Growing Collard Greens is simple and rewarding due to their high nutritional value. These leafy vegetables prefer cool weather and are adaptable to a range of soil pH levels. They are susceptible to common cabbage family pests and diseases but can be protected with a floating row cover and crop rotation. For optimal taste, harvest them after the first frost.
How To Grow Cauliflower Cauliflower is a member of the Brassica family (cabbage family) that grows in the cool season. It requires good timing in order to get the cauliflower to develop. If planted late in spring, it may get too warm, and then the …
If I was asked, ‘What is your favorite vegetable?’, I think I would say it is corn. Corn is originally from Southern Mexico and the corn we eat today is believed to be a cross between two plants: maize and teosinte (a bushier plant). Corn is grown all over the world and the varieties are quite numerous. There are nine different types of corn.
Blue corn was developed by the Hopi Indians, and it’s presently grown in Mexico, Arizona and New Mexico. There is a difference between the white and yellow corn we grow versus blue corn. The advantage of blue corn is that it has a higher protein content and lower glycemic index. This means that the conversion of the food to sugar occurs at a slower pace.
Corn has a number of vitamins, trace minerals and salt. It does have what some people perceive as a high carbohydrate content of six percent per ear of corn. When you take into account all the other benefits from ten percent protein, vitamins and minerals, as well as the ten percent of fiber per ear, has high antioxidant content, it’s really not a fair evaluation. To learn more about how to grow corn along with many other vegetables purchase ‘Garden the Organic Way‘ https://gardentheorganicway.etsy.com
Most genetically modified (GMO) corn is the field corn not the sweet corn. Though Monsanto has introduced GMO sweet corn, the percentages in its usage are way less than the field corn. Don’t hesitate to ask the farmer if the corn is GMO. There are usually labels with numbers in the field that are the identifying mark of GMO corn. Look for packaging that says non-GMO corn.
F1 seed is not GMO but rather a hybrid that is usually resistant to some types of disease.
Lastly, when you buy the seed, it will say treated if it is treated. This means that some type of fungicide or the like has been applied to it. Otherwise, the seed will be white, yellow or the natural blue for the blue corn or the true color of the popcorn that you requested. There are companies selling organic corn seed and non-hybrid seeds.
You need a good amount of space for the kernels to get fully pollinated and developed. Otherwise, it’s easy to grow, provided you have lots of warm weather, full sun, good fertile soil and a lot of water.
You shouldn’t just plant one or two rows of corn. The reason is that corn is cross pollinated by wind and each kernel has to be individually pollinated in order to develop. Therefore, it should be planted in blocks or squares of at least four rows around ten feet by ten feet.
Within the row the plants should be between eight to twelve inches apart, and between rows they should be thirty to thirty-six inches apart. The seed should be one inch deep. Do not use transplants for corn.
If you add lots of compost and have a good amount of fertility, you can plant using the closer distances; otherwise, use the distance with more space.
Now that the space is settled, you may choose to plant multiple varieties in order to have a continuous harvest all season long. To learn about companion planting see my blog https://gardeningtheorganicway.com/?s=growing+beans
You would start the first planting after the soil temperatures are above 65°F; in the Northeast it would be sometime in May. Corn will not germinate at temperatures below 55°F. If you want to get a jump on the season, you can cover the area with a thick layer of straw mulch in the fall. Then you can remove the straw, which may be partially frozen, and allow the soil to warm up naturally. You can also use black plastic for a week but it is not recyclable or truly organic. Either technique will increase the soil temperature. There are a few ways to stretch the growing season for corn:
Keep in mind that all varieties will cross pollinate with each other. Say you plant a popcorn variety with a sweet corn. These will cross, giving you a lesser sweet corn and a popcorn that will dry slower. Therefore, leave fifty feet between any given varieties if they happen to mature at the same time. If your neighbor is also growing corn, make sure you have at least this distance, as they could be growing GMO corn. This is how Monsanto was able to wipe out thousands of acres from farmers across the world, by planting their own seed corn next to their original heirloom varieties, and then claiming the seed as theirs, because Monsanto’s seed is proprietary.
