Grower Today

Author: Eunice

  • Will Tomatoes Grow In Shade?

    Will Tomatoes Grow In Shade?

    Ideally, tomato plants thrive well under a normal condition of at least six to eight hours of sunlight every day. But what about a situation whereby you live in a zone where you hardly get sunlight, especially in your garden? Then you ask yourself: Will tomatoes grow in shade?

    Well, the answer is yes! You can grow tomatoes in the shade. However, there are certain varieties of tomatoes that are shade-tolerant that you can choose to plant. This and more are what you will find out about in this article.

    So if you’re asking if tomatoes will grow in shade?  Then yes, tomato plants can adjust to growing in shade but they will be more leggy. This is because of the way they try to get to where the light is. But let’s find out more.

    Will Tomatoes Grow In Shade?

    Certainly, tomatoes can grow in the shade even if they require direct sunlight. Tomatoes can adapt to shades. However, the plant will become leggier as they attempt to reach sunlight.

    Although, growing tomatoes in full sun is the best with at least six hours of sunlight daily. However, partial shade may still be okay. Look to choose the best spot for planting your tomatoes, then the center of your garden or by a wall that is facing south will be perfect.

    Furthermore, don’t plant them by a wall facing north or beneath a tree. At this point, you may still be wondering if tomatoes will grow in a shade. Planting tomatoes in a shade can still turn out great, however, do bear in mind that the yield won’t be as much as expected when they are being grown under the light.

    Read more about Reasons For Wilting Tomato Plants In Pots

    Tomato Varieties That Are Shade-tolerant

    Tomato plants grown in the shade will not yield many fruits and the fruits won’t get ripened quickly. Hence, this is why it’s advisable to go for small varieties of tomatoes like cherry tomatoes to be grown under shade.

    Going for the bigger tomato varieties can also turn out great in partial shade if it’s the ones with a shorter maturity date.

    So if you’ve decided to grow tomatoes in the shade, then take cognizance to make sure that factors like nutrients, water, and airflow are in high supply. This is really important, as it will determine how healthy your tomato plants will be as well as the plants’ yield while growing in the shade.

    Let’s see the list of the varieties of tomato that can be grown in the shade.

    • Classic Round Tomatoes: Carmello (Red), Arkansas Traveler (Deep Pink), Green Zebra, Siberia Red, Early Wonder (Dark Pink), Belize Pink Heart (Deep Pink), and Marglobe (Red).
    • Cherry, Grape, and Pear: Golden Sweet, Black Cherry, Ildi (Yellow), Evans Purple Pear, Juliet Hybrid (Red), Isis Candy Cherry, and Principe Borghese (Red).
    • Plum and Paste: Roma (Red), Mama Leone (Red), Redorta (Red), and San Marzano (Red).

    14 Rare Tomato & Tomatillo Garden Seeds Variety Pack 800+ Non-GMO Heirloom

    Will Tomatoes Grow In Shade?
    Check Price on Amazon

    Providing Good Light For Tomato Seedlings

    Try providing adequate light, like a grow light, if you’re starting your tomato seeds indoors. This is because it is important they get adequate light when they are beginning to grow.

    Naturally, tomato plants form roots along their stem as they grow as sprawling vine. When you want to transplant your tomato seedlings and you find out they are leggy, you should remove part of the leaves at the bottom.

    Go ahead and transplant the seedling deep in the soil leaving a stem of at least two inches, with leaves, at the surface.

    Click Here to Get Info About:

    Looking At The Bright Side Of Growing Tomato Plants In The Shade

    Now that you have answers to your question: Will tomatoes grow in shade? So, let nothing stop you from going ahead and selecting shade-tolerant tomatoes and planting them in your shady garden.

    However, if it’s not a shade-tolerant variety, you should always have fewer expectations about your plant yield. You won’t be getting as much harvest compared to when growing tomatoes in full sunlight. But growing tomatoes in the shade will still turn out well if it’s a shade-tolerant variety.

