Q: Dear Dave, I found an article in one of your recent newsletters about putting chile powder in the bird feeder to keep out squirrels. My Mom has always had trouble with squirrels so I forwarded the article to her. She lives in SC where apparently the squirrels have quite a passion for spicy food because it seems that they …
Intense Questions
Q: Greetings Dave- I am new to gardening, and know enough to be dangerous. This is a detailed message in hopes you can best assist with my issue. I decided to grow peppers, tomatoes, and some herbs in a raised bed garden this year. My peppers started out great and began to flower and bud quite well, but in the …
Grow Light Timing
Q: Dave, For chile seedlings, we have always keep grow lights on for 16 hours daily and I thought I was on solid ground with this schedule. Now I am not so sure and have read conflicting data. Should grow lights be on for only part of a 24 hour day or keep on 24/7? What is the rationale for …
Capsaicin Cream
Q: Hi Dave, I am using a Lakota product that has 0.025 capsaicin in it and was wondering if this is a safe product to use. I am using it for arthritic pain in my shoulders. I would appreciate your input. Thank-you for your time.CathyA: Hello Cathy: All I can say is that commercial creams for arthritis containing capsaicin are …
Indoor Growing
Q: Dave, I am looking for a hot pepper that I can keep as a indoor plant. I would prefer a tall, bushy and deep green one.Nathan and MelissaA: Hello Nathan and Melissa: Unless you have a sunroom, chiles are difficult to grow indoors because they need so much light. They are also susceptible to aphids, white fly, and mealy …