Helga George

Helga George caught the gardening bug from her parents at a very young age, and it continues unabated. Helga was fascinated that plants make chemicals to defend themselves, which led to her childhood dream to become a plant scientist. Helga earned a BS in Agriculture with a specialization in Plant Science from Cornell University and took multiple courses in plant pathology, entomology, and soil science. She has two advanced degrees in Plant Pathology, including a PhD from Cornell. Helga transitioned to professional writing in 2009 and has written extensively about plant pests and diseases. She relaxes by reading about politics, science, and agriculture. You can see her writing samples at https://www.plantsrule.com/.

23 Tomato Pests – How to Identify, Treat, and Prevent Them

Last updated on July 31, 2023

By Helga George

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Not only are tomatoes the most widely consumed vegetable in the world, they are the “quintessential” crop for backyard gardeners. However, many pests find tomato fruits and plants as delectable as we do. Many different pests attack tomato plants from the time they first emerge from the soil to the time that your tomatoes are … Read more

14 Cucumber Pests – How to Identify and Prevent Them

Last updated on September 1, 2023

By Helga George

BackyardGardenersNetwork is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our website, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here.

Cucumbers have been grown as food for millennia – more than 3,000 years according to cave excavations. They have persisted as popular vegetables and are a favorite of backyard gardeners. Cucumbers were one of the top five garden vegetables in the US as of 2014 according to David Trinklein of the University of Missouri. Unfortunately, … Read more