Most backyard gardeners grow tomatoes, but when a crop turns out to be less than appetizing, vegetable enthusiasts often are at a loss to figure out what went wrong.

By the time you see diseased or poorly developed tomatoes it may be too late to do anything about it. Depending on the cause, there may be little you can do, but, next year, you may be able to manage your plants to prevent some of these conditions.

Listed below are some common problems afflicting tomatoes and recommendations of some possible solutions.

Catfaced and Misshapen Fruit
Misshapen fruit is most commonly caused by improper pollination or from flower parts sticking to the reproductive parts of the plant. Tomato plants will have malformed fruit when the fruit has set in low temperatures. Malformed fruit is more likely to appear early in the harvest.

Blossom-end Rot
This is a dry, leathery brown rot of the blossom end of the fruit that is common in some seasons on tomatoes. It is caused by the combination of a localized calcium deficiency in the developing fruit and wide fluctuations of soil moisture. The problem is especially bad in hot weather. Soil applications of calcium seldom help. Pruning causes stress to the plants that may increase the incidence of blossom-end rot. Some tomato varieties are much more susceptible to this condition than others. Mulching and uniform watering help to prevent blossom-end rot. Once the blackened ends appear, affected fruits cannot be saved. They are best removed and destroyed so that healthy fruit setting later can develop more quickly.

Poor Color Development
Good color fails to develop if temperatures are too high or too low during ripening. The best red color develops when ripening occurs at temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Higher temperatures speed up ripening, but the final color is more orange than red. Tomato color will be affected if summer temperatures rise above 85 degrees F or below 50 degrees F for prolonged periods. Below 50 degrees F, flavor can be greatly diminished, so don't store tomatoes in the refrigerator.

Blotchy Ripening, Graywall, Internal Browning
Affected areas of tomatoes with these disorders have poor flavor and off-color. Portions of the tomato will have well-defined margins that remain green, yellow-green or gray-green while the rest of the tomato turns red. Because these problems can be caused by viruses, nutrition, light intensity, moisture and variety characteristics, no one solution exists.

Sunscald
This problem appears when green tomatoes on plants with inadequate foliage are exposed to the sun. It appears as yellow or white patches on the exposed section of the fruit. The patches will stay yellow or white as the tomato ripens, but the tissue usually is so damaged that the patches shrink and the surface dries out. You'll see sunscald on plants that have lost foliage from disease or other problems.

Growth Cracks
Cracked fruit can be traced to several causes. It is common during rainy periods when temperature and humidity is high. Cracking is especially prevalent when rains follow a long dry period. Cracking is more likely to develop on fully ripened tomatoes. Tomatoes exposed to direct sun are more likely to develop concentric cracks. Picking tomatoes before they have a full deep red color reduces the likelihood of cracking.

Leaf Roll
Most tomato plants have a characteristic leaf roll that is genetic in origin, ranging from mild to severe. Severe leaf roll can expose tomatoes to too much sun, causing sunscald and other problems. Leaf roll can show up when plants are severely pruned or when heavy rains maintain an excessive amount of moisture in the soil. If you plant on well-drained soil, leaf roll is less likely to appear, but is still can occur during periods of heavy rainfall.

Walnut or Butternut Tree Injury
A chemical, called juglone, oozing from the roots and other parts of black walnut or butternut trees can lethally wilt or stunt tomato plants. Not planting under the tree's canopy or in the root zone is recommended.

Chemical Injury
Tomatoes are highly sensitive to injuries caused by many weedkillers, especially growth-regulating chemicals. Injuries include distorted leaves, twisted stems, flower drop and abnormal fruit. Pesticides can drift from as far away as a half-mile or more.

Source: Penn State News, Penn State University

If you think your house is plagued with flies this year, consider this. If a pair of houseflies began mating on the first day of summer and every member of every generation of offspring survived and reproduced at the maximum rate, the resulting fly population would cover the Earth three feet deep by the first day of fall!

The life cycle of a house fly is perfectly suited for life as a summer pest. Their cycle is temperature driven. The warmer it is, the shorter the time it takes for the fly to develop. In the summer, a new generation can develop every 10 days.

Each female fly lays about 300 eggs, half of which will be female. If conditions are right, a fly population can explode very rapidly. Flies also can survive the winter in all stages of development. In fact, flies continue to develop during winter, although at a much slower rate.

Certain flies can become active in homes during winter, if there is a warm temperature breeding area around the house. This can occur if the homeowner has horses or other animals near the house.

