Q: Our local community garden in Hilliard has produced a zucchini that is over 3 pounds. Can you tell me the largest local zucchini recorded? A: What a fun question. This is just the kind of question that makes the internet worthwhile. I ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home LandscapesA: I suspect your squash is not getting pollinated. Squash, in addition to all the cucurbits like watermelon and cucumbers, have male and female flowers. In order for the female to produce completely mature fruit; her flower must be pollinated ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home LandscapesA: Several beetles (some spotted or striped) have been known to cause damage to the cucurbit plant family, which includes melons, squashes and cucumbers. The larvae of these beetles feed on roots of the plants as soon as they start to grow by ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
A: Spinach contains large amounts of minerals and vitamins, especially vitamin A, calcium, phosphorus, iron and potassium. Spinach also has high levels of protein and therefore a wonderful addition to any diet. Ninety-one percent of spinach ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
A: I have adapted the answer to this question from a publication titled, “Soil pH and the Landscape or Home Garden” by Shober and Denny. The full publication is attached at the end of this answer. Vegetable gardens prefer the soil pH ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
A: Rhubarb can be grown here but it is somewhat difficult to do so successfully. Rhubarb prefers summer temperatures to not exceed 75 degrees and winters temperatures to be below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. As you know, many of our spring days are ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
Q: When do I harvest rutabaga? I am concerned about the cold temperatures coming and did not want it to get destroyed before I get a chance to eat it. A: Rutabaga is a cool season vegetable, which means it grows best in the winter in Florida. ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
Q: We tried last year to grow pumpkins and gourds with no success. The pumpkins would flower then essentially rot before turning into fruit. The gourds didn’t do much of anything. I was wondering if there’s a particular kind that does better. A: ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
A: The good news is the cracks are not caused by an insect or disease but by physical conditions in the soil and climate. The growth of the potato has alternating times of good nutrition and water followed by drought and temperature changes ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
A: Yes, we have many heirloom hot peppers which can be grown in several parts of Florida. Remember, the term “heirloom” vegetables means you can use the seeds from the fruit and produce future plants year after year. Hot peppers are native ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes