Common Garden Issues

Garden Pests

Cracking Tomatoes: Inconsistent watering—such as a drought followed by a heavy downpour—can cause tomatoes to split, leaving them damaged and prone to rot. To prevent this, aim for consistent watering and protect your plants from intense sunlight. Draping light bed sheets over the plants can help diffuse sunlight without blocking it entirely, reducing heat stress.

Bitter Cucumbers: Bitterness in cucumbers is often caused by irregular watering, prolonged heat, or poor soil conditions. Keep soil slightly moist, feed plants with a slow-release fertilizer, and mulch around the base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Healthy, well-hydrated plants are far less likely to develop bitter fruit.

Powdery Mildew: This common fungal disease thrives in warm, dry climates and affects many plants. To prevent it, provide ample spacing between plants to encourage airflow, ensure they get adequate sunlight, and avoid over-fertilizing young plants. If mildew appears, spray with a homemade solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon liquid soap, and 1 gallon of water. Prune off affected leaves and disinfect your tools afterward to prevent spread.

Squash Bug, Borers, Slugs, and Snails

Squash bugs:  These pests are difficult to eradicate once you finally notice them. They can devastate squash, pumpkin, and melon crops in a matter of weeks.  Be on the lookout for tiny eggs laid on the underside of your leaves, especially early morning and evening. The adults are more noticeable, but can be hiding in the soil and under debris at the base of the plant.  Wrapping tin foil around the base of the plant can deter vine borers and other pests. The foil also reflects light onto the plant, boosting overall health.

Slugs and Snails:  Tiny holes in leaves and shiny trails are telltale signs of slugs and snails, which thrive in damp, shady environments, especially after a wet spring.

Preventive Measures for Garden Pests

• Trim Long Grass: Cut tall grass around garden beds. Regular mowing removes shady, moist hiding spots favored by slugs.

• Clear Debris: Remove items like upturned pots, wood scraps, and old sacks that provide cover for pests.

• Tidy the Beds: Clear away dead leaves and weeds to improve airflow and reduce slug habitat; compost the waste.

• Slug Traps: Place boards, cabbage leaves, or cardboard on damp soil overnight to trap slugs for easy removal.

• Citrus Shells: Use grapefruit, orange halves, or coconut shells as natural slug traps near vulnerable plants.

• Companion Herbs: Plant dill, lemon balm, peppermint, and nasturtiums to help deter squash bugs.