    Looking At The Bright Side Of Growing Tomato Plants In The Shade

    Harvesting – Will Tomatoes Grow In Shade?

    If you want to know when your harvest will be ready, check the packet of your seeds for the maturity date. You should be expecting to begin harvesting your fruits after a few weeks from the maturity date.

    Hence, you should boycott growing the beefsteak varieties that don’t usually get ripened quickly even if they are grown in full sun. In partial shade, medium-sized and sometimes large varieties of tomatoes will turn out well at the end with good harvests.

    Growing cherry tomatoes in partial shade in addition to at least three to four hours of direct sun will turn out well at the end also.

    Furthermore, always bear in mind that tomatoes grown in the shade, be it partial or full, tend to have their roots and leaves remain moist for long when watered. This is due to the fact that they have the tendency of retaining water for too long as they don’t get enough sunlight to dry them out. Hence, the plants may become prone to disease if the soil is soggy.

    Hence, if you’re going to plant tomatoes in the shade, endeavor to space the plants and have them pruned. Make sure you create a channel from where there can be unhindered airflow. This will help in making the soil and leaves dry quickly.

    Harvesting - Will Tomatoes Grow In Shade

    Conclusion – Will Tomatoes Grow In Shade?

    Exploring growing tomatoes in shade or partial shade is a way of not limiting yourself to a particular set of vegetables to grow in your shady garden.

    Now that you are certain that some variety of tomato can grow in shade, go ahead and try your hands on the aforementioned varieties in this article.

    Don’t forget to let us know how the journey to growing tomato plants under shade turns out at your end.

    FAQ’s

    What happens if tomatoes don’t get enough sun

    If you’re growing tomatoes under partial-shade, have the expectation of lesser yield and slow fruit ripening from your plants. This is due to the absence of enough sunlight for at least six to eight hours.

    Can tomatoes grow without direct sunlight

    Yes, tomatoes can grow without direct sunlight. If you’re starting your seeds indoors, try providing adequate light, like a grow light for the plants. This is because it is important they get adequate light at their early stage of growth.

    How many hours of sun does a tomato plant need

    Ideally, a tomato plant should get at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day for a bountiful yield of fruits.

    Do tomato plants like morning or afternoon sun

    The time when the sunlight gets to hit your tomato plants doesn’t really matter. What matters is that the plants get at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight, be it in the morning or afternoon. Your tomatoes can be grown successfully.

  • What Do Tomato Hornworms Eat?

    What Do Tomato Hornworms Eat?

    What do tomato hornworms eat? Let’s get an answer to this question. The sphinx moth’s larva is commonly known as a hornworm. It is from the Lepidoptera family. The species of hornworm are about 1450.

    Some varieties are sphinx moths, hawk moths, tobacco worms, white-lined sphinx worms, and more. So what do tomato hornworms eat? The species tomato hornworm is called that because it mostly loves to eat tomato plant leaves. As for the tobacco hornworm, it prefers tobacco plant leaves.

    Both the tomato and tobacco plants are under the flowering plants family known as nightshades. Most of the nightshade leaves and fruits are really attractive to hornworms. Another thing is that you may sometimes find hornworms change in color according to the food they eat.

    Let’s take a further look into what type of food do tomato hornworms eat.

    Tomato Hornworms And What They Eat

    Tomato hornworms are considered herbivores as they normally eat nightshade vegetables, tomato leaves, tobacco leaves, and even weeds such as horsenettle. They also feed on solanaceous plants. Hornworms eat a lot as they are very large in size.

    You can say they are the truly ‘hungry caterpillar’. If they get enough food to eat, it is possible they become twice as big as they were before every day. Furthermore, some species of hornworms are bigger in size than others.

    Tomato hornworms - What they eat

    In fact, when it comes to length, they can grow up to 80mm. However, not all species prefer to eat alike. Some have a preference for some particular plants instead.

    It is a thing of survival for hornworms to eat daily. Be it living in confinement or in the wild, they must eat every day. This is why when hornworms want to lay their eggs, they do so beneath their favorite plants.

