The pyrethroid class of pesticides are often recommended to combat corn earworms. However, there are also signs that the insect is becoming resistant to these pesticides.Since only certain varieties of pesticides may be approved for use in your area, you should always ask your county extension office for advice on selecting a product. As soon as your plants begin to approach maturity, check them regularly. You'll want to begin spraying pesticides when ten percent of your ears have begun to silk. For best results, spray your plants from the ground rather than the air. Use an approved pesticide applicator and set it to 30 psi or higher. As you spray, aim the nozzle to cover the silks, but protect the middle third of the plants. After the first application, continue spraying at three to five day intervals until the silk on ninety percent of the ears has wilted. In some warmer areas, you may need to spray even more frequently. Check with your county extension office for advice.

Summary: Select an approved pesticide. Monitor when your plants produce silk. Spray your plants. Repeat the pesticide application at regular intervals.

The Ti plant is an evergreen shrub native to Hawaii with smooth blade-shaped leaves measuring about four inches wide and range from one to two feet in length. You can also use banana leaves. Wrapping your mahi mahi in leaves helps the fish steam slowly, keeping its juices as it cooks. If using frozen leaves, be sure to de-thaw them first. For Ti leaves, cut each leaf along the center of the rib and throw the rib away. Look for fresh Ti leaves at a Mexican or Asian market. For banana leaves, soak the leaf in water to soften it (about 1 to 2 minutes) and tear 12 long strips from 1 or 2 leaves and boil for 30 seconds before draining. Cut 24 more strips, each about 12 inches by 3 inches and set them aside. Carefully slice your mahi mahi into 12 equal pieces (about 2 in. by 2 in). If working with frozen filets, defrost them before cutting. Press lightly when cutting. The fish is delicate and you can easily crush the filets with too much pressure. Place your mahi mahi slices on a plate together and leave it in your refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. You can drizzle lemon or lime juice, salt, pepper, fresh or dried herbs, or any seasonings you prefer onto the mahi mahi pieces while they chill. Arrange two strips of Ti leaves or banana leaves on top of one another in a cross shape. Your piece of fish should fit in the center of the cross without overlaying. You will use the sides of the leaves to wrap your piece of fish for steaming later. Top with grilled vegetables if you prefer. Begin with the lower strip and carefully fold the leaves over the filling by alternating strips in a cross shape. Use each new strip to fold the loose end of the previous strip over the filling. Tuck the last strip beneath the packet. Tie closed with the thinner boiled strips you prepared earlier. Repeat for the rest of your mahi mahi pieces. Use a rack or steamer basket in a large pot with water until it rests just inch below the top of the rack or basket. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Carefully place your fish packets in a single layer on the rack or in the basket. Do not stack your packets. Steam in batches if necessary. Cover the pot or rack and cook for 6-10 minutes (or until fish it barely opaque in the center). You may need to gently open one of your packets and cut to test. Gently remove your packets from the steamer and tip them slightly to drain any water than may have gathered inside. Serve hot or warm. Serve with rice or lime wedges.

Summary: Get some Ti or banana leaves to wrap your mahi mahi. Prepare your leaves. Cut your mahi mahi. Chill your mahi mahi slices. Pack your mahi mahi. Fold your leaves closed. Set up your steamer. Cook your mahi mahi. Serve.

Most classic love songs use mainly acoustic instruments. When you're writing your melody, stick with acoustic instruments. Piano and acoustic guitar are the most popular for writing love songs. Most love songs are written in major keys. They sound more romantic and uplifting. The exact key you choose will depend on your vocal range, but as long as you stick with a major key, you've got a good place to start. G, C, D, and A major are the most common major keys. If you're not exactly sure which key you should use, start with G major. Most voices sound good in G major. If your lyrics are very tender or describe a particularly romantic moment with your boyfriend or girlfriend, you'll want to match them to a slower tempo. If your lyrics are about fun you've had with your boyfriend or girlfriend or something more upbeat, choose a quicker tempo. You can find metronomes online, which you can adjust to the tempo you want to use. They'll help you write your song in rhythm. Most ballads have a tempo of about 88 beats per minute. More upbeat love songs have a tempo of around 100-115 beats per minute. You don't want to write a song for your boyfriend or girlfriend, only to find out you can't sing it! Write most of the melody so that it falls in the middle of your range. Those exact notes will depend on what type of voice you have, but you shouldn't ever feel like you're straining your vocal chords while you're singing your melody. An upward lift, or a jump to higher notes, is a great choice for the climax of a love song. It mimics the way a person's heart leaps when they see or talk about the person they love. You can add this leap in the final chorus of your song or in the last verse. How much of a leap you write depends on your vocal abilities. Don't leap too far and end up with notes you can't sing. You might have to try out a few different leaps before you get it exactly right.

Summary: Use an acoustic instrument. Choose a major key. Match your tempo to your lyrics. Write most of the melody for your middle range. Use higher notes for the emotional climax of the song.

Aprons can be short, around the lap and waist, or tall, covering the majority of the front of your body. This tutorial uses an apron pattern that covers most of the torso, but you can use a similar process with your own pattern. You will need to have 1/2 yard (46 cm) of 2 types of fabric to finish your apron. You can also use fabric scraps for the strips and larger pieces of fabric for the body. You should use different fabric from the front apron square. Try to use coordinating, but different fabrics for all of your strips because they will be sewn onto the front square of your apron. You need 4 strips that are 3 inches wide and 18 inches (8 by 47 cm) long.
Summary: Find an apron pattern that you like. Find 2 to 4 types of coordinating, but different fabric. Cut a strip of fabric 3 inches wide and 16 inches (8 by 41 cm) long. Cut another strip of fabric that is 3 inches wide and 18.5 inches (8 by 47 cm) long. Cut your ties.