What are Mexican Bean Beetles? First of all, what the heck are Mexican Bean Beetles? Most people mistakenly identify them as ladybugs. This clever critter may look like a ladybug, but it’s actually a ladybug species called Epilachna varivestis that happens to be a vegetarian. The beneficial red and black ladybug gardeners love so much is a…
Not Enough Cucumbers This is one of the most frustrating things about gardening: waiting. We planted about about 9 pickling cucumber plants this year. They have been flowering for a few weeks now, but I can not get more than 3 or so pounds at a time. Up until this week, I have been able…
Sweet Tea-A Southern Standard It’s 100 degrees out and about 95% humidity. Instead of heating up your house to brew some tea, use solar energy instead. We drink sweet tea year round in our home. My kids love it. They like it so much that I have to limited how much they can have in…
So Many Types of Peppers Capsicum annuum, also known as peppers and chiles, are members of the same botanical family as tomatoes, tomatillos, potatoes and eggplants. These nightshade relatives were thought to be poisonous when first introduced to the old world, but were soon adopted with enthusiasm by adventurous food lovers. Now sweet and spicy…
Choose the Right Tomatoes Tomatoes are the number one homegrown backyard garden crop. If not for quantity, then for enthusiasm and anticipation. The promise of a full-flavored, juicy, thin skinned, meaty tomato drives gardeners, both new and well seasoned, to fantastic displays of devotion and dedication to this crop. But it all starts with selecting…