Surecrop Strawberries 
In the past--I had a nice strawberry patch in the ground. We have gotten a few years older and I have tried starting the Surecrop strawberries in a raised …

Little Teeny Bugs on Lettuce 
I have 5 lettuce plants that are doing wonderfully. This is my first attempt at gardening. I just went out to check them and noticed teeny little black …

Weeds in My Garden 
What is the best way to keep your vegetable garden weedless? I love to garden but I am holding down three jobs! HELP! ANSWER: There are a couple …

Availability of Garden Mint 
I would like to order seeds to grow Garden Mint. I cannot find this herb in the local garden centers in MA ( Boston North Shore). On the various websites …

How to Harvest Collard Green Seeds? 
How do you get collard green seeds from the plant? ANSWER: Leave some leaves on one or two collard plants in the fall. After they over-winter, …

How Much Room is Needed to Grow Cushaw Squash? 
Can you grow cushaw in your garden and how much space is needed? ANSWER: Yes, cushaw squash can be grown in a home garden in southern and southwestern …

Hills or Mounds for Zucchini? 
For planting zucchini I've read to plant in hills and not mounds because mounds will dry out; so what is the difference between a hill and a mound? …

Squirrels in My Garden 
How do you deal with squirrels in the vegetable garden? ANSWER: Fortunately, we have hazelnut orchards and lots of pine trees nearby. The squirrels …

My Kale is Regrowing This Spring 
My kale is regrowing this spring. Will it be good or should I start with fresh plants? ANSWER: My best suggestion is to pick a few leaves and try …

Fertilizer 
If one is using horse manure in a vegetable garden, will it require additional types of fertilizer? We are in SW Idaho desert area. ANSWER: The …

Yellow Leaves on My Tomato Seedlings 
My tomato plants have been grown from seeds and are about 4 inches high. They are under grow lights for 4 weeks and are in 4 inch peat pots. I spritz …

Garden Seeds Being Eaten! 
I just planted cantaloupe and corn seeds. Something has dug up every corn seed I planted. There is a little hole where each seed was. Same with most …

How to Keep Deer Out of My Vegetable Garden? 
Are there flowers or something I can plant in my garden to keep the deer out? ANSWER: I don't know of any flowers that will keep deer out. The …

Is it Safe to Grow Vegetables in Compost and Manure? 
Is it safe to plant vegetables in pots with store-bought compost and cow manure without adding soil? Would it be safe to eat the vegetables? ANSWER: …

Home Grown - Homemade Raspberry Jam 
This is great year for my red raspberries. I made jam earlier and the fall harvest has given me two batches thus far with many more coming. I built a …

Cabbage Leaves 
Are the first leaves that sprout around the cabbage safe to eat? ANSWER: Yes, they are safe to eat. Hopefully, they will taste great also! Sometimes …

Can I use painted boards for a raised bed garden? 
I have painted boards available to use for a raised bed vegetable garden. Is using painted boards going to be toxic to my family? ANSWER: If you …

Planting Tomatoes in the Same Spot Year After Year 
Is it true you should not plant your tomatoes in the same spot you panted them in the season before? I have raised planters my husband built 4'x 8', 18 …

Green Beans--Preparation for Canning 
Would it be ok to prepare the green beans, put them in a plastic veggie bag and place them in the refrigerator to be canned the next day? Would they lose …

Red Raspberries With White Spots 
I planted raspberries about 3 yrs ago. They are starting to lose their leaves now, for this year, but the berries have large white spots on them. Do you …

Curly Carrots 
Why do my carrots always curl? ANSWER: Carrots tend to curl when there is too much clay in the soil composition. They branch, twist, and turn to make …

Growing Watermelons 
Our watermelons vines are growing up our wire fence; is that a problem? ANSWER: It is better if they stay on the ground. The watermelon will try …

How to Grow Sweeter Blackberries 
What do I need to do to the soil to make my blackberries sweeter? ANSWER: I don't know that there is anything you can do to the soil to make your …

How Late in the Season Can You Plant Green Beans? 
I started planting my green beans in late May (in lower MI) Only one bean plant came up. In early June I replanted a few green bean plants; three or …

Healthy Tomato Plants Won't Bear Fruit 
I planted six Celebrity tomato plants about 60-70 days ago. They were planted in good top soil, have been watered religiously, and supplemented once or …

Not so Sweet Strawberries 
I planted my strawberries between my blueberry plants and they are not so sweet even though they are blood red and ripe. How to get them sweeter? Are …

Sugar Corn/Sweet Corn Problem 
I have tried to grow sugar corn (or sweet corn) for two years. It grows well at first then has tiny partially filled ears that I'm unable to harvest. …