    Read more about Why Are My Cucumbers Round?

    What Do Tomato Hornworm Eat?

    Below is the list of the type of plants hornworms love:

    Tomato leaves, Tomatoes (green), Eggplant, Bell pepper, Potato, Jimsonweed, Horsenettle, Silver nightshade, Tobacco leaves, Mulberry tree leaves

    But let’s take a quick dive into a few of the popular foods that they most love to eat.

    The Tomato Plants

    To answer the question what do tomato hornworms eat? Soft tomato leaves are the kind of food they love. Although, while at it, a lot of damages can be inflicted on the tomato plant crops. Tomato plants are really enjoyed by tomato hornworms.

    These hornworms are capable of feasting on a whole tomato leave in one night causing great damage. They can also feed on other parts of the tomato plant such as their flowers and fruits.

    The Tomato Plants

    Vegetables

    Tomato hornworms can be fed varieties of vegetables that are especially in the nightshade family. These are vegetables like broccoli, eggplant, red bell peppers, tomatoes, collard greens, mashed celeries, and raw potatoes.

    They can even be considered as a snack or emergency food for these worms.

    Check Out Reasons For Green Beans Turning Brown

    Tobacco – What Do Tomato Hornworms Eat?

    It is possible for most hornworms species to eat tobacco leaves and not become toxic. The reason is that most of the toxins can be secreted. However, it is advisable not to feed the worms with this type of food if you have the purpose of feeding other animals with hornworms.

    Hornworm Chow

    A lot of breeders and pet owners, in situations whereby all the usual fresh foods for the hornworms are all finished, usually make sure there’s a reserve of hornworm chow. This is to always make sure there’s something for the hornworms to eat.

    To make hornworm chow, you can do so with ingredients like wheat germ, linseed oil, agar, dandelion leaves, flake yeast, grapevine leaves, and more.

    In addition to these ingredients, a lot of manufacturers would add more vitamins and minerals. They do this in order to foster the growth of the worms.

    Hornworm Chow Artificial Diet Cooked (1lb)

    31YwS9G+aFL. AC
    Check Price on Amazon

    Silkworm Chow Or Mulberry Leaves

    The silkworm’s primary food source is the mulberry leaves, while the hornworm loves them. Soft mulberry leaves are great for hornworms but you can also feed them silkworm chow. The chow is made from mulberry leaves.

    Grapevine Leaves – What Do Tomato Hornworms Eat?

    It’s also not a bad idea for grapevine to be fed to your worms. Fresh green leaves are very good to feed your worms if there is no grapevine available or you don’t stay around a winery.

    The grapevine is not usually found around that easily, hence, go for the fresh green leaves instead. It is a good option to give to your worms.

    Dandelion Leaves

    Don’t fret, you should know that dandelion leaves are a healthy herb that is being added to tea and other health foods. Hence, your worms will love to feed on dandelion leaves. This means your worms won’t become toxic. However, the only challenge here is that these leaves can poison your worms by treating these leaves with weed killers.

    How Much Do Hornworms Eat?

    Hornworms have the ability to devour or eat leaves, especially nightshade family food. If they have access to enough food and the temperature is warm like about 82 degrees Fahrenheit, it is possible they become twice as big as they were in a day.

    In a normal circumstance, during the worm’s pupa stage, a hornworm can eat up to 1oz of hornworm chow. Hence, a pound of prepared food will be needed to raise 16 hornworms.

    Conclusion On What Do Tomato Hornworms Eat?

    Tomato hornworms are ferocious feeders that can feed on the plants they desire and even consume an entire leave in just one night.

    Some of the plants tomato hornworms like to eat include raw potatoes, eggplants, and peppers. These tomato hornworms can also feed on some greens such as broccoli, spinach, lettuce, and so on.

    FAQ’s

    What other plants do tomato hornworms eat?

    So, apart from tomato plants that this hornworm tends to feed on, it can also feed on different nightshade family plants. Some of them include pepper, potato, eggplants, and so on.

