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Rust disease on raspberry leaves Rust is a fungal disease that attacks many vegetable and fruit crops and ornamental plants as well. Rust fungal spores are commonly carried on moist winds until they land on plant leaves, stems, flowers, or fruits. The spore pustules multiply creating a rusty-colored coating of spores. The coating of spores

Seeds sown in warm soil and hot late summer weather can have a difficult time germinating. Moistening the seed bed and protecting seed from hot weather can ensure germination. Here are some simple steps to increase seed sowing success: (1) moisten the seed bed with a sprinkle of water; (2) sow seed; (3) cover the

Blueberry season starts in May in the South and moves north to New England in July and August. The peak blueberry season in the upper Midwest is August. On the West Coast, blueberry season begins in California in June and lasts into July and August in the Northwest. Check at a farmers market for the

Parsley herb butter Use herb butter wherever you would use the herb alone—on rice or noodles, steamed vegetables, grilled or roasted meat, poultry, or fish. Herb butter can be prepared more quickly and tastes just as good as most melted butter sauces. It’s easier to take herb butter to the table—or to the patio or

The kebab or shish kebab originated in the Mediterranean. The kebab is a marinated meat, poultry, shellfish, firm fish, and vegetables or fruits threaded on a skewer and grilled or broiled. This recipe works with any medium-dark meat—chicken things, cubed turkey, pork, and even fish such as salmon or swordfish. Grilled Chicken KebabsAuthor Steve AlbertYield

Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks, or can or freeze. To Can: Ladle hot ketchup into hot, sterilized half-pint canning jars; leave a ½-inch headspace. Wipe jar rims; adjust lids. Process in a boiling-water canner for 15 minutes (start timing when water returns to boil). Remove jars from canner; cool on wire racks. To Freeze:

Sometimes one vegetable crop can help another vegetable crop grow better just by being nearby. For example lettuce and spinach often grow better in the shade of a taller plant. Growing two or more crops in close proximity for a shared benefit is called companion planting. A classic planting of three garden companions is corn

Help your garden retain moisture for the hot summer ahead by adding plenty of aged compost to your planting beds. Aged compost—rich in organic materials—has a high water-holding capacity. You can add compost to your garden beds in two ways: the easiest is to simply “sheet compost”, that is lay a 2-inch thick layer or