Why is a robin digging in my flower pots? 
I have planters on my front porch railings. There is a robin that is getting in them and throwing my potting soil all over the place. Do you know …

Planting Carrots 
How deep do you plant carrot seeds? ANSWER: Carrot seeds should be planted about 1/4" deep. Cover the seeds lightly with a thin layer of soil or …

Red Spots on My Lettuce 
I have some lettuce plants that I started early in a makeshift greenhouse. They are making good heads now, but at one point leaves got rusty looking spots. …

Should Cats Be Allowed in the Garden? 
Is it a myth or fact if a cat urinates on your tomato plants it will not produce? ANSWER: It seems like a myth to me. Tomato plants grow their …

Round Vegetable Garden Plans 
Hi Charlotte, I changed my new square vegetable garden into a larger round garden and I love it. Now how to proceed? I do have some thoughts but …

Holes in our Potatoes 
Last year we had some type of soil bug get into our potatoes. This bug would only enter about 1/4 inch, then exit the crop, leaving a small hole behind …

Growing Sweet Corn in Containers 
Can I grow sweet corn in pots or containers? ANSWER: Hi Julia, Yes you can. But there are a few important tips to be aware of... Corn is …

Planting Potatoes and Pumpkins 
I have read on the internet that you should not grow potatoes and pumpkins near each other. Please could you tell me how much space I would need to …

Companion Planting 
Do you have a good chart for the growth period of the different herbs and flowers (ie, Marigolds) used in companion planting so one can plant them for …

New Sprouts 
My seeds have sprouted but it seem all my plants are growing tall but thin and cannot support themselves. I thought I was over-watering but then thought …

honeydew melons 
I don't know if you think of honeydew melon as part of the vegetable garden, however my question is "what is a good companion to put with honeydew melons"? …

Pests in my Veggie garden! 
Some outdoor menace is eating my corn seedlings and now they have turned to my freshly planted row of cucumber seeds! PLEASE HELP! ANSWER: Do …

My Bush Bean Plants Tip Over 
Every year my bush green bean plants fall over when they start to get mature. I plant them an inch deep, 4 - 6 inches apart. How can I overcome this …

Can I use wood ashes in my garden? 
I burn leaves, pine needles, wood, etc. every year and have a huge pile of ashes. Can these ashes be used in my vegetable garden? ANSWER: Hi Mari, …

Raised Bed Garden Over Septic Drain Field 
How deep should a raised bed over a septic system field be to avoid seepage into vegetables? Is there still a danger if I use garden fabric to line …

Should I Add Worms to My Compost? 
Is it a good idea to add worms to the compost bin or pile? Answer: Yes, it is a good idea to add redworms to your compost bin or pile, as worms help …

Growing Cucumbers Upside Down 
Can you grow cucumbers upside down? ANSWER: I don't know. I haven't heard of growing cucumbers upside down. I was surprised when I saw tomatoes …

Leggy Green Bean Seedlings 
I planted my green beans in jiffy trays and after only 5 days the seedlings are very leggy. I understand they are reaching for the light and I have …

Lethargic Cucumber Seedlings 
First, thanks for the great advise about my cucumber seeds germinating and how to get them fungus-free and growing true leaves. The hydrogen peroxide …

How Much Soil Do I Need? 
How much space do I need to grow 6 plants each of the following vegetables: 1. Peppers; jalapeno 2. Cucumber; Muncher 3. Broccoli; De Cicco. 4. …

Which Tomatoes to Grow? 
There are so many tomato varieties. Which ones grow best in Greensboro NC? Hi Susan, Choosing tomato plants is a problem for lots of gardeners! …

Will Animals such as Squirrels and Rabbits Eat My Garden? 
Hello, It's my first time planting a garden and I have a nice big back yard I intend to utilize with raised garden beds. One of the best spots for …

Dripping Acorn Squash 
I live in Arkansas, I have planted acorn squash and having good results. But when I cut them off the vine, I have noticed a couple of them drip at …

How to Protect Seeds from Frost 
How can I protect some seeds I planted last weekend? It is supposed to be in the thirty's tonight. ANSWER: If the seeds haven't yet sprouted, …

Tomato Trees? 
I recently visited Disney's Epcot center. They were growing tomato trees about 6 ft high. These were not bushes but trees. Can I do the same? I …

Gooseberries Not rated yet
Do the gooseberries appear on each year's new growth? Do the plants have to be pruned and if so when? ANSWER: Gooseberry bushes can be pruned …

Wooden Raised Garden Not rated yet
We recently built a raised bed garden from 2x8 and 2x12 wood planks. Is there anything that can be put on the inside of the box (garden side) that will …

