Help! Overwhelmed New Gardener!

Hi,

So this is my first foray into vegetable gardening and boy have I been through it all. I am raising vegetables from seeds in 2 raised beds and have many different varieties in the beds. So where to start with all of my questions and concerns:
1) I have NO zucchini, while all of my neighbors have huge harvests of zucchini's. I planted black beauty, summer squash, and patty pan and haven't had not a one. Can some one advise what is up? Zillions of flowers but no fruits! I've even tried to help pollenate them!
2) My pepper leaves are being eaten to death, as well as my edamame leaves, unfortunately I don't see any signs of the trespasser except what he's done while I am away! Can some one suggest a safe, organic pest control?
3) My red bell peppers are rotting on the plant. It doesn't look like BER, but I am a novice so I have no clue what it means. I can provide pictures for any one who wants to see whats going on. NYC and the surrounding areas have had an intense heat wave with no rain, even though I have been watering regularly maybe I am still doing something wrong?
4) Tomato Hornworms, found one and haven't seen any since. This morning I found what looked like the cereal "Grapenuts" on my tomato leaves, is that Hornworm droppings? Strangely enough they haven't even tasted my tomato plants. Should I search and destroy regardless?
and lastly....
5) Snowpeas and Sugar Snap are turning yellow from the bottom up, have they reached the end of their life?

Thanks in advance, I know it's a lot!!

I can offer a few possibilities. Can't help with the "no zucchini" because I often have that problem myself - poor pollination. Eventually the male and female flowers should regulate so you get something! I have read something about removing the male flowers gently in the morning when they open and keeping them cool in the house. Then shake their contents into the female flowers later in the day when they open. Other people use fine paint brushes. I have never tried the pollinating and accept what I get per plant even it it's only a couple.
I think the peppers could be a slug problem. I use SLUGGO and find it great. Or you can use Diatomaceous Earth - both are organic. Don't know what to say about the red bell peppers - too much water? possible disease - someone else with more experience will have to help out here.
Peas are probably reaching their end - with all this heat mine are and in general it's the right time for them to start going backwards. With the tomato hornworms just stay vigilant - sounds like you have one - it's always a great adventure to see if you can spot it since they blend in so well!
Good Luck! You are trying to juggle a lot of different veggies but you'll get the hang of it. I've been growing veggies for years and am still just getting the hang of it since conditions vary so much from year to year! Don't despair! LOL

Thanks so much! I went out early this morning about 6:00am and found a hornworm. It was so satisfying to pry him from my tomatoes and plop him into a soapy death. Does that make me a sadist? Ahh the thrill of the hunt. I will try the trick with the zucchinis, I am just about desperate right now.

The grapenuts droppings indicate that you have a Harry Hornworm. Search and destroy (or at least move him waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay across the yard somewhere -- he actually turns into a beautiful moth and, while they have a ravenous appetite for tomato plants, they are one of God's beautiful creatures and deserve a chance somewhere else...)

Pepper leaves: go out at night and see if you've got slugs (they will eat ANYTHING)... if it's slugs, you can just pick 'em off and drop in a jar of beer. Or, you can put out a little cup of beer, sort of buried in the dirt so the top of the cup is even with the dirt level. The slugs are very attracted to the beer, they will go drink it, get drunk, and fall in. You can just empty the cup every couple of days.

As for the hornworm, yes, it makes you a sadist, but you are channeling your evil for the good of society, so it's okay.

Zucchini: I pick male flowers, pull off all the petals, and sort of smush (gently) all over any females. Usually, the bees will figure it out, and start to take care of it for me. Keep in mind, when the plant first starts to flower, there are often just males... takes awhile for any females to show up.

I am happy to report that lastnight I harvested my first zucchini! I was so startled to see it that I literally screamed!! Very exciting to finally have one.

I can't see my zucchini plant under my tomatoes anymore, it got smooshed, maybe some zucchinis are growing though. Congrats on your first harvest!