Vegetable Questions and Answers

Vegetable Questions and Answers

What are these insects on my raspberries and vegetable plants?

This is a Colorado Potato Beetle. For control, use Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. Tenebrionis.
These tiny black insects are called springtails because of their ‘spring-loaded’ tails, which help them jump. Most springtails are beneficial and eat decaying matter, but a few consume living plant tissue, and some of these species can be pests.

How can I identify the bugs on my peppers and cucumbers?

Check out the Texas A&M Department of Entomology Vegetable IPM (Integrated Pest Management) page for information about identification and control of vegetable pests. For cucumbers, see the Cucurbit Problem Solver.

Where can I find information on growing English or Southern peas?

Texas A&M has a detailed page about Southern peas and a good Q&A page about growing peas. Here’s a list of recommended cultivars for North Central Texas.

What do I need to know about growing tomatoes in Denton county? Is it different from Dallas County?

The Texas A&M Key Factors for Vegetable Growing page has lots of information about vegetable growing in Texas. Here’s a list of recommended cultivars for North Central Texas. If problems arise, the Tomato Problem Solver can help. Denton County straddles the boundary between USDA hardiness zones 7b--in the most of the county--and 8a in the southeast corner, whereas Dallas County in entirely in zone 8a. See the USDA hardiness zones map for more information.

I have a great crop of green onions this year. How can I process and store them?

Here is information about growing, processing and storing fruits and vegetables safely. To store green onions, keep them cool, dry and dark. You can leave them out in sun for a while to dry them.

My vegetable garden just isn’t growing very well. I did try fertilizing my tomatoes with composted manure and that really helped.

If fertilizing helped the tomatoes, try doing the same on the rest of the vegetable bed. It’s a good idea to have your soil tested before you plant, so you know exactly what nutrients are needed, and the test should be repeated every 2-3 years. Many nurseries provide testing in the spring, and the Texas Agrilife Extension also provides soil testing services.