Raised Garden Beds Not rated yet
How deep does your raised garden bed have to be? ANSWER: There isn't an exact depth that is required for a raised bed vegetable garden. A raised …

Onions in Garden From Last Year Not rated yet
I have onions in my garden from last year. Do I cut off the tops so they will grow larger or what do I do? ANSWER: If you cut off the tops, the …

Potatoes Not rated yet
I planted some potato sprouts on my deck in a large flower pot. They have now grown up as a plant....I do not have room to add soil to these plants. Will …

Mushroom Compost Soil Mix Not rated yet
Hi, can I use only spent mushroom compost in my garden bed? Or do I need to mix any other soil like top soil or garden soil? ANSWER: You will want …

Planting a Garden When the Ground is Wet Not rated yet
Should you plant a garden when the ground is wet? ANSWER: In general, no. It is best to wait until the soil is damp, but not soggy-wet. Some types …

Germination Not rated yet
How long does it take for green beans to germinate? ANSWER: It depends on the soil temperature, moisture, air temperature, and the bean seed …

Using Moldy Soil Not rated yet
I have some lightly used soil (for stuff like herbs--used only once) that has been stored too long in bags and has gotten slightly moldy. Is it going …

A Beginner Gardener Not rated yet
I really want to grow my own garden. We have a garden area, but we rent the home and I feel that container gardening will be better. I live in Gallup, …

Watering Corn and Tomatoes Not rated yet
When planting tomatoes, do you put them with a water trench around the plant to help hold the water? When watering corn, is it better to use over-head …

Bulbing Onions - Trim Leaves? Not rated yet
The leaves on my onions are reaching 2 feet tall and are toppling over. Should I trim them or leave them be? ANSWER: As onion tops reach maturity, …

What Do I Grow in a Limited Space? Not rated yet
We have just moved into an older home in West Greensboro with a neglected garden, requiring much effort to be ready for vegetables. We have built a raised …

Indoor Tomato Plants Not rated yet
I have two indoor tomato plants. They are now blooming. My neighbor tells me that they won't do anything because there is no way for them to be with the …

Growing Tomatoes Not rated yet
How can I get the tomatoes to set on the plants? ANSWER: When healthy tomato plants are mature enough, they will form flower blossoms. The flower …

Confused About Blackberry Plant Not rated yet
I have a Darrow blackberry plant. It's in an 18 inch pot ready to plant. There are no leaves on it; is that ok, or should I return it to the nursery? …

Green Beans Not rated yet
Will green beans shoot out again if they are broken off an inch above the ground? ANSWER: Unfortunately, if there are no leave remaining on the …

Green Beans Cracking and Turning Brown- Why? Not rated yet
I am disabled so have some mobility problems and it's hard for me to go outside. But I thought of gardening as it passes the time in a healthy way. …

Cabbage Plant in a Pot? Not rated yet
My daughter is raising one cabbage for school. We don't have a garden at our home in Southern Ohio. Can we plant the cabbage seedling in a flower pot? …

Planting Time for Beans in Zone 8 Not rated yet
I want to plant beans this year; such as green beans, butter beans, and black-eyed peas. When should I plant these in the garden is southwestern Oregon, …

Using Aged Sheep Compost for Raised Veggie Beds Not rated yet
How much sheep compost can be added each year to a 4' x 16' raised bed? How long should I wait after rototilling it in six to eight inches before planting …

Storing Onions Not rated yet
Can I store onions in a refrigerator for winter storage? ANSWER: Yes, but for long-term storage it is best to have low-humidity. Onions store …

Organic Garden Not rated yet
Hi, A friend of mine is starting an organic garden and has about 3 acres of land. We don't know how to start. We are going to have to start from zero, …

Raised Bed Vegetable Garden Not rated yet
What type of wood is best for the border or frame when building a raised bed vegetable garden? ANSWER: Cedar is one of the longer-lasting types …

Fresh Manure on Potato Garden Not rated yet
Have I ruined my growing potatoes after putting in fresh watered-down cow manure? ANSWER: Using fresh manure on your potato plants can cause them …

Onion Tops Not rated yet
My onions are really tall. When the tops bend over, should I snip them? ANSWER When the onion tops bend over, it means that the plants are mature, …

How Many Red Raspberry Plants?  Not rated yet
How many red raspberry plants do you need to plant together to get them to grow? I always buy 2 plants together because I thought that you needed 2 …

Should I Soak Green Bean Seeds Overnight? Not rated yet
I planted pole beans over a week ago and they are not coming up. I dug in the rows and am finding beans. They look like they are not germinating (I hope …

