Grower Today

Author: Eunice

  • Major Reasons For Yellow Leaves On Tomato Plants In Containers

    Major Reasons For Yellow Leaves On Tomato Plants In Containers

    Tomato plants are pretty easy to grow and you can even grow them in containers. But not everything tends to go rosy when it comes to growing plants generally. Yellow leaves on tomato plants in containers are one of those issues that any gardener can experience when it comes to growing tomatoes.

    When it comes to growing tomato plants in containers, there are some things you need to do right so you can have a smooth and successful growth of your tomato plant. If you fail to properly take care of the tomato plant, it can stand the risk of giving rise to leaves that changes to yellow.

    Different reasons can be responsible for why your tomato plant is turning yellow. Yellow leaves on tomato plants in containers may be a natural cause that doesn’t need too much worrying about. However, it may also mean something serious.

    Whichever situation this plant may be, we will be looking into the reasons why your tomato plant may be turning yellow. We will also look into how to resolve the issues if possible.

    Yellow Leaves On Tomato Plants In Containers: The Major Reasons

    So, below are some of the major reasons why your tomato plants in containers may be turning yellow. We have also looked at how you can fix the situation.

    1.    Overwatering

    One common reason why your tomato potted leaves may be changing colors to yellow is if they have been overwatered.

    Plants in pots have their limit to spreading their roots in the soil to draw moisture required by the plant. So, this may cause some growers to continue watering their tomato plant because tomato needs a good amount of water to thrive.

    However, when the watering is in excess, it can drown the roots of the plant. This may cause oxygen, nutrient, as well as moisture to be limited in their movements from the soil through the roots of the plant.

    Hence, this results in stunted growth and yellowing of leaves. So, when there is too much moisture in your potted tomato plant, it can cause humid conditions that usually attract fungal diseases. Then the tomato roots will begin to rot and begin to turn brown or brown then it can give a soggy texture.

    Solution

    It is important you avoid over-watering in the first place. So, when you want to water, ensure you check the moisture level to know if watering is needed. An easy test is to dip your finger into 1 to 2 inches of the soil then water only if your finger is dry. Also, ensure there are enough drainage holes for easy flow of water.

    However, if you already have rotten rot from over-watering your tomato plant, it is necessary you take the plant out of the potting soil. Then trim the dead, soggy, and black roots and leave out the healthy white roots.

    So, you should re-pot in a fresh batch of potting soil using a sterilized pot.

    2.    Under-Watering – Yellow Leaves On Tomato Plants In Containers

    Alternatively, under-watering your potted tomato can lead to the yellowing of leaves. This is because the plant isn’t receiving adequate water. Hence, the lack of water can result in a lack of nutrients and oxygen from the roots to the leaves.

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    Solution

    Under-watering can be solved easily and what you need to do is simply water the plant as needed. You can make it a habit to check your container tomato plant every day in the morning to see if the soil is dry.

    Do an easy moisture check by dipping your finger into 1 or 2 inches of the soil. Then if you see your finger looks dry, it is an indication that your potted tomato plant needs watering.

    3.    Sunlight Deprivation

    When your tomato plant isn’t receiving enough sunlight it can show signs of yellowing of leaves. The plant tomato requires full sunlight to thrive and a duration of around 6 to hours of daily sunlight is required.

    Lack of sunlight can cause your potted tomato plant to struggle to produce nutrients through photosynthesis thereby turning the color of your leaves to yellow.

    Solution

    Ensure your potted plant isn’t growing near a shade or ensure there are no obstructions around your plant that can block sunlight. Also, when it is required you can adjust or move your container tomato to a spot it can receive adequate sunlight.

    4.    Inadequate Nutrients Or Lack Of Nutrients

    Just like other vegetable plants, tomatoes are also heavy feeders. Therefore, a sufficient amount of nutrients needs to be supplied to your plant. Else, the leaves can begin to turn yellow.

    Inadequate Nutrients Or Lack Of Nutrients

    Solution – Yellow Leaves On Tomato Plants In Containers

    So, adding compost to your potting soil when you prepare it can be beneficial to your tomato plant. A slow-releasing fertilizer that is high in nitrogen can also be used. This fertilizer will release the required nutrients into your potting soil whenever you water your plant.

    The nitrogen-rich fertilizer you have been supplying your tomato plant should then be reduced once the tomato plant has matured. If not, the nitrogen will keep encouraging leaves to grow and you have more leaves rather than tomato fruits.

    Therefore, switch to a low nitrogen fertilizer once the plant has matured and use higher potassium. Doing this will help boost the container tomato plant to develop flowers that will end up producing tomato fruits.

    Conclusion – Yellow Leaves On Tomato Plants In Containers

    Yellow leaves on tomato plants in containers can be a result of different things and we have listed some of them from the above. We have also helped you figure out some possible solutions when you experience any of the listed effects on your tomatoes plant.

    FAQ’s

    How to stop yellow leaves on tomato plants in containers

    You can stop yellow leaves on your tomato plants in containers by first determining the cause of the yellowing of leaves. Then you can find the solution according to what you have figured out.

