Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Home Vegetable Garden Part 2 Vegetable Plant Care Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office June 2002

Sometimes a little special care pays off Removal of tomato suckers increases fruit production

Blanching is a process of denying light to certain plants to make them more tender, less bitter, more attractive

Pollination assistance Transfer ripe pollen from male to female flowers Touch anthers to stick pistil in center of female flower

Pollination Assistance Squash, Cucumbers, Melons Small Corn Patch shake the stalks Tomato Plant shake plants to assist self pollination and initiate fruit set

Control of Pests

Plant pest resistant cultivars

Beneficial Insect

Plant a mix of flowers & herbs Queen-Anne’s lace, goldenrod, yarrow, penta, herbs

Companion Planting

Identify Pests Chewing Insects Corn ear Worm Tomato fruit worm

Piercing / Sucking Insects Stinkbug Aphid

Disease Tomato Early Blight Prune out & destroy disease shoots Disinfect shears b/w cuts

Powdery mildew

Harvest Time