How do you grow nice garden vegetables?

Question

For the second year, my peppers and zucchinis have been devastated by some sort of garden bug, but the tomatoes aren't affected. Next year, I want to avoid this problem. What can I use or do?

Answer 1

Could be separate problems or the same. The first place to start is your local extension office. There is probably someone to answer questions so be ready to describe the damage. You didn't do that here, but row covers will keep destructive insects off, though you have to watch for when the plants flower so you can remove the cover for pollination. Did you see insects at all? Aphids, white fly, flea beetles and Japanese or other beetles attack plants' leaves and stems, there are various caterpillars and borers that will eat both leaf and fruit. The extension office may help with id.
The other things recommended are to remove all dead plants at the end of the season, add compost or grow a cover crop (winter rye, vetch) to make green manure you turn over in spring. Rototilling will expose some insects that hide in the soil, birds and cold will do some in. Watch your plants for signs of attack so you can strike back immediately. Keep the plants healthy and they withstand more problems. If you don't rotate your garden, do so by moving crops of the same families around the garden to prevent diseases and repeat infestations. Get a good book on gardening or go online and look up insects that damage veggies. You may see damage that looks like what you had on your own plants. Finally, whatever is to blame, if you use pesticides, follow directions and try organic controls first.
Good luck.

Answer 2

My garden is pretty small as I only grow 2 tomato plants, but here is what I did - 1) I tilled the soil in area of the garden (approx 3'x9') 2) I then removed all the loose soil I just tilled (my yard is mostly clay so I just got rid of it all.) This made a rectangular pit about 4 inches deep. 3) I filled the area with quality top soil - about 5 40lb bags 4) I added two 40 lb bags of Miracle Grow Vegetable soil 5) DO NOT mix the soils. Leave the Miracle Grow soil on top so the nutrients will filter down through the other soil. I found that mixing the two soils causes you to loose the benefits of Miracle Grow because now much of it wil be below the roots of the plants. 6) Plants the plants according to the directions and in a place where they'll get maximum sunlight. 7) Water them every day keeping the soil moist but not flooded. 8) Sit back and wait. 9) If you start to see bugs on them use a spray or powder called 'Sevin'. It works great. By doing this my tomato plants grow to about 7 feet tall, 4-5 feet wide, and yeilds about 8-9 dozen tomatos ranging in size from golf balls to softballs. The only thing that keeps them from growing taller and producing more is that the seasons change (I'm in Ohio). I heard of a guy somewhere that used Miracle Grow top soil and his maters grew 28 feet tall. I grew cucumbers once and they were about 12-14 inches long and about 3-4 inches in diameter. Clear your mind - I know what you may be thinking!! (Kidding).

Answer 3

When you do your rolls, put in some of the rose bug and fertilizer, this wont hurt the plant, but any bugs that are in the ground next to the plant it will kill them.

You mix it right on with the soil, Marigolds, bugs hate them,
So plant them around your garden.

Answer 4

Good garden soil,,,Miracle Grow for Veggies and bug spray to keep away the insects. I know I had to spray for bugs twice in two weeks. They finally got the idea and left.

Answer 5

The seeds are planted.