep them out!, ...
A: To control deer, there are many chemical repellents sold in local nurseries such as Ropel. Although ...
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| Chinese baby corn | 7/20/2007 |
Q: We bought seeds...stalks are up to 5' high now & just tasseling...one tiny ear with white silk has ...
A: Donna, the size of the stalk will vary based on the variety of baby corn that you are growing. I ...
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| Tomato and Green Pepper Plants | 7/19/2007 |
Q: I moved to a new home that doesn't get much sun until late in the day. My tomato and pepper plants ...
A: Margo, tomatoes and peppers require a minimum of 8 hours of sunlight per day for strong growth. The ...
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| Summer Crops | 7/18/2007 |
Q: I'm looking for good vegetables to plant in my garden in central ohio during the month of July. I ...
A: Tyler, you can still plant beans, beets, and carrots from seed. You can also grow cabbage and ...
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| Butternut Squash | 7/17/2007 |
Q: Is there a typical number/ratio of female to male flowers ? I am growing my first butternut squash ...
A: No there is not. Normally, there are more male flowers than female. But this will vary from plant to ...
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| Squash; Overtaking Garden | 7/15/2007 |
Q: Methuen, MA. I am relatively new to gardening. Last year I attempted to trim my squash plants when ...
A: Gail, squash is one of the few plants that do not benefit from pruning. In fact, pruning often sets ...
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| Cucumbers | 7/14/2007 |
Q: First attempt at growing.Plenty of flowers but no sign of any friut.Have only the one plant could ...
A: You are correct; the most likely cause is the fact you have only one plant. Pollination requires a ...
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| Watering & Compost | 7/12/2007 |
Q: You mentioned on one of your answers about vegetable gardening to let the soil dry out between ...
A: Tim, at this point in the growing season, all you can do is mulch with an organic material such as ...
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| How much is "Watering Deeply"? | 7/11/2007 |
Q: You mentioned on one of your answers about vegetable gardening to let the soil dry out between ...
A: Tim, most vegetables require 1.5" to 2" of water per week. This is usually accomplished by watering ...
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| Carrots; Seed Propagation | 7/10/2007 |
Q: is it possible to get seeds from cut carrot tops that you grow in water?
A: Joshua, yes it is; but it takes a very long time. Once the carrot has exceeded maturation, it will ...
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| Zucchini; Root Damage | 7/8/2007 |
Q: What kind of pest destroyed my zucchini plants?? It appears that they ate thru the root system! I ...
A: Peggy, it sounds like root maggots infested your plant. You can control maggots from laying eggs by ...
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| PH Adjustment; Sulfur | 7/6/2007 |
Q: My vege garden reads #8 on ph tests. I sprinkled garden sulfur on the surface; about 1tsp per 10" ...
A: Sara, I doubt you burned the roots. The more likely scenario is that the plants went into shock. ...
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| Rhubarb | 6/22/2007 |
Q: I planted 4 Rhubarb plants in an area of my yard where they get 7 hours of sun in well drained ...
A: Patti, it sounds like the soil is drying out due to the heat. You are correct that rhubarb needs one ...
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| Tomato and Watermelon Questions | 6/21/2007 |
Q: ! thank you for taking time to respond!! im in ocala florida, i am a novice gardener. we planted ...
A: Vicki, it is not unusual for the first few blossoms to fall of. This is usually caused by too much ...
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| Small Zucchini | 6/20/2007 |
Q: I have 3 squash plants. 2 zucchini and 1 crooked neck. They both have lots of blossoms and I have ...
A: Paul, squash are very sensitive to ph levels in the soil. Tomatoes have a much wider range in which ...
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| Yellow Squash Turning Green | 6/19/2007 |
Q: What is happening my yellow straight neck squash are turning green.
A: This is not unusual with certain varieties. The variety I am currently growing starts off green and ...
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| Rhubarb | 6/18/2007 |
Q: I've recently put in a few Rhubarb plants. Everything I've read on Rhubarb says you should refrain ...
A: Patti, I don't recommend removing the stalks the first year. Instead, just remove the seed pods as ...
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| Tomato Plants Drooping | 6/17/2007 |
Q: my tomato plants were doing great but all of a sudden the leaves are drooping. I am growing them in ...
A: Sherron, it is very common for tomatoes grown in pots to drop their leaves due to stress from dry or ...
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| Squash madness! | 6/16/2007 |
Q: My zucchini and summer squash are growing like crazy but not fruiting much (if any). The few ...
A: Kevin, when squash blossoms fall prematurely from the vine, or when the plant produces very few ...
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| Bell Pepper Plants | 6/15/2007 |
Q: In the past I have grown bell peppers to the point of having to give away 75% of the fruit because I ...
A: It sounds like your plants have contracted a soilborne disease that is common to only peppers. That ...
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| Jalapeno Seedlings | 6/14/2007 |
Q: I am very new to gardening and I'm currently in northern Japan. I've started some jalapenos and ...
A: James, while it is true that jalapeno pepper plants do not need much water, that only applies once ...
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| Tomatoes; Fertilizers | 6/13/2007 |
Q: what is the best fertilizer to use on my plants.Iam having trouble with fruit rot
A: Larry, tomatoes require high amounts of phosphorus and calcium. The phosphorus promotes large ...
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| Squash; Withered Leaves | 6/12/2007 |
Q: I continue to have difficulty with my yellow squash....after treating them for powdery mildew, older ...
A: Nancy, I would cut off the dead leaves and discard them. Do not leave them in the bed since they can ...
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| Tomatoes; Organic Fertilizers | 6/11/2007 |
Q: I am growing organic tomatoes and seedless collard I would like to know what can I feed them Organic ...
A: Bill, the two most popular organic fertilizers on the market are fish emulsion and sea kelp. Compost ...
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| Powdery Mildew | 6/1/2007 |
Q: I have decided that my yellow squash has powdery mildew, and need to be treated with fungicide. Are ...
A: Nancy, yes they are. Powdery mildew seldom is fatal to the plant, although it will adversely affect ...
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| Tomato Pepper Plant Blooms | 5/31/2007 |
Q: I am having problems with my tomato pepper plant's blooms falling off. The plant is producing a ...
A: Ava, blossom-drop on most vegetables is almost always caused by poor pollination. However, peppers ...
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| Tomato help... | 5/30/2007 |
Q: We have a lovely new vegetable garden. Unfortunately the tomatoes, whilst still appearing very ...
A: Alicia, the difference is probably the soil. Whereas the potted plant most likely is grown in a ...
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| Butternut Squash | 5/29/2007 |
Q: I planted some Butternut seeds just to see what would happen and quite a few have come up. ...
A: Rachel, butternut squash requires a minimum of 2 feet between plants. They spread very rapidly and ...
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| Tomato Plants - Transplanting | 5/28/2007 |
Q: We bought a six pack of tomato plants from a nursery recently that were very tall (over 2'). We ...
A: They should be just fine. It's no different than if you were to take an existing plant from your ...
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| Squash; Fruit Falling off Vine | 5/27/2007 |
Q: why is my yellow squash falling off the vine
A: William, when young fruit shrivel or fall off prematurely, it is usually an indication of one of two ...
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| Cucumber Plants | 5/25/2007 |
Q: Hope you can help. I have a small garden but I grow a pretty comprehensive variety of vegetables. ...
A: Jim, it sounds like the plants are contracting angular leaf spot or anthracnose. Both are fungus ...
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| Summer Squash; Blossom-End Rot | 5/23/2007 |
Q: My squash has done wonderfully until the last week or so. I notice that there are many small squash ...
A: Nancy, when young fruit shrivel and fall off prematurely, it is usually an indication of one of two ...
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| Vegetables - Yellow Leaves | 5/22/2007 |
Q: why do the leaves on my vegtable plants turn yellow and fall off.
A: Greg, yellow leaves are generally an indication of poor drainage. The roots become water logged and ...
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| Radishes - Poor Development | 5/21/2007 |
Q: I used to grow radishes when I was in the 8th grade in north Texas. Now I can't seem to grow any ...
A: Jim, radishes are root crops that require cooler temperatures to grow and require a soil composed ...
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| Cucumbers - Rust | 5/21/2007 |
Q: my cucumbers are turning a rust color,its spots all over the leaves.they are producing good ...
A: Samantha, rust is a sign of a fungus disease which usually is caused by damp conditions. You need to ...
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| Fertilizer for Potatoes | 5/11/2007 |
Q: I thought that I had read somewhere not to use chicken fertilzer on root vegetables. My neighbor was ...
A: Joyce, do not use chicken fertilizer on root vegetables. It is extremely high in nitrogen, which ...
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| Tomatoes; No Fruit | 5/10/2007 |
Q: I am growing tomato plants in a large container on my pool patio. The plants are absolutely ...
A: Skip, when blossoms or young fruit fall off prematurely, it is usually an indication of one of two ...
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| Ants | 5/9/2007 |
Q: I am growing my veggies organically but just noticed today that little black ants are in the flower ...
A: I would definitely apply the diatomaceous earth around the base of the pepper plants. It will last ...
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| Tomato Plant Spacing | 5/9/2007 |
Q: Okay, so I have accepted that I planted my transplants too close together. They are probably less ...
A: Teadra, the primary reason tomatoes need to be spaced a minimum of 2' apart is to maximize their ...
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| Raspberries | 5/8/2007 |
Q: Raspberries are a fruit but I hope you can help me. I have a raised bed with 3 year old canes. ...
A: Kate, bees are essential for pollination. My advice is to plant bright flowers in the vicinity to ...
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| Butternut Squash | 5/7/2007 |
Q: I dried some butternut squash seeds in the winter from a supermarket bought squash and germinated ...
A: Rob, you can still transplant them despite the fact they are probably hybrids. The problem is the ...
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| Soil Conditioning | 5/5/2007 |
Q: what can i add to the soil to improve my vegtables?
A: Glenn, fertile soil is the secret to successful gardening. You definitely want to begin by tilling ...
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| When to plant | 5/4/2007 |
Q: When is the earliest I should be planting broccoli plants in the garden? Green Bay, Wisconsin area. ...
A: Broccoli are frost hardy and can be planted now. For your convenience, I am attaching two links to ...
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| Bell Pepper Plant Uprooted | 5/4/2007 |
Q: My dog dug up my bell pepper plant ( and destroyed the root ball) that had 3 nice peppers on it and ...
A: Penny, it all depends on how long the plant was uprooted before you found it. Normally, if you ...
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| 3 Sisters Gardening Method | 5/3/2007 |
Q: I have a separate area for my 5 rows of sweet corn and as a kick planted some seeds of cantaloupe ...
A: Wally, the ancient Incas used this method in their gardens. It has since been termed the "3 Sisters ...
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| Summer Squash; Blossom-End Rot | 5/2/2007 |
Q: I have 4 fairly healthy yellow squash plants. My question is , should I remove the blossom from the ...
A: Nancy, you can remove the bloom once it withers. As for the cause of blossom-end rot, a condition ...
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| Tomato Seedlings | 5/1/2007 |
Q: I am starting tomatoe seeds in flats as I do every year.This year however I have some yellowing ...
A: Yellow leaves are almost always a sign of poor drainage or too much water. Some varieties handle it ...
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| Transplanting tomatoes - soil ??? | 4/27/2007 |
Q: This is my first attempt at starting tomatoes & peppers from seed. I started out with 2 - 4' grow ...
A: Erik, at this stage, once the seedlings are ready to be transplanted, it is best to use an organic ...
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| Garden Preparation | 4/25/2007 |
Q: i'm an avid yet amateur vegetable gardener, the last few years my garden has started strong but ...
A: Will, fertile soil is the secret to successful gardening. You definitely want to begin by tilling in ...
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| Jalapeno Peppers | 4/19/2007 |
Q: I am interested in finding "seedless" fresh jalapenos. Is there such a product available on the ...
A: Keta, I searched though all of my seed catalogs, and there are no seedless jalapenos currently ...
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| Jalapeno Plant | 4/18/2007 |
Q: coriander, sweet basil, commen mint also how much are you supose to water them
A: Caitlyn, jalapenos take 8 weeks to reach maturity. They normally start producing peppers after the ...
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| Sowing Vegetable Seeds | 4/17/2007 |
Q: I wanted to know what kind of vegetables that need to be planted indoors, i am growing a variety of ...