    Do tomato hornworms eat anything else?

    Yes, tomato hornworm eats other things such as greens like spinach, broccoli, tobacco leaves, as well as weeds like horsenettle.

    Do hornworms eat tomatoes or just leaves?

    Hornworms are capable of feeding on the leaves of tomatoes as well as their flowers and fruit. These worms are ferocious eaters that are capable of devouring a whole leaf overnight.

    How do you keep a tomato hornworm alive?

    You can keep tomato hornworms alive by supplying constant light sources to keep them healthy and happy. Also feed them with what they like to eat such as sliced tomatoes, spinach, raw potato, lettuce, and so on.

  • What Are The Bell Pepper Plant Problems?

    What Are The Bell Pepper Plant Problems?

    Bell peppers are nightshade family fruits that are also related to tomatoes, chili peppers, and breadfruit. As easy as the bell pepper plant is to grow, there are still some common problems it faces. Bell pepper plant problems are what we will be discussing.

    Bell peppers are pretty easy to grow so they can be a great addition to your vegetable garden. They are all native to Central America and South America. You get to enjoy pepper in your various cooking recipes as well as salads.

    However, there are some bell pepper plant problems you may face and pepper diseases are common issues associated with them.  You may also factor in some other pepper problems apart from pepper diseases. So, let’s delve into some common issues associated with growing bell peppers.

    Brief On Bell Pepper

    Bell pepper also referred to as sweet pepper is a type of fruit that belongs to the nightshade family. This sweet pepper can be eaten raw or cooked.

    Unlike other peppers that tend to produce capsaicin (a chemical responsible for that strong burning sensation when it comes in contact with our tongue): bell peppers are the only member of the pepper plant that does not produce this capsaicin chemical.

    Brief On Bell Pepper

    Capsaicin which is absent in bell pepper is due to the fact that there is a recessive gene that eliminates capsaicin. For this reason, bell peppers are usually referred to as sweet peppers.

    Bell Pepper Plants Not Growing: What Are The Reasons?

    Different issues may arise and cause your bell pepper to diminish in growth or even stop growing. Some of the reasons include:

    • Over-watering.
    • Under-watering.
    • Growing pepper with an undersized container.
    • Dry soil.

    Growing Peppers Problems

    We will be looking at the common bell pepper problems and this will be in two categories. The first part will be issues associated with pepper diseases and pests. The other bell pepper issues will be related to non-diseases. So, read below to get some knowledge on them.

    Check Out Reasons For Wilting Tomato Plants In Pots

    A.   Bell Pepper Plant Diseases

    So, below are some of the bell pepper disease and pest problems you may face:

    1.    Mosaic Virus

    This is a type of bell pepper disease characterized by yellow spots, wrinkly leaves, stunted growth, and poor or less fruit quality.

    This disease is transmitted by aphids that transfer this virus. It is common during the periods aphids are mostly active and this is when the temperatures are around 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Bell Pepper Plant Problems - Mosaic Virus

    To adequately deal with this bell pepper problem, uproot or remove the infected plants and burn or throw them away. The virus has been said to live up to a year. Therefore, avoid composting uprooted plants but burn or discard them.

    2.    Bacterial Leaf Spot

    Bacterial leaf spot is quite common in pepper plants generally. This disease is characterized by yellowish spots on the leave of your pepper plant. These yellowish spots may end up turning brown and it causes leaf drop.

    3.    Powdery Mildew

    Powdery mildew is related to warm and humid conditions. It usually shows up on the undersides of the pepper plant leaves.

    4.    Aphids

    This is a tiny bug that sucks and feeds on pepper plants. They can eat a good portion of your pepper plant overnight.

    If you notice or suspect aphid infestation in your pepper plant, you can make use of soapy water and wash them off. Or you can use a strong force of water (e.g. hose) to displace them from your plant. the use of neem oil can also prove effective.

    5.    Hornworms

    Hornworms are another type of pest that can cause problems to your pepper plant. These worms are so large that it’s easy to just pluck or pick them off from your plant.

