Category: Articles

Thrips

Thrips are very small plant-feeding insects. Adults are elongate and slender with fringed wings. Immatures look similar, but are smaller in size and lack wings. Color can vary from pale yellow to dark brown-black. Continue Reading →

In the Vegetable Garden – August, 2018

  • July 30, 2018
  • Comments Off on In the Vegetable Garden – August, 2018

At this time of year I love my vegetable garden first thing in the morning when plants are fresh and perky, yet I am ready to yank it all out when I see it in the late afternoon — wilted and droopy, begging for mercy. Like a good little gardener, I plant my vegetables in full sun, which takes a toll on summer plantings when our intense, hundred-degree days roll around. Continue Reading →

Robber flies

by Wizzie Brown Robber flies, while often startling to see in the garden, are some of the good guys. These flies feed on a wide variety of other arthropods, helping … Continue Reading →

Easy Composting with Worms!

June 9, 2018, Master Gardener Compost Specialist, Tommie Clayton, gave a talk at the Zilker Park Botanical Gardens on composting with worms. Many have asked for a copy of her presentation, and she has graciously offered up a pdf version. Continue Reading →

Hornworms

by Wizzie Brown Tomato and tobacco hornworms are very large caterpillars that can quickly defoliate plants and/or damage fruits. They feed on solanaceous plants (nightshade family), such as tomatoes, tobacco, … Continue Reading →

Glassy-winged sharpshooters

Glassy-winged sharpshooters are large, dark-colored leafhoppers. While these insects usually do not cause much damage from feeding, they are capable of transmitting the bacterial disease, Xylella fastidiosa. Continue Reading →