Plant Pests and Diseases

I know most folks are not fans of stinging insects, but at least bees give us honey and are gentle most of the time. You sure can’t say the same for wasps and hornets, though, and among wasps the common yellow jacket is probably the most hated. These little scumbags always show up on your […]

Have you ever had a close encounter with an assassin bug in your garden? Most seasoned gardeners know these bugs are important predators of common garden pests. Even though they have a painful bite, for most folks, the occasional run-in is worth the temporary pain in the long term. But there are so many different

Every gardener understands the joy of eating produce that they grew themselves, enjoy that is out of all proportion with the nutrition and even the taste of the veggie. Raising your food yourself provides a satisfaction that is difficult to quantify for those who have never done it. And no wonder! There are so many

Black knot is a plant disease that sounds just as ominous as it actually is. Fortunately, it is easy to treat and prevent. Growing fruit trees is something that I have yet to get into on my small farm, but it’s a plan I have for the future. As I build my experience and plan

What type of pests do you need to watch out for when growing artichokes? Artichokes are pretty easy to grow vegetables but, like all other kinds of crops, they are susceptible to pest invasions. The most common types of pests to affect artichokes are those that you might see elsewhere in your garden, like aphids,

If you have a raspberry plant, chances are you’ve come across raspberry worms. These tiny pests can cause serious damage to your crops, so it’s important to get rid of them as soon as possible. Fortunately, there are several ways to effectively get rid of these worms from your garden. In this blog post, we’ll

Summer is the time of year when most people like to get outside and enjoy their gardens. However, one thing that can ruin this experience is an invasion of bugs. This summer, don’t let those pesky critters keep you from enjoying your garden…. Try one of these new homemade bug sprays – made with organic

If you have a garden and live on the east or west coast, you have almost certainly encountered this scenario before. You pop out to your garden one sunny, warm day and then you see it. That brown, metallic glint in the light. A flutter of movement. And then you know for sure… Japanese beetles!

If you are a homesteader, then you know how pesky red bugs can be. They seem to appear out of nowhere and can be very difficult to get rid of. Although their bites aren’t necessarily dangerous, they can be quite itchy and irritating – definitely not something you want to deal with, especially if you

Frustration times 10! You’ve planted your veggies and flowers; you cannot wait to reap the harvest and see your yard in full bloom. Then one morning, you go out into your greenhouse or yard only to find… your spinach is holier than the pope, your walnut tree barely has a scrap of a leaf –