If I look back at this summer in the vegetable garden objectively, I’d say it was an average success. My garden produced a fair number of tomatoes, peppers, squash and cucumbers. We ate well. But it felt like a really hard year, and I don’t think I’m alone in that experience. We had some nasty heat waves and dry spells, and the plants and produce seemed extra susceptible to damage. I had more cracking and insect damage on my tomatoes than usual, and the plants gave up early due to all the fungal disease. Squash collapsed from vine borers and cucumbers got all the blights. My peppers were the biggest disappointment, battling bacterial leaf spot both in my own beds and at the Derwood Demo Garden. I think some infected seed was to blame, since a few ‘Big Red’ plants were the first to show symptoms, but the disease spread quickly to all the rest.
I’m very invested in gardening, so I’m not going to give up even though I know the struggles are likely to continue; our climate issues aren’t going to get any better and the bugs and diseases are here to stay. I don’t think you should give up either! But I can see how a beginner might feel very daunted.
Here are a few ideas about making your garden less exhausting and more rewarding. I’m writing them down because I need to read them as much as anyone!
As Dr. Spock famously said about parenting: “Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do.” This is equally true about gardening, even for beginners. People sometimes ask me when they should pick vegetables, as if it was a total mystery, and I generally reply that they’ll know it when they see it, especially if it’s a crop that’s commonly available in markets and grocery stores. If not, a quick online search or a look at the seed packet or catalog may enlighten you. Yours may not achieve the shiny perfection of the catalog models, but it’ll be recognizable. There are exceptions to this easy-to-tell model (melons are notoriously enigmatic) but mostly it’s not so hard.
Being ready to pick and eat, however, is not the same thing as being ripe, and this is a matter of great confusion among even some experienced gardeners, so I’ll plant a few ideas here that might help. Or make you more confused. I don’t know, I can’t think in this heat either.
Just a quick post this month to shout out the virtues of the first tomato plant to produce ripe fruit for me this year: ‘Veranda Red’ patio tomato.
This little cutie is only 18 inches high, and in fact would be shorter if it was growing in full sun instead of the partial sun on my deck. I have other plants with green fruit ready to turn red that are less than a foot high, and the container team at the Derwood Demo Garden has a plant only about six inches high that has ripe fruit.
Patio tomatoes as a group mature at less than two feet, and grow well in smaller containers like window boxes or gallon pots. The larger the pot, the larger and more productive the plant will be, but they will be loaded with flowers and fruit even in a small container. Most varieties are cherries, though a few make larger salad tomatoes.
‘Veranda Red’ is a relatively recent hybrid, but some patio tomatoes have been around for years. A few varieties I found in a quick search include ‘Tiny Tim,’ ‘Micro Tom,’ ‘Tumbling Tom’ (and the rest of the Tumbling series), ‘Orange Hat,’ the ‘Patio Choice’ series, ‘Red Robin,’ and there are many others. Try doing a search on ‘patio tomato’ or ‘micro dwarf tomato,’ or check your favorite seed catalog. You may also find plants at a garden center (I know Bonnie Plants has their own variety and others are likely available – just read the tags carefully to make sure you’re getting a dwarf plant).
These tomatoes are a great option for folks who don’t have much growing space, maybe a balcony or window box or a postage-stamp sunny patio or yard. They don’t produce as much as a full-size plant, but more than you would think!
Now, I have a bunch of full-size tomato plants already growing in my community garden plot, none of which have ripe fruit yet, but they’re getting there. Why bother with patio tomatoes? Well, sometimes a plant, like a person or a pet, just fills a particular spot in your life. Fifteen months ago I inherited a cocker spaniel named Freckles who used to belong to my mom and stepfather. She’s made a new home with us and definitely found a home in our hearts. Freckles loves many fruits and vegetables and is especially fond of tomatoes – she can sniff out the plants well before they have any fruit and will drag us to them. Last year she hunted for fallen cherry tomatoes around our neighbor’s big potted plants and alerted me to some volunteers that sprouted in unexpected spots in my landscape. So I thought it would be nice if she had her own tomato plants closer to home. We make a stop on the deck after a walk to see if any new ‘Veranda Red’ cherries have appeared. She approves!
By the way, I did get to eat one of the tomatoes myself, and can report that it was very tasty. Recommended, even if you don’t have a tomato-eating dog.
By Erica Smith, Montgomery County Master Gardener. Read more posts by Erica.
You’re in the garden on a hot, sunny day. You haven’t had enough to eat or drink, and you’re really hungry and thirsty, though you feel that if you eat anything you might get sick. You’re getting sunburned here and there, and the rest of you is unnaturally pale and weak. Probably you shouldn’t be in the garden at all—look how weird and variable the weather’s been! Speaking of which, here comes a storm. You can’t get to shelter, and there’s rain everywhere; accidents are bound to happen, and yes, before you know it—snap!! Something’s broken.
Call 911! Or maybe not. The question in this scenario is: are you a gardener, or are you a plant?