A: Bill, watermelon and pumpkins fall into the squash family. Attached is a website that lists planting ...
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| Fire Ants | 4/16/2007 |
Q: I live in Statesboro, GA. I have two tomato plants in large containers in our yard. The Roma plant ...
A: Lori, there are several controls you can use, but most of them involve chemicals. That is why I ...
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| Sowing Vegetable Seeds | 4/16/2007 |
Q: I wanted to know what kind of vegetables that need to be planted indoors, i am growing a variety of ...
A: Bill, you didn't mention what part of the country you are from, so I'll answer your question in ...
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| Zucchini; Container Gardening | 4/3/2007 |
Q: i am a beginner in container gardening living in east bay,san francisco.i have some fresh seeds that ...
A: Rex, zucchini need at least 2' of space and 8" of depth to grow well. They spread rapidly, so unless ...
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| Habaneros | 4/2/2007 |
Q: i recently planted some habanero seeds in our garden,you can alredy see the little bity plants ...
A: Moises, once the seedlings develop their fourth set of leaves, spray them with a water-soluable ...
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| Tomatoes; Soil Preparation | 4/2/2007 |
Q: Mike i am going to plant tomatoes and i tested my soil the ph level is 7.5 nitrogen is very low ...
A: Butch, the best solution is to amend the soil with as much organic matter as you can. These ...
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| Lime seeds | 4/1/2007 |
Q: I have some lime seeds from some key limes I bought, they are dried and been sitting on my counter. ...
A: Kelly, you have to first let them completely dry out. This usually takes 3-5 days. You then need to ...
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| Tomatoes; Containers | 3/30/2007 |
Q: i have a small balcony and no yard but I'd really like to grow tomatoes. what are some things I ...
A: Charmaine, your only alternative is to grow bush tomatoes in containers. These are also termed ...
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| Tomatoes | 3/29/2007 |
Q: I have not grown tomatoes very often due to lack of luck in them. I would like to grow them this ...
A: Jen, although soil irrigation is preferable to overhead watering, the latter is fine as long as you ...
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| Potatoes | 3/29/2007 |
Q: I moved into my house a few years ago, and just discovered that there are potatoes growing along the ...
A: Susan, you can certainly harvest the potatoes since the roots, also referred to as seeds, are ...
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| Potato Fungus | 3/28/2007 |
Q: i am growing a potato plant in my cellar. last week a white baby powderish fungus started growig on ...
A: Amber, dish soap and vegetable oil will kill insects, but not cure fungus diseases. Your plants ...
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| Raised Beds | 3/26/2007 |
Q: I would like build a raised vegetable garden out of wood. I have heard mixed things about using ...
A: Virginia, recent studies have shown that it is best to stay away from wood treated with arsenic (CCA ...
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| Gardening Basics | 3/26/2007 |
Q: I want to start a garden for the first time ever and I need to know when to start planting the ...
A: Jenni, your last expected frost date will determine the best times to plant vegetables. I am ...
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| Growing Asparagus | 3/25/2007 |
Q: I want to plant a asparagus garden. Any tips on how to have a successful harvest for the years to ...
A: Todd, you will need to purchase spears at your local nursery. These normally come as bareroot ...
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| Turnip Greens | 3/22/2007 |
Q: I know they are grown in colder weather however I planted some very late and they are really growing ...
A: Dave, you sure can. Turnips, like garlic, are best transplanted or sown in late fall. This gives the ...
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| Growing Tomatoes & Cucumbers | 3/20/2007 |
Q: Can these be planted next to each other? I seem to recall doing so one year and thinking the ...
A: Sharon, there is no truth that tomatoes do not grow well near cucumbers. The key is planting space. ...
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| Tomatoes & Chile Pepper Plants | 3/19/2007 |
Q: I read somewhere pepper plants & tomato plants should not be planted in the same area. Is this true?
A: Judy, I would not recommend planting Chile or jalepeno peppers near tomatoes since they can cause ...
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| Potatoes | 3/18/2007 |
Q: what is best way to grow potatos when you plant them in the ground and they start spouting out of ...
A: Ed, potatoes should be grown in loamy soil that has been highly supplemented with organic matter ...
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| Crabgrass | 3/7/2007 |
Q: I have what I assume is crab grass that sends its tentacles out everywhere! I can't seem to keep it ...
A: Cheryl, unfortunately, there are no products which can be broadcast that will kill crabgrass. The ...
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| Lettuce Transplant | 3/7/2007 |
Q: I decided to start my very first garden this year, I'm a complete novice. I did pleny of research ...
A: Jessica, let me start by saying that gardening is not an exact science. There is no exact amount of ...
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| Potatoes | 2/20/2007 |
Q: I now have a question about potatoes. Last fall, I failed to dig all of my potatoes before a hard ...
A: Derrick, slight freezing simulates the dormant period most plants and bulbs experience in nature. In ...
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| Jalapeno Peppers | 2/11/2007 |
Q: I live in Melbourne Australia , My plant has plenty of fruit they are about 50mm long and a dark ...
A: Anthony, the key to good jalapenos is the ph level of the soil. If the soil is too alkaline, ...
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| Garden Design | 2/8/2007 |
Q: what is the best way to arrange a vegetable garden.
A: I assume you are asking about where to place vegetables rather than how to physically set up a ...
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| Stunted tomatoes | 2/1/2007 |
Q: I was wondering how well a tomato plant will recover after being severly stunted we own a large ...
A: Josef, the primary reason plants get stunted is due to them being root-bound. This is a condition ...
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| Hybrids | 1/31/2007 |
Q: I have a question regarding tomatoes, especially. As an avid gardener, I receive a wide variety ...
A: Derrick, your description of a hybrid vs. non-hybrid is absolutely correct. A hybrid is a cross ...
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| what happened | 1/27/2007 |
Q: I planted a lot of Bell Peppers last spring and a few hot peppers but they didn't do very good, in ...
A: David, several factors affect the production of peppers and tomatoes, although peppers are ...
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| fertilizer | 1/22/2007 |
Q: Mike I just moved into a new hose and there is an area I would like to make into vegetable garden ...
A: Barry, the general rule of thumb is 3 lb. per 100 square feet. Therefore, you will need 30 lb., ...
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| daily tomato watering | 1/17/2007 |
Q: Mike, I live in the Richmond, VA area. I have a raised garden bed. I want to put 1.5 liter plastic ...
A: Anthony, tomatoes should receive 2" water per week. I know gardeners who use the method you are ...
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| Potted Gardening | 1/9/2007 |
Q: are there edible vegetables or fruits that will grow in a pot, indoors or out? If so, can you ...
A: Margaret, all but vining and root vegetables can be grown in containers. Some of the more popular ...
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| indoor tomato vines | 1/9/2007 |
Q: i havesome indoor vine type growing on a sill of a southern facing bay window.they have been doing ...
A: Dennis, the primary reason for leaf curl is poor drainage and/or too much water. This causes the ...
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| help w/tomatoes | 1/7/2007 |
Q: live in brentwood, ca. 73 yrs. young. love growing tomatoes. what do you suggest? had heart ...
A: Alvin, tomatoes need at least 8 hours of full sunlight for optimum growth and production. They also ...
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| growing tomatoes in greenhouse? | 12/21/2006 |
Q: Was wondering if you can tell me if it is possible to grow tomatoes in my greenhouse over the ...
A: Mary, you can absolutely grow tomatoes in a greenhouse over the winter. Just make sure the ...
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| growing tomatoes | 12/16/2006 |
Q: When do I pull them off the vine? And I started to see tiny white dust like specks, what is that ...
A: Maria, tomatoes are ready to pick once they turn a dark red-orange and are still firm. Do not wait ...
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| How to Ripen Tomatoes | 12/16/2006 |
Q: i live in orlando and have green tomato's currently growing. before the next frost i ll need to pick ...
A: Ira, the best method I have found is to simply wrap each of them individually in newspaper, and ...
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| calamondin gratfting | 12/9/2006 |
Q: i have several calamondin plants that i have had for three years. i would like to try grafting or ...
A: I would recommend cuttings or seeds rather than grafting. Grafting is a very time consuming process ...
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| growing habanero peppers | 12/8/2006 |
Q: I have a couple of habanero plants with great growth & foliage. It has been blossoming, but I've ...
A: Avoid feeding the plants with fertilizers high in nitrogen. Nitrogen promotes lush foliage at the ...
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| Spicy tomatoes? | 12/4/2006 |
Q: Someone told me that if you planted jalapenos next to tomatoes or cucumbers they would produce spicy ...
A: This is a myth. I grow my peppers and tomatoes in close proximity and have never experienced a ...
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| lowering PH in flowers in a greenhouse | 11/23/2006 |
Q: I have a friend that has flowers, Pansys, growing in a greenhouse that really look bad. He checked ...
A: Dennis, as a general rule of thumb, soil north and east of the Mississippi usually are acidic with a ...
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| carrots | 11/21/2006 |
Q: i have a allotment on Greene chalk land and i can't grow carrots where am going wrong please
A: Valerie, carrots need rich loamy soil to grow properly. The soil must be friable to a depth of at ...
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| tomatoes | 11/2/2006 |
Q: I had a great crop of tomatoes this year. The weather has now turned cold and some rain yet I still ...
A: Edi, tomatoes will continue to ripen off the vine. If you do not need them right away, you can place ...
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| Butternut squash | 10/17/2006 |
Q: I grew butternut for the first time this year and have a bumper crop. I went to dogpile.com and ...
A: Marilyn, once the green stripes disappear, the fruit should turn to a deep tan. This is a good ...
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| growing pumpkins | 10/16/2006 |
Q: I have 5 acres that has only been used for hay. What do I need to do the ground to plant ...
A: Ruth, pumpkins require fertile soil in order to produce a bumper crop of large fruit. Usually I ...
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| butternut squash | 10/12/2006 |
Q: I live in France where we had a heatwave in July and a very rainy, cold month of August. I planted ...
A: Heather, you must harvest the squash prior to your first expected frost. Otherwise, the squash will ...
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| fruit or vegtable | 10/11/2006 |
Q: i alway's thought a pumpkin was a vegetable , but i found out today that it is a fruit. can you tell ...
A: Sandra, in the most simplistic terms, a fruit is defined by any fleshy growth on either a bush or ...
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| Butternut Squash | 10/11/2006 |
Q: In a previous response, you were O.K. with harvesting Butternut Squash before full maturity. We are ...
A: They will mature over the next few weeks, but it takes twice as long as when they mature on the ...
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| habanero plants | 10/9/2006 |
Q: I would like some info on how to grow a habanero plant
A: Diane, habaneros are cared for the same as the bell pepper. The key is planting them in good soil. I ...
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| black eyed susan | 10/5/2006 |
Q: I'm from mid Mich and at the end of summer my black eyed susans leafs get black almost looks like ...
A: Isabel, unfortunately they are correct. Once the plant contracts a fungal disease, it cannot be ...
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| about tomato plants | 10/4/2006 |
Q: can you tell me what could be wrong every year my tomato plants start drying out from the bottom and ...
A: Renee, it is not uncommon for bottom leaves to yellow or brown in dry conditions. Even though you ...
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| Yellow Chilli Plant | 9/24/2006 |
Q: I wonder if you can help me with this one, I've just bought to a chilli plant with about 30 yellow ...
A: Emma, 5 cm is the ideal length for chili peppers, but many gardeners prefer to harvest slightly ...
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| Growing Jalapeno Peppers | 9/24/2006 |
Q: I have about 15 peppers on my jalapeno plant, but the tops of the peppers have gone black? I assume ...
A: Emma, first make sure they are black, and not a dark purple. The tops of jalapenos turn purple ...
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| hubbard squash | 9/23/2006 |
Q: How do I tell if my hubbard squash is ready to harvest?
A: Winter squash such as Hubbard are ready to harvest when the skin (rind) is hard and cannot be ...
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| care of asparagus in winter | 9/22/2006 |
Q: MIKE, CAN YOU HELP ME ON HOW TO CARE FOR MY ASPARAGUS ...
A: Carolyn, sometime in mid-fall, just before your first expected frost, mound the plants with shredded ...
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| tomato bloom | 9/22/2006 |
Q: what cayses blooms to fall off, break off at the steem. thanks, jerry in ms.