    Why are my potted tomatoes leaves turning yellow?

    Your potted tomato plants may be turning yellow due to different reasons. Some of these reasons can include over-watering, under-watering, lack of sunlight, inadequate nutrients, over-fertilization, or poor potting soil.

    How do you fix yellow leaves on tomato plants?

    The first thing to do when it comes to resolving or fixing the yellowing of tomato leaves is to figure out what the cause of the problem is. Once, you’ve determined the issue, you can proceed to fix your tomato plant by facing the problem they have.

    Should I remove yellow leaves from tomato plant?

    You can decide to remove the yellow leaves you may notice on your tomato plants. But generally, when the plant has attained a height of 12 to 18 inches, you can remove any yellow leaves.

  • Peppers Rotting On Plant – Causes And Solutions

    Peppers Rotting On Plant – Causes And Solutions

    Peppers rotting on plant can be frustrating, especially after putting all that time and energy into planting and then waiting to harvest healthy ripe fruits.

    The rotting of the bottom of peppers is caused by a condition called blossom end rot. When your plant has blossom end rot, it only means that there are not enough nutrients in the soil or the pH is not balanced.

    Knowing the symptoms and causes of blossom end rot in pepper will equip you with the knowledge of preventing any future occurrence of rotting.

    According to the University of Tennessee, the reason for blossom end rot is a lack of calcium or not enough moisture in the soil. Enough soil moisture is important for pepper plants in order for easy absorption of calcium.

    As we all know calcium is responsible for the growth of healthy bones in humans, it also helps in maintaining a healthy plant. However, there are solutions that you can proffer to the issue of peppers rotting on plants. This will help restore their health and capacity to continue producing healthy fruits. So, kindly read further.

    Pepper Rotting On Plant: What Causes Blossom End Rot?

    Blossom end rot usually causes the appearance of dark spots at the bottom part or side of peppers. As we have mentioned, blossom end rot is caused by the deficiency of calcium in the plant. This condition takes place when the fruits of the plant don’t have healthy skin.

    This is as a result of the inaccessibility of the calcium in the plant when fruits are being produced. Hence, the condition of the plant root rot occurs. The fruits will find it hard to develop new and healthy skin if the calcium contained in the plant is not made available when fruits are being produced.

    As a result of this, patches of dark brown, gray, or black begin to form on each fruit at the blossom end. This happens mostly during cool weather when there’s a high rate of moisture fluctuations.

    Pepper Rotting On Plant: What Causes Blossom End Rot

    As the vegetable grows, new skin forms at the bottom of the fruit, which is where blossom end rot starts.

    Sometimes, the problem might not be about your soil needing more calcium even if it is known that the issue is the plant being low on calcium. The availability of calcium in the pepper plant is very important as it is needed for the formation of the pepper fruit cell walls.

    There are implications of the lack of calcium in the pepper plant. Or when the growth of the fruit is way too fast making it difficult for the supply of enough calcium by the plant.

    Hence, rotting will begin at the blossom end of the pepper fruit as the walls of the cell are already dying.

    Getting calcium from the soil and constantly making calcium available for the healthy production of the fruits may be the real problem. Although, solving the problem of peppers rotting on plants will be trickier because of this type of situation.

    Whichever way, it’s better to begin proffering a possible solution early in order to help your plants recover.

    Preventing Your Pepper Fruits From Rotting On The Plant

    Your first mindset and action is to not allow blossom end rot to surface at all. It’s better to prevent it from occurring right from the onset. Chances of preventing the occurrence of a blossom end rot can be increased with the help of the following tips.

    1. Avoid watering your pepper plants less often.
    2. Avoid watering your pepper plants more than necessary to prevent blossom end rot.
    3. Make use of proper fertilizer in the right amounts for your plants
    4. Another thing to do is to reduce the amount of nitrogen in the fertilizer for your plant when it starts producing fruits. This is because nitrogen will make your plants grow more leaves rather than produce fruits.
    5. Prune older leaves and leaf branches on pepper plants.
    6. Before planting each year, mix crushed eggshells in the soil to increase calcium. Oftentimes, blossom end rot may not be due to low calcium in the soil.

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    Solution To Peppers Rotting On Plant

    If you don’t begin the process of curing blossom end rot quickly, your chances of getting a great healthy harvest from your planting period will be slim. So, get to the action quickly once you see dark bottom ends on your peppers.

    1.    Pruning Too Much Foliage – Peppers Rotting On Plant

    Like its being explained earlier on, the supply of calcium, other than availability, is what blossom end is all about. Hence, making sure calcium becomes available to your fruits during their developing period is important.

    Pruning too many leaves from your pepper plants can be adopted. Foliage, even during stressful conditions, thrives with transpiring water.

    When you prune excess leaves away from around your pepper plants regularly, the leaves on your plant reduce. This way, more water will be channeled towards the production of more fruits.