For example, the cluster fly and the face fly will seek winter shelter in houses as adults. The cluster fly is a particular nuisance in fall, when large groups of the insects seek out homes to wait out the winter. They usually stay in the attic, but these flies will come down into the house if it gets too cold.

The best way homeowners can combat flies is to make the outside of your house as inhospitable as possible.

Compost piles must be properly managed. Some people throw stuff in the backyard and call it a compost pile. Compost piles must be turned and tended to prevent insects from being a nuisance.

Pick up all pet manure and dispose of it, preferably by burying it. Manure piles are the perfect breeding ground for flies.
Hardware stores and farm supply stores sell traps equipped with bait to lure flies. Don't put these near a door. Place two or three in a semi-circle at least 50 yards away from the house.

Don't use an outdoor fly spray. Most of the time outdoor sprays don't do much good.

Once the flies are indoors, you are left to the tried and true methods of elimination – flyswatters and sticky fly strips still work as well as they did for grandma. If homeowners opt for indoor sprays, savvy shoppers check the label.

Indoor spray labels should say 'For flies and insects' and list natural pyrethrins as an ingredient. Natural pyrethrins come from the chrysanthemum plant and are safe to use indoors. If the label reads "Pyrethroid' compounds, the spray should not be used inside.

Source: Penn State News, Penn State University

The following poem was sent to me by a lovely lady on the northside of Chicago. As many of you may be fighting violets in your lawn, this poem will give you a chuckle. I'm sure you will enjoy it and possibly share it with others.

Oh, little violet in my lawn,
Gee, how I wish that you were gone!
I strive to grow a carpet green
In which no weed nor blossom's seen.
You don't belong among these blades
Of grass...move to some place with shades
'Neath tree or bush, by rocks and rills,
Where passing strollers leap with thrills
When they spy your purple hue.
And gush aloud with "Ahhh!" and "Ooh!"
Come spring, I pray you'll not say "Hey,
I'm here again! Have a nice day!"
How you intrude, you wedge in so
That in your spot my grass can't grow!
Wish I could kill your kith and kin
And make of you a true has-been!
'Tis true, wee flower, shy and coy
You are State Flower of Illinois,
But seeing how you spit out seed
To me I class you as a weed!
Yes, fellow, I am not impressed,
Knowing how I must invest
In "goo" that will deweed the space
Except for your "Can't-hurt-me" face!
You do thrust out your tongue and thrive,
And stay defiantly alive!
But, years ago, this wasn't thus,
For when I saw you, how I'd fuss!
I sang to you when but a kid.
I loved the way you shyly hid.
I shrieked with joy to see your hue,
Where midst the concrete cracks you grew.
When young, I'd bunch you in a vase
And sketch your petaled purple face.
I plucked your blooms and whiffed your smell,
And pinned you to my coat lapel...
But that was long before I grew
This lawn that made a home for you,
Where you and all your progeny
Advanced like soldiers, daringly!
But, now I'm old...my lawn I prize,
I see it "green" my neighbor's eyes.
I use my waning energy
Defying your persistency,
As I get down on aching knees
And use old-fashioned elbow grease
To pry you and your heart out loose
And shout with glee....OUT, FIEND,
VAMOOSE

For most people, the only good bug is a dead bug. But if your garden crops are being attacked by insects, you should think twice before killing everything with six legs.

Only one percent of insects actually are pests. Chances are that most insects you encounter are neutral as far as you're concerned. And probably at least 20 percent are, at some point in their lifetime, predators or parasites of other insects.

The difficult part is telling the good bugs from the bad. When you walk through your garden, think of it as the African Serengeti. The pets generally are slow moving and eat leaves or fruit – the cows of the insect world. The predators tend to be fast moving and quick, with large eyes to seek out prey. They are the lions of the insect world.

There are abundant beneficial organisms in most gardens. Wasps, beetles, flies, spiders – virtually all orders of arthropods have predators and parasites among them. Probably the three most common beneficial insects are ladybird beetles, green lacewings and hover flies.

Ladybird beetles, commonly referred to as ladybugs, are predators of aphids and other pests. Adults mots often are red, orange or yellow with black markings. Lady beetles in their larval stage are especially voracious, but most people would not recognize a ladybug larva, which has an alligator-like appearance.

Green lacewings appear mostly in late summer. They are generalist predators. Adults are pale green, with long antennae and large, transparent wings. The adults feed mostly on nectar and pollen, but their alligator-like larvae eat aphids, spider mites, small caterpillars and other insects, as well as a lot of eggs laid by pests.