A: Jerry, when blossoms or young fruit fall off prematurely, it is usually an indication of one of two ...
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| Tomatoes | 9/21/2006 |
Q: City-Van Wert, Ohio. What is the length of the growing season? Should my tomatoes still have blooms ...
A: Gerald, I also live in Ohio. Our normal growing season runs from May 15th to October 15th. Once you ...
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| Green cantelope | 9/21/2006 |
Q: My parents have planted the same cantelope every year with great success and flavor. However this ...
A: Martin, even though canteloupe and cucumbers are technically part of the squash family, they cannot ...
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| transplanting bell peppers from outside to inside | 9/19/2006 |
Q: i want to transplant bell peppers and jalepeno peppers from my garden into my house what do i need ...
A: Al, just be sure to get as much of the root ball as possible. The less disturbance to the roots, the ...
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| tomatoes split | 9/19/2006 |
Q: We live in Ridgefield Wa. Love cherry tomatoes. The have been ripening and just started to split ...
A: Espey, although excessive watering is usually the reason for tomatoes splitting, it is also a ...
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| butternut squash | 9/18/2006 |
Q: St. Paul, MN I have also gardened for many years. This year, almost upon emerging from the ground, ...
A: Sharon, I doubt seriously that any of this was caused by the castor oil. Usually when the leaves and ...
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| jalopeno peppers | 9/15/2006 |
Q: can i bring my jalopeno pepper plants in for the winter ?will they die or still proudce peppers ...
A: Renee, pepper plants are annuals and only produce for a few months. Even if they did produce beyond ...
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| vegetable gardening in Funabashi, Chiba, Japan | 9/15/2006 |
Q: I am having trouble establishing a vegie and herb garden in my backyard. We llive in an aprtment ...
A: Brendan, the best advice I can give you is to start with good soil. Poor soil is almost always the ...
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| Ripening Butternut Squash | 9/12/2006 |
Q: I live in Michigan and have a question about Butternut Squash. If Butternut Squash is picked a ...
A: John, yes it will. I always advise leaving the squash on the vine for as long as possible to enhance ...
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| cantalope | 9/12/2006 |
Q: i live in idahofalls, idaho the cantalpoe seems to be ripe however the first 1\4 of the stem side ...
A: Troy, the best way to tell when a cataloupe is ripe is when the stem slips easily from the vine or ...
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| Squash-Butternut | 9/11/2006 |
Q: When are Squash ready to pick. Wolverton, Minnesota
A: Shirley, I always pick my vegetables when they are fairly young. In the case of butternut and ...
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| ripe cantalope | 9/2/2006 |
Q: We live in Kingman AZ We picked a cantalope today that was splitting. It was 5 lb 4 oz and it still ...
A: As with tomatoes, cantalope split when they receive too much water at one time. I see you live in ...
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| cucumbers | 8/30/2006 |
Q: I was wondering if you have to pick the cucmbers or can you leave them to grow bigger. I have some ...
A: Pat, you can certainly leave them on the vine. Just be advised that the earlier they are picked, the ...
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| Tomato plant looks bad | 8/29/2006 |
Q: We live in Hawaii where it rains a lot. we have one yellow pear tomato plant. The top four or five ...
A: Donna, it is not uncommon for bottom leaves to yellow or brown in dry conditions. This condition is ...
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| splits in cherry tomatoes | 8/29/2006 |
Q: what cause the splits in cherry tomatoes when they are ripe.
A: Sandy, when tomatoes split, it is always a sign of irregular watering. This is normally caused by ...
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| growing cantalope | 8/28/2006 |
Q: I am a gardener in Denver, CO. I have 3 cantalope growing on my vine and I picked one today, BEFORE ...
A: Ana, all you can really do is wait. How long will depend on what stage it is at right now. You can ...
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| Dry Rot | 8/28/2006 |
Q: I would like to know if there is something I can treat my soil with this fall to prevent dry rot on ...
A: Linda, there are a couple of things you can do. One is to cover the area with black plastic over the ...
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| Spaghetti Squash and Cantaloupes | 8/22/2006 |
Q: I am very new to gardening and am very surprised and excited to see the fruit that my plants are ...
A: Jackie, I always pick my vegetables when they are fairly young. In the case of butternut and ...
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| Pumkins and Brussel Sprouts over growing! | 8/21/2006 |
Q: This past spring I planted pumpkins and brussels sprouts in my back yard for the first time. The ...
A: Una, you probably will not like my answer, but the only solution is to pull some of the plants or ...
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| spagetti squash | 8/21/2006 |
Q: my spagetti squash are getting huge in the garden,but they are not a nice yellow yet, just a pale ...
A: Barbara, I always pick my vegetables when they are fairly young. In the case of butternut and ...
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| Tomatoe | 8/19/2006 |
Q: I just bought a home in Apache Junction, Arizona and while getting new flooring at a Home Depot on a ...
A: Bruce, once the tomato plants develop their fourth set of leaves, they will need to be transplanted ...
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| Tomatoes | 8/18/2006 |
Q: What causes a tomatoe skin to crack while still on the vine?
A: Jim, when tomatoes split or crack, it is usually a sign of inconsistent watering. Too much or too ...
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| Butternut squash | 8/17/2006 |
Q: I am growing butternut squash for the first time. Is there some way to tell if it is ready to ...
A: Nancy, I always pick my vegetables when they are fairly young. In the case of butternut squash, I ...
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| Problem with tomatos not ripening And when to pick watermelon | 8/16/2006 |
Q: Grand Junction, CO I have several tomato plants which were growing well. Recently the tomatos have ...
A: Jo, ripening is a result of many factors, not the least of which is weather. The others are soil ...
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| Tomatoes | 8/14/2006 |
Q: We live in Yakima, WA. We are growing Beefsteak Tomatoes this year. We have a couple of them that ...
A: Chris, your tomatoes are suffering from a condition called blossom-end rot. Blossom-end rot is ...
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| growing cantalope | 8/13/2006 |
Q: How do you know when cantalope is ready for picking?
A: Randy, the best way to tell when a cataloupe is ripe is when the stem slips easily from the vine or ...
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| cucumbers | 8/12/2006 |
Q: With regard to cucumbers, do I have to peel the skin or can I eat the skin without causing harm to ...
A: Al, as with most fruits and vegetables, there is a high concentrate of nutrients in the peel or ...
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| Peppers | 8/11/2006 |
Q: ..this is our first year gardeing and we have a slew of pepper plants. We have multiple peppers on ...
A: Dave, when peppers begin turning red, orange, or yellow depend on the variety and the weather ...
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| bottom of tomatos turn brown | 8/11/2006 |
Q: bottom of tomatos turn dark brown why
A: Harold, your tomatoes are suffering from a condition called blossom-end rot. Blossom-end rot is ...
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| tomatoes | 8/9/2006 |
Q: I would like to know how can you grow beefsteak tomatoes to a fairly big size in a pot
A: Carmen, several factors will determine the size of your tomatoes. With containers, the size of the ...
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| Growing tomatoe plants | 7/31/2006 |
Q: This is my first year growing tomato plants solo. I've heard different ways for watering them. With ...
A: Carissa, a deep soaking 2-3 times per week is preferable to watering every day. Doing so forces the ...
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| tomatos | 7/31/2006 |
Q: Iplanted two pots of beefsteak tomatos, three in each 15" pots. They have grown to about 5' and have ...
A: Cheryl, this is really based on your personal preference. Pruning the flowers from the plant will ...
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| butternut squash | 7/30/2006 |
Q: I think I need to hand pollinate my butternut plants. My problem is that the small fruits seem to ...
A: Kate, when young fruit shrivel and fall off prematurely, it is usually an indication of one of two ...
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| Seedless tomatos | 7/30/2006 |
Q: I live in south central Mississippi, the town is called Monticello. My mother, due to her love of ...
A: David, since you do not know the variety of this particular tomato, seeds are not an option since ...
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| tomatoe plants | 7/29/2006 |
Q: I have 4 beautiful, full tomatoe plants. They are covered in blossoms, however, when the blossoms ...
A: Jenny, when blossoms or young fruit fall off prematurely, it is usually an indication of one of two ...
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| growing butternut squash | 7/29/2006 |
Q: Cheltenham, uk Hi we are growing butternut squash in our garden for the first time and it is ...
A: Debbie, if there are squash, you definitely had flowers. Squash flowers only last less than one day. ...
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| Butternut Squash | 7/28/2006 |
Q: Roanoke VA. I read a question about harvesting butternut squash and you said they it would continue ...
A: Squash will store for up to three months if kept in a cool dry location. I have found the basement ...
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| Tomato plant leaf curling | 7/28/2006 |
Q: What causes the leaves on the tomato plant to curl
A: Excessive fertilizing, especially with a high nitrogen fertilizer such as standard Miracle-Gro, can ...
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| butternut squash | 7/27/2006 |
Q: vines die or turn brown at hill for 2 or 3 feet then turn green again with plenty of foliage and ...
A: John, the likely cause is a fungus disease called Choanephora, otherwise known as wet-rot. This ...
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| Tomatos & sun flowers | 7/27/2006 |
Q: Chicago, Il. Dear Mr. Mascio: 1) I have 8 tomato plants. One and only one in the middle has ...
A: Blossom-end rot is caused either by a lack of magnesium and calcium in the soil or because a plant ...
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| tomato plants | 7/26/2006 |
Q: I am trying to grow tomatoes in containers. I have two great looking plants, beefsteak, with small ...
A: Juan, the reason the bottoms of the tomatoes are rotting is a condition called blossom-end rot. This ...
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| Pumpkins | 7/26/2006 |
Q: I am growing pumpkins for the first time. I have great vines and lots of flowers, but none of them ...
A: Jill, based on the information provided, there are two probable causes for the lack of production ...
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| how do you know when Jalapeno are ready to pick | 7/19/2006 |
Q: i would like to know how do you know when Jalapeno are ready to pick. I have 2 plants in a big 5 ...
A: Michael, it really depends on how hot you prefer your peppers. Personally, I wait until I see a ...
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| tomato and bell pepper container disease | 7/7/2006 |
Q: We have planted tomatoes and bell peppers in plastic containers for the past 3 years. We tend to ...
A: Megan, when peppers or tomatoes rot prematurely on the bottom of the fruit, it is usually an ...
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| Pruning pepper plants | 7/6/2006 |
Q: I am growing several different kinds of peppers what i am wondering is should I be prunning off the ...
A: Martine, the only time I prune pepper plants is during the seedling stage immediately after they ...
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| tomatoes | 7/6/2006 |
Q: I live in northeast Pennsylvania, i have beautiful green tomato plants and only a few yellow ...
A: Mercedes, the plants will probably start producing the middle of this month. I live in Ohio, and we ...
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| Follow up question | 7/5/2006 |
Q: Hey Mike. Thanks for response regarding the yellow leaves and the black dots. Plants are growing ...
A: Kevin, this is usually a symptom after heavy rains. The excess water in the soil prevents the roots ...
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| Bell pepper plant | 7/4/2006 |
Q: I have bell pepper plants that are about 4' tall and healthy looking. We put cow manure in the soil ...
A: Donna, I avoid using all-purpose synthetic fertilizers such as Miracle-Gro. Most of these are very ...
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| tomatos | 7/3/2006 |
Q: why are leaves turning yellow?
A: Alan, poor soil is the primary reason plants fail to do well. Yellow leaves are just one ...
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| cantalope | 7/3/2006 |
Q: have a nice healthy long plant, with a number of flowering blooms. But within a number of days ...
A: John, when young fruit shrivel and fall off prematurely, it is usually an indication of one of two ...
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| Growing Squash | 7/2/2006 |
Q: My wife and I sem to have a hard time getting our squash to grow into mature plants. The palnts coem ...
A: Harold, although it is very difficult to provide an absolute diagnosis remotely, I can give you ...
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| peppers and tomatoes | 7/2/2006 |
Q: I've heard that planting peppers and tomatoes too close to each other can affect the growth and ...
A: Russ, there are plants that do not grow well in close proximity. A prime example would be carrots ...
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| Yellowing of pepper plants | 7/1/2006 |
Q: I live near Milwaukee, and am in my sophmore year of gardening on the same plot. I am growing a ...
A: Brian, yellowing of leaves is almost always caused by a lack of nitrogen and magnesium in the soil. ...
