Growing a garden is not easy. Let me warn you now that you WILL run into problems. It just happens. The best of the best have learned to deal with these common issues. Even our cherished farmers that feed all the people of our country are facing new problems every day due to climate change, deforestation, and more.

WILDLIFE & INSECTS

Wildlife (both in the country AND in the city!) are one of the most common problems. As areas are cleared to build more roads, apartments, homes or shops... wildlife lose their homes and become confused looking for food. Most of the garden threatening wildlife are afraid of humans. However, groundhogs for example, are getting quite used to it! They don't know any better. Humans and wild animals are forced to live in closer proximity, but it is not their fault they are an "enemy". They're just looking for food... and yours looks deeeelicious!

Groundhog, deer, moles, raccoons, mice, opossum, rabbits, birds, and more are all out there and could venture into your to nibble on what you're growing. We definitely don't want to hurt the animals, but rather deter them. Here are some things to try.

Common Vegetable Problems

How To Keep Animals Out Of Your Garden

Natural Pest Control With Herbs

Companion Planting

Beneficial Insects ... aka GOOD BUGS!

TOO MUCH WATER OR NOT ENOUGH?

A good general guideline is an inch of water per week, either by rain or watering; in arid climates, it is double that. In hot weather, vegetables need even more water, up to about ½ inch per week extra for every 10 degrees that the average temperature is above 60 degrees.

Feel your soil. When the soil sticks in your hand and you can form it into a ball, it is moist enough. But, if it barely holds together in the palm of your hand, or if the surface looks hard, baked, or cracked, it is probably dry and it’s time to water.

It’s best to water early in the day so the foliage dries off by evening. When the plants are watered at night, the foliage stays wet for a long period of time and disease problems build up. And when plants are watered in the middle of the day, in the hot sun, it can burn the leaves and hurt your plants. The most important part of the plant to water in the roots. Of course the leaves like to feel a nice shower, but plants drink up from their roots, so we need to make sure they're getting all they need. ]

How much water do my vegetable plants need?

VEGETABLE GARDENING WATERING CHART

PLANT DISEASES

Disease fungi take their energy from the plants on which they live. They sometimes look like splotches or powdery mildew and are responsible for a great deal of damage to plants.

Identify Common Plant Disease & Eco-Friendly Solutions