    Check Out A Detailed Guide On What Type Of Fertilizer For Tomatoes

    2.    Even Moisture Is Important

    The total well-being of your plants can be determined by the level of moisture in your plant. Your plants will become stressed due to inconsistent moisture by getting dried out then getting watered and later becoming dried out again. So, moisture in the soil must be maintained at all times.

    3.    Helping The Plants To Absorb More Calcium – Peppers Rotting On Plant

    Come to think of it, the fact that the deficiency in calcium is the cause of blossom end rot doesn’t mean that the calcium needed is not in the soil. Oftentimes, it may be that it is the plants that are in need of the calcium present in the soil but can’t get access to it. So, you can adopt means of making this element available to the plants and easy to be absorbed by the plant.

    Conclusion On Peppers Rotting On Plant

    In conclusion, to help fix the situation of peppers rotting on plants, you can choose from the previously listed guidelines on how to help plants absorb calcium. It is certain that this article will be very helpful.

    FAQ’s

    Why are my hot peppers rotting before they ripen?

    Your hot peppers may be rotting before they have the chance to get ripen if they have a low supply of calcium and this condition is referred to as blossom end rot.

    Can you eat peppers with blossom end rot?

    It is still safe to eat peppers with blossom end rot because it is not a bacterial problem. All you need do is to cut away the affected parts of the fruit and eat the remaining part.

    What causes rotten spots on bell peppers?

    The rotten spots noticed on bell peppers are known as blossom end rot and it is mostly caused by calcium deficiency.

    How do you know when a bell pepper has gone bad?

    You can know your bell pepper has gone bad if you see things such as softness or large sunken spots. If you also notice the bell pepper has begun to rot and grow mold, then it has gone bad.

  • A Detailed Guide On What Type Of Fertilizer For Tomatoes

    A Detailed Guide On What Type Of Fertilizer For Tomatoes

    Tomato being a heavy feeder tells us that the plant is a hungry plant that likes to be fed with fertilizer for them to flourish. What type of fertilizer for tomatoes do you think is best considering the fact that tomato is a nutrient-loving plant?

    Tomatoes will thrive well when you supply them with lots of fertilizer or nutrients to grow throughout their season. No matter the type of fertilizer you use (organic or chemical), it can boost the growth and production of tomatoes by providing extra nutrients required for tomato plants to flourish.

    But the question we would like to know and discuss is what type of fertilizer for tomatoes is best? We would also discuss about the best type of fertilizer for container tomatoes.

    What Type Of Fertilizer For Tomatoes? The Ideal NPK Ratio

    When it comes to choosing the ideal fertilizer for tomato plants, go for a fertilizer that has a balanced ratio of the three main elements. These main elements include the regular NPK (nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium). So, they should be balanced in a ratio such as 10-10-10.

    Alternatively, you can choose a fertilizer where the middle value (which is phosphorous) is greater than the first number (which is nitrogen). An example is a fertilizer ratio value of 2-3-1.

    What Type Of Fertilizer For Tomatoes? The Ideal NPK Ratio

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    What To Consider Before Deciding The Type Of Fertilizer To Use For Tomatoes

    But one important thing to note when considering what type of fertilizer for tomatoes is to know the status of your soil. Get to know the current nutrient content of your soil and you can know this by simply doing a soil test.

    After testing your soil, the result gotten will determine the type of fertilizer to use. For instance, if your soil is correctly balanced or high in nitrogen, a fertilizer that has a low value of nitrogen should be used. Then the phosphorus value should be higher. An example of this type of fertilizer is 5-10-5 or a 5-10-10 fertilizer mix.

    On the other hand, if the result of your soil test shows it lacks nitrogen or it is a low nitrogen, then a balanced fertilizer such as 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 should be used to prepare the soil of your tomato plant.

    However, if you don’t have the capacity to have a soil test, you can just assume the soil you have is balanced and make use of a higher value of phosphorous tomato plant fertilizer. But make sure the soil has not had any experience of a sickly tomato plant in the past or this may not interfere with your result.

    Another important thing to be aware of when it comes to fertilizing tomato plants is to avoid using too much nitrogen. The results of excess nitrogen supplied to tomato soil usually give rise to lush, green leaves, with very few tomatoes.

    Therefore, if you have experienced the problem stated above (very few tomato yield), then you can consider providing a bit more phosphorous to the plant rather than a balanced tomato fertilizer.

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    Fertilizer For Tomatoes: The Nutrients Needed

    As we have mentioned, tomato requires 3 major nutrients and they are nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. The tomato plant also requires lots of other nutrients apart from the regular NPK as each of these nutrients serves some crucial tasks for plants.

    Let’s briefly look at some details on these major nutrients as well as some other nutrients:

    • Nitrogen: Supplying your tomato with nitrogen fertilizer is important and it will help maintain the leaves of the plant. However, when you use excess nitrogen, the resulting tomato plant usually gives rise to more leaves rather than more tomato fruits. Therefore, you may notice a bushy tomato plant and little tomato fruit yield when you use too much nitrogen.
    • Phosphorus: Another crucial fertilizer needed for the tomato to grow adequately is phosphorous. Phosphorous is required by your tomato plant for the growth of roots and fruits. This nutrient is an essential component for the first phase and last phase of the development of the tomato plant.
    • Potassium: Potassium assists your tomato plant to grow rapidly and produce flowers. It is these flowers that end up turning into fruits.