Depending on the variety, the sweetness and taste will vary lightly. Kernels of corn comes in multiple colors: white, bicolor, yellow. The sweetness of the corn varies depending on the hybridization they have gone through.
My recommendation is to plant a few varieties of corn or at least different varieties each year. A lot of the original seeds are no longer available, and I’m always concerned about using the “standard” currently grown commercially. How dependent are they on chemicals? And how prone are the popular varieties to insects and diseases? Not having tried all these varieties, I will not comment, but rather ask you, the growers, to take note and be observant.
Corn is a heavy feeder. Therefore, add lots of organic matter and composted manure; plant a cover crop, such as clover, the season before and incorporate it, followed by compost. This way, the soil will be rich in nutrients.
Once the tassels and silks appear, give it a side dressing with an organic fertilizer or some compost tea. You may need to give it a second side dressing if you notice the leaves turning light green – this means that nitrogen is lacking. Maintain consistent moisture in order to allow the nutrients to be available to the plant.
Corn only has to be weeded in the early stages. Once the corn is around a foot tall, you don’t need to weed it.
You want to wait until the ears get fully developed and are plump. The silks start to turn brown and begin to dry up. It is important to harvest the corn shortly after it matures, as it will start to turn to starch and lose it’s sweetness.
I have been asked about doing the traditional corn, bean and squash planting. Some have stated that it didn’t work or they had problems. A few tips to keep in mind is that you should use popcorn, field corn that will be used for flour or meal or animal feed, or ornamental corn. This means that the corn will have to be fully mature and dry before harvesting.
Happy planting, and enjoy a real treat, sweet corn!
Sweet potatoes, native to South America, are diverse; some resemble yams, and others, “Jerseys”, which cater to northern climates. They thrive in warm conditions, are drought-resistant and require well-drained soil. Plant slips derived from stored sweet potatoes in fertile soil and maintain adequate lighting and temperature for growth. These vegetables need periodic fertilization but refrain from pruning. During dry summers, water them thoroughly and reduce water prior to harvest to prevent rot. The whole plant is edible and can be harvested around 85 days post-planting. Ideally, sweet potatoes should be cured for 4-8 days before storage.
Peppers, originating from Latin America around 7500 BC, come in a wide variety of types and heat intensities, determined by the concentration of capsaicinoids. Growing peppers requires sunlight, well-drained soil, and ample space, and the plants may be susceptible to aphids and diseases like the cucumber mosaic virus. Harvest time varies from fifty to ninety days, usually depending on the pepper variety. Extreme heat peppers, reaching up to 2.2 million heat units, are even consumed by certain interest groups.
Growing watermelon it’s great for kids during those summer months. In the northern states you just have to use transplants, as the season may not be long enough. Usually, around June 1st is a safe time to get all your summer vegetables in without having to worry about those cold evenings. Watermelons are true summer vegetables that need lots of sun, warmth, nutrition and a good amount of moisture.
Watermelons grow very quickly once the weather warms up. They need lots of water and should be planted with a good amount of humus. There are many varieties today that range from seedless and small sized fruit, to short season and heirlooms. There are bush varieties that are great for small spaces and can be grown in containers, or some types that are climbing or vine, which can take lots more room for producing large fruit.
For best results in the northern areas, choose varieties that are short season and use transplants. Even if growing in warmer climates, the use of transplants will have you producing a much earlier crop than if you go direct seeded. Also, to increase the season, you can place these outdoors and then put a fabric row cover to keep them warm. Mulching them is also very helpful to keep the soil warm and maintain even moisture. It’s important to remove the fabric cover once the plants start to send flowers, in order to allow pollination to take place. Learn more about this family and many more vegetables from my book ‘Garden the Organic Way‘ https://gardentheorganicway.etsy.com
They need anywhere from three feet to twenty feet of room for them to spread. It all depends on the variety you choose. Therefore, look at the spread requirements and how it compares to your situation. Unless you have the space or the means to trellis them, choose smaller varieties.