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| soil prep | 6/21/2006 |
Q: Bluffton Indiana my new next door neighbor said he was going to put some pea gravel into his new ...
A: John, I only believe in adding organic matter to the soil. Although the pea gravel will not cause ...
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| Tomatoe Plant-Leaf Removal | 6/20/2006 |
Q: Chicago, IL - My first time growing champion tomatoes. My friend hurt his leg and was suppose to ...
A: Kim, the only leaves that should be removed on tomato plants are the sucker branches. The suckers ...
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| yellow squash | 6/19/2006 |
Q: My yellow squash plants look very healthy, have lots of blossoms and small squash but the squash rot ...
A: Rhonda, the condition you've described is called tip rot. This problem is almost always caused by ...
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| tomatoes | 6/19/2006 |
Q: Mike I live in Arkansas the central part my tomaotes are dying the are plated in a pot this year due ...
A: Ronda, it sounds like the tomatoes have contracted some type of disease, These could include ...
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| Bell peppers | 6/18/2006 |
Q: My bell pepper plants are lush with plenty of fruit.Some of the peppers have brown spots on the ...
A: Paul, the problem you are describing is called blossom-end rot. It is most common in tomatoes, but ...
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| zucchini | 6/17/2006 |
Q: I am growing zuchini in a container, but I am having the same problem I have had in the past when ...
A: Debra, the condition you've described is called tip rot. This problem is almost always caused by ...
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| tomatoes | 6/16/2006 |
Q: I have 3 different types of tomato plants that were all planted late April. They have not developed ...
A: Stacy, the primary reason for the symptoms you've described is poor soil. Blossom-end-rot is caused ...
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| Tar Paper | 6/16/2006 |
Q: Will using tar paper in my garden as weed block damage or harm my vegetables?
A: Laura, I personally would not use tar because it will leach from the paper into the soil. The gummy ...
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| growing sunflowers | 5/18/2006 |
Q: I am new at growing sunflowers. I have planted 5 packs of seeds. They have sprouted but something is ...
A: Therese, the best product on the market today for protecting young seedlings is reemay, otherwise ...
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| picking asparagus | 5/17/2006 |
Q: My husband picks the asparagus by cutting it just below ground level. Is this correct or should he ...
A: Franca, either method works just fine. However, I prefer to cut mine just above soil level rather ...
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| tomato problems | 5/17/2006 |
Q: I live in Columbus OH. I have planted a variety of tomatoes in containers and earthboxes. I have ...
A: Kevin, I also live in Ohio. This is a common problem here due to the heavy amounts of rain we get ...
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| Mulching Tomatoes | 5/13/2006 |
Q: I've been told Cedar mulch has something in it that tomatoes don't like and it stunts their growth. ...
A: Karen, this is a myth that's been going around for the past couple of years. Many gardeners like to ...
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| Butternut Squash | 5/12/2006 |
Q: I live in Hereford and have just bought a greenhouse. I have planted some butternut squash seeds ...
A: Lyndsay, it all depends on your space constraints. Squash need at least 2 feet between plantings ...
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| Butternut Squash | 5/12/2006 |
Q: Harpenden, Hertfordshire, England (just north of London) I am growing Butternut Squash from the ...
A: Fioan, you cannot distinguish seeds as male and female. The way breeders differentiate is by the ...
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| watermelons | 5/11/2006 |
Q: what makes my watermelons burst when small to medium growth
A: Scott, this is usually caused by excess water retention in the soil. This is especially prevalent ...
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| tomato plants - dried up leaves | 5/10/2006 |
Q: Mike - Recently, along with my son, planted some tomato plants in San Jose, california . Going ...
A: Jerry, you didn't say how long ago you planted the tomatoes, but like all seedlings, they need to be ...
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| sprouts or weeds? | 5/10/2006 |
Q: I am very new to gardening and decided to plant a vegetable garden. Some of the veggies I am ...
A: Erin, unless the seeds were scattered over the soil, they should not blow to other areas of the ...
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| I live in the country (Lockhart,... | 5/8/2006 |
Q: I live in the country (Lockhart, Texas) and am growing potatos for the first time. How do I know ...
A: Barbara, once the vines begin to flower, stop mounding the soil and start mulching heavily with ...
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| onions | 5/7/2006 |
Q: im new to veg growing, i started off from seed onions, twice now indoors, but on both times they ...
A: Tilly, the reason the seedlings are falling over and dying shortly after germination is due to a ...
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| soil preperation | 4/25/2006 |
Q: Mike, I have a space that I removed a lot of old Rhubarb plants(because I dont eat it) and would ...
A: Dave, the best advice I can give you is to make sure you properly amend your soil. Good soil is ...
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| cucumbers | 4/19/2006 |
Q: Could you please advise me how to stop my cucumbers from continually getting severe mildew after ...
A: Howard, there are many varieties such as Marketmore and Sweet Success that are resistant to most ...
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| Yellow Onions | 3/28/2006 |
Q: I'm on the East Coast and I am trying to grow Yellow Onions for the first time. I started a ...
A: Jason, what you've described is exactly what onions look like for a few weeks after they germinate. ...
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| mixing vegetables in gardens | 3/17/2006 |
Q: Is there any problem with planting cantalope and tomatoes in the same garden. We have planted ...
A: Alan, what you are describing is called companion gardening. Many vegetables actually grow better ...
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| tomatoes | 3/15/2006 |
Q: I am starting plants in the house to set out when it's time , what care do i need to take as they ...
A: Once the seedlings develop their second set of leaves, you can begin supplementing the plants with a ...
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| tomatoes | 3/11/2006 |
Q: im wondering why my tomato plants dont produce large fruit, every year they start out beautifully ...
A: Michelle, when tomatoes are small, it is usually a result of excessive nitrogen and insufficient ...
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| Tomatos | 2/28/2006 |
Q: Why are tomatos considered a fruit and not a vegetable?
A: Libby, legally a tomato is a vegetable. This was decided by the Supreme Court in 1893 and is still ...
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| Container Vegetable Gardening | 2/20/2006 |
Q: I am working in inner city Baltimore. I am starting a vegetable garden in containers, small through ...
A: Amanda, seed germination is dependent solely on the age of the seed. New seed has a germination ...
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| Baby Corn | 2/10/2006 |
Q: Mike Hi---You know those little tiny things that look exactly like an ear of corn? What exactly are ...
A: Don, I'm assuming you're referring to miniature or ornamental corn. These are hybrid varieties ...
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| heatwave tomatos | 2/6/2006 |
Q: LAST YEAR I PURCHASED HEAT WAVE TOMATO PLANTS FROM LOWES. THEY PRODUCED LARGE CRACK-FREE FRUIT WITH ...
A: Heatwave tomatoes are hybrids. Hybrids are plants that were cross-bred from two different varieties ...
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| Growing Snow Peas | 2/4/2006 |
Q: Melbourne - We directly sowed our snow peas in early November last year, found that they have grown ...
A: Melanie, here in the states it is very difficult to sustain peas for more than three months. Most ...
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| Growing iris's | 1/30/2006 |
Q: I have some Iris's that my aunt give me out of her garden this last summer,and she said to plant ...
A: Note: This response was originally sent by this expert on Tuesday, January 31st. The delay was due ...
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| weeds | 1/30/2006 |
Q: well, it's about that time, well actually not yet (ohio) for gardening. I have had the same weed ...
A: Kurt, you have several options. The easiest is to spray the area with a broad based herbicide such ...
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| Nematodes | 1/29/2006 |
Q: I am in Central Florida and have a serious Nematode problem. I read that a chemical called Vapam ...
A: Jim, although solorization is the best solution, it is time consuming and can cut into the growing ...
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| Growing spaghetti squash | 1/27/2006 |
Q: I'm a new gardener, but very excited to have a vegetable garden. I am currently growing a spaghetti ...
A: Sarah, it all depends on how much space you have. The primary two reasons for staking squash is to ...
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| indoor lighting for herbs | 1/21/2006 |
Q: I want to start growing herbs indoors. I have been reading a little about flourescent lighting, ...
A: Melissa, you can either purchase gro-lights, which are fluorescent lights designed specifically for ...
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| Mixed chili | 1/8/2006 |
Q: I've been planting some different kinds of chili for a two years now and I live in northern sweden ...
A: Max, peppers need several things in order to produce a good harvest with good sized fruit. Three ...
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| Tomatos | 1/7/2006 |
Q: I live in the central part of North Carolina.Half way between the mountains and the coast.Last year ...
A: Dwain, blossom end rot is caused by two things; uneven watering and a lack of magnesium and calcium ...
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| Asparagus | 1/3/2006 |
Q: ------------------------- Followup To - Mike I really don't want to start from scratch - the bed ...
A: Laura, in mid-February, remove the dead foliage by cutting them 6" above soil level. You need to do ...
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| indoor tomatoes | 12/20/2005 |
Q: The growing season in my part of Montana is short, so I'm trying to grow tomatoes in an indoor ...
A: Gail, when tomatoes are small, it is usually a result of excessive nitrogen and insufficient ...
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| Asparagus | 12/19/2005 |
Q: The bed has been neglected since May of 2005 - the braches are green and gold right now and layed ...
A: Laura, if you decide to start again from scratch, you need to first till the soil and replenish the ...
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| prevention of clubroot on brassicas | 12/18/2005 |
Q: what powder etc do you recommend to help prevent clubroot i do rotate crops
A: Ron, although crop rotation is essential in the control of clubroot, it takes 7 years for the ...
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| pests on lettuce | 12/14/2005 |
Q: I live near Wash DC I just harvested the last of my lettuce planted in pots the other day our nights ...
A: Peter, I always recommend changing the soil in pots every season. Potted soil is quicky depleted of ...
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| pollination and pests | 11/18/2005 |
Q: My father has indoor Habanero plants and needs a way of pollinating them and controling aphids. any ...
A: Tristen, you can hand-pollinate the flowers by taking a Q-tip or small paint brush and transferring ...
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| Pumpkin Seeds | 10/30/2005 |
Q: We just finished carving our pumpkin. We would like to save the seeds for planting next year. How ...
A: Dave, you can remove the seeds, wash them, and then place them on a paper towel for 3-5 days until ...
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| eggplant | 10/15/2005 |
Q: i have planted eggplant seeds few weeks ago i watered it every day but now there are lots of weeds ...
A: Tucker, it is very difficult to distinguish between weed and vegetable seedlings. Eggplant ...
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| tomatoes | 10/11/2005 |
Q: would like to know if you have any method of getting rid of white flies and the bugs that eat the ...
A: Patty, chemicals are always an option, but definitely not the safest way to control insects, ...
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| jalapeno life span | 10/10/2005 |
Q: I have this jalapeno plant I started from a seed. It lived on my porch all summer producing plenty ...
A: Cain, peppers are considered annual plants, even though they can survive a mild winter. However, ...
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| Texas tomatoes question | 10/3/2005 |
Q: I live in Dallas, Texas and I have 2 quick tomato questions I was hoping you could help me with. 1. ...
A: Cynthia, you could save the seeds and plant them next fall, but be advised that the beefsteak tomato ...
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| Butternut Squash | 9/22/2005 |
Q: I have a great butternut squash vine with some healthy looking fruit on it. I have never grown ...
A: Blair, the best determinate is color. Once the squash turn a pale yellowish orange, and the green ...
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| cracked butternut squash | 9/19/2005 |
Q: I live in Portland, Oregon and am growing butternut squash for the first time. I have a few large ...
A: Cecil, when vegetables crack, it is almost always a sign of inconsistent watering. This occurs ...
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| Jalapeno M | 9/18/2005 |
Q: I'm an ex-pat living in Kiev, Ukraine (green zone). On my last trip back to the States I brought ...
A: Ken, unlike bell peppers, the longer you leave the jalapenos on the vine, the hotter they will get. ...
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| planting tomatoes | 9/17/2005 |
Q: I bought a tomato plant at The Home Depot in May. I replanted it and keep it on my porch. I started ...
A: Rachel do not worry about the insects unless you start seeing damage to the plant. You should never ...
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| Butternut Squash | 9/17/2005 |
Q: Peterborough UK, it is mid september and I have 5 squashes still on the vine. they are pale orange ...
A: Odette, you can leave them on the vine until the first frost. The general rule of thumb is to wait ...