Trellis for Peas Not rated yet
Do you have a picture of what a trellis for peas should look like? ANSWER: There is not one particular type of trellis that can be used for peas. …

Vegteable Garden Near Road Not rated yet
My yard goes downhill from the road into the backyard. I want to have a vegetable garden this year. Should I worry about run-off from the road and driveway? …

Old Seeds  Not rated yet
How can I tell if old vegetable seeds will sprout? ANSWER: If you don't want to wait and try them in your garden, you can sprinkle a few of the …

Vertical Gardening with Trellises Not rated yet
Which direction do I put trellises in my raised boxes so they don't shade the other vegetables? I want to incorporate several trellises. I will have …

Fertilzers and Pesticides Not rated yet
My garden abuts my neighbors yard, with a 6ft wood fence separating the properties. I don't use pesticides or fertilizers for my lawn near my garden, …

Cherokee Purple Tomatoes Not rated yet
Some of my Cherokee purple tomatoes have a large core. What am I doing wrong? ANSWER: Nothing at all. The large core is one of the characteristics …

Growing Next to Onions Not rated yet
Can you grow green beans next to onions? ANSWER: Yes you can. It should not be a problem for either vegetable.

Green Beans and Cucumbers Not rated yet
We planted our seeds early and they are very tall now. It's too cold to put them outside yet. Any ideas of what to do with them now? ANSWER: I …

Where Do I Even Start? Not rated yet
I'm only 13 and I have always loved gardening. So this summer I have decided to start my own vegetable garden in my backyard. The thing is I really …

String Beans Not rated yet
What is a good variety of stringless pole beans? ANSWER: We have always grown the Blue Lake variety of green beans. The seeds are available in …

Planting Onions Not rated yet
Can you plant onions in straw like you do potatoes? ANSWER: I have not heard of or seen onions grown using this method. I think it is necessary …

Beginner Gardeners Not rated yet
We are starting a vegetable garden and after some research and thought we have decided to do it in raised garden beds. My question is if we plant watermelon …

Tomato Black Spot  Not rated yet
What causes tomato plants to develop black spots on the leaves and stem of tomato plants? ANSWER: Unfortunately, there are quite a few plant diseases …

Growing Strawberries; Raised Bed vs. Container Not rated yet
Hi. I have three 4x8 raised beds. I am planting corn, peppers, bush beans, spinach, carrots, okra and squash. My wife wants to plant strawberries, …

Pole Bean Planting Not rated yet
Should I be concerned in planting pole beans next to tomato plants and fruit trees as it relates to sprawling vines and depleting nutrients from the neighboring …

Transplanting Tomatoes Not rated yet
I am about to transplant tomatoes into small pots. How much vermiculite should I add to the potting soil? ANSWER: Depending on how dense the soil …

Is it safe to start a garden near mature rose bushes? Not rated yet
I am starting a vegetable garden in an area where I have mature rose bushes growing. Will this be a problem with either of them? How far from the bush …

Storing Onion Plants Before Planting Not rated yet
I recently purchased some onion plants. However, I am not able to plant these plants for another three weeks or so. How do I store or care for them …

Pecan Shells as Mulch?  Not rated yet
I am starting a garden and I have heard of people using pecan shells as mulch. But would this be good for the plants in my garden? I thought the shells …

Darrow Blackberry Question Not rated yet
What is "everbearing"? On your blackberry page it said that you should cut them to the ground after harvest. But if it is a Darrow everbearing that produces …

1st time Trying to Have a Garden Not rated yet
I built a raised garden bed. I went to my local Lowes and they have lettuce and broccoli already on sale. I live in North Carolina and I am wondering …

Planting Vegetables Not rated yet
I am going to build a raised bed garden because the vegetable garden is going in where the swimming pool used to be. The ground is very flat and is mostly …

Vegetable Gardening in Clay Soil  Not rated yet
What kind of vegetables can I grow in clay soil? ANSWER: Most vegetables will grow in clay soil. The problem with clay soil, is getting the weeds …

Red Jelly Bean Tomatoes Not rated yet
What could I assume is an average growth height for the red jelly bean tomato? ANSWER: Approximately 3-4 feet tall. I've heard that this is a good …

Really Above Ground Gardens Not rated yet
I am no longer physically able to work on an in-ground or just above the ground garden, so I am interested in a garden that can be built and put on something …

Automatic Irrigation System for Your Garden? Not rated yet
I see garden kit set-ups that have automatic watering irrigation systems that will water your vegetable garden plants for you. My question is this. …

Desert Gardening Not rated yet
We live in the Mojave Desert (CA. zip code 92365) What kind of vegetables can we grow here? Can these be grown in an above ground or raised beds? Thanks, …

