Acorn squash are members of the cucurbit family, as are cucumbers, yellow squash, zucchini, melons, patty pan (scallop) squash, and gourds. They differ from summer squash in that they have a thicker, non-edible skin which makes it possible to store them during the winter months. Hence, they are categorized as…
What Are Leaf Miners?Leaf miner is a term used to describe the larval stage of a variety of moths, wasps, beetles, and flies that feed on the soft tissue sandwiched between the top and bottom layers of leaves. They leave a distinctive white, gray, or clear zigzag pattern of dead…
What is a Squash Vine Borer?The squash vine borer is the larva stage of a 1/2" long diurnal sesiid moth. This beautiful moth, often mistaken for a wasp, has a bright orange abdomen with black spots and two sets of wings, one metallic green, the other transparent. Although it is…
Want Another Way to Use All That Zucchini From Your Garden?If you grow zucchini plants in your garden, then you know they can be prolific producers! I have two Black Beauty variety in my container garden, and they've provided me with so much zucchini, even after giving some away, I…
Fresh Basil Pesto!If you're like me, one of the reasons you grow basil is so that you'll have plenty of delicious pesto on hand. The traditional way of making this delightful sauce is with Parmesan cheese and pine nuts. For those of us with an autoimmune issue, or if you…
Someone once said that basil tastes like summer. I would agree. This beautiful herb flourishes in the summer months, and its very distinctive taste and fragrance are unlike any other member of the mint family to which it belongs. Basil originated from India, and it is a key ingredient in…
What is Powdery Mildew?Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that is caused by one of several different types of fungi, depending on the host plant. For many gardeners, it can be the bane of their gardening existence. If you haven't experienced, just wait, you will. This disease can affect all manner…
The first time I planted okra, I thought there was something wrong with my plants. They looked healthy, but they hadn't bloomed. I longed to see the beautiful okra blossoms, which resemble those of its "cousin" the hibiscus. But what I longed for, even more, was okra! No flowers meant…
Lettuce may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about what to plant in your garden, but maybe it should be. This low calorie veggie is not only a good source of dietary fiber, it's also full of vitamins like A, K and C, as…
What Are Aphids? If you've been gardening for any length of time, chances are you've encountered aphids. These tiny, 1/8" to 1/4" long, soft-bodied, insects are equal opportunity destroyers, setting up camp on stems and the underside of leaves. There are several hundred varieties of aphids that attack food crops,…