    Monterey LG6332 Bacillus Thuringiensis (B.t.) Worm & Caterpillar Killer Insecticide/Pesticide Treatment Concentrate, 16 oz

    71PlWNkUm4L. AC SX679
    Check Price on Amazon

    6.    Flea Beetles – Bell Pepper Plant Problems

    Flea beetles may look small in size but they can cause serious harm or problems to your bell pepper plant when you have a severe infestation. Their symptoms of an infested flea beetle pepper plant tend to show some distinct holes in the leaves of your plant.

    You can solve the problem of flea beetles by dusting your pepper plants with talcum powder as this can help repel flea beetles.

    • So, we have looked into some pests and diseases that may affect your bell pepper plants. Now here are the bell peppers that are non-diseases related:

    B.   Non-diseases Related Bell Pepper Problems

    1.    Under-watering

    This issue is common during hot seasons. So if you don’t supply the plant with adequate water during this period, you may begin to notice some issues with the growth of your bell pepper plant.

    Normally, pepper plants love full sun and require adequate watering. So, when you slack with the watering needs of bell peppers, they will not flourish appropriately so problems set in.

    To reduce the chances of facing this issue, you should endeavor to water your bell pepper plant early morning and evening. The best time to water is once the sun has gone down.

    2.    Over-watering

    Even though pepper plants generally like to be watered adequately, you should however avoid overwatering. Over-watering your pepper plant can cause problems. This is common with potted pepper plants that don’t have adequate drainage holes.

    So, if you find yourself overwatering your potted pepper plant, simply cease watering and allow the soil to dry out. It is crucial you fix this problem on time to improve the chance of the pepper plant recovering.

    3.    Sun Scalding – Bell Pepper Plant Problems

    Although pepper plants are sun-loving plants, they still need time to adjust before they can finally be moved outdoors. This is especially common with potted pepper plants. But this shouldn’t be an issue with peppers seed sown outdoors from the start.

    The seedlings of pepper started indoors need a transition to outdoor conditions are the ones usually prone to sun scalding.

    This is why it is crucial you harden off the seedlings started from indoors by gradually introducing them to outdoor conditions such as direct sunlight, wind, as well as changing temperatures. So, avoid the abrupt transition to full sunlight.

    Bell Pepper Plant Problems - Sun Scalding

    Bell Pepper Plant Problems: Final Say

    Bell pepper plant problems can arise in different ways. The problems associated with bell peppers can be in form of pests, diseases, or even other environmental factors.

    We have listed some of these issues that may arise when growing bell peppers and how to mitigate them. So, we do hope this article can be of great use to you regarding bell pepper plant problems.

    FAQ’s

    How do you revive a bell pepper plant?

    Bell pepper can be revived if the cause isn’t too serious. For instance, if you have droopy leave which is usually caused by over-watering or under-watering, it’s possible to revive your pepper plant. For over-watering, simply cease watering for some days and allow the soil to dry out before you water again, and ensure there are enough draining holes of you’re using pot. For under-watering, ensure you water adequately especially when the temperature is hot.

  • Reasons For Wilting Tomato Plants In Pots

    Reasons For Wilting Tomato Plants In Pots

    Wilting tomato plants in pots are one common issue faced when growing tomatoes in containers. Wilting occurs in tomatoes for different reasons. Sometimes, it may not be something serious if you act fast to mitigate the problem. However, it may also mean something serious like infectious diseases.

    Once you begin to notice wilting leaves and wilting stems on your tomato plant, it shows there’s a problem that needs to be fixed as on as possible. The most common reasons for tomato wilting can be due to hot temperatures which usually cause under-watering. Or it may be because of shock from transplanting.

    Whatever the case may be regarding wilting tomatoes in pots or outdoor gardens, it may be possible to revive your plant if you do the right thing.

    We will be looking into wilting tomato plants in pots and give you some possible solutions to resolving the issue. So, let’s begin.

    Common Reasons For Wilting Tomato In Pots

    Wilting tomato plants in pots is characterized by drooping leaves and makes the tomato plant lose its shape. Let us further look into the details of wilting tomatoes in pots. So, here are the common reasons why your tomato plant may be wilting in your containers.

    1.    Lack Of Water Or Under-Watering

    When your potted tomato plant isn’t watered sufficiently especially during the hot days, it can cause wilting of leaves as well as stems. This wilting can be temporary which causes the leaves and stems to lose water faster than they can replenish it.

    Sometimes when this happens, they may recover in the evening and it may not require extra watering. However, if the wilted potted tomato refuses to be revived after the weather cools down in the evening, they will need watering.

    Read more about When To Pick Artichokes

    2.    Over-Watering

    Apart from lack of water in your potted tomato plant, over-watering that leads to soggy plants can cause wilting. When the plant is soaked in excess water, the roots get drowned and cause the plant to be unable to absorb water from the soil. Hence, leading to wilting of the plant.

    This is why you need to monitor your potted tomato plant, especially during the rainy season or heavy downpours. Don’t supply excess water during rainy seasons if your potted tomato is outdoors. Or you can simply take your potted tomato plant indoors to avoid over-watering from heavy downpours.

    If your potted tomato is suffering from overwatering, then it’s possible for it to recover. Simply cease watering the plant and only water when you notice at least 2 inch soil into the soil is dry.

    A quick guide to watering your tomato plant appropriately is to roughly provide 1 inch of water every week.

    Over-Watering - Wilting tomato plants in pots

    3.    Drainage Holes

    Drainage holes are very crucial when it comes to potted plants generally. If the drainage holes you have for your potted tomatoes aren’t enough, it may cause your plant to get clogged due to the inadequate flow of water whenever you water your plant.

    Therefore, make sure you have enough drainage holes in your potted tomato plants to allow an easy flow or passage of water.

    Check Out Top 10 Best Cross-Pollinating Vegetables

    4.    Transplanting To Bigger Pots

    When you improperly transplant tomato plants into another pot or even into your garden, it may cause shock and damage the root of your plant. Then this can lead to the wilting of your plant.

    Ensure you don’t tear or cut the tomato plant roots in the process of transplanting and ensure you don’t over-water them.

    Additionally, when you are transitioning your tomato (especially the seedlings) outdoors in a sunny area, use any opaque materials during the hottest periods. This is because your plant will need to readjust to the environment so this will help harden them off.

    5.    Type Of Soil Used – Wilting Tomato Plants In Pots

    If you’re using loose soil such as sandy soil for your potted tomato, it will require you to water more especially during hot seasons. Sandy soil loses water too quickly so they aren’t so great with water retention.

    So, it is ideal you water your potted plant accordingly when using loose soil such as sandy soil.

    Coast of Maine OMRI Listed Tomato and Vegetable Plant Potting Soil Compost Blend for Container Gardens

    Wilting Tomato Plants In Pots
    Check Price on Amazon

    6.    Soil-borne Disease Caused By Wilting

    Fungal diseases that are soil-borne can also cause your potted tomato to wilt. Fusarium and verticillium wilt are the two most common soil-borne diseases that can lead to wilting of tomatoes.

    When your tomato plant is infected with these diseases, it begins to wilt especially during the day. Then at night, your tomato plant can recover. The fruits of your tomato plant may even yield fruit, but it usually results in smaller or fewer yields. This wilting can slowly become worse and even lead to the death of the plant.

    You can further verify Fusarium and Verticillium infection if you cut the affected stem open. You should see a brown to black discoloration of the vascular system of the stem instead of a healthy stem that only has a shade of green.

    The best solution is to burn or discard the infected plant. Then you should plant your tomato in a new container and soil and avoid composting the infected plant.

    To further protect your potted tomato from Fusarium and Verticillium, we recommend you go for tomato varieties that are resistant to these diseases.

    My Tomato Plants Are Wilting In Pots Even When Soil Is Wet: What Are The Reasons?

    We have