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.
Growing summer squash requires warm temperatures, well-drained soil, and ample space. The four types of summer squash produce continuously from mid-summer to early fall. Harvest the fruit when young for best taste. Be vigilant against pests and diseases like squash vine borers and powdery mildew. Water at the base to prevent leaf-related issues and attract bees for pollination.
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.
The blog provides valuable insights into the pruning of tomatoes, emphasizing the importance of proper pruning techniques for maximizing yield and plant health. It also highlights the significance of identifying and managing suckers, particularly in the context of indeterminate and intermediate tomato varieties. The content offers practical advice on when and how to prune, as well as the exceptions to the pruning process, backed by scientific findings on growth hormones and plant development. Additionally, it encourages further learning through a comprehensive course on the tomato family, providing a link for interested individuals. The blog effectively combines practical guidance with scientific evidence, making it a valuable resource for both novice and experienced gardeners.
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.
Here in the Northeast gardening is in full swing in early spring. Some spring tasks are important to do early in the season, whether you are a beginner or a well-seasoned gardener. Soil Fertility: Here are the steps Want to increase your soil’s microbe population …
Traditional research is mostly focused on chemicals, growth hormones, GMO’s, and an array of company-funded projects but not on companion planting. Few researchers are venturing out and doing innovative work that benefits the small individual gardener or small organic farm. But times are changing, and …
Timing and Temperature Requirements Growing carrots is easy once they germinate. Carrots are a cool season crop of the same family as parsley but will tolerate some heat depending on the variety. The ideal temperature for root development is when the soil is between 60°F …
How to grow broccoli rabe: Here in the US they use the name broccoli rabe (or raab) for a vegetable commonly grown in the Mediterranean and Asia. It’s also known as rapini, broccoletti or broccoletti. It belongs to the cabbage family of broccoli, collards, kale …
The provided information about growing kohlrabi is a comprehensive guide that covers various aspects of planting, maintenance, harvesting, and pest control. It includes details on the plant’s characteristics, ideal growing conditions, and practical tips for successful cultivation.
By following these guidelines, both novice and experienced gardeners can effectively grow kohlrabi and enjoy its nutritious bulbs and leaves.
Parsley, a member of the carrot and celery family, is a cold-weather plant that can thrive from spring to late fall, enduring some frost. It’s a biennial, but it’s best grown as an annual due to its quick transition to seed production in the second year. There are two common types: flat-leaf Italian parsley, preferred for cooking, and curly-leaf parsley, which is more vigorous. Hamburg and Japanese parsley are also available. When planting, start seedlings indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost, and set them out a few weeks before the last frost. Parsley prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade, and it requires fertilization as the season progresses. The plant is ready to harvest in about 70 to 90 days after planting. It’s important to be patient when direct seeding, as parsley seeds can take up to a month to germinate. The plant should be watered early in the morning to prevent wilting. Pests and diseases that affect the cabbage family will also attack parsley. The provided information offers a comprehensive guide to growing and using parsley, including details on its types, planting, light requirements, fertilization, watering, and pest control.
Lady beetles, with about 450 species in the US, are commonly known for their beneficial role in controlling aphids, scales, mites, and other pests. They vary in color and size, ranging from orange, yellow, pink, tan, and white, with black spots, to entirely black, brown, or grey. In contrast, the Mexican bean beetle, resembling ladybugs, is a pale-yellow to copper-brown pest with 16 black spots on its wing covers. It exclusively feeds on bean leaves and pods. The Colorado potato beetle, another look-alike, has ten alternating stripped bands of black and light yellow to tan on its wing covers and is a vegetarian that feeds on potatoes, peppers, eggplant, and tomatoes. The larvae of these insects also have distinct characteristics, with ladybug larvae being black with red, orange, or black stripes or markings, while Mexican bean beetle larvae are bright yellow with short spikes protruding throughout their body, and Colorado potato beetle larvae are salmon-pink with black spots along the side. The eggs of these insects are similar in shape and color, ranging from yellow to orange. Lady beetles lay eggs wherever there is food for the young larva to feed on, while Mexican bean beetles lay their eggs on the plant they are feeding on, and Colorado potato beetles lay their eggs in mass or small clusters on the underside of the leaves. Lady beetles are valuable allies in organic gardening and can be encouraged to stay by providing them with flowers that offer nectar and pollen. Conversely, Mexican bean beetles and Colorado potato beetles are pests that can be controlled through various methods such as handpicking and crop rotation.
The easiest vegetables to grow in spring are many. There are many vegetables that are truly easy to grow and, if you take the time to learn about each vegetable and a little patience, they are all easy. Having said that, there are some vegetables …