Can Hot Peppers Go into Compost? Not rated yet
Is it okay to put hot peppers into the compost pile? ANSWER: Yes, it is fine to put hot peppers into your compost pile. They will not cause …

Pumpkins Not rated yet
I am experiencing problems with early drop of my pumpkins. It has been happening every year I try to grow them. They flower, I hand pollinate them, …

Removing Lawn and Yard Grass Organically Not rated yet
I want to start a garden in an area of St. Augustine grass and want to do this without use of herbicides like Roundup. Can you help? ANSWER: …

My First Garden in SW Florida Not rated yet
This will be my first garden here in Ft. Myers Florida and I think I messed it up before even planting. I bought a lot of bags of potting soil for …

Why Are My Tomatoes Splitting? Not rated yet
My vegetable garden is in western MA and we are having a great tomato year. I have planted several different varieties of "cherry" tomatoes. We are …

Sour Red Raspberries Not rated yet
I recently moved (two years ago) and started a new berry patch. My plants are from Indiana Berry (Heritage variety). My old location had scads of sweet …

Brussel Sprouts Not rated yet
When would one plant seeds for growing Brussels sprouts if you are in Zone 8? (Texas) ANSWER: Brussels sprouts are a "cool weather" crop. They …

Gopher-Proofing a Raised Bed Garden Not rated yet
I've laid down a double layer of chicken wire in the bottom of my raised bed, and then put the soil back in, then planted late season veggies. I also …

Eggplant Disease Problem Not rated yet
I accessed your site a couple of weeks ago because my eggplants were showing signs of something eating away at the leaves. I made the mixture you …

Can You Cook Tomatoes and Can Them Later? Not rated yet
I have a lot of little tomatoes. Can I cook them for juice and keep it in refrigerator until I have enough to can? ANSWER: Yes, you can cook them …

Cucumber Flowers Not rated yet
Do the cucumbers emanate from the male or female flower and is it necessary to do anything with them? ANSWER: The cucumbers grow from the female …

Canning in Pressure Cooker Not rated yet
Do I need to have the canning jars and lids hot when using a pressure cooker? ANSWER: Yes, it is best to scald or heat the jars before using them …

Growing Spinach Not rated yet
I used excellent home-produced compost for my spinach plants, but they grew and bolted like Triffords! It was during recent hot/drought weather. But …

Decorative Leafy Vegetable Not rated yet
What is the name of the vegetable that is light green, or purple, that is used to decorate around the outside of a food platter? ANSWER: Sometimes …

Buttercup Squash Cut Too Early Not rated yet
We are growing buttercup squash and my husband was cutting some dead leaves and accidentally cut a good vine with two of them on it. One weighs one pound …

Using Tires as Raised Garden Beds? Not rated yet
Can old rubber tires be used as raised beds for vegetable gardening? If so what sort of preparation would they need...cleaning, or lining? I like to recycle …

Watering my Vegetable Garden Not rated yet
What time of day should I water my vegetable garden when the temperature is 90 degrees? ANSWER: It's best to water your vegetable garden in the …

Brocolli Has Bolted Not rated yet
A large amount of my broccoli has bolted. Should I cut these back or pull out the entire plant to save the rest of the plants and if so can I use the flowers …

Powdery Mildew on my Cucumber Plants Not rated yet
How do you get rid of powdery mildew on cucumber leaves? ANSWER: It's hard to get rid of it once it is established. If you catch it early, you …

Bottom End rot on squash Not rated yet
Why are my squash getting bottom end rot? We have tomato plants right next to them and the tomatoes are going just fine. There is nothing wrong with …

Growing Lettuce and Beets Not rated yet
I planted lettuce and beets for the first time. Lettuce: I misplaced the lettuce package. The lettuce started out in a ball shape. But before they …

Growing Crooked Neck Squash Vertically Not rated yet
How do I grow my crooked neck squash vertically? Can I use a tomato cage? ANSWER: Yes, you can use a tomato cage, a fence, trellis, or any other …

Cucumbers Aren't Producing Not rated yet
I have a small outdoor raised garden with three cucumber plants that have loads of blossoms but no fruit. My son tells me they are all male flowers. …

Staking Tomatoes and Green Beans Not rated yet
When and how do you put stakes in your garden for growing tomatoes and green beans? ANSWER: The stakes should be put in place at the time of planting. …

Growing Cucumbers and Tomatoes From Seeds Not rated yet
I usually grow my tomato and cucumber plants from seeds. My question is, why do the store plants have much thicker stems than my own plants? Is it fertilizer …

Rabbit Manure vs. Chicken Manure Not rated yet
I'd like to know which of the two manures is the best all around natural fertilizer for a poorly productive garden ....rabbit or chicken? ANSWER: …