Syrphid flies, or hover flies, most commonly are yellow with brown or black stripes on abdomen. They look like a tiny bee, but they don't sting. Adults often hover around flowers and feed on pollen. The maggot-like larvae are especially fond of aphids.

To encourage beneficials, plan or modify the garden habitat to provide for their needs. Like all wildlife, beneficial insects need food, water and shelter. The best way to provide those things is to have a diversity of plants in your garden. You should plant a mixture of perennials, biennials and annuals and make sure there's always something flowering. Flowers are a great source of energy for foraging predators and parasites.

Also have a range of architecture among your plants – tall, short, vine-like trailing on the ground – because each provides a different habitat. Establish mulched areas that provide a moist environment and keep other areas dry and airy.

Purchasing beneficial insects for release in your garden is an option but may not be effective. There are good companies that supply beneficials for the home garden, but, you have to know the biology of the beneficial to be sure it's going to do what you want it to. For instance, if it's not pest-specific, it may go after other, more abundant pests and not take care of your particular problem. If you have a diverse habitat in your garden, most of the work is being done for you already, so you're probably better off augmenting the natural population you already have.

Use caution when applying pesticides in your garden. Traditionally, garden pesticides have been broad spectrum, meaning they will kill a wide rang of insects, including beneficials. Before using pesticides, be sure you know what pest is causing your problem. Always carefully read the label instructions and try to apply the pesticide at a time when beneficial insects are least likely to be present. You also should consider insecticidal soaps, botanicals or other products that are less likely to affect beneficials.

Source: Penn State News, Pennsylvania State University

July
...Irrigation (as needed or allow lawn to go dormant)
...Monitoring for pests/problems (sod webworm)

August
...Monitor for pests (annual white grubs mid-August thru September) (Sod webworm)
...Irrigation (as needed)
...Prepare for seeding, overseeding (optimum time)
...Seeding - latter half of month (optimum time)

Green Tips
http://www.msue.msu.edu/iac/greentip/
A series of horticulture factsheets from Michigan State Extension.

Home & Garden Information Center
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/hgic/
Tips and gardening information from the University of Maryland

Mildew-Resistant Phlox for Cut Flowers

Stanton Gill, a specialist on integrated pest management techniques with the University of Maryland, recommends the following powdery-mildew-resistant Phlox cultivars for cut flower production:

Phlox maculata 'Natascha': white and rose flowers
P. glaberrima 'Morris Berd': rose-pink flowers in large clusters
P. paniculata 'Robert Poore': pink flowers
P. paniculata 'David': white flowers

Reference: Stanton Gill, "Why Not Use Disease-Resistant Perennials in Your Cut Flower Operation?" The Cut Flower Quarterly 13 (1), January 2001, 31. (Association of Specialty Cut Flowers, Inc., MPO Box 268, Oberlin, OH 44074.)

(Lots of!) Daylilies Available Directly from Dr. Darrell Apps

Dr. Apps used to be Head of Education at Longwood Gardens; now he is a full-time daylily breeder and mail-order retailer - his Woodside Nursery (327 Beebe Run Rd., Bridgeton, NJ 08302, phone 856-451-2162, catalog $3.00) offers his own introductions as well as hundreds of daylily cultivars bred by others. New this year from Dr. Apps is 'Apricot Sparkles', his "most reblooming daylily so far," flowering from early June until heavy frost. All of his introductions have been propagated by traditional methods rather than by tissue culture (cloning), because the latter "can produce variants and he worries about the possibility of the rebloom feature being lost."

Hollow Landscaping Stones Are Easy to Move

The boulders sold by the Talavera Stone Company (3050 S. Alvernon Eway, Tucson, AZ 85713, phone 800-737-5386, www.fallingh2o.com) don't require a bulldozer or crane for placement. The easily maneuverable hollow stones weigh surprisingly little. One with dimensions 34" x 27" x 19" is only 30 pounds! And you can hide irrigation or lighting apparatus inside the stones.

July - Edible

Harvest vegetables, fruits and herbs frequently. Picking encourages plants to produce more and decreases insects and diseases.

Plant more beans, beets and carrots.

Take the family to one of our local county fairs:

Champaign County Fair - July 20 - July 28 - 217-367-8461
DuPage County Fair - July 25 - July 29 - 630-688-6636
Porter County Fair (Valparaiso, IN) July 19 -28 - 219-462-4917

Prune out and destroy old fruiting canes of raspberries after harvest.

Harvest onions and garlic when tops turn brown.