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| Ripe Tomato(s)??? | 9/15/2005 |
Q: At age 79 I decided for first time to plant 3 tomato plants in my backyard in Baltimore, Md. One ...
A: Ethel, you didn't necessarily do anything wrong. Ripening is a result of many factors, not the ...
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| leek seedlings in fall | 9/14/2005 |
Q: Though I have grown a large farm vegetable garden for many years, this was my first year as a market ...
A: Corrie, there really would be no advantage to wintering over these seedlings instead of planting new ...
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| Ripening vegtables | 9/14/2005 |
Q: I've read your articles and fully understand the best ripening is on the vine. Please detail for me ...
A: Marianne, thank you for the kind remarks. The best way to ripen a tomato is to place them two ...
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| unusual dropping of leaves | 8/28/2005 |
Q: I have three young bell pepper plants in a small 3.5-inch pot, and they're very young - they're ...
A: Michelle, normally when leaves dry, curl, and fall off, it is caused by inconsistent watering or ...
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| tomatoes | 8/28/2005 |
Q: i forgot to mention that the leaves for cucumbers have gaping holes and have turned brown. some have ...
A: The white film on the leaves is called powdery mildew; a fungus disease prevalent on many varieties ...
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| Sudden Tomato Plant Death! | 8/27/2005 |
Q: I went through the already asked questions, and I think this is a NEW one for you. I'm in upstate ...
A: Jon, you sound very knowledgeable despite only being a "casual" gardener. You have correctly ...
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| tomatoes | 8/27/2005 |
Q: ur the best. i ahve something called all purpose fertilizer 20-20-20 plan food. this was the stuff i ...
A: 20-20-20 will work just fine, but ideally I always recommend 10-20-20 for fruit-bearing plants. My ...
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| tomatoes | 8/26/2005 |
Q: i live in ottawa, canada. i dont know anything about gardening. i put soil down on the garden grass ...
A: The fact that your tomatoes are not ripening is an indication that either the weather conditions ...
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| pumpkins | 8/20/2005 |
Q: I have some beautiful pumpkin vinesgrowing, but yesterday I noticed little bugs. they are a beatlt, ...
A: Margaret, what you have are cucumber beetles. They can do quite a bit of damage to cucumber plants ...
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| Asparagus | 8/17/2005 |
Q: I planted aspargaus two years ago the last two years I have not picked any tips so that the roots ...
A: You did the right thing by not harvesting the first two years. Ideally, the third year is the first ...
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| squash & cabbage | 8/16/2005 |
Q: This is most wonderful of you to volunteer. I have a comment and a question. This is my first year ...
A: Susan, row covers are by far the best preventive measure you can take. Another organic method is ...
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| tomato plant | 8/9/2005 |
Q: My beautiful tomato plant has many blossoms but grows very few tomatoes. What do I do? Thanks for ...
A: Betty, when blossoms or young fruit fall off prematurely, it is usually an indication of one of two ...
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| Yellow Squash | 8/8/2005 |
Q: I live in Coastal Connecticut and am growing yellow squash for the first time. I don't really know ...
A: Heidi, never wait until the fruit is excessively large unless you are trying to win a prize at the ...
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| watermelons | 8/5/2005 |
Q: I live in White Plains, NY. It is about 30 miles north of New York city. I grew watermelons for ...
A: Mike, the bottom turning yellow is only one indicator. But it does mean you are very close to ...
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| "suckers" on tomato plants | 8/4/2005 |
Q: I am growing my first tomato's and getting all kinds of advice on removing the ...
A: Charlie, the suckers are the growth that occurs between the main stem and the leaf axil of the ...
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| Brown Spots- | 8/3/2005 |
Q: I live in Atlanta and have noticed that right around the time my tomatoes are ready to be picked a ...
A: Carl, it sounds like your tomatoes have contracted one of several potential fungus diseases. These ...
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| home drying tomatoes | 8/2/2005 |
Q: I am drying some ripe meaty tomatoes outside. Should I skin them first?
A: Chris, there are several methods to dry and store tomatoes. Some cooks prefer to blanche them first ...
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| zucchini | 8/2/2005 |
Q: I vegetable garden in several 4' square raised beds. I have been very successful with everything ...
A: Monika, you need to determine if the plants are dropping the male or female flowers. In general, ...
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| using miracle grow without the spray bottle? | 8/1/2005 |
Q: i am in northern ohio, in the middle of one of the hottest summers on record! i had a couple of ...
A: Brian, I also live near Cleveland, and you're correct, this has been a very hot and dry summer. We ...
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| cucumber plants | 7/31/2005 |
Q: Cheshire, Connecticut: My cucmber plants (pickling cucs) are producing odd shaped cucumbers: instead ...
A: When cucumbers or fruit from other members of the squash family are misshapen, it is always caused ...
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| freezing vegies and herbs | 7/30/2005 |
Q: I live in Tyler Hill , Pa., northeast Pa. I have an abundance of Roma tomatoes growing and basil and ...
A: Lisa, any of the options you mentioned will work. Freezing is by far the easiest way to store ...
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| potatos growing above ground | 7/28/2005 |
Q: MIKE: I HAVE PLANTED ABOUT 7 MOUNDS OF POTATOS, I HAVE ONE MOUND THAT LOOKS LIKE THE POTATOS ARE ...
A: Larry, potatoes are tubers and can only be grown at the root level of the plant. What you may have ...
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| Winter Squash | 7/26/2005 |
Q: I'am growing what I believe to be spaghetti squash and acorn squash. My first question regarding ...
A: Pam, I always pick my vegetables when they are fairly young. In the case of butternut or spaghetti ...
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| Potatoes/Northeast Washington State | 7/26/2005 |
Q: I am growing potatoes in my garden. The plants were gorgeous and big. The green bushes are all ...
A: Kathy, once the foliage dies back, the bulbs should be harvested. The roots will not continue to ...
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| jalapeno pepper plants | 7/25/2005 |
Q: i have several jalapeno plants growing in containers. They have all grown to be on average 20-24" ...
A: Melissa, when peppers drop their blossoms, it is usually an indication of inconsistent watering, ...
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| Bell Peppers | 7/25/2005 |
Q: ARE THE COLORED BELL PEPPERS(RED, YELLOW, ETC, SIMPLY JUST A GREEN PEPPER THAT IS RIPER OR ARE THE ...
A: Karen, all peppers will eventually turn yellow, red, orange, or purple when allowed to fully ripen ...
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| setting of fruit | 7/23/2005 |
Q: My acorn squash and cantaloupe are blooming profusely but set very few fruit despite plentiful ...
A: Although pollination is usually the primary reason plants drop their blooms, the other main cause is ...
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| growing buttercup squash | 7/23/2005 |
Q: I live in Forman North Dakota and we have grown Buttercup squash for many years but the last few ...
A: Shirley, based on your description, I have to believe the plants have been invaded by the squash ...
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| Dropping Flowers | 7/22/2005 |
Q: Mike, Thanks for the advise last year about the small fruit. I too have raised beds 16'* 8' boxes ...
A: Jim, when tomatoes drop their blossoms, it is usually an indication of inconsistent watering, poor ...
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| growing yellow squash and zucchini | 7/11/2005 |
Q: My squash plants are growing 12 feet long with plenty leafs and blossems. Little or no squash for 3 ...
A: Jerry, poor fruiting on squash on any other fruit-bearing plant is usually an indication of one of ...
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| Tomatoes | 7/8/2005 |
Q: I live in Nashville Tn and we have had a very dry spring and summer so far. My plants are doing ...
A: Darlene, the reason the bottoms of the tomatoes are turning black is a condition called blossom-end ...
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| tomatoe plants | 7/7/2005 |
Q: owensboro,ky. We have the nicest tomatoe plants in our garden, 8 of them full of tomatoes, but for ...
A: Stacy, when peppers or tomatoes rot prematurely on the vine, it is usually an indication of ...
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| tomatoes | 7/6/2005 |
Q: I garden in Olin,NC.My tomatoe plants have fruit on them,I want to know once you have green fruit ...
A: Kim, if the temperatures stay warm, and they inevitably will in your area of the country, the ...
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| cucumbers | 7/6/2005 |
Q: Hey Mike, thanks for taking the time to answer everyone's questions! I'm gardening in the Milwaukee ...
A: Brian, the leaves touching will not do any harm. The key is spacing the plants 2 feet apart to ...
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| GOWING TOMATOES | 7/1/2005 |
Q: Mike Hi, I have a question regarding growing tomatoes. I have 4 containers that I am growing ...
A: Ken, there's not doubt that the difference in soil is the reason two of the plants are growing well ...
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| Greater yield from tomato plants | 6/30/2005 |
Q: Mike. I live approx. 80 mi. N.W. of Chicago, in N. Illinois. My dad loved growing tomatoes, ...
A: Jack, I never recommend topping off a tomato plant. Only the suckers should be pruned; never the ...
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| growing veggies | 6/30/2005 |
Q: Oregon (having moved from Breckenrdige, CO, where there was too much snow to garden!). I have a ...
A: Tracy, you can still sow bush beans, cucumbers, beets, and carrots for a late summer harvest. For a ...
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| Butternut squash | 6/28/2005 |
Q: I live in New Brusnwick NJ and my butternut squash plants were growing beautifully until this week ...
A: Jen, it is not unusual during dry spells or hot weather for foliage to turn yellow. But based on ...
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| summer squash | 6/28/2005 |
Q: Chicago IL - we are 1st time summer squash growers, the plant has lots of flowers & looks great but ...
A: Pat, when young fruit shrivel and fall off prematurely, it is usually an indication of one of two ...
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| Correct Watering - tomatoes, bell peppers, chili peppers | 6/19/2005 |
Q: My garden is in containers but I don't know how much to water my tomatoes, bell peppers, chili ...
A: Linda, this is a common problem when growing fruit-bearing vegetables in containers. Inconsistent ...
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| tomatoes | 6/19/2005 |
Q: I grow tomatoes in a pot on my deck and it seem they always get to the point of ripping and start to ...
A: When tomatoes split or crack, it is usually a sign of inconsistent watering. Too much or too little ...
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| tomatoes | 6/14/2005 |
Q: Mike, we are doing a vegetable garden this year and would like some advice on planting - tomatoes, ...
A: Jackie, the only time I recommend laying the plants horizontally is for leggy seedlings. If the ...
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| potato plant insects | 6/12/2005 |
Q: We live in Fulton, Illinois (sandy soil). Our potato plants are starting to bloom. Now we are ...
A: Ann, from your description, it sounds like you may have slugs in your garden. They are very ...
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| polymer moisture granules growing vegetables | 6/12/2005 |
Q: I live in Atlanta, GA. I would like to know if it is safe to grow vegetables using polymer moisture ...
A: Michele, the plants will absorb the chemicals, which will leach into the soil. I would not ...
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| plants , bugs | 6/11/2005 |
Q: my pepper plants have holes in them, and my radishes have just came up and something ate them,but ...
A: From the description you gave, it could be almost anything. But if I were to venture a guess based ...
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| container gardening | 6/11/2005 |
Q: Mike, We're trying for the first time to grow vegetables on our deck. They're doing fine, except ...
A: Bruce, there are water meters that you can purchase that will tell you exactly when it is time to ...
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| Short fruity tomatoes | 6/11/2005 |
Q: Mike, I planted Better Boys mid-May. I added tomato stake fertilizer, mulch, and some topsoil to ...
A: Tom, the plants are most likely recovering from the inital shock resulting from transplanting. This ...
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| watermelons | 6/10/2005 |
Q: Hey Mike, I'm a first time gardener in the Milwaukee, WI area. My plants are doing well with the ...
A: Brian, be aware that watermelons, like all plants in the squash family, do not like to be ...
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| watermelons | 6/9/2005 |
Q: Hey Mike, I'm a first time gardener in the Milwaukee, WI area. My plants are doing well with the ...
A: Brian, there's no question that organic materials, even if used as a mulch, is a necessity for ...
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| Growing asparugus | 6/5/2005 |
Q: I live in sharon hill PA 5 minutes from phila international . I brought two asparugus plants. Insert ...
A: Zelma, soak the plants in tepid water for about an hour before planting. You then want to plant ...
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| Fungus on tomato plants | 5/26/2005 |
Q: I am in Eureka, CA. My tomato plants have that common fungus on them and they are quickly being ...
