Dill is an annual, self-seeding herb that has wispy stems and feathery leaves. Both the leaves and seeds are edible, and they are perhaps best known for flavoring pickles. But dill is also used to season soups, fish, roasted potatoes, and other vegetables.In addition to seasoning foods, this native Mediterranean…
Pickleworms first appeared in the United States in 1869 when they were discovered inside pickling cucumbers, hence the name. While this caterpillar does attack cucumbers, it prefers summer squashes, like yellow squash, zucchini, and pattypan (scallop) squash. It will also attack other cucurbits like cantaloupe, pumpkin, winter squash, and sometimes watermelon, although it is…
If you have noticed a black or dark brown, powdery, soot-like mold covering primarily the upper surface of leaves and branches, chances are it's sooty mold. This fungal organism grows on the honeydew secretions of aphids, scale, whiteflies, leafhoppers, mealybugs, and psyllids. When fungal spores land on the sweet, sticky…
Whiteflies are white or cream-colored, triangular-shaped insects that resemble miniature moths. They measure a mere 1/12 of an inch long (2 mm). While there are hundreds of species, there are only a handful that cause problems for home gardeners. When the weather turns warm, these soft-bodied insects congregate in groups, usually…
It can be frustrating to patiently wait for cucumbers to mature on the vine only to discover that the beautiful produce you longed for is deformed. When something like this happens, the first question we tend to ask is, what went wrong? The second question is, what can I do…
Cercospora leaf spot is a common fungal disease that affects a wide assortment of weeds, shrubs and plants, including flower and vegetable plants. In addition to leaves, the fungus can also affect other parts of the plant like stems, fruit, and seeds. Some of the crops that are more susceptible…
Leafhoppers are wedge-shaped insects, whose wings cover their bodies much like a roof is pitched over a house. They measure between 1/8 to 1/4 inch long (0.3 to 0.6 cm) and vary in color from green, to brown, to tan. Some sport a blend of colors including blue, gold, and…
Chamomile is a member of the Aster (Asteraceae) family as are daisies, calendula, zinnias, dahlias, cosmos, marigolds, artichokes, and lettuce. The two main types of chamomile are Roman chamomile, which is also referred to as English and Russian chamomile, and German chamomile, which is also called Hungarian, Italian, and blue…
Most people are familiar with edema, the term used for the swelling that occurs when body tissue retains too much fluid. But few are aware that edema can also occur in plants.What is Plant Edema?Plant edema, or oedema as it is also spelled, is a condition that occurs when a…
Green lacewings are beneficial insects that help control problematic pests in the garden and greenhouse. They measure approximately 1/2 to 3/4 inches in length (1 to 1.9 cm) and have long, translucent, lace-like wings (hence the name) that extend well beyond their bodies. Their long antennae and gold or copper-colored…