Information about Bagworms. Bagworms are small, dirt-brown colored caterpillars, which are sometimes difficult to see.
Garden Insects: Armyworms (Beet & Fall Armyworms)
Information about Armyworms (Beet & Fall Armyworms). Although there are many species of this pest, beet and fall armyworms are the most common species in the backyard garden.
A guide to controlling ants in the garden.
A Guide to Freezing Watermelon. Cut in half, remove seeds and rind. Cut watermelon into slices, wedges, cubes or balls.
Blanching Vegetables. All vegetables contain naturally occurring enzymes. In some vegetables, unless these enzymes are deactivated with heat before the vegetable is frozen, the enzymes will continue to break down and age them even at freezing temperatures.
A Guide to Freezing Turnips or Parsnips. Select small to medium, firm turnips or parsnips that are tender and have a mild flavor. Look for crisp green tops as an indicator of freshness.
A Guide to Freezing Water Chestnuts. To select good water chestnuts, look for firm, hard-shelled tubers that are free from insect damage and bruising.
A Guide to Freezing String Beans. Select slender, smooth young pods when the seed is first formed. Beans should be firm and tender.
A Guide to Freezing Sandwiches. Good packaging for freezing prepared sandwiches includes freezer-grade plastic bags, rigid plastic containers, glass containers, heavy-duty aluminum foil and foil containers.
Leave pumpkins on the vine until they are fully mature and are vibrant orange in color. They should appear firm and have a hard outer skin.
A Guide to Freezing Tomatoes. Tomatoes will not be solid once thawed, but they do freeze well for use as sauces, juice, pastes or purées. Select firm, ripe tomatoes with deep red color.
A Guide to Freezing Poultry. Information about freezing Chicken, Turkey and other poultry.
A Guide to Freezing Okra. Select young tender pods with a velvety green appearance, that have a firm, crisp texture and snap easily.
Freezing Melons (Cantaloupe, Crenshaw, Honeydew & Watermelon)
A Guide to Freezing Melons (Cantaloupe, Crenshaw, Honeydew & Watermelon). Look for firm-fleshed, well-colored, ripe melons that are free from blemishes and have a symmetrical shape.
A Guide to Freezing Rhubarb. Because rhubarb is usually used for cooking, baking or making jams, the loss of texture during freezing is not important.
A Guide to Freezing Raspberries. Put raspberries into a colander and dunk in cold water to wash gently.
A Guide to Freezing Potatoes. Cooked potatoes make the best candidates for freezing. Raw potatoes can be frozen with mixed results, but may develop a watery or grainy texture during freezing.
Freezing Snow Peas (Sugar, Chinese, or Sugar Snap Peas)
A Guide to Freezing Snow Peas (Sugar, Chinese, or Sugar Snap Peas). Select tender, flat pods that are bright green in color.
A Guide to Freezing Muffins. Muffins hold up in the freezer pretty well, however it is no more possible to restore that crispy right-out-of-the-oven top after freezing, than it would be if you stored them at room temperature.
A Guide to Freezing Spinach. Select young, tender green leaves. Leaves on spinach should be at least 6 inches long.
In the past few years, the old-fashioned, easy-to-grow petunia has once again become a popular annual among gardeners. From borders to baskets, and mass plantings to cut flowers, these members of the Solanacea (Nightshade) family are extremely versatile in the landscape.
Blueberries should be taste-tested before harvesting. Berries that have just turned blue are not the best tasting. Gently shake a cluster of berries to determine ripeness. The ripe ones will fall easily off the bush.
Apples can be harvested from mid-summer to late fall depending on the variety and growing zone. To harvest fruit, avoid removing the stem by cupping the apple in your hand and tilting it upward while twisting to separate the spur from the branch...
Tomatoes are members of the nightshade family. Originally from South and Central America, today the tomato is grown worldwide for its brightly colored, edible fruits. Red tomatoes contain the pigment lycopene, a well-known antioxidant thought to help prevent some cancers.