A: Urania, copper is the primary fungicide that I recommend as an organic alternative. Another option ...
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| Plant stress and purchasing started tomatos | 5/22/2005 |
Q: I wrote you before and you were helpfull,this is the second year I started plants indoors and the ...
A: Peter, this is a common symptom after transplanting. Different plants, depending on the variety, ...
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| Edible Tomato leaves | 5/22/2005 |
Q: I had a surplus of tomato plant seedlings in my planter (on a condo balcony) and I was thinning them ...
A: Mary, from what I've read, tomato leaves are generally not toxic to adults, but are definitely ...
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| tomatoes and peppers | 5/22/2005 |
Q: I plantes tomatoes and peppers in a rather small space in my back yard in new york. The plants were ...
A: Matthew, normally this is caused by a combination of transplant shock and excess moisture in the ...
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| green (bell) peppers | 5/11/2005 |
Q: I grew bell peppers in NJ w/ no problem, feeding them K-Gro, etc. Here in FL the peppers start ...
A: The difference has to be with the soil. You obviously had superior soil in New Jersey. Keep in ...
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| Tomato plants | 5/11/2005 |
Q: in my biology class, we are growing tomato plants and we are watering them with an iron supplement. ...
A: Tomatoes require high amounts of phosphorus, magnesium, and iron. These three nutrients are ...
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| Red onions - size of bulb | 5/9/2005 |
Q: The red onions I've previously grown in Toronto, Ontario have had vibrant greens, but, when ...
A: Jacob, small bulbs with lush foliage is caused by excess nitrogen in the soil along with a ...
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| Growing bell peppers | 5/7/2005 |
Q: I am starting green and red peppers inside. I live in Wisconsin and started the seeds on the new ...
A: Sanut, I would not place the plants outdoors permanently until after Memorial Day. Peppers are very ...
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| Tomatoes | 5/6/2005 |
Q: I just bought some Early Girl plants. The instructions say, "Bury 80% of the plant for strongest ...
A: Herb, there is an advantage to planting tomatoes deeper when transplanting. But 80% is extreme. I ...
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| seedlings | 5/4/2005 |
Q: I started several tomato seedlings indoors on March 9 The thing I don't get is they all got fairly ...
A: Peter, the problem would not be a result of bad seeds. Instead, it is due to the conditions. ...
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| tomatoes in May in Ohio | 5/2/2005 |
Q: Mike, I am growing tomatoes for the first time in SW Ohio. I tried growing them from pots at my ...
A: William, when blossoms or young fruit fall off prematurely, it is usually an indication of one of ...
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| Once potatos start blooming | 4/23/2005 |
Q: Lowndes County Ga, Valdosta. Potatos This is my first time growing potatoes and I am learning by ...
A: At this point, do not attempt to loosen the soil for fear that you may disturb the tubers and their ...
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| tomatoes grown in west palm beach florida | 4/22/2005 |
Q: MY tomatoes are being partly eaten by some kind of animal. How can I protect my plants??? I was ...
A: Allen, it is always difficult to guess what type of animal is eating a particular plant. The only ...
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| General Gardening | 4/15/2005 |
Q: I have been gardening for sometime now; however, I still have lost of questions that I'm looking for ...
A: Tim, the general rule of thumb is 5 lbs. of lime per 100 square feet. However, lime should only be ...
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| planning a vegetable garden | 4/14/2005 |
Q: What is the square foot method of gardening? I live in Southern Ontario and am trying to plan my ...
A: Tara, square foot gardening is a method of intensive gardening. The term "square foot gardening" was ...
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| Planting Pumpkins | 4/13/2005 |
Q: Since I have never planted any pumpkins before, I thought I might get a little advice from someone ...
A: Frank, you should plant pumpkin seeds directly in the garden approximately 120 days prior to your ...
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| My plants | 4/12/2005 |
Q: I bought a few tomato plants about a month ago. I have not yet transferred them to the pots I have ...
A: Kathy, tomatoes are one of the few vegetables that actually benefit from transplanting. The reason ...
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| Tomatoes and cold weather | 4/12/2005 |
Q: I live in Morgan Hill, California. It has been unusually cold and wet this late March through mid ...
A: Gail, normally this would not have been too early, but given the conditions you described, you've ...
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| mildew look on leaves | 4/10/2005 |
Q: Last summer I grew cucumbers, squash, zucchini, lettuce, and red peppers. The squash, zucchini, and ...
A: Beth, your plants contracted a fungus disease called powdery mildew. Powdery mildew is spread ...
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| Growing Asparagus | 4/10/2005 |
Q: Baltimore, MD - I want to grow asparagus and would like to know what to buy, where to buy, how much ...
A: Carolyn, you will need to purchase spears at your local nursery. These normally come as bareroot ...
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| asparagus | 4/3/2005 |
Q: What do you feel is the max amount of asparagus crowns that I can safely plant in a 10 by 10 area? ...
A: Frank, af ence is not essential unless you have a problem with rabbits or some other animal getting ...
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| Starting Jalapeno | 4/3/2005 |
Q: I have a Jalepeno but no seeds. Do I take the seeds out and dry them for a few days and then plant ...
A: Kel, you need to remove the seeds, allow them to dry for a minimum of 5 days, and then refrigerate ...
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| are there vegetables that... | 3/29/2005 |
Q: are there vegetables that cant or shouldnt be planted side by side??
A: Ivan, there are many plants that benefit from being planted next to one another, and many that ...
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| starting tomatoes from seed | 3/22/2005 |
Q: Can you give me any advice on starting tomatoes from seed in my greenhouse. Size of pot, soil, etc?
A: Deb, tomatoes are one of the few vegetables that prosper from transplanting. Therefore, I would ...
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| harvesting cauliflower | 2/20/2005 |
Q: I am growing brocoverde variety of cauliflower. The plants have nice heads which look to be ready ...
A: Eric, I would pull the whole plant. I am a big advocate of succession gardening. This is the ...
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| FREEZING OR CANNING | 2/20/2005 |
Q: NEED INFORMATION ON FREEEZING VEGETABLES, LIKE HOW LONG THE WILL KEEP VRS. CANNING. ALSO SHOULD THEY ...
A: Of the two options, canning is preferable for two reasons. First, the food maintains its flavor ...
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| Soil, getting started | 2/7/2005 |
Q: I was wonder what i should do to start a garden. i'm wanting to grow veggies, and such. any advice. ...
A: Brad, my first recommendation would be to not start too big on your first garden. Gardening ...
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| Will our carrot amount to anything? | 2/2/2005 |
Q: We found a carrot in a plastic bag in the office fridge, probably been there for a few months. When ...
A: Carolyn, any plant will eventually produce seed in pods at the top of the foliage if left to mature ...
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| Strawberries | 2/1/2005 |
Q: The question I have is I want to go with natural fertilizer for my strawberry plants. So what do you ...
A: Troy, I would start by oganically fertilizing the soil with natural amendments, including compost, ...
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| Lack of Pollination | 1/30/2005 |
Q: Perhaps I was not clear or didn't give enough information. Before resorting to enclosing my garden, ...
A: Tami, I'm sorry I misunderstood your first question. I thought you wanted to eliminate the covering ...
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| Lack of Pollination | 1/29/2005 |
Q: I live in SE New Mexico and have a 500 sq ft garden. Year before last, I had great yield but the ...
A: My suggestion would be to purchase a 50' roll of chicken wire. Bend the chicken wire to fit at a ...
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| growing vegetables from seeds | 1/25/2005 |
Q: I am a hobby gardener and love growing heritage tomatoes. Now I am continuing to grow from my own ...
A: Jim, seeds need a 3 month dormant period prior to sowing. I keep my seeds in a plastic zip-lock bag ...
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| Butternut Squash | 1/25/2005 |
Q: Another one from South East England:- It occured to me when I saw the Plant to Fruit ratio of the ...
A: Douglas, this is a normal growth habit for squash. I personally do not prune back the foliage ...
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| Plant food | 1/24/2005 |
Q: Is episom salt good or bad for plant growth, does it help increase or decrease plant growth?
A: Meaghan, epsom salts are a primary source of magnesium for the garden. Therefore, they do help ...
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| tomatoes | 1/23/2005 |
Q: Just thought that you might want to know - I recently moved into the Pittsburgh (Pa) area. There was ...
A: Dom, thanks for sharing your experience. I must admit that I am surprised at your success since ...
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| marigolds? | 1/22/2005 |
Q: I have heard that planting Marigolds around your garden will help keep rabbits out, is this true? ...
A: Christina, there is a certain amount of truth in planting marigolds to eliminate rabbits and other ...
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| tomato-black septoria leaf spot | 1/20/2005 |
Q: I USE A COPPER MIX SPRAY AND TRY TO PULL OFF AS MANY INFECTED LEAVES I CAN BUT THE PLANTS ARE DEAD ...
A: David, copper, like most fungicides, is excellent at slowing the process of most fungus diseases. ...
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| septic tank? | 1/18/2005 |
Q: Mascio, I live in Irvington, Kentucky (just West of Fort Knox) and am trying to figure out where to ...
A: Christina, in talking with some individuals from work who are versed in environmental safety, they ...
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| starting seeds indoors | 1/16/2005 |
Q: I am from Fremont, Wisconsin and enjoy veg. gardening. I start my tomato seeds indoors beginning of ...
A: Lisa, weak stems are almost always a result of insufficient light. In most areas of the country, ...
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| White shallots | 12/23/2004 |
Q: Many years ago an oldtimer gave me what I've since learned were White Shallots. They were best ...
A: Howard, my suggestion would be to research some of the better known seed and gardening companies on ...
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| growing veggies from seeds | 12/15/2004 |
Q: I am new to growing veggies from seeds. I started my own little green house last spring. It was a ...
A: Crystal, the best time to start seedlings is approximately 6 weeks prior to your last expected frost ...
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| Cutworms on Tomatoes | 12/6/2004 |
Q: Several months ago my Mother and I purchased an Earthbox setup with two tomatoe plants. This is an ...
A: Warren, it sounds like your tomato plants are infested with hornworms. Tomato hornworms are ...
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| Root Rot? | 12/4/2004 |
Q: Hopefully your'e able to assist me, or direct me to where I will find assistance. I'm very new to ...
A: Lin, the advice you've been given is legitimate. If the soil is composed primarily of clay, it may ...
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| Tomatoes | 11/18/2004 |
Q: I am in Englewood FL, which is on the West coast between Sarasota and Ft. Myers. I'm only about 2 ...
A: June, I feel it's always worth the chance if you can possibly extend your growing season. Believe ...
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| indoor tomato | 11/16/2004 |
Q: Were growing a tomato in the window and it is doing pretty good. I'm wondering about the light ...
A: Vicki, the plant will need a minimum of 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. I would not leave this ...
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| Butternut squash | 11/10/2004 |
Q: Mike, I have read with interest all of the previous questions asked of you about growing butternut ...
A: Jan, I don't know much about El Salvador's climate, but you are very fortunate from a gardening ...
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| Potatoes | 11/8/2004 |
Q: I live in Walla Walla, WA. Why do potatoes grow best in sandy soils?
A: Doug, the reason that potatoes, like all root crops, prefer loamy soils is that heavy clay impedes ...
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| carrots | 11/1/2004 |
Q: How do you grow carrots without seeds????
A: Carrots, like all root crops, must be grown with seeds. Other vegetable plants, such as tomatoes ...
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| Growing of Melons | 10/30/2004 |
Q: I am new at vegetable gardening. I have just began some "home vegetable gardening". I have planted ...
A: Lin, your plants have contracted a fungus disease called powdery mildew. Powdery mildew is spread ...
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| pumpkin | 10/11/2004 |
Q: I have A pumpkin in my garden and it is totally green. i want it to be ready for halloween. And so ...
A: Dannie, pumpkins, like all fruit-bearing vegetables, will mature much quicker on the vine than ...
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| Growing avocados | 10/8/2004 |
Q: it's been about a year that I've been trying to grow an avocado tree and have had no luck at all. ...
A: Mary, the best advice I can give you is to add organic amendments such as compost, shredded leaves, ...
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| Piri Piri Peppers | 9/27/2004 |
Q: How do I grow Piri piri plants from some peppers taken off another plant? Piri Piri peppers are used ...
A: Kate, propagation from seed is a relatively easy process. Be sure to wait until the peppers have ...
