Twelve books to stretch your paradigm and inspire you for a new year of country living.
Tag: Insect Pests
6 Tips for Keeping Plants Going Through the Summer
How do plants beat the heat? Find out how your garden can stay productive this summer.
The Attack of the Squash Bugs
Winning the war on squash bugs is not easy—here are a few tips to help.
K-State Entomology Newsletter
What bad bugs are invading your area? The K-State entomology newsletter may have the answer. This newsletter keeps Kansans informed about the comings and goings of a wide range of insects of economic importance, particularly those that impact field crops. Pests of corn, soy, wheat, sorghum, sunflower, and alfalfa are regularly discussed. However, this newsletter…
Keeping a Garden Journal
Gardening season is finally upon us! If you’re like most gardeners, you are looking forward to planting seeds with the full expectation of making this the best gardening year yet. While much of gardening comes down to experience, diligence, and creativity, having the right tools makes a big difference. One handy tool is the garden…
Top 10 Books for Beginning Farmers
Just getting started? Whether you are still in the early planning stage or are trying to overcome your first obstacle, one of the best things you can do is to read extensively. Many others have walked the path before you. Why not smooth your own learning curve and take advantage of their experience? While there…
Pierce’s Disease
Pierce’s disease (PD) is a bacterial disease of grapes named for Newton Pierce, who described the disease in 1892. The bacterium species is Xylella fastidiosa. A grape plant is infected when insects, particularly sharpshooter leafhoppers, carrying bacteria bite the plant. Bacteria then take up residence in the vascular tissue of the grape and reproduce, forming…
Fire Blight
Fire blight, found across North America, is a disease to be reckoned with. Caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora, this blight affects: Pears. Quinces. Apples. Crabapples. Cane fruits. Roses. The disease is most likely to appear after a mild winter and during a wet spring. Insects transport fire blight bacteria from plant to plant when…
The Changing Face of American Agriculture: Part 2
Agripreneurship Young people continue to enter agriculture, according to the last USDA census. Most young farmers have limited capital to work with, and they frequently find outside financing difficult, if not impossible, to obtain. With land prices remaining high, they typically buy small properties when they first start out and purchase additional land as they…
Cucumber Mosaic Virus
Cucumber mosaic virus does not affect only cucumbers. It also targets: Squash. Melons. Peppers. Tomatoes. Beets. Spinach. Celery. Petunias. The disease is primarily spread by aphids, but it can also be spread by cucumber beetles and on gardening tools. The virus overwinters in perennial weeds. Symptoms Stunted, unusually bushy plants. Thin, rough, curled leaves with…