Black Spots on Tomato Leaves Not rated yet
I am growing tomatoes and they are just starting to form tomatoes. The leaves on the bush have got black spots on them. What are they from? And what do …

Pickled Green Beans Recipe Not rated yet
My mother-in-law canned pickled green beans. She cooked them with fat back just as she did fresh green beans. She died about 6 years ago, so I can't …

How Long Before Potatoes Ready to Eat? Not rated yet
How long before potatoes are ready to dig up and eat? ANSWER: The general answer is 2-4 months. It depends on the weather, variety of potato, growing …

This Year's Onion Sets Not rated yet
Hi Our local shop is selling off this years onion sets with 75% off original price. If I bought some would they be ok for next year and if so how do …

Tomatillos Not rated yet
I am growing tomatillos this year. I have heard that tomatillos will come back year after year without replanting them. Is this true? ANSWER: Yes, …

Climbing Carnations? Not rated yet
I planted carnations this year, but they seem to do like morning glories and wrap around the railing of my porch. Are these carnations or do you think …

Growing Celery Not rated yet
Does celery grow in California? ANSWER: Yes. Celery plants will not tolerate frost. But the plants also needs a long cool growing season in …

Remove Tomato Blossoms? Not rated yet
Should we remove the blossoms from our tomato plants or leave them alone? Hi Jenifer, You should leave the tomato blossoms alone. The tomato blossoms …

Can you grow a carrot from an old carrot top? Not rated yet
I remember seeing carrot tops lowered into water, leveled by toothpicks, was this only for ornamentation or will it eventually grow into another carrot, …

Blue Lake Green Beans Not rated yet
Every year I plant Blue Lake green beans, and order them from a reputable seed catalog, but this year I decided to support our local feed store. I planted …

Victoria Rhubarb Not rated yet
Can I harvest Victoria rhubarb in the first year? ANSWER: Wait until the second year to harvest Victoria Rhubarb. It can be hard to be patient, but …

Do I Have a Chance? Not rated yet
I want to start a garden but I don't move into my new home until June 15 and will also need time to dig out a space and get the soil ready. I have …

Watering Temperature for Tomato Plants? Not rated yet
We are watering our tomato plants from a holding tank and the water becomes very hot. Does watering with hot water affect the plant? ANSWER: Warm …

Manure Tea Ingredients Not rated yet
Why do you add epsom salts and dishwashing soap to manure tea? Thanks, Keith ANSWER: Epsom salts contain magnesium and sulphur, which are …

Broccoli Not rated yet
Last year I grew broccoli and it didn't grow any heads, but went straight to flowering. What, if anything, can I do to make sure it doesn't happen again? …

Harvesting Container Grown Pole Beans Not rated yet
What should the Blue Lake Pole Bean look or feel like when it is time to harvest them? I am a first time grower of any veggie. ANSWER: Green beans …

Bush Green Beans Not rated yet
Shortly after germination something is eating off the leaves of my green bean plants, leaving just the stalk. Also leaves that have survived have holes …

Growing Squash Not rated yet
What does it mean when the squash leaves are turning yellow? Too much watering? ANSWER: Generally, squash leaves turning yellow is a sign of plant …

When Do You Pick Jalapeno Peppers? Not rated yet
When is it the right time to pick peppers? Some are very large and look ready but some are very small or even still flowering? ANSWER: The peppers …

Green Bean Seeds Not rated yet
My daughter brought home green bean seeds from school. They were wrapped in a moist towel and placed in a plastic bag. Something is now growing out …

Over-watering Green Beans? Not rated yet
My question is can green bean plants get too much water? I have rows of green beans that are mounded. Well it rained the other day and water …

Pests in Vegetable Garden Not rated yet
What pests are eating holes in the leaves of my young plants? ANSWER: Hi Bev, You will need to do a bit of detective work to find the answer …

Vegetable Garden Layout Not rated yet
Hello, We would like to plant a garden for the first time, but are not sure how to arrange the vegetables. We would like to plant peppers, beans, …

Spaghnum Moss or Sand? Not rated yet
The soil in my vegetable garden was crumbly-hard and stayed packed down around the plants. The garden center told me to add top-soil, but now it stays …

Yellow Squash Not rated yet
I have summer squash, have lost one plant, and now another one has the same problem. The leaves turn silver and the plant dies. ANSWER: It may be …

Watering Advice for Potatoes? Not rated yet
My potatoes evidently had too much or too little water last year. How deep should they be planted? Is it really a "hill" of potatoes, i.e., above …

How Often to Water Cucumbers? Not rated yet
I live in Las Vegas, NV I planted some cucumber seeds last week. I need to know how often I need to water them. I see vines all ready starting to grow. …