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| Jalapeno | 9/23/2004 |
Q: I live close to Tokyo Japan and it is impossible to get fresh Jalapeno's over here, so a friend gave ...
A: Craig, the key is the ph level of the soil. If the soil is too alkaline, habaneros and jalepenos ...
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| Strating out | 9/9/2004 |
Q: First off i would like to say thanks for your time. My first question is what defines a vegetable ...
A: Barrett, believe it or not, a fruit and vegetable are distinguished only by how it is defined by the ...
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| Small Tomatoes | 9/9/2004 |
Q: Mike, My Garden is located in Golden, CO and is in the sun filled south side of my property. In ...
A: Jim, this has been a common problem through many parts of the country this year. Your first ...
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| growing stages of the tomatoes | 8/30/2004 |
Q: i live in Lawton OKLAHOMA and im growing tomatoes i have some that are in the growing stagesbut how ...
A: Shane, when tomatoes split, it is always a sign of irregular watering. This is normally caused by ...
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| cucumber | 8/30/2004 |
Q: From Northern Ontario along the North shore of Lake Superior: I have started growing veggies in a ...
A: Lori, this can be one of many diseases. The most likely are downy mildew, powdery mildew, galls, or ...
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| pepper | 8/25/2004 |
Q: I live in Nine Mile,Wa. I am trying to grow a Anaheim Pepper in a container,I have lots of ...
A: Ella, when pepper plants fail to fruit or when blossoms or young fruit fall off prematurely, it is ...
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| butternut squash ripening | 8/24/2004 |
Q: we are growing butternut squash for the first time. We did not know how to tell when it was ready ...
A: Pat, I always pick my vegetables when they are fairly young. In the case of butternut or spaghetti ...
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| winter gardening | 8/6/2004 |
Q: eureka, ca. we have a different climate than people just 20 inland....significantly different. we ...
A: Kevin, there are numerous cool weather crops that can be grown throughout your winter season with a ...
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| Tomato Plants | 8/5/2004 |
Q: Mascio, I planted tomato plants for the first time this year and I am experienceing the following: ...
A: The black spot on the bottom of the tomatoes is a condition called blossom-end rot. This is caused ...
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| Bean Plants | 8/5/2004 |
Q: Larry, Many of my bush beans are turning yellow. Do you think this could be from over-watering, ...
A: Donna, you have most likely diagnosed this problem correctly. Excess watering depletes the soil of ...
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| tomato plant | 8/4/2004 |
Q: Wildwood, N.J. I have just discovered my tomato plants have brown spots on them and the plants ...
A: Marion, it sounds like your tomatoes have contracted one of several potential fungus diseases. ...
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| compost | 8/4/2004 |
Q: What would you suggest as a good compost receipe for my garden?
A: Ray, I have two compost piles; one for unfinished materials, and the other for those that have ...
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| spagetti squash | 8/1/2004 |
Q: How can I tell when my spagetti squash is ripe and ready to pick?
A: I always pick my vegetables when they are fairly young. In the case of butternut or spaghetti ...
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| blooms | 7/26/2004 |
Q: Mike I am growning summer(yellow)squash and zuccini squash. I have noticed that the fruit bloom ...
A: Dennis, these are the male blossoms. Do not pinch these since the pollen must be transferred by ...
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| Greenhouses and soil pH | 7/26/2004 |
Q: I was wondering what the advantages of greenhouses are over being grown in open area. What I know ...
A: Greenhouses are use for controlled climate conditions and to keep out pests. They are predominantly ...
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| I am growing butternut squash... | 7/24/2004 |
Q: I am growing butternut squash and the squash is about 5 inches, more bulbed than long. The skin is ...
A: Dana, never wait until the fruit is excessively large unless you are trying to win a prize at the ...
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| Cucumber plants | 7/23/2004 |
Q: I have been growing cucumbers in my yard for a couple of years. Recently I noticed that some of the ...
A: Bob, unless the entire plant is wilting, the problem is most likely a lack of nutrients in the soil. ...
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| Growing Tomatos | 7/17/2004 |
Q: I am in Boston, MA and I am growing tomato plants for the first time ever! I started them from ...
A: Jessica, tomatoes grown in pots always lag in fruit production from those grown in the garden. The ...
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| growing habanero peppers | 7/17/2004 |
Q: I have a small garden including bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, thai peppers, and ...
A: Kurt, the problem will eventually correct itself. You are correct that the ideal fertilizer is ...
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| pole beans | 7/15/2004 |
Q: hello I planted my pole beans june 1st today is july 15 my plants are 24 inch's tall and are ...
A: Don, do you know the name of the variety you planted? The growth habit you have described fits that ...
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| Tomato Plants | 7/15/2004 |
Q: I planted my tomato plant a couple of months ago and they are about 5 feet tall and have flowers but ...
A: Joe, when tomato plants fail to fruit or when blossoms or young fruit fall off prematurely, it is ...
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| tomotoes | 7/15/2004 |
Q: we have a friend that keeps telling us not to water our tomotoes..they are just now stating to get ...
A: Jackie, tomatoes require 1" of water per week. If your are receiving adequate rainfall, you can get ...
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| fire ants/okra | 7/14/2004 |
Q: Mike-thought you might could help. I have fire ants eating my okra blooms and preventing fruit. I ...
A: David, you can control ants by spreading some diatomaceous earth in the area that is infested. ...
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| Growing Corn - Getting Ears | 7/14/2004 |
Q: I'm in the Washington, DC area. Where would I find the pollen. Would it come from our own ear or ...
A: Martin, the pollen comes from the tassels at the top of the stalk. These normally form around 60 ...
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| Growing Corn - Getting Ears | 7/13/2004 |
Q: My son brought home a corn plant from a school project and it is growing well. It is alone, so I am ...
A: Martin, you are correct. Pollination is required for corn to produce kernels in the ears. You need ...
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| cucumbers and sugar snaps | 7/12/2004 |
Q: I live about 6 miles inland in San Diego. My sugar snaps are dying off from mildew. I have a ...
A: Josh, powdery mildew is spread through spores in the soil or the air. The spores are splashed onto ...
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| No taste tomatoes | 7/11/2004 |
Q: I'm in Columbus, OH and growing two different hybrids and two heirloom varieties in containers on my ...
A: Jay, you have two separate problems that are being caused by problems in your soil. When plants ...
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| tomatoes | 7/10/2004 |
Q: Our tomatoes are doing great except that in one area, the vines began turning brown and drying up ...
A: Mel, it is not uncommon for bottom leaves to yellow or brown in dry conditions. Even though you may ...
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| garlick braids | 7/8/2004 |
Q: I have a lot of newly harvested garlick, which I would like to braid for storage. I can't seem to ...
A: Gerry, the stems have to fully wilt before braiding. I actually leave my garlic and onions in the ...
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| Tomatoes black on bottom | 7/1/2004 |
Q: I am having problems with some of my tomatoes getting black and soft on the bottoms.They are doing ...
A: Darlene, your tomatoes are experiencing a condition called blossom-end rot. Blossom-end rot is ...
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| tomato leaves with spots | 7/1/2004 |
Q: i live in southern middle tenn and my tomato plants have a problem. they developed rust colored ...
A: Kelly, your tomatoes have contracted one of several potential fungus diseases. These would include ...
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| goards | 6/26/2004 |
Q: I am not sure if a goard is a vegetable or not but I thought I would give you a shot! I have ...
A: Gourds are considered to be vegetables, even though they are grown more for their decorative habit ...
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| tomatos & peppers | 6/26/2004 |
Q: I am growing peppers and tomatos in pots on our deck. both are starting to turn red. when should I ...
A: Warren, tomatoes should be left to fully ripen on the vine. This enhances the sugar content which ...
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| My tomatos dying | 6/26/2004 |
Q: I live in Chicago. I plant my tomatoes every year in different spot of my garden. Everything it is ...
A: Excess fertilizing, especially with a high nitrogen fertilizer such as standard Miracle-Gro, can ...
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| how do you grow butternut squash | 6/25/2004 |
Q: i'm kinda new to planting vegetables soi thought i should give it a go.anyway i am growing butternut ...
A: Squash are vining plants and will fall over if left unsupported. You can either stake them or allow ...
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| Tomato Storm Damage | 6/24/2004 |
Q: I'm a first-time homeowner in Lawrenceville, Georgia and decided I needed to grow something in my ...
A: It is important to stake the tomatoes once they reach 2' tall to protect the main stem from ...
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| cantaloupe | 6/23/2004 |
Q: My cantaloupe is doing great, but it is growing too far into the other yardside and heading for the ...
A: Barbara, as long as you do not cut off vines with blossoms, you can prune the plants to contain ...
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| swiss chard | 6/23/2004 |
Q: I am trying my first vegetable garden this year. My question is as the swiss chard is picked (a few ...
A: Nancy. Swiss Chard will grow all summer. As you continue to harvest the leaves from the outside of ...
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| Growing Butternut Squash | 6/23/2004 |
Q: Mr. Mascio, We live in Kansas and we planted our first garden this year. We planted one of our ...
A: Rich, based on your description, I doubt you have a fungus attacking the plants. Rather, when the ...
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| peas in decline | 6/23/2004 |
Q: My pea plants got off to a great start early summer but after a lot of hot dry weather they have ...
A: Judy, peas are considered a cool-weather crop. They like conditions between 55F and 75F. Once the ...
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| Plant Food | 6/19/2004 |
Q: I have Potash 0-0-60, Tripple Phosphate 0-46-0, Urea 45-0-0, Epsom Salt, and Sulfur how would I mix ...
A: Teresa, you can mix potash and phosphate in equal parts. I would only apply half the amount of ...
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| Tomato problems | 6/17/2004 |
Q: I have a back porch garden in pots, including peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes. I have been having ...
A: Jim, your tomatoes are experiencing a condition called blossom-end rot. Blossom-end rot is caused by ...
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| HELP, loosing plants | 6/15/2004 |
Q: I am within 25' of a black walnut tree! Now what??My peppers started first - green leaves turning ...
A: Scott, there is not much that can be done besides moving the garden to another area of the property ...
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| HELP, loosing plants | 6/15/2004 |
Q: My peppers started first - green leaves turning to a yellow (on the bottom) dropping off then tghe ...
A: Scott, it sounds like you have a soil-borne disease causing the foliage to die off. Normally, the ...
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| Are leaves of certain vegetables edible? | 6/11/2004 |
Q: My wife and I have been gardening for just a few years here in Colorado Springs, CO. A question came ...
A: Lynn, none of the leaves you mentioned are poisonous, but except for the leaves from beets and swiss ...
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| Tomatoes | 6/11/2004 |
Q: I have several tomato plants which are beautifully healthy and very big, but there are no tomatoes ...
A: Kristi, overwatering is a primary reason for fruiting vegetables to produce lush foliage and no ...
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| pepper plants | 6/10/2004 |
Q: hey Mike, Having a problem with my hot banana pepper, red, green, yellow bell pepper plants. Some ...
A: Rick, based on your description, it does sound like your pepper plants have contracted a blight ...
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| epsom salts | 6/6/2004 |
Q: what benefits or problems are apparent from growing vegetables with epsom salts
A: Epsom salts are a primary source of magnesium for the garden. I spray a solution of 3 tsp. per ...
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| Pumpkin? or Squash? | 6/6/2004 |
Q: My 6-year old daughter found a ziplock bag full of seeds and planted them randomly around in my ...
A: Unfortunately, pumpkin and squash plants are identical in both foliage and growing habit. Until the ...
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| Growing tomatos in containers | 6/6/2004 |
Q: I live in Norfolk, Va. We have 11 tomato plants behind our condo. They get plenty of sun and ...
A: Mike, your tomatoes are experiencing a condition called blossom-end rot. Blossom-end rot is caused ...
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| Tomato Pruning and disease | 6/3/2004 |
Q: I'm trying to figure out how to prune my tomato plant. I have read numerous sites stating "cut off ...
A: The suckers are the growth that occurs between the main stem and the leaf axil of the flower stem. ...
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| tomato help! | 5/28/2004 |
Q: After our little tomato seedlings were demolished by rabbits we ran out to the store to buy three ...
A: It sounds like you did all the right things by adding compost to your raised bed. The raised bed ...
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| tomato help! | 5/27/2004 |
Q: After our little tomato seedlings were demolished by rabbits we ran out to the store to buy three ...
A: Tanya, the reason the plants are yellowing is excessive water. Many soils, especially those ...
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| peppers | 5/24/2004 |
Q: I recently expanded my raised bed garden.My soil test showed a slight deficiency in phosphourous& ...
A: Jon, the results of your soil test indicate that the nitrogen level is too high. This normally ...
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| Tomato Plants | 5/20/2004 |
Q: How can you tell a beefsteak tomato plant from a roma tomato plant? I.e., are the leaves or stems ...
A: Laura, the foliage is the same on the two. I grow six different varieties of tomatoes, and all of ...
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| tomatos | 5/20/2004 |
Q: Mike, I have 3 large tomato plants that have had tons of flowers on them for quite a while, yet I ...
A: Tamara, overwatering is a primary reason for fruiting vegetables to produce lush foliage and no ...
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| watermelons | 5/8/2004 |
Q: Have you ever heard of anything that will stop weeds from germinating but not vegetables and things ...
A: Zach, the only product on the market that stops weeds from germinating is Preen. Unfortunately, it ...
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| watermelons | 5/1/2004 |
Q: Hey I'm growing a bunch of watermelon this year and I wondered if you had any links or advice on ...
A: Roto-tilling the bed will always kill the existing weeds, but it also brings up the seeds from below ...
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| veggie garden | 4/28/2004 |
Q: I want to have a small vegetable garden in my back yard, just some tomatoes, green peppers, etc. ...
A: Joy, my first recommendation would be to not start too big on your first garden. Gardening requires ...
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| beginner gardener | 4/28/2004 |
Q: i am graduating from college this spring and returning to my home in northern NJ. I wanted to start ...
A: Amie, my first recommendation would be to not start too big on your first garden. Gardening ...
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| Depth of Topsoil in a container garden | 4/21/2004 |
Q: Hey, Mike; I hope this is fair question to ask of you. In building a small elevated garden (above ...
A: Raised beds should be a minimum of 8" high. It is advisable to turn over the existing soil prior to ...
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| planting and growing a garden | 4/21/2004 |
Q: I would like to try and plant a vegetable garden. I live in Salt Lake City, UT and have a patch of ...
A: Michele, unfortunately, there are very few vegetables that will thrive in shady conditions. Most ...
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| asparagus in pots | 4/19/2004 |
Q: can asparagus be grown in pots large enough for the crowns that the vegetable can be harvested?
A: Krista, the pot would have to be extremely large to harvest an appreciable amount; at least 16"in ...
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| Tomatoes | 4/17/2004 |
Q: I have small plants(about 6" high) & some of the leaves are starting to turn brown & curl up. What ...
A: Usually when young seedlings have leaves browning, it is either due to excessive watering, or a ...
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| planting summer squash | 4/16/2004 |
Q: I've always been taught to plant yellow summer squash in hills, but it makes it hard to use the ...
A: Beverly, I agree with you completely. I never plant my squash or pumpkins in hills. I have 12" ...
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| how to replant a tomato plant | 4/15/2004 |
Q: I bought a tomato plant and it needs to be replanted not sure how to do it exactly I am new at this ...
A: Jeannie, tomatoes are one of the few plants that actually benefit from being transplanted. They, ...
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| growing tomatoes in containers | 4/10/2004 |
Q: I live in Texas in a rental trailer so am not able to have a real garden however I am growing ...
A: Diane, the secret to growing large vegetables is providing the proper nutrients to the soil. ...
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| berries | 4/1/2004 |
Q: I don't know if you are the right person to ask, but we're organic gardners (in that we use no ...
A: Lee Anne, most berry plants, including strawberries and raspberries, have a life span of 3-5 years. ...
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| yellowing plants | 3/31/2004 |
Q: I have a small vegetable garden in AZ and I have yellowing leaves on many of the plants. Is this ...
A: Mark, yellowing of leaves can definitely be attributed to a lack of nitrogen. But poor soil is the ...
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| Coffee Grounds | 3/31/2004 |
Q: Are coffee grounds good for flower beds? I live in Orange County California. Thank you, Rick
A: Yes, coffee grounds are an organic supplement that will add nutrients to the soil. I always ...
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| growing hot peppers | 3/20/2004 |
Q: Hey Mike! I was wondering if you have any experience in growing hot peppers i.e. habaneros, ...
A: Ken, habaneros and jalapenos are members of the nightshade family. This group also includes all ...
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| school project | 3/18/2004 |
Q: what do you think would happen to a lima bean plant if you put salt in the soil as it was trying to ...
A: Kelli, the salt would burn the roots and slowly kill the plant. That is why you see grass burnt out ...
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| Is it time yet?!? | 3/16/2004 |
Q: I was just wondering if it was too early to start thinking about planting my vegetable garden. I ...
A: Jamie, not knowing how severe your winter has been, it's hard for me to give you a definitive ...
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| Planting | 3/16/2004 |
Q: Could you tell me the best time to plant: Cabbage, onion sets, & carrots. I live in Virginia along ...
A: Debbie, I transplant my cabbage seedlings four weeks prior to my last expected frost. Onion sets ...
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| Vegetable Plants | 2/29/2004 |
Q: I am starting to grow my own vegetables in my small garden, it receives afternoon sun, but at times ...
A: Lin, the white film you see on the leaves is the start of a fungus condition called powdery mildew. ...
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| Vegetable gardening | 2/20/2004 |
Q: I use onion and garlic frequently in cooking. I would like to know the best way to start these ...
A: Kathy, garlic is planted by separating the cloves of a garlic bulb, and planting them just below the ...
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| Starting plants indoors | 2/20/2004 |
Q: Followup To Question -Hi,I live near Washington DC and plant a vegetable garden .This year I want ...
A: Peter, the cucumber beetle passes the disease through the foliage. The only pest that attacks roots ...
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| Starting plants indoors | 2/19/2004 |
Q: Followup To Question - Hi,I live near Washington DC and plant a vegetable garden .This year I want ...
A: Peter, you're absolutely correct that based on where you live, it is not too early to start your ...
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| Starting plants indoors | 2/19/2004 |
Q: I live near Washington DC and plant a vegetable garden .This year I want to start my pepper,tomatoe ...
A: Peter, you need to use a soiless starting mix. This product can only be purchased in garden centers ...
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| Starting plants indoors | 2/18/2004 |
Q: I live near Washington DC and plant a vegetable garden .This year I want to start my pepper,tomatoe ...
A: Peter, except for lettuce, peas, root crops, and spinach, all of which should be seeded directly in ...
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| starting seedlings | 2/17/2004 |
Q: I have some vintage tomato seeds I'd like to get started but I don't know the when or how of it. Can ...
A: Barbara, starting seeds is actually an easy process, but success only comes through many years of ...
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| seedling time? | 2/14/2004 |
Q: I'm sick of winter and I'm itching to start my seedlings indoors again. Could you tell me when my ...
A: Michelle, the last frost date for your area is approximately April 20th. Attached is a chart that ...
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| vegetable garden | 2/12/2004 |
Q: Are there any vegetables that would grow in relative shade? I am looking to put a little garden in ...
A: Bev, unfortunately, there are very few vegetables that will thrive in shady conditions. Most ...
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| Jalapeno and Anehiem chillis | 2/5/2004 |
Q: I have both Jalapeno and Anehiem chillis growing in pots (I also have Cayan, Siam, Asian and ...
A: Michael, overfertilizing, especially with a high nitrogen fertilizer such as standard Miracle-Gro, ...
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| Seedless Tomatoes | 1/29/2004 |
Q: I am interested in knowing if there is any such thing as a seedless tomatoe and if so where I can ...
A: Steve, I personally had not heard of any new hybrid tomatoes that are seedless. I checked with both ...
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| Growing carrots | 1/16/2004 |
Q: I Would like to grow some carrots this summer but I havn't a clue how or when to plant the seeds. ...
A: Carrot seeds can be planted two weeks prior to your last expected frost. They take approximately 14 ...
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| Green onions? Chives? Scallions? | 12/7/2003 |
Q: What is the difference Between green onions and chives? I thought that they were the same thing. ...
A: Troy, both onions and chives are in the same allium family, and both are used in cooking to spice ...
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| Tired of Gravel | 11/24/2003 |
Q: I have a gravel parking pad out the back of my home. I have no further need of this additional ...
A: Marlen, your best option would be to build a raised bed. I always recommend building it to a depth ...
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| garden veges | 11/12/2003 |
Q: I purchased what I thought was green bell peppers for my garden this year. To my surprise I kept ...
A: Faye, there are many new hybrid peppers on the market today. They include chocolate belle, licorice, ...
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| Preparing the garden for winter | 10/21/2003 |
Q: All of my beautiful vegetables have now been harvested. What should I do to the land to prepare it ...
A: Michelle, you need to add as many organic materials to the soil as possible. I try and get at least ...
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| tomato plant in the house | 10/4/2003 |
Q: The gardening season is just about done for this year. I was looking at my tomato plants and ...
A: Sally, the tomato plant will not not well in the house due to the lack of sunlight. Tomatoes need a ...
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| gardening books | 10/2/2003 |
Q: What are the top 10 garden books you would recommend for a vegetable gardener in Indiana?
A: My favorites in order of preference are as follows: 1. Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew 2. ...
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| Anaheim/Jalapeno Peppers | 9/10/2003 |
Q: My peppers are beautiful to look at but are bitter tasting and have no heat. There are very few ...
A: Judy, normally this is a result of excessive rain, which depletes the soil of the nutrients ...
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| potatoes | 9/6/2003 |
Q: My wife and I live in Calgary, Alberta and for the past several years we have planted idaho type ...
A: Ron, potatoes like acidic soil. This means you need a ph level of approximately 5.5 to 6.0 for ...
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| butternut squash | 9/2/2003 |
Q: how do I know when the butternut squash is ripe?
A: Linda, although you can wait until the squash turns completely orange or yellow depending on the ...
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| Worms in my cherry peppers | 9/2/2003 |
Q: My garden has been an amazing success this year (my first garden ever)! My cherry pepper fruits ...
A: Michelle, you've done nothing wrong. This has been a horrible year for peppers in most parts of the ...
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| cracking butternuts | 9/1/2003 |
Q: My butternut squashes are getting really big, but a few of them are cracking open. Why? Is this a ...
A: Melanie, you've probably waited too long to harvest them. When squash, and many other vegetables, ...
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| Butternut squash | 8/20/2003 |
Q: Mike, i shan't bore you with the life history of my butternut squash plant, but it is RAMPANT! ...
A: The female flower has a swollen fruit-like growth directly behind the blossom. You can ...
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| Tomatos | 8/18/2003 |
Q: We have four huge tomato plants in our backyard. They are just now starting to turn red, here at ...
A: Misty, when tomatoes split or crack, it is usually a sign of inconsistent watering. Too much or too ...
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| Tomato | 8/16/2003 |
Q: I've grown tomatoes for eons, but this year I'm getting a sort of dry rot on the fruit just as they ...
A: Dick, you didn't mention where the rot is originating. If it is on the bottom of the tomatoes, this ...
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| Butternut Squash | 8/16/2003 |
Q: I emailed you back in july, about my butternut squash seeds, and asked for your advice on them, like ...
A: Kelly, unless the plants are dropping their blossoms prior to fruiting, there is no need to ...
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| Sweet Corn | 7/25/2003 |
Q: The bottom leaves of my corn stalks are turning yellow. This my first time to plant corn, am I ...
A: LaRese, when stalks or foliage turn yellow or brown, it is usually an indication of a nutrient ...
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| Butternut Squash | 7/25/2003 |
Q: My name is Kelly, aged 19 from Essex, UK. I thought i would just plant a few seeds from my ...
A: Kelly, you need to transplant them into the garden once they have their second set of leaves. Since ...
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| Cucumbers | 7/20/2003 |
Q: Can you tell me why I have an abundant crop of cucumbers, but they are very bitter-no matter what ...
A: This is not uncommon once cucumber plants mature. Most standard varieties contain the "bitter" ...
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| cauliflower | 7/18/2003 |
Q: This is the first year we are growing cauliflower, broccoli and the second year for cabbage. I've ...
A: Cauliflower should be tied once the head is the size of a softball. Tying the outer leaves over the ...
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