Blossom-end rot of tomatoes and peppers occurs when soil moisture is uneven. Water when soils begin to dry; maintain a 2-3 inch layer of mulch.

July - Ornamental

Late in the month divide and transplant iris if needed.

Fertilize trees and shrubs by July 15, so new growth can harden off before winter.

Water trees if rainfall does not equal one inch per week.
Prune out or remove fall webworm nests from trees. Factsheet available.

Fertilize container plants every two weeks with a water soluble fertilizer.

Control weeds from going to seed; this will mean less weeding next year.

Provide water in the garden for birds, especially in dry weather.

Newly planted trees and shrubs should continue to be watered weekly as needed.

Hot, dry weather is ideal for spider mite development. Forceful water sprays or insecticidal soap are effective controls.

July - Indoors

Cut back the overly long stems of dieffenbachias and dracaenas. The stump will send out new shoots.

Take the piece of dracaenas and dieffenbachias you removed; cut into pieces. Each piece should have a scar from an old leaf. Lay the pieces on their sides on a flat of moist potting soil. Cover the pieces halfway with soil. Cover the flat with plastic wrap and set in a warmplace. In 3-4 weeks the pieces will have grown roots and new shoots will be emerging. Pot the new shoots and give them to your friends.

August - Edible

Plant greens, lettuce, kohlrabi and radishes for fall harvest.

Remove dead or diseased plants from the vegetable and flower garden.

Sow rye or oats to improve soil quality in harvested areas of the garden.

Plan a family outing to one of the following county fairs:
Kankakee County Fair - August 1 - 5 - Fairgrounds 815-932-6714
Kendall County Fair August 3-5 - Fairgrounds 630-553-2860
McHenry County Fair - August 1-5 - 815-338-5315
Will County Fair - August 22 - 25 - Fairgrounds - 708-258-6592
Lake County, Indiana Fair (Crown Point, IN) - August 3 - 12 - 219-663-3617
Illinois State Fair - August 10 - 19 - 217-782-6661

Cure onions in a warm, dry place for two weeks before storing.

Sow beets, spinach and turnips now for the fall garden.

August - Ornamental

Dry flowers from your garden for year round enjoyment in arrangements or wreaths. Factsheet available.

Continue watering the lawn regularly if you want to keep it green.

Look for grub damage and sod webworms in the lawn. Treat only if insect population is high. Factsheet available.

Late in the month, establish new lawns or renovate poor quality ones.

Do not fertilize perennial flowers after August 10.

Order bulbs for fall planting.

Soak shrubs periodically during dry spells with enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of 8-10 inches.

Once bagworms reach full size, insecticides are ineffective. Pruning off and burning large bags provides better control.

Watch Scotch and Austrian pines now for Zimmerman pine moth damage. Factsheet available.

August - Indoors

Repot summer blooming orchids.

Watch for scale insects. They will appear as brown bumps on stems or leaves. Try dabbing a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol on them to kill the insects.

Gourmet cooking begins with fresh flavorful ingredients. What could be fresher than vegetables from the neighborhood farmers' market? Cruise the market first and find out what is in season and available. Then on the second time around make your selections. During July look for beets (tops and bottoms), cabbage, eggplant, bell peppers, little green onions, green beans (snap), summer squash and sweet corn among the local selections.

To make a terrific "Grilled Eggplant and Red Bell Pepper Panini," follow the simple instructions below. The word panini is Italian meaning roll or biscuit, according to the New Food Lovers Companion, second edition. Today, the term is used to describe a grilled Italian-style sandwich.

Grilled Eggplant & Red Bell Pepper Panini
2 small eggplants (about 3/4 pound each)
3 red bell peppers
3 1/4 inch thick slices of red onion
12 slices Vienna or Italian bread
Olive oil
1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
6 slices Provolone cheese
12 leaves spinach, stems removed
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, cut into strips

1. Prepare charcoal grill to medium-hot coals. Brush grid with olive oil.
2. Cut eggplant lengthwise into 1/2 inch thick slices, keeping six center cut pieces for the panini and reserving any leftovers for another use.
   
3. Cut bell peppers lengthwise into quarters, remove stem, veins and seeds. Brush eggplant, bell peppers and onion slices with salad dressing.
   
4. Brush one side of bread with olive oil.
   
5. Place vegetables on grill over medium hot coals. Grill about 5 minutes per side or until tender. Lay cheese over eggplant slices during last minute of grilling to melt slightly. Remove vegetables to a warm plate.
   
