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Pests & Diseases

3 Invasive Worm Species That Threaten Your Garden

There may or may not be a wizard of Oz. Even the movie wasn’t entirely clear on that. And there may or may not be a Glinda, a good witch. One thing is for sure, though. There is a wicked witch! Several, actually, in the form of invasive worm species.  Usually, we think of worms […]

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Pests & Diseases

How to Stop Cutworms from Eating Your Vegetable Garden

They hide in your garden in the cold of winter, emerging in spring to feed on the stems of your young, vulnerable seedlings. They are cutworms. And if you don’t know how to stop cutworms before they get started, they can decimate your garden.  Luckily, there is some defense against these quiet night-feeders. However, you […]

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Pests & Diseases

Watch Out for the Asian Jumping Worm!

Gardeners love worms. They aerate the soil, provide nutrients that plants need, and help keep the soil healthy. So a garden with lots of worms in the soil is almost guaranteed to be productive and happy. But that’s not true with one species: the Asian Jumping Worm.  Jumping worms, crazy worms, Alabama jumpers, and snake […]

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Pests & Diseases

How to Cure White Mold on Seedlings

When it’s the seed-starting time of the year, it feels like a fresh start, doesn’t it? You fill your pots and seed trays with sterile soil, baby your seeds until they sprout, and dream about how your season is going to turn out. But sometimes over-babying your seedlings can have its consequences. And in that […]

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Pests & Diseases

How to Avoid Tomato Blossom End Rot

The end of summer signals the beginning of tomato season! So many delicious tomato recipes. And consider canning tomatoes if you have an abundance. But for now, celebrate the fruits (yes fruits) of your labor and the fact that you’ve made it to harvest season. You can’t wait to get your hands on some heirloom tomatoes. Or maybe you’re like me and enjoy a post-gardening snack on homegrown cherry tomatoes. But something is wrong with your harvest this year. What are those splotches on the bottom of your tomatoes? Is it a pest? Is it a fungus? No, it’s tomato blossom end rot!

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Pests & Diseases

Prevent Food-borne Pathogens When Using Manure in Vegetable Gardens

As a kid, the thought of using manure in vegetable gardens turned my stomach. I think it’s because my opinions on manure were initially shaped by the Back to the Future trilogy. In each of the films, there’s a scene when either Biff or Buford crash into a pile of manure, then are publicly shamed while onlookers are understandably grossed out.

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Pests & Diseases

An Edible Plant that Deters Mosquitoes for Your Vegetable Garden

I’d like to think that when I’m in my garden, I’m one with nature. With my hands in the warm soil, the smell of fresh vegetables in the air, and the songs of the goldfinch and wood thrush all around, it can feel that way. And then? Mosquitoes. Ugh. Those little devils can ruin the most peaceful, serene moments. I discovered a secret, though. There is a plant that deters mosquitoes. 

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