Best to direct seed only after the soil has warmed up to 70° F. The seeds germinate in very warm weather, like high 80’s to 90’s, in just a few days. If the temperature is in the 70’s, then germination can take about a week or even longer. One way to speed the germination is to soak them overnight and, once planted, place them under a row cover until the weather gets real warm. To read about starting seedlings see the blog https://gardeningtheorganicway.com/vegetables/how-to-start-seedlings/
Start seeds indoors two to four weeks before placing them outdoors. This helps to get ahead of the season or, in some locations, to give the plants enough time to produce. See YouTube video on hardening off https://youtu.be/Nzj_SZDSOnE
You can place up to three plants per hill if growing the non-spreading smaller varieties. Otherwise it is best to do just two plants per hill to give enough room for the vining varieties that spread. Plants need to be kept properly watered until they start to flower.
You can grow watermelons under trellis to conserve space and also to help with air circulation, which in turn helps prevent diseases. Trellis them against a fence, especially if they are the smaller fruit varieties. Trellising watermelons will not work with the large traditional varieties that can weigh over twenty pounds. You can use an old pantyhose, if someone still wears them, or netting or some type of fabric to hold and anchor the fruit to the fence or trellis. Usually, if you are trellising against a fence, the fence will help support the netting.
It is important to harvest watermelon only after they are ripe as they don’t ripen after harvest like other fruits. The underside of the fruit where it touches the ground develops a yellow white light color. When they trellised then it should be full and have equal symmetry. When you tap it with your thumb there is a hollow sound that is heard, like a large deep sound from a drum. Lastly the stem attached starts to turn brown.
Insects and Diseases – It is tough to control these when growing organically, but these few tips should be quite helpful. In the early stages of growth it’s important to protect the plants from striped or spotted cucumber beetles that can easily devour your plants as well as transmit bacterial wilt disease.
The squash vine borer can readily attack them as well. The adult moth lays its egg at the base of the plant. Within a short time, you would see a saw-dust like material oozing out from the stem at the base of the plant. You can do surgery to the base by cutting lengthwise versus across the stem. Then you can remove the grubs. Afterwards, tie a small piece of cloth, like cheesecloth, to the base to keep it closed.
The flea beetles can also be a problem. If you get enough fruit forming that you are comfortable with and want to protect from flea beetles, you can place the row cover again.
I like to use a cloth row cover until the plants are older and ready to bloom. This way, it will protect against all of the above insects and give the plant enough strength to survive the balance of the season.
Cucumber mosaic virus is transmitted by cucumber beetles and by aphids. The best control is to use resistant varieties and to remove infected plants as soon as any signs appear.
For powdery mildew, the best control is not crowding the plants and giving plenty of circulation. It is best to water early in the morning. You can get ‘Garden the Organic Way’ as an eBook http://Amazon- Garden the Organic Way
In the summer, some vegetables like lima beans, bush beans, okra, and corn can be direct seed once soil temperatures reach 60°F. For certain vegetables like cantaloupes, cucumbers, and peppers, consider using store-bought seedlings or soaking seeds to speed up germination. Choosing short-season watermelon varieties and using row covers can expedite the growing process. For more information on organic growing practices, visit “Garden the Organic Way” at Etsy or Amazon.
Some vegetables require pollinators for successful growth, benefiting both plants and bees. Examples of essential pollination-dependent vegetables include cucumbers, peppers, and various berries, along with fruit trees like apple, cherry, pear, and plum. Bees play a crucial role in pollinating a wide range of foods, including apples, blackberries, cucumbers, and strawberries.
How To Grow Summer Squash
Summer Squash is a seasonal vegetable that requires warm temperatures in order for it to grow nicely. We actually consume the immature fruit while the skin is still soft and edible. They are relatively fast producers not requiring a lot of space as heavy producers. Don’t grow too many plants or you will be inundated with squash.
