Garden the Organic Way Book!

Garden the Organic Way Book!

The book “Garden the Organic Way” is now available in softcover and would make a perfect holiday gift or reading material during the offseason gardening months. The book serves as a comprehensive guide to organic gardening, covering all stages from being an absolute beginner to harvesting delicious fruits and vegetables. It also emphasizes soil restoration and sustainable practices. It can help plan upcoming gardens, increase crop production, and enhance overall garden productivity. It’s available on Etsy via the link provided on the website.

How To Grow Corn

How To Grow Corn

The article provides a comprehensive guide on growing corn, noting its origin, nutritional value, and various types. It emphasizes the role of appropriate space, fertility, and weather in corn cultivation. It also explains the prevention measures for cross-pollinating different corn varieties and GMO corn. The article offers tips on planting schedules for continuous harvests, fertilization, weeding, and harvesting techniques. It also mentions the traditional three sister planting method.

How To Grow Sweet Potatoes

How To Grow Sweet Potatoes

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.

Growing peppers

Growing peppers

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

Growing Watermelon

Growing watermelons during summer requires adequate sunlight, warmth, nutrition, and moisture. They should be planted with ample humus. Proper spacing depending on the variety is essential. Planting should take place once the soil warms up to 70° F. Use trellising to conserve space for smaller varieties. The fruits should be harvested when ripe, as they don’t post-harvest ripen. Challenges include controlling pests and diseases that can be mitigated through plant care and using resistant varieties.

Summer Plantings

Summer Plantings

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.

What Vegetables Need Pollinators?

What Vegetables Need Pollinators?

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

How To Grow Summer Squash

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.

Pruning Tomatoes

Pruning Tomatoes

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

Growing Great Tomatoes

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.

Growing Asparagus

Growing Asparagus

Planting Asparagus Growing asparagus is fun and relatively easy. Asparagus crowns can be put in the moment the soil can be worked. Asparagus can be planted from four to six weeks before the last frost. If you have raised beds, it will be the first 

How To Grow Soybeans

How To Grow Soybeans

Growing Soybeans – This vegetable is high in protein and can be used as a substitute for any meat. It’s nutritious, delicious, and easy to eat. Many soybeans grown today commercially are GMO. Therefore, growing your own is a must, using non GMO varieties. Most people