    So, apart from the major NPK nutrients, tomato plants also require other small nutrients and elements to grow and some of them include calcium, magnesium, zinc, boron, and so on. Let’s look briefly into some of these smaller nutrients.

    • Magnesium: magnesium helps your tomato plant to remain green and it can help enhance the quality of flowers and fruits of your tomato plant.
    • Calcium: calcium can help in producing strong tomato plants. This element will also help in proper root development and leaf development.
    • Boron and Zinc: both boron and zinc can assist in the flowering process and fruit ripening of your tomato plant.

    Best Fertilizer For Tomatoes In Pots – What Type Of Fertilizer For Tomatoes

    You can either use organic or chemical fertilizer for your potted tomato. But here are some nice homemade fertilizers you can use for your container tomatoes:

    1. Fertilizer Containing Nitrogen

    Corn gluten meal, rabbit poo, and manure are great organic homemade nitrogen-containing nutrients or fertilizers you can use for your potted tomato plant.

    1. Fertilizer Containing Phosphorous

    Human urine, kelp meal, sunflower seeds, soya beans, and pumpkin or squash seeds are good fertilizers that is phosphorous-containing that you can use for your potted tomato plant.

    Best Fertilizer For Tomatoes In Pots - What Type Of Fertilizer For Tomatoes
    1. Fertilizer Containing Potassium

    Fertilizer that contains potassium that you can use for your potted tomato plant includes wood ash, banana peels, potato peels, orange peels, sweet potato peels, and cucumber peels.

    Conclusion – What Type Of Fertilizer For Tomatoes

    Tomato plants are heavy feeders so it is important you supply them with some good fertilizer so you can enjoy optimal yield. What type of fertilizer for tomatoes has been discussed here and we have also mentioned some nice fertilizers to use for your potted tomato plants.

    FAQ’s

    What type of fertilizer is needed for tomatoes?

    The type of fertilizer needed by the tomato plant should be a balanced ratio fertilizer that has the three main elements which are nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (NPK). An example of a balanced fertilizer for tomatoes is 10-10-10.

    What can I use to fertilize my tomato plants?

    You can make use of a liquid type of fertilizer like compost or worm casting every 14 days to fertilize your tomato plant.

  • Long Beans Vs Green Beans – Distinguishing These Beans

    Long Beans Vs Green Beans – Distinguishing These Beans

    Long beans vs green beans are what we will be discussing today. Beans generally are a type of staple food that is used in many traditional dishes all over the world.

    Beans are cooked in many different ways and they can be boiled, fried, baked, and so on. They are considered a vegetable and beans are highly nutritious. This vegetable has high fiber and starch contents and beans are a great source of dietary fiber and nutrients like potassium and folate.

    Now when we talk about beans generally, beans have many varieties. So, long beans and green beans are a type of beans variety. Long beans vs green beans are what we will be looking at in this post. So, read on for more insight on the differences between these two bean varieties.

    But before we look into the difference between long beans and green beans, let’s briefly discuss what long beans vs green beans are.

    Really Long Green Beans – What Are They?

    Long beans are a really long bean and it is a type of beans that is also referred to as yardlong beans, pea beans, Chinese long beans, long-podded cowpea, snake beans,  Chinese long bean, and bora. Long beans or yardlong beans aren’t just called yard beans for nothing. They are capable of growing up to a yard.

    This bean is a longtime or ancient vegetable and they have different wild varieties that grow in tropical Africa.

    Long green beans have this extraordinary length and they appear to be overgrown in nature just like every other bean, they are from the family of legumes. This bean can be as long as 12 to 30 inches and from pale green to dark green and this can vary depending on the variety.

    Really Long Green Beans - What Are They

    Long Beans Health Benefits

    These beans have minimal calorie content therefore it is great for those that are on a diet plan. Long beans are also loaded with good vitamins such as vitamin A and C. it is rich in dietary fiber that can aid in bowel movements in a healthy way so they can help resolve constipation.

    Again, because it is a green bean vegetable, it may help in the role of fighting cancer and may even slow down aging.

    The flavor of this distinctive long bean is very pronounced and they give this sharp beany taste. However, they are not so sweet as green beans.

    This long bean can be briefly steamed, stir-fried, or braised. They can also hold up very well when they are added to stew. When you want to cook long beans, try to cut them into about 1 to 2 inches.

    If you want the best flavor and tender texture of long beans, we recommend you go for the ones that are around 12 and 18 inches in length. Anything longer than this can prove to be tougher in texture.

    Green Beans

    Green is another type of bean that is common and it is the young fruit of different cultivars of the common beans. This bean can be referred to as string beans, snap beans, and French beans. This type of beans is also a leguminous plant. The yellow version of this bean is referred to as wax bean and there is also the purple variety.

    Growers of this green bean usually harvest them while the bean is still in their pod right before they have the chance to mature.

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    Green Beans Health Benefits

    This green bean is a wonderful source of vitamin A, C, and K. It is loaded with folic acid and fiber and you can benefit from a decent amount of calcium present in the green bean. Antioxidants are present in green beans and this aids in enhancing your immune system.

    Then green bean is important for the production of collagen and they can assist in protecting your skin from oxidative stress.

    Also, consuming vegetables such as green beans can help minimize the risk of different adverse health conditions. Different studies have suggested that when you consume more plant foods like green beans; it can help with certain health conditions such as diabetes, heart diseases, obesity, and so on.

    Pregnant women can also benefit from green beans and women of child-bearing age can have their fertility boosted with green beans.

    Additionally, vegetables such as green beans can promote a healthy complexion, increased energy, as well an overall lower weight.

    Difference Between Long Beans And Green Beans

    Even though long beans and green beans are from the same family of legumes, there are still some slight differences between them. Long beans vs green beans are what we will be discussing below.

    • Taste: The taste of green beans and long beans are a bit similar but green beans still have a better taste compared to long beans.
    • Texture: Green bean and long bean may taste similar. But they have this distinctive texture. Green beans for instance taste palatable when steamed or boiled. Long beans on the other hand usually become waterlogged and bland when treated with water.
    • Heat tolerance: Unlike green beans, long beans can also stand up to the heat of a stir-fry and a low long heat of a stew better as they will maintain their crunchiness.

    Can Green Bean Be Substituted With Long Beans?

    Even though long beans and green bans look somewhat different, you can still substitute them with each other if you can’t find one of them. So, this means that long beans can do what regular green beans can.

    Long Beans Vs Green Beans: Conclusion

    Both long beans and green beans are wonderful vegetables we can add to our various dishes. Long beans vs green beans have been explained in this post if you want to know the differences.

    FAQ’s

    Can you substitute green beans for long beans?

    Yes, it is possible to substitute green beans for long beans because long beans or yard bean can do what regular green bean does. So, you can enjoy either one of them by substituting them in your various cooking.

    Do Chinese long beans taste like green beans?

    Long beans may taste a bit similar to green beans, but you will still notice some differences in their taste. Chinese long beans tend to have this distinctive flavor and this beany taste. Also, Chinese long beans are not as great tasting as the green bean is.

  • Using Crab Shells In Compost- A Detailed Guide

    Using Crab Shells In Compost- A Detailed Guide

    Are you aware that your crab shell doesn’t have to go to waste because you can make use of crab shells in your compost? Yes! Those leftover crab shells can be put to good use in your garden. Crab shells in compost can be pretty beneficial to your plants.

    Crab shells will fine alongside other types of shellfish. So, you can easily add crab shells to your compost pile because they are quite biodegradable. Even though it may take some time for these shells to biodegrade, you can also crush them just to hasten up the process.

    Crab shells in compost can enrich your compost because they are loaded with good nutrients to help your plant develop.

    If you wish to learn how to compost crab shells, then we’ve got you covered here. Read on to find out about using crab shells in your garden and turn those leftover crabs into rich fertilizer for your plants.

    Crab Shells In Compost

    It is very possible to compost crab shells. Crab shells in compost are an easy thing to do so far you get the right knowledge.

    Crab shells are made up of calcium carbonate and chitin (a type of carbohydrate).

    Crab Shells In Compost

    How To Compost Crab Shells: A Detailed Guide

    Follow the steps below to learn how to compost crab shells:

    Step 1- Cleaning Of The Shell Crab

    Clean the shell of your crab just to eliminate any salt or other foodstuffs you don’t want in your compost.

    Generally, seafood such as crab contains a high level of salt. Although the presence of salt isn’t so toxic to the compost, however, it is not so beneficial to your compost. But the excess amount of salt can be harmful to beneficial worms or another vermiculture setups.

    Again, the crab shells are safe to be composted. However, the fat and meat are not so safe. This is mainly because they may throw off the balance of your compost pile and this may give rise to an unpleasant odor or even invite pests to your plant when you use this compost.

    Read more about Zucchini Plant Not Producing: 4 Common Reasons?

    Step 2- The Shell Of The Crab Should Be Crushed

    Usually, crab shell tends to take a long time to decompose compared to other compostable materials. Hence, when you crush the crab shell into tiny bits, then it can hasten up the breakdown of the compost pile.

    If you are however wondering how to grind or crush your crab shell, you can simply use a hammer to crush them into bits. But if you wish to skip this process, you can. Your compost will just be taking a while longer to decompose.

    Step 3- Crab Shells Can Be Distributed Throughout Your Compost

    After crushing the crab shell into tiny bits, it may not be enough. You may still need to mix the pieces into existing compost instead of allowing the crab shell to sit in large compost.

    Step 4- A Balanced Compost Heap Should Be Maintained

    A healthy compost can’t be simply created from just one material. If you want a good result, you can pair crab shells with other compostable kitchen scraps. A bonus tip is to add a carbon-rich material such as dead leaves, grasses, woodchips, or cardboard.

    Step 5- Composting – Crab Shells In Compost

    Turn the compost mixture using a pitchfork or spade. Ensure you change the layers of the compost pile so it can supply oxygen to the microbes that are responsible for decomposing the organic mixture. Doing this will give rise to heat and the compost temperature can go as high as 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Make sure you also add water to the organic mixture of the compost pile. If moisture isn’t present, the microbes won’t be able to decompose the organic matter and you may not get the ideal compost result. However, ensure the water is minimal because adding too much water can make the compost turn out to be smelly and squishy.

    Additionally, you can poke some holes in the compost pile just to allow air to go inside the compost and enhance decomposition.

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    Step 5- Monitoring – Crab Shells In Compost

    Finally, continuous monitoring or checking your compost pile daily just to keep tabs on the moisture because adequate moisture is also crucial for easy and fast decomposition.

    Check Out How Deep To Plant Lettuce- The Ideal Planting Depth

    Benefits Of Composting Crab Shells

    Crab shell compost is rich in nutrients that your plants can benefit from and a good number of plants can benefit from crab shell compost. Below is some awesome nutrient crab shells can offer your plant:

    • Calcium

    The shells of crabs are particularly rich in calcium. Now plants depend on calcium to produce strong cell walls and combat many common plant diseases.

    • Magnesium

    Regarding photosynthesis, it cannot take place if magnesium is absent. Crab shells naturally contain magnesium. So, they can be an alternative to the magnesium-containing fertilizer that you may find at your local garden store.

    • Phosphorous

    Phosphorous helps and serves as a building block to a plant’s life. Genetic reproduction as well as photosynthesis needs phosphorous to aid their process. So, crab shell is a good source of phosphate that your plant can benefit from.

    Benefits Of Composting Crab Shells - Phosphorous

    • Chitin

    Phosphorous, calcium, and magnesium are all important for the proper development and healthy growth of your plant, and crab shell contains these essential nutrients. But apart from these nutrients, the crab shell is also rich in chitin.

    Chitin enhances the growth of certain beneficial bacteria and enzymes. Now, these bacteria and enzymes help to wade off organisms that are harmful such as nematodes, fungi, and soil-borne insects.

    Conclusion On Crab Shells In Compost

    Crab shells in compost can be an excellent addition to your compost pile because they are loaded with good nutrients that can help your plant grow. This crab shell is rich in essential nutrients such as phosphorous, magnesium, and calcium. It is also rich in chitin.

    FAQ’s

    Are crab shells good for garden?

    Yes. Crab shells are good for garden. Even if you do not have a compost pile to mix the crab shell, you can simply put these shells directly into your garden.

    Can you put seafood shells in compost?

    Yes. You can put seafood shells in your compost and let your plant enjoy the benefits they offer. They are loaded with calcium as well as other crucial micronutrients needed by plants.

    Are crab shells good for fertilizer?

    Certainly, crab shells are good for fertilizer s because of the benefits of adding some essential nutrients to plants. Crab shells even offer extra benefits that cannot be found in other types of fertilizers such as chitin. This chitin present in crab enhances the growth of chitin-eating bacteria.

    Does crab shell decompose?

    Yes, crab shells can decompose. However, the rate at which they decompose can be slow or a bit fast depending on their state. If you crush or break crab shells into pieces before composting, then the decomposition can be hastened up. But if the crab is not crushed, the decomposition can be pretty slow.

  • Zucchini Plant Not Producing: 4 Common Reasons?

    Zucchini Plant Not Producing: 4 Common Reasons?

    Fruit is usually the result of a flower but when the flower refuses to yield fruit even with some blooms it becomes a worrying situation. Zucchini plant not producing fruit can have any gardener worried. After all, it is our goal to have a successful yield whenever we plant.

    This summer squash vegetable usually grows beautifully during warm temperatures and they don’t really like frost or chilly temperatures.

    Even though zucchini can be quite easy to grow, growers may still face some challenges. It can be pretty frustrating when you’ve planted and had hopes for your vegetable to give rise to fruit then it refuses to produce.

    Zucchini plant not producing fruit or producing less fruit may be caused by different reasons. We will be looking into some of these reasons and suggest things you can do to resolve the situation if possible.

    Understanding Zucchini’s Mode Of Reproduction

    Before we look into why zucchini may not be producing fruits, let’s first look into the reproductive mechanism of the zucchini plant.

    Just like every other squash plant, the zucchini plant is a monoecious plant. This implies that the plant zucchini has both male and female flowers separately on the same plant. The reproductive part of a plant is present in the flowers of the plant.

    Understanding Zucchini’s Mode Of Reproduction

    Zucchini Plant Not Producing: 4 Common Reasons

    Naturally, fruit production precedes flower so when your zucchini plant does not give rise to fruits after blooming, then something may be wrong. Below are 5 common reasons your zucchini plant may not be producing.

    1.    Young Plant With Only Male Flowers

    As we have explained above, the flower of zucchini is monoecious and tends to produce both male and female flowers on a plant.  However, it may happen that the young plants of zucchini give rise to only male flowers and no female flowers.

    Usually, during the early growing season of zucchini, this squash plant often gives rise to more male flowers than female flowers. So, this may hinder the production of fruit because both the male flower and female flower are required for fertilization to produce fruit.

    Therefore, don’t be surprised if you notice your zucchini plant producing only makes flowers for the first couple of weeks and you see no fruit set. So, if your zucchini plant is still at its young stage, not to worry because it will set fruit later.

    2.    Pollination Not Successful – Zucchini Plant Not Producing

    Honeybees are the major pollinators responsible for transferring pollen grain from the flower of the male zucchini to the female flower. When these pollen grains are successfully transferred, the process will lead to fertilization and result in fruit formation.

    So, bees are important for pollination to be successful and if there is a little population of bees in your area, pollination may be poor and this can lead to little or no fruit production.

    If this is the issue in your area, then you can help the situation by doing self-pollination. This can be done by locating the pollen that looks like yellow dust and dabbing the middle of a male flower using a small paintbrush. Then dab the same paint brush you used on the make flower again on the female flower.

    Alternatively, just pinch off the male flower and take out the petals. Then lightly dab the center into the center or stigma of the zucchini female flower.

    If you will be hand pollinating your zucchini flowers, we recommend you do this early in the morning. This is because the flowers of squash usually open early and only last for a day.

    3.    Hot Weather – Zucchini Plant Not Producing

    When the weather becomes too hot, it can cause unsuccessful pollination of the zucchini flowers. This is because too high a temperature reduces the germination of pollen grains. Hence, this can give rise to incomplete pollination of the zucchini female flower thereby resulting in fruit not setting the way it should.

    Once the temperature during the day is over 90 degrees Fahrenheit and the temperature during the night is more than 75 degrees Fahrenheit, this can depreciate the flower of zucchini. It can cause the zucchini plant to begin to drop fruit even before they get the chance of developing.

    However, during this very hot period, you can help the zucchini plant by watering the plant frequently so the soil does not dry out quickly.

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    4.    Over-watering

    If you over-water your plant and your plant becomes soggy, it may result in the developing fruit becoming rotten. Hence, this can cause the zucchini plant not to produce adequately.

    How To Further Help Zucchini Plant To Produce

    We have listed some reasons why your zucchini plant may not be producing fruits. Let’s further discuss other things you can do to help your zucchini plant to reproduce:

    • Water When Needed – Zucchini Plant Not Producing

    It is important to water your zucchini, especially during the hot season so your soil doesn’t dry out. Also, zucchini usually requires more watering during their fruiting stage. However, make sure you don’t over-water your plant because it can lead to the rotting of fruit.

    Check Out How Deep To Plant Lettuce- The Ideal Planting Depth

    • Fertilize

    You can further boost the chance of your zucchini plant giving rise to fruit by fertilizing your plant. Nitrogen fertilizer should be supplied to the soil at the rate of half cup of 46-0-0 fertilizer or at the rate of 1 cup of 2-3-3 fertilizer per 25-foot row. This should be done during their midseason when the plant has grown fully.

    How To Further Help Zucchini Plant To Produce

    Conclusion On Zucchini Plant Not Producing

    Zucchini plant not producing fruits can be pretty discouraging for any gardener. If you’re experiencing this, there are some reasons why this is so and we have listed them in this post. We have also suggested some things you can do to help the situation.

    FAQ’s

    Why are my zucchini plants not producing?

    Your zucchini plants may not be producing due to some reasons. Some of these reasons can be because of unsuccessful pollination because of absence or few bee pollinators, hot weather, and young plant that has only male flowers.

    Why is my zucchini plant flowering but not producing fruit?

    If your zucchini plant is producing flowers alone but yielding fruits, it may be because there are not enough honeybees o pollinate your flowers.

    Why does my zucchini have only male flowers?

    If your zucchini flowers are producing only male flowers, then it is likely because they are still in their young stage. Once the zucchini plant grows, you should begin to have female flowers as well.

    How do I know if my zucchini is pollinated?

    You should know your zucchini is pollinated once you notice a bright green and your squash growing longer by the day.

  • How Deep To Plant Lettuce- The Ideal Planting Depth

    How Deep To Plant Lettuce- The Ideal Planting Depth

    One of the most widely planted vegetables commonly grown in the US is usually lettuce. They are so easy to grow and you don’t need the experience to grow them. How deep to plant lettuce is what this article will give you information on.

    Lettuce is a cool-season crop so they flourish well during spring and fall. Lettuce seeds are easily sown directly into the soil as soon as the ground soil can be worked on.

    It may please you to know that lettuce grows rapidly and it can take only a month from seed planting for baby greens to be harvested. So, you can just add lettuce to your vegetable garden as you will be enjoying lettuce and even save some money instead of going to the grocery store to shop for lettuce.

    How deep to plant lettuce is the information you will get here. So, let’s get some details on the ideal lettuce planting depth.

    How Deep To Plant Lettuce

    The dept that is ideal to plant lettuce seed is around 1/8 to ¼ of an inch deep. It is important you don’t sow lettuce seeds too deep. This is because lettuce seed requires light to germinate so, if the seed is too deep, light may not penetrate the seeds and this may lead to unsuccessful lettuce seed germination. Also, make sure you sow the seeds of lettuce when the soil is not frozen.

    Additionally, to successfully sow lettuce seed, you will need a well-tilled seedbed. Note that stones and large clods of dirt can slow down seed germination. So ensure the seedbed is clear of any obstacles such as these.

    How Deep To Plant Lettuce

    Starting Lettuce Seeds – How Deep To Plant Lettuce

    You can start your lettuce seeds either indoors and then transplant or sow them directly in the garden. How deep to sow your lettuce seeds should be 5mm (1/4”). Or you can plant them where there will be all-around moisture in the soil which is the topmost layer of the soil.

    Because the baby lettuce is usually ready for harvesting while it’s immature, it should be planted densely. Unlike other types of lettuce seeds that don’t really need covering as they are usually planted right at the surface, you should plant pelleted seeds 1cm (1/2”) deep.

    Your pelleted seeds need to be all-around moist when planted newly. Water it more than the way you would have watered the conventional seed variety. However, leaving the soil to dry out will only make the pelleting material suck water from and cause dehydration for the seed.

    This is because the pellet material is clay. This action will lead to a more unpleasant situation which is unequal or lower sprouting. So, give space between thin loose leaf varieties to about 20-25cm.

    As for the heading lettuce varieties, give space of about 30cm between them. Give space of about 45-90cm between rows, for all types of varieties. Also, harvesting can be made easier if baby leaf lettuce seeds are planted by each other in rows that are narrow.

    Tips On Growing Lettuce

    The best soil to grow lettuce in is the type that is well-draining and also high in organic matter. Ideally, the soil pH for growing lettuce must be between 6.0-6.5.

    Before planting your lettuce, say 3 weeks, endeavor to mix compost and lime into the soil. Once it’s 2 or 3 days to transplanting, reduce watering and also move your lettuce plants outdoors.

    This will help harden off the seedlings before transplanting and it will prevent shock transplant. So, this way premature bolting and transplant shock can be avoided.

    While you’re growing lettuce, you should be aware of some growing requirements for a smooth growth. Here are some more tips to help you with growing lettuce.

    Check Out Can Compost Worms Survive Winter?

    • Water Appropriately – How Deep To Plant Lettuce

    Watering lettuce has to be done in an intentional way that will encourage more leaf growth so you can have the “cut and come again.” So, watering should be light, consistent, and frequent. Aim for a moist soil and avoid soggy soil.

    Again, you can just supply the roots of lettuce water and also splash cool water on the leaves, especially during hot days. This is to maintain a happy and refreshed lettuce during hot days.

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    • Soil – How Deep To Plant Lettuce

    The soil you will be using to grow lettuce must be well0drianing. This is so water doesn’t soak up in the root.

    • Cover Or Shade Lettuce When Needed

    During the hot season, you can use row covers to shade the leaves. You can also mulch to maintain a cool root.

    Read more about Do Pepper Plants Grow Back Every Year?

    Growing Lettuce In Container – How Deep To Plant Lettuce

    Lettuce can also be planted in containers easily and you can either do this by direct sowing or transplanting.

    To sow lettuce seed in containers, choose a good soil and before planting, make sure you add half a tablespoon of time-releasing fertilizer per gallon of soil.

    If you will be transplanting lettuce in containers, bury the transplant quarter inch or 0.5 cm deep than they would have been in an outdoor garden. Then ensure the spacing is about 6 to 12 inches apart. However, you can plant lettuce leaf a bit closer than the head type.

    Also, the type of lettuce variety you choose for container growing can go a long way. For instance, some recommended varieties are the Black Seeded Thompson and red or green oak leaf types.

    Loose-leaf lettuce varieties are better used for container growing rather than head lettuce.

    Growing Lettuce In Container

    How Deep To Plant Lettuce: Final Say

    So, we have seen the ideal depth to plant lettuce from the explanation above. So, lettuce doesn’t need to be planted too deep so they can have access to light as it is crucial for their seed to develop.

    FAQ’s

    How shallow can you plant lettuce?

    Lettuce does not need to be planted too deep because their seeds need to reach out to the light to germinate properly. So, plant lettuce seed about a quarter to half inch deep.

    Can you plant lettuce too deep?

    It is not ideal to plant lettuce seeds too deep. This can hinder the seeds from getting access to light which they need to properly germinate. If they are planted too deep, it may result in weak and feeble seedlings. Planting lettuce too deep may even fail to germinate.

    How deep to plant lettuce seeds?

    Ideally, the seeds of lettuce should be planted about half an inch deep to a quarter inch deep. This implies that lettuce seeds do well in shallow spots.