Rhubarb in a School Garden Not rated yet
Should I allow my school gardening club to grow rhubarb on their plot which is accessible to all the other children in the school? ANSWER: If you …

Thinning Beets Not rated yet
Should I separate the plants if too many beets are growing in same clump? ANSWER: Yes, root crops such as beets, carrots, turnips, and onions need …

Watering Vegetable Garden Not rated yet
What is the best time of day to water vegetable garden and how frequently? ANSWER: It is best to water your vegetable garden in the morning. …

Row Spacing and Direction in Raised Beds Not rated yet
I have two 4'x12' raised beds (boxes) and I am getting ready to plant vegetables. How close do I put the rows? Do I go the 4' way or 12' way? I am just …

Growing Mini Pop Sweet Corn in Containers? Not rated yet
Can mini pop sweet corn be grown in containers? ANSWER: I have never grown corn in containers, but I hear that it can be done. Corn is usually …

Scarlet Runner Beans Not rated yet
After growing scarlet runner beans could you tell me what crop to sow to replace the nutrients that have been depleted from the soil? Also, what nutrients …

Raised Garden Beds Not rated yet
What is the minimum depth raised garden beds should be? Can I make them 10 inches and be OK for all types of vegetable plants? ANSWER: Hi Ken, …

Harvesting Potatoes Not rated yet
What would be the ideal temperature of potato tubers at digging time, to then put them in cool storage? ANSWER: Hi Susan, Usually when the potato …

Growing Tomatoes Not rated yet
When is a good time to plant tomato plants in Northeastern Connecticut? I am planting them in an Earth Grow Box. ANSWER: Tomatoes are a tropical …

Growing Strawberries Next to a Pumpkin Plant Not rated yet
Can I grow strawberry plants next to a pumpkin plant in a raised bed garden? ANSWER: Hi Elaine, There is no "gardening rule" that I know of against …

Planting Carrot Seeds Not rated yet
How far apart do I plant carrot seeds in my garden? ANSWER: Hi Berdie, Carrot seeds are very small and difficult to plant individually. …

How to Arrange my Vegetable Garden Not rated yet
I am starting a garden but not sure which order to put the vegetables in. I have corn, tomatoes, broccoli, red and green bell peppers, jalapeno, cabbage, …

Leaves Wilting on Purple Cherokee Tomato Plant  Not rated yet
Our Cherokee tomato plants have leaves that are wilting, then eventually fall off. What can we do to solve this problem on our seedlings? ANSWER: …

Fertilizing Beets and Sweet Potatoes Not rated yet
What is the best way to fertilize beets and sweet potatoes? This is the first year we have tried either of these plants. ANSWER: It's always good …

When can I plant a garden outside using plants? Not rated yet
I live in Massachusetts and am wondering is it too early to plant an outside vegetable garden using plants, not seeds? (Today is April 21st.) Not sure …

Tomato Blossoms Dropping Not rated yet
Is there something you can spray on tomato blossoms to keep them from blowing away in the wind? ANSWER: I haven't ever experienced tomato blossoms …

Planting Green Peppers Next to Tomatoes? Not rated yet
It says not to plant green peppers where tomatoes had been growing previously, but can you plant them next to each other? ANSWER: Hi Victoria, …

What is the Best Garden Fertilizer? Not rated yet
Hello. What would you recommend as the best natural way to fertilize a vegetable garden? ANSWER: Adding compost is a great way to condition and …

Starting Vegetable Seeds, and White Flies in My Garden Not rated yet
This is my first time doing a garden on my own. I remember helping my grandparents when I was young, but that was a long time ago. I planted mostly …

Thinning Garden Peas Not rated yet
Can the pea plants that have been removed for thinning be transplanted? ANSWER: Yes they can; but peas do not transplant easily. If the roots are …

Planting Peas in Zone 3 Not rated yet
When should I plant peas? I live in Zone 3 in Northern Vermont. ANSWER: You can plant peas as soon as you are able to work the soil in the spring. …

Crook Neck Squash Not rated yet
How do I plant crook neck squash in my garden? ANSWER: Purchase the crookneck squash seeds or small transplants from your local garden center. …

Do you have to plant multiple rows of stringbeans? Not rated yet
Do you have to plant multiple rows of string beans and zipper peas for cross-pollination? Answer: No, it is not necessary to plant multiple rows …

When to plant container gardens? Not rated yet
I am a first time gardener and want to plant some veggies in containers. Can I plant before the last frost has occurred and, if so, do I need to take …

Growth period? Not rated yet
What does it mean on the vegetable chart when it says "growth period"? Answer: The "growth period" is generally the amount of time it takes from …

