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Now are the fruit rotting right after flowering or are they rotting a week or so after? Fruit rot, caused by lack of pollination, occurs when the fruits are still small and not yet growing. If this is the problem than you can try the hand pollination methods. Blossom end rot can be caused by...

Have you lost your sense of smell? :P I think many folks would find the anaerobic composting method a bit offensive due to the smell. Also, I think many folks are usually in a hurry to get more compost (not one of those myself though). Personally we have a few leaf piles (I mean big piles) that...

I certainly wouldn't think that it's a sign that they are trying to finish up for the season. My first thought with pale leaves is usually a nitrogen or other nutrient deficiency (perhaps iron?). How have you fertilized so far?

A higher phosphorus and lower nitrogen fertilizer may help promote some new flowers. Usually though, they will give a nice second crop if the weather is staying right, especially in so cal. We never had an issue with peppers. Good luck!

My watermelons are just starting to fruit (we got them in really late) and we still have some time for the growing season. Watermelons need plenty of warm weather and water to grow well as long as you got that for a couple more months you should be okay. Since they are mini watermelons you...

You can trim them back, I'm not exactly sure how much though. We have some growing in the yard for a few years and we keep them around 2 feet. If you trim back just a little they tend to produce lots of new growth. I wouldn't cut them all the way to the ground though.

I would recommend pinching off all new growth and removing any new flowers. This will allow the energy of the plant to go to the fruits and not towards the new growth. I have heard of the taking a spade to the roots method and from what I understand it's pretty effective. Good luck!

I would rinse, or shake or somehow clean up the brush in between plants. That would cause cross pollination. Just FYI, for most purposes, hand pollination of tomatoes is rarely needed even in the most sterile of situations (greenhouse applications, etc). Tomatoes not setting fruit is much more...

They will probably grow a little as they start to turn but don't expect any big jumps. IME, I think some of the biggest factors for growing bigger pumpkins is lots of water and warm growing conditions. Like most plants, the pumpkins will set fruit and start to grow and keep growing until they...

There are many more that are not crack resistant than are, so to list would take too much time. However, there are a few beefsteaks that are more prone to cracking. Marglobe is a great beefsteak that's resistant to cracking and most wilts. It's also an early variety that does well in cooler...

All depending on they type of seeds they can be easily saved. Most seeds can be dried out in a paper bag or on top of newspaper on a cool, dry and dark shelf. After about 1-3 weeks of drying they can be stored in a similar fashion either in paper envelopes or jars with silica gel inserts. The...

The reason infrequent or inconsistent watering causing cracking on the fruits is due to the fact that the inside of the fruit grows much faster than the outside can and therefore causing the cracks. That being said, there are some other causes of fruit cracking Too much nitrogen fertilizer can...

silkichicken recommends what I usually do. When the fruits are small then you should turn them before the get larger. Or, you might be able to move the fruit and the whole vine. Just pick up the vine as you move the fruit so that it's higher than the fruit and rotate the pumpkin carefully...

LOL. I meant dark warm place. oops. :P

If planted in a container, true you could have a problem with watering. Also, if planted shallow or if not watered deep enough. Since you said that watering sometimes brings it back and sometimes it doesn't then it's safer to assume that watering isn't the issue. However, it may be if you're...

Anaheim peppers can be used as Chile Rellenos or stuffed peppers. Roast them first (they take on a whole new flavor), peel the skins, stuff with cheese, dredge in an egg mixture and then in flour and fry until golden. They are nice in chili as well.

Great find! Is it flowering? What does it look like? IME, it's been best to move roses in the early spring/late winter right before they start to put on growth for the new season. I usually move them and wait to cut any dead or winter damaged branches until after they have been transplanted...

Good to know! Nice to see that there is still hopes to those little mishaps. Thanks!

punkin makes a good point. Temps below 60 degrees will cause melons to slow or completely stop growing. As will too much water or too little water. Good news is that this should only be temporary and as soon as the temps pick up again they should start growing again. You can possibly help heat...

It does seem a little odd that more haven't produced and the vines are that big. How is the water supply? Pumpkins need a lot of water during the growing season and many varieties will not produce if water isn't in sufficient supply. Also, another reason may be excessive amounts of nitrogen...