There are four different types of summer squashes. Yellow summer squash, both straightneck and the crooked neck, grow like a small compact bush. Patty pan squash or scalloped squash are scalloped-shaped and can range in color from yellow, white to green. Zucchini are straight and mostly dark green. The last is the Mideast or Cousa varieties; these are smaller than the zucchini and are lighter in color.
Squashes can go from mid-summer to early fall, producing continuously. They produce fruit and edible flowers that can be stuffed or battered and fried.
In Northern parts, planting season can vary depending on weather conditions, but temperatures should be above 60° F. You can be direct seed or you can utilize transplants. If you direct seed, place two seeds per spot and thin down to one by cutting the extra versus pulling it. They germinate very quickly. The warmer the soil, the better they grow.
Plant about two to three feet apart between plants and usually spread to about four feet wide. Because they tend to produce quickly, you can also plant them as late as mid-July. They require full sun and need well-drained soil with good fertility.
They require lots of water for proper fruit development; therefore, incorporating compost before planting is a good idea in order to help hold in the moisture. Using straw mulch helps keeps the soil moist, especially in the hot dry summer months. Water the base of the plant and avoid watering the actual leaves in order to prevent the spread of powdery mildew.
For more watering tips see my video: https://youtu.be/7MJw3IJ2CG8
It is best to wait until the plant starts blooming before applying a side dressing or watering with compost tea.
Many varieties will send out the male flowers one to two weeks before the female flowers appear. It is to attract bees needed for pollination. The female flowers need to be cross pollinated by the pollen from male flowers. But if there is a heavy rain period or if the temperatures get real hot, the bees don’t come out. The result is that the flowers drop or don’t develop.
Plant a variety of flowers and keep the garden free of chemicals in order to attract the bees.
Yellow squashes and zucchini should be harvested during the early stages while they are six to eight inches long and a few inches thick. The patty pan should be around five to seven inches wide. If you allow the fruit to develop longer, a few things will happen: first, the seeds will harden and so will the skin, which make it tough to eat; secondly, the plant will stop sending flowers. Purchase ‘Garden the Organic Way’ and become an expert gardener. The gardening book offers multiple topics and comprehensive list of vegetable plants, how to attract pollinators, as well as various topics that will make you an expert gardener. https://gardentheorganicway.etsy.com
Squash plants quickly grow their fruit, which can easily become hidden under large leaves. Check the plant daily. They only store for about a week in the refrigerator.
For further reading about other summer vegetables take a look at my blog on other summer plantings. https://gardeningtheorganicway.com/vegetables/summer-plantings/
Squash vine borer – if you don’t cover the plants, then the best way is to inspect them daily. If you see any residue coming from the base of the plant, it’s probably the squash vine borer. You can perform surgery on the plant and save it. To remove and kill the borers, cut the stem lengthwise. Then, you wrap a cheesecloth around the stem. Most likely, the plant will be weaken but will probably finish out the season.
Stripped cucumber beetle and spotted cucumber beetle – the only thing I found that works is using row covers. I use the lightweight ones during the summer months. These beetles fly quickly, bury themselves in soil and spread bacterial wilt.
This video provides additional information on the use of row covers for insect control, including their availability in different sizes and weights, their effectiveness in preventing insect damage, and their role in protecting crops from pests and extending the growing season. https://youtu.be/w8Gp2QkqFXo
Why don’t I get beets or radishes, only leaves? I often get asked this question. Watch video for a complete answer. When you are getting only leaves in beets or radishes without bulb formation can be attributed to several reasons. The following factors may contribute …
Lightweight row covers offer several advantages for protecting your crops. The biggest benefit is their effectiveness in controlling insect infestations. By placing the row cover immediately after planting, whether in spring, summer, or fall, you can prevent pests from damaging your crops. Additionally, the extra warmth provided by the fabric promotes faster vegetable development in spring and extends the growing season in the fall. This method is highly effective in controlling insects without the use of any chemicals.
