The soldier beetle is a common sight in summer gardens across much of North America. These insects, also known as leatherwings, are surprisingly good for the garden. They’re often spotted feasting on the nectar and pollen of summer-blooming plants, but they are also keen predators of several garden pests. In this article, I’ll share details about this fascinating beneficial insect and introduce ways you can encourage their presence in your garden.
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How to integrate regenerative gardening techniques into a home garden
As I’m sure many green thumbs can attest, as new gardening concepts are introduced, we adapt our own gardening styles accordingly. I’m not referring to following the latest trend. I’m talking about learning something new and changing because of a love and respect for the environment. My gardening evolution over the years, as I learn new things, has included: planting for pollinators, drought, and heat tolerance; over-seeding with low-maintenance fescues and clovers in my lawn; adding more native plants to my gardens; not cleaning up and cutting back the entire garden in fall; etc. Regenerative gardening is one of those concepts that we are starting to hear a lot more about. There are elements of it I was already doing in my garden. However as I learn, I modify what I do.
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Broccoli Flower: Why broccoli plants bolt and what to do about it
Broccoli is a popular vegetable grown for its immature flower heads. Most varieties produce dome-shaped heads harvested when the the small buds are still tightly closed. However, if you wait too long to harvest, plant root-bound seedlings, or your garden experiences environmental conditions that affect plant growth, you’ll end up with a broccoli flower. Keep reading to learn more about what causes broccoli plants to flower and what you can do to prevent it from happening.
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Planting in summer? Tips to help freshly planted perennials flourish in the heat
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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