When to transplant broccoli plants from seeds? Not rated yet
I am starting my vegetables inside from seed. I have a five-shelf portable green house, purchased from Lowes. Why do my broccoli plants (from seeds) …

How cold can it be outside for seedlings? Not rated yet
How cold can it be for my pea & pepper seedlings to be ok outside? ANSWER: Hi Paul, Pea seedlings will be fine during cold and frosty weather. …

How to tell if potatoes are producing? Not rated yet
I have heard that sometimes potato plants can make a bush but not potatoes. Do I have to dig around the roots to see if they are producing? How …

Do you cut the tops off cabbage plants? Not rated yet
I have tops growing out of my cabbage plants. Do I need to cut the tops out? ANSWER: Hi Brad, It sounds like your cabbage plants may have "bolted". …

Do Rapini Plants Require Full Sun? Not rated yet
First can I grow rapini (also known as Broccoli Raab or Rabe) in pots? How many seeds in what amount of space and how deep (in inches please)? I …

Where to Plant My Garden? Not rated yet
Is it a bad idea to plant a vegetable garden by a security light? Will it affect the flowering? Answer: Hi J. You can try planting a small …

What is 10-10-10? Not rated yet
What is 10-10-10? I was told to add it to my vegetable garden, a few weeks prior to planting along with lime and peat moss. Please advise. Thank you. …

Which Vegetable Plants Need Staking? Not rated yet
I'm growing zucchini and peppers along with pole beans, tomatoes and cucumbers. I know the beans, tomatoes & cukes are trellised, but do the peppers …

Watering Tomatoes Not rated yet
How often and how much water do tomatoes need? Answer: When you first plant the tomatoes, you will want to water them most frequently; whenever …

Raised Bed Not rated yet
I have a raised bed for the first time (4'X20"). I have been told to plant a row of squash down the middle and watermelon, cantalope and pumpkins down …

Starting Cucumbers from Seed Not rated yet
I planted cuke seeds in a peat pot (Jiffy Pots) and followed all directions. Within 4 days a shoot approximately 3 inches high is present. The first …

Planting Onion Sets Not rated yet
Do I peel the little onions first or stick them in the ground "as is"? Answer: Hi Mel, You do not need to peel the onion sets before planting. Just …

Growing Melons Not rated yet
Can you give any information about growing melons in a vegetable garden? Answer: Hi Carolyn, Luckily I had a page on growing melons almost ready …

Growing Pole Beans from Seed Not rated yet
I am a new gardener. I started some pole beans from seed two weeks ago. It is too soon to put them outside. But, they are growing very fast and need to …

What type of soil should I use for a raised bed? Not rated yet
What soil mixture should I use for a raised bed? Answer: Garden soil mixtures usually are a combination of compost, peat moss, vermiculite, sand, …

How Do I Start a Container Garden? Not rated yet
I am wanting to start a container vegetable garden. I am not sure what vegetables I should start out with at first. Also, regarding the vegetables …

Little White Worms in our Peas Not rated yet
Last year our peas had little white worms in the pods and they were eating the individual peas. How can we avoid this problem this year? We plan to …

When is the best time to start a raised bed garden? Not rated yet
When is the best time to plant a raised bed garden? Can it be planted earlier than an in-ground garden? How do I know when the soil is the right temperature? …

What to do with extra vegetable garden produce? Not rated yet
Hi Charlotte, You have a great and informative gardening website. Your readers with greenhouse herb and vegetable gardens may well find that they …

Vegetable Plant Spacing Not rated yet
Can you tell me what is the spacing for: Broccoli--Arcadia Cauliflower-Snowball Fennel--Florence Bulbing Fennel Swiss Chard--Rainbow Chard Gourmet …

How to Prepare Seed Potatoes for Planting? Not rated yet
If I could ask...what kind of potatoes did you use in your potato container garden? Can you explain to me the process of how you got the potatoes eyes …

Is a plastic liner necessary in a raised garden bed? Not rated yet
I noticed in one of the pictures on your website that you made a raised bed using garden blocks - Did you put plastic on the sides to keep the soil from …

Rhubarb Crowns Not rated yet
I have been given 3 rhubarb crowns and forgot to plant them. Work to my house made me neglect them. How long will they last not planted? ANSWER: …

Easy to Grow Vegetables Not rated yet
I want to raise a vegetable garden for myself and my family of course first of all, but I also want to raise them to sell at flea markets as well. Can …

Railway Ties in Vegetable Gardens Not rated yet
I've heard that railway ties in vegetable gardens can be dangerous because the chemicals in them leach into the soil. If that's true, what do you suggest …