It’s hard to explain on paper how to prune tomatoes. I’m providing some pictures. Therefore, if I don’t do a good job in explaining this process now, please email me. You can also take my full course on the tomato family. The link is further down
Intermediate and indeterminate tomatoes are the ones that need pruning due to the vast amount of suckers they send out. The suckers can be from the base of the plant or in between the main stem and the leaves. These suckers develop into full-fledged plants that bloom and produce tomatoes.
Many studies have been made to determine the value of pruning. The results are very consistent in showing that pruning will increase your yield, as the tomato plants tend to send so many suckers. These suckers take up a lot of the plant energy by producing lots of leaves and a whole new plant. Therefore, less energy is going into fruit production; instead it’s all going into making leaves. So, if all the energy is going to produce leaves, there will be less fruit. So many leaves increase the potential for disease due to decrease in circulation and aeration.
When you see suckers coming up from the roots or the base of the soil, prune these away.
To learn all about growing tomatoes, peppers, potatoes and eggplants, take my course. It includes videos providing additional information on how to prune tomatoes, the growing practices of this whole Solanaceous family which includes tomatoes. Videos created to explain this process. Course on tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and potatoes
Otherwise, the yields will be less. Many people think it’s the top that gets pruned, and the tips. This is not the case at all. You can prune the top but the suckers will continue to grow.
Why don’t we prune away the one sucker right below the first flower? Several studies have found that the additional growth hormones, which come into play as the plant transitions from a growing stage to a fruiting stage, are found in great numbers right by the first flower. The yield is just as high as the main plant. Proportionally, the fruit ratio is higher than the leaf ratio. Unlike the rest of the suckers, which produce a lot of leaves and less fruit by comparison.
You will then remove all the other suckers growing between the stem and the leaves. You will also remove any suckers from the one sucker that you have allowed to develop, as all suckers behave in the same way as a regular plant.
The end result is a two-plant system developing with one root stock. When you stake the main plant, also have a second stake for the extra plant you will allow to develop.
To read more about growing tomatoes read the blog https://gardeningtheorganicway.com/vegetables/grow-great-tomatoes/
Purchase ‘Garden the Organic Way’ and become an expert gardener. Garden the Organic Way is a comprehensive guide to organic gardening, designed for all skill levels. The book provides methods for growing delicious, pesticide-free vegetables using sustainable practices. Garden the Organic Way presents an engaging, practical guide with lots of tips on how to garden successfully.
Happy growing!
How much watering of the garden? The right amount of water is crucial for best results. If you over-water you can run into diseases and rot. Under-watering can reduce growth, place the plant under great stress and even death. Therefore, watering the garden has to …
Growing great tomatoes is a rewarding endeavor, especially when done organically. Tomatoes, part of the nightshade family, are easy to grow and offer various types, sizes, and flavors. Understanding their growing requirements, such as warm temperatures, sunlight, and well-drained soil, is essential. Additionally, factors like staking, bloom length, disease resistance, and proper watering contribute to a successful harvest. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy a bountiful crop of delicious, pesticide-free tomatoes.
Today’s video is about the benefits of raised garden beds and why I think it is one the easiest and best ways to garden.
This is a list of some on the benefits of raised garden beds.
This video provides additional information on the benefits of a raised beds. Subscribe to my channel to learn more about organic gardening and how to become an expert gardener.
Watch this video where I guide you through the step-by-step process of building one. I’ll also cover the best dimensions to use, and you can easily complete the project on your own. Building a raised bed
Get your paperback copy: ‘Garden the Organic Way’ and become an expert gardener. Garden the Organic Way is a comprehensive guide to organic gardening, designed for all skill levels. The book provides methods for growing delicious, pesticide-free vegetables using sustainable practices. Garden the Organic Way presents an engaging, practical guide with lots of tips on how to garden successfully. https://gardentheorganicway.etsy.com
To learn how to fill your bed with the proper soil, I recommend reading my blog on soil restoration. Soil restoration and filling the raised bed
Or take my all encompassing soil course which is On SALE NOW at a great price until February 7, 2024. Learn about soil microbes, creating black gold and restoring the soil into a fertile ground. Just some of the topics covered. Soil, The Key to Organic Gardening