6. Place bread on the grill, olive oil side down and grill until lightly toasted. Remove.
   
7. Arrange spinach on six slices of bread. Separate onion slices into rings; arrange over spinach. Top each with grilled bell peppers and eggplant. Sprinkle pieces of basil over eggplant. Top with remaining grilled bread.

   Serves 6.

That old black magic – a cup of coffee, Espresso, Laté, Cappuccino, Café Mocha, the selection is growing, and, with a gourmet coffee shop on every corner, it sure isn't difficult to find a good cup of coffee these days. As Americans continue to drink more and more coffee some people are asking themselves "Am I drinking too much coffee? Well, how much is too much?

According to the American Dietetic Association's Complete Food and Nutrition Guide, "for most healthy adults, moderate amounts of caffeine – 200 to 300 milligrams a day, or about two cups of coffee – poses no physical problem." However, you should probably reduce caffeine consumption in coffee as well as soft drinks if you answer yes to any of the following questions.

• Is coffee taking the place of water and more healthy beverages in your diet?
  
• Are you having trouble sleeping?
  
• Are you pregnant or nursing?
  
• Do you have a medical condition such as high blood pressure, gastritis or ulcers?

Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance found in the leaves, seeds and/or fruit of over 63 plant species worldwide. The amount of caffeine in an 8 ounce cup of coffee depends largely on the preparation method. Brewed coffee has the most, 125-180 mg, instant 30-65 mg and Espresso has 80-100 mg per shot.

Since many prescription and over-the-counter drugs contain fair amounts of caffeine, one should probably check with a doctor concerning coffee consumption.

"America lacks the decadence required for a truly great coffeehouse," said Brian McNally, "but we're acquiring it, I think."

High cholesterol levels during childhood have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease in adulthood. Children and adolescents with a family history of heart disease need to have their cholesterol levels checked too. What are acceptable cholesterol levels for our children?

Classification	Total Cholesterol	LDL
Acceptable	Under 170	Under 110
Borderline	170 to 199	110 to 129
High	200 or more	130 or more

Cholesterol in the bloodstream comes from two sources. First, the liver produces cholesterol, which is necessary for some digestive functions. Cholesterol is also essential in the body's production of Vitamin D.

Secondly, cholesterol comes from the foods of an animal origin that we eat. Cholesterol is present in all food sources from animals that have a liver or liver-like organ because they make cholesterol, too. Therefore, foods high in dietary cholesterol include meat, shrimp, cheese, butter and eggs to name a few.

In order for cholesterol to travel through the blood stream, it must be coated with protein. LDL cholesterol is low-density lipoprotein. HDL cholesterol is high-density lipoprotein. High levels of LDL, also called bad cholesterol, can lead to cholesterol buildup in the arteries. HDL, also called good cholesterol, actually help to remove LDL from the blood stream reducing the risk of fatty buildup.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends blood cholesterol testing for children whose parents and grandparents have high cholesterol levels. High blood cholesterol is 240 mg/dl or higher. Parents and grandparents who have a history of stroke, atherosclerosis (blocked arteries) or heart disease put their children at increased risk.

The preferred treatment for children with high cholesterol is a reduced fat, saturated fat and cholesterol diet paired with increased exercise. Regular exercise increases HDL cholesterol and helps growing children maintain healthy weight.

For more information about children and cholesterol levels, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics website at www.aap.org and enter keyword, cholesterol.

...there is long-standing controversy about male and female eggplants? This is an inaccurate approach considering the fact that fruits are the product of sex and do not engage in it. Nevertheless, it is folk wisdom worth some attention. Eggplants have a dimple at the blossom end. The dimple can be very round or oval in shape. The round ones seem to have more seeds (female) and tend to be less meaty, so select the oval shaped (male) dimpled ones. For more information about eggplants and other garden vegetables, visit our Urban Resources web site at: www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/veggies.

...one in every four Americans live alone? Yet single-person households take in (and throw away) relatively more packaging than larger families of two or three. Why? Because larger families buy foods in larger containers which constitutes less waste.

...that honey is an invert sugar formed by an enzyme from natural floral nectar? The nectar is gathered by bees and manufactured into a stable, high energy food. Its composition and flavor will vary depending on the floral source. Honey contains predominately fructose and glucose, as well as maltose and sucrose. Most forms of honey contain 17 percent moisture; approximately 98 percent of the remaining solid is carbohydrate. One teaspoon of honey contains about 21 calories and hasdouble the sweetening power of regular table sugar (sucrose).