In the middle of the summer, when the cacophony of insect sounds fills the air and it feels like insects are flying at you from all different directions, the threat of “the insect apocalypse” seems to fade into the background. The “insect apocalypse,” more generally called the “insect decline in abundance” or “insect biodiversity crisis”, could potentially lead to the demise of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. Scientists have long documented the loss of insect species at a rate exceeding historical extinction rates, but the loss in abundance has been surprising to entomologists. Currently, the loss in insect abundance is at a rate of 1-2% each year, which at first glance doesn’t sound all that dramatic, but in 5 years, that’s about a 10% loss in insect abundance. Why is this a problem? Insects are hugely important to the functioning of ecological systems and not only in our gardens. It was calculated that insects have at least an annual value of $70 billion for their ecosystem services. That would put insects 22nd out of 200 in the Forbes Billionaires List!
Insects are well known as pollinators but less recognized is their importance in degrading wood and other plant debris in forests and parkland, the decomposition of dead animals left on the ground, and their value in cleaning flowing water. They have been key to medical and biological research and have provided goods such as honey, silk, wax, dyes, and food to human culture. Additionally, they are critical components of the food chain: they feed on plants that might otherwise become weeds, they feed on insects that become our pests, and they provide food to the birds, reptiles, and mammals we love so much.
Despite the profound ways we rely on insects, I noticed that most students at the University of Maryland were fearful of insects or viewed them with a sense of disdain. Then I realized that their fear of insects is a result of the few interactions they have with insects like mosquitoes, ticks, cockroaches, and bed bugs. So, I set out to provide a new way for students to interact with insects and understand the importance of insect biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Creating a visual display
In 2023, with funding from the UMD Sustainability Fund, three undergraduate students, (Felicia Shechtman, Yasmine Helbling, and Fiona Torök) helped me build three eye-catching physical displays to show the diversity of insects and the importance of their ecosystem services. Now, when you walk through the library, you’ll see a glass case with an array of neatly pinned insects categorized by ecosystem service, surrounded by colorful fact sheets, and striking infographics. QR codes on the infographic posters direct students to the Lamp Lab website with a drop-down menu detailing how insects are relevant to their academic major and future career endeavors. The final displays represent the work of my three undergraduate students, as well as several student organizations on campus (i.e., the UMD Origami Club, which made and donated the paper insects). In the end, before these displays were even installed, students were already talking about insects and their ecosystem services.
Display 1 on 1st floor of the STEM Library with Fiona Török, Helen Craig, and Yasmine Helbling. Photo: Clare Gallagher
Display 2 on 4th floor of McKeldin Library. Photo: Helen Craig
Positive outcomes…so far
Once the displays were in place, I overheard several conversations among students about how insects play a role in their own lives.
“Yesterday I saw the most beautiful butterfly land on a black-eyed susan!” – anonymous student
“One time, I was hiking in the woods, and I came across a vole carcass covered in flies and maybe a beetle?” – anonymous student
Display 3 on 1st floor of Plant Science building. Photo: Clare Gallagher
Our displays encouraged students to talk about their relationship with insects in a different context. These conversations were pushed further to a broader audience with features in Maryland Today and Progress Hub, authored by UMD student Clare Gallagher. Meanwhile, on a more individual level, the students who were directly involved in cultivating these displays can point to them when walking through the library with friends and say with pride “hey I made that!” Re-building relationships with insects takes time. The first step is to see them in a new context, such as these aesthetic displays.
Close-up of insect display boxes color coordinated by ecosystem service (orange = biological control, yellow = pollination, green = medical research, pink = cultural services, blue = water quality, brown = decomposition). Photo: Helen Craig
Key takeaways
Although the need for insects and their ecosystem services seems clear to some, it’s not always obvious. Like the saying “out of sight, out of mind” insects are simply so small, it’s easy to lose sight of their massive ecological contributions. Elevating insect biodiversity in new ways opens conversations about the importance of our tiniest friends and how they relate to us. For example, a mechanic might not see the beauty in pollination, but they might be fascinated by the intricacies of wing folding and joint movement. Conversely, a foodie or nutritionist might be more interested in the abundance of food sources insects provide. To summarize, all insects in our gardens have an important job, but how you relate to those jobs might vary from person to person. Once you find that common ground between you and your insects, hold onto it and explore that relationship.
Creative ways you can explore insects
So, when you’re in your garden this spring and summer, grab a writing utensil and a notebook and take a moment to just observe which insects you see, what they’re doing, why they’re doing it, and how their actions play a role in the larger environment. You might see a butterfly finding a perch, a beetle digging into the ground, or a fly cleaning itself. As you’re thinking, start to draw your insect subject, letting your creative side fuel your pondering. And it doesn’t have to be a good drawing! I, for one, am not the most “realistic” artist, but providing a space for a quiet, observational, and creative outlet can be a great way to explore insects on a different level. Who knows, you might see your garden completely differently along the way.
By Helen Craig, M.S. Entomology Graduate Student, Lamp Lab, University of Maryland Entomology Department
Photo: C. Carignan, University of Maryland Extension (UME)
Plant identification is a taxing task for gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts. Whether the plant is a weed with an invasive tendency or a plant that is bringing something positive to the landscape/natural area, solving the mystery of the correct genus and species is the first step that must be completed correctly. A plan of action for control, further research, or even just being able to share the correct ID with friends and family is then possible.
How do you correctly determine a plant’s genus and species when you don’t know where to start?
Over the years, the tools available to identify plants have changed. Not so many years ago, you needed to be trained in botany or have a strong background or history of use with plants in order to easily identify specimens. At a young age, I relied on my family to share the common names of plants. The Horticulture Judging contest offered through my local 4-H club, was my first true opportunity to be taught scientific information about plants, and I was instantly hooked because of the time, personal interest, and previous experience that I already had from studying plants in my own landscape!
There are several books that can help you learn a plant’s identity by following a key and answering different questions about the specimen. The Maryland Native Plant Society’s Recommended Books for Plant Lovers is a nice list of plant identification books. The internet has unlimited information but navigating can be a little tricky. Lastly, we now have the opportunity to install plant photo ID applications (apps) on any mobile device, and anyone can instantly know the ID of any plant! This is just one example of how technological advances have greatly impacted our gardening world and made it easier for everyone to access information.
Examples of photo identification results from PictureThis. The right-hand photo is an example of the saved plants that are available for reference at any time. Photos: Ashley Bodkins, UME
Are all plant ID apps the same?
We are bombarded with constant options in our society and that is most certainly the case with plant photo ID apps. Just a quick search on my mobile device shows more than 10 options ready to download for easy and quick plant identification services. Some services are free and some require a payment.
In my experience, most apps will probably get you to the correct genus, and from there, you may have to resort to some of the other tools that you have used in the past. Having a high-quality, clear photo of a mature plant can help any app’s accuracy. Regardless of whatever service you are using, be sure to check the results for accuracy by cross-referencing other resources.
Rutgers analyzed the accuracy of photo identification applications based on tree species. Their study can be found on their website if you are interested in seeing how the results compare.
Many people use iNaturalist, a global social network with an application that can be added to your mobile device. It offers identification services and maps of where images were taken. This post, “Let’s find skipper butterflies in Maryland using iNaturalist!”, written by Dr. Anahí Espíndola, explains how this service works and how anyone can utilize the data. It’s a very interesting read that you should check out!
With or without a photo plant app, there are some good questions to remember when searching for a plant ID. Mature plants that are complete specimens are always going to be best for a positive identification.
Is the plant a monocot (grasses, lilies, rushes, sedges) or dicot (with two seedling leaves—many herbaceous plants are in this category)?
Remember that some plants require specific details to identify, especially monocot plants. Often monocots are keyed out in charts based on tiny features that are present or absent and use technical terminology like ligules, auricles, etc. Check out this guide from Penn State for more details.
Is it an isolated specimen, or are there several specimens of the same plant?
Is there a flower on the plant? Flowers can be very helpful with figuring out the correct plant ID.
Is the plant mature? Are the leaves complete? Remember, there are simple and compound leaves. Always look for the petiole, which is the structure/stalk that connects the leaf to the stem. Leaflets of a compound leaf will not have individual petioles.
Are there seeds/fruits/nuts? Underground plant structures like rhizomes, bulbs, or crowns?
The left photo is part one of a leaflet from a shagbark hickory (Carya ovata). The right photo is the complete leaf with all 5 individual leaflets. Photos: Ashley Bodkins, UME
Find an application that you are comfortable with using. Remember to snap clear photos of complete specimens and always include fruits or flowers in the photo when you can. Be sure to use a common-sense approach to obtaining results from any application and always cross-reference the results.
Lastly, I caution you not to get too reliant on apps and still use sources such as guide books and/or memory to keep your skills sharp. It is just too easy to snap a photo and get the identification instantly with no thought-provoking memory required. I don’t fully pay attention to the results or internalize the information. We live in a fast-paced world with constant information at our fingertips. I find it rewarding to go back to basics sometimes and just take a hike or garden walk and test my knowledge without technology.
You won’t find a lot of experienced gardeners—at least those who are honest with themselves—talking about “rules” in gardening. That’s because, strictly speaking, there are very few of them. There are certainly guidelines, which are created through a combination of experimentation, synthesis of results, lots of mistakes and corrections, and effective communication of principles. There’s also a lot of bad advice out there, which you can weed out in simple ways (try using “Extension” as part of your web searches) or by disregarding those helpful nuggets that use only anecdote or tradition as rationales. (“This happened to me once, so it must always be true!” “My grandmother always said…”) Personally, I think you can also ignore pundits who declare rules without exceptions. There are always exceptions.
Or maybe I’m saying that because I just broke a rule. It’s May, so time for hardening off seedlings. The guideline for hardening off is to introduce your young plants to the outdoors gradually. Carry your tray full of pots outside and put them in a sheltered spot (out of the wind and sun). Give them a few hours of outdoor conditions and then bring them inside again. Next day, lengthen the time outdoors. Over a week, expose the plants to more sun and some light breezes. Leave them outside overnight on the last few nights before you plant them in the garden. This way, they don’t get shocked by a sudden change in exposure, and they will settle into their new life more readily. Failure to make this gradual transition could result in a serious growth setback, or even in death. (Of the plant. You’ll be fine, I hope.)
