Question
I live in Jacksonville Fl. My pepper plants keep shedding their leaves and produce very few peppers or none at all.

My butternut squash is growing and taking over the yard, is it  OK to trim the guides so they stop getting longer? Will they grow side shoots?

Answer
Zita:

I suspect that your peppers may have a fungus or they are not getting enough fertilizer and water. I think that a good organic fertilizer worked lightly into the soil and watered in might help.

Regarding the squash let them grow and take over the area and enjoy it. Don't discourage them by dammaging the shoots.

Let me know how you make out with the pepper plants.

Best wishes.

Don