Crispy Pesto Gnocchi Skillet Delight

Cherry Tomatoes

• Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost, transplanting outdoors when all danger of frost has passed.
• Plant in full sun and well-drained, fertile soil, providing stakes or cages for support as they grow.
• Water consistently and deeply at the base of the plant to prevent blossom end rot and encourage fruit set.

Zucchini

• Direct sow seeds after the last frost when soil temperatures are warm, planting in full sun with ample space.
• Water deeply and consistently at the base of the plant to encourage strong growth and prevent powdery mildew.
• Consider companion planting with nasturtiums to deter squash bugs and borers.

Red Bell Pepper

• Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost and transplant outside when soil is warm and nights are above 55°F (13°C).
• Plant in full sun in rich, well-drained soil, providing consistent moisture without overwatering.
• Support taller pepper plants with stakes or cages to prevent branches from breaking under the weight of fruit.

Baby Potatoes

• Plant certified seed potatoes in early spring after the last frost, in loose, well-drained soil.
• As plants grow, 'hill' soil around the stems to cover tubers and prevent them from turning green.
• Provide consistent moisture, especially during flowering and tuber formation, but avoid waterlogging.

Fresh Basil

• Sow basil seeds directly after the last frost, or transplant seedlings when temperatures are consistently warm.
• Plant in a location with full sun and well-drained soil, keeping it consistently moist but not waterlogged.
• Pinch off the top set of leaves regularly to encourage bushier growth and delay flowering.

• Inspect tomato plants for hornworms and hand-pick them; they are large and easily spotted.

• Monitor zucchini plants for squash bugs and their eggs; hand-pick them or scrape eggs off leaves.

• Use yellow sticky traps to catch flying pests like whiteflies and fungus gnats, which can affect basil and peppers.

• Plant marigolds or nasturtiums nearby to deter aphids and other common garden pests from peppers and basil.

Cherry Tomatoes

• Harvest cherry tomatoes when they are fully colored, firm, and easily detach from the vine.
• Pick regularly to encourage the plant to produce more fruit throughout the season.
• Leaving ripe tomatoes on the vine too long can lead to cracking or over-softening.

Zucchini

• Harvest zucchini when they are young and tender, typically 6-8 inches long, for best flavor and texture.
• Cut the stem with a sharp knife, leaving a small piece attached to the fruit to prolong shelf life.
• Frequent harvesting encourages the plant to produce more fruit; if left too long, zucchini become watery and seedy.

Red Bell Pepper

• Harvest red bell peppers when they are fully red, firm, and have reached their mature size.
• Cut peppers from the plant with a sharp knife or shears, leaving a short stem attached.
• Picking ripe peppers regularly encourages the plant to continue producing more fruit.

Baby Potatoes

• For 'baby' potatoes, gently dig around the plant about 2-3 weeks after flowering, taking only a few small tubers.
• Harvest when tubers are small and tender, before the plant's foliage begins to die back.
• Avoid exposing harvested baby potatoes to direct sunlight to prevent them from turning green.

Fresh Basil

• Harvest basil leaves by pinching off stems just above a leaf node, encouraging new growth.
• For best flavor, harvest leaves in the morning after the dew has dried.
• If the plant begins to flower, pinch off the flower stalks immediately to prevent the leaves from becoming bitter.