Millipede Centipedes and millipedes are generally beneficial creatures. Centipedes feed on soil-dwelling mites, insects, insect larvae, baby snails, and slugs. (They paralyze small insect prey with venomous claws.) Millipedes feed on decaying plant tissue and fallen fruit. Together centipedes and millipedes help break down organic matter enriching the soil by helping to create humus. Sometimes
Black nightshade Black nightshade—also called deadly nightshade–is the most common of several nightshade weeds. The nightshades are close relatives of tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants. The leaves and berries of nightshades contain toxic alkaloids that are harmful to humans and animals. Hairy nightshade and cutleaf nightshade are two other garden weeds similar to black nightshade. Nightshades
Damsel bug The damsel bug is a beneficial insect. Damsel bugs prey on aphids, leafhoppers, plant bugs, thrips, and small caterpillars. Damsel bugs cause no damage to plants. Adult damsel bugs lay their eggs on meadow grasses. To attract damsel bugs to the garden plant ornamental grasses. As well, damsel bugs are commonly found in
Damselfly The dragonfly and the damselfly are beneficial insects. Dragonflies and damselflies are very similar in appearance and one may be confused as the other. Damselflies are lighter in build than dragonflies; dragonflies are sturdy looking. Dragonflies hold their wings flat and away from the body when at rest; damselflies hold their wings folded and
Aphid midge The aphid midge is a beneficial insect. Aphid midge larvae eat aphids; one larva can eat as many as 65 aphids in a day. Adult aphid midges are very small, black, flies—less than 1/8 inch long. They look like fungus gnats. Aphid midge larvae are tiny pale yellow to red or brown slug-like
Oxalis Oxalis is a perennial plant.There are 900 species of oxalis–some with yellow flowers, other with purple, violet, or pink flowers. Some species are known as wood sorrels. Some are called false shamrocks. Oxalis can reproduce by rooting stem joints, tubers, or small bulblets depending on the species. It can take years to eradicate oxalis
Shepherd’s purse Shepherd’s Purse is a cool-weather annual that is commonly found in lawns, gardens, orchards, vineyards, and along roadsides. It is also called lady’s purse and pepper plant. Shepherd’s purse is a member of the Brassicaceae or mustard family and so will grow easily where mustard grows. The young leaves of shepherd’s purse, like
Peach leaf curl fungus can be controlled by dormant spray Diseases and insect pests that often attack fruit and nut trees, grapes, and brambles in spring and summer can be headed off during the winter. Dormant sprays—which kill overwintering pests and some diseases—are best applied when plants are in the dormant stage—after leaves have dropped
Vegetable stew Here is an easy to make vegetable stew that you can cook up any time of the year. The combination of vegetables in this stew can vary with the season and harvest. Choose two or three vegetables from the longer-cooking list and two or three from the shorter cooking list. If you want
Stephen Albert is a horticulturist, master gardener, and certified nurseryman who has taught at the University of California for more than 25 years. He holds graduate degrees from the University of California and the University of Iowa. His books include Vegetable Garden Grower’s Guide, Vegetable Garden Almanac & Planner, Tomato Grower’s Answer Book, and Kitchen
