You couldn’t resist that perennial on sale at the garden center, so you brought it home. But, you’re concerned about planting it in the heat of summer. Keeping your new perennial alive in its plastic pot probably poses more of a challenge than digging it into the ground. Planting in summer is possible, you just need to take a little more care than you would in the spring and fall when conditions are more favorable. I’m going to share some tips that should help set a new plant up for success, even if it’s planted in July or August.
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Caterpillar on a tomato plant? Who is it and what to do about it
If you’ve ever come across a caterpillar on a tomato plant, you know the trouble they can cause. Whether it’s a hole that goes straight through a ripening tomato or chewed leaves on tomato plants, tomato caterpillars disrupt harvests and gross out even the most unshakable gardeners. In this article, you’ll meet 6 different caterpillars that feed on tomato plants and learn what you can do to control them without using synthetic chemical pesticides.
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Yellow cucumber: 8 reasons why cucumbers turn yellow
Cucumbers are one of the most popular vegetables planted in home gardens and are considered easy to grow. Give them plenty of sunlight, fertile soil, and regular moisture and you can expect a bumper crop of crisp, delicious cucumbers. A cucumber vine that is water stressed, nutrient deficient, or has flowers that aren’t fully pollinated can result in a yellow cucumber or two. If you have a problem with cucumbers turning yellow, read on to learn how to prevent this common complaint.
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How often to water basil: Tips for success in pots and gardens
A must-grow herb for millions of gardeners, figuring out how often to water basil can be a challenge. Maintaining the ideal watering frequency can mean the difference between a healthy, productive basil plant and one that is wilting, discolored, and suffering. In this article, I’ll discuss everything you need to know when it comes to watering basil, including how much water to use, how often to add it, and what signs to watch for to prevent both over- and underwatering.
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Vegetables to plant in August: Seeds to sow for autumn harvests
Do you still have spaces in your vegetable garden where spring-planted crops, like peas and root vegetables were pulled—or garlic? As you wait for your summer garden (tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, etc.) to mature, think ahead to fall harvests and make a plan for succession planting. There are lots of vegetables you can still plant in August. You just need to think ahead a little. In this article, I’m going to share some of my favorite veggies to sow in my Southern Ontario garden (about USDA zone 6a), and some tips for succession planting.
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How to make tomato plants grow faster: 14 tips for an early harvest
While there’s no magic wand that can make tomato plants go from seed to harvest in mere weeks, there are some simple steps you can take to get a head start on the harvest season. It starts with variety selection, followed by proper planting and care. Preventing pests and diseases also goes a long way to speeding up the harvest as does harvesting fruits that are not fully ripe and allowing them to finish coloring up indoors. Read on if you’re wondering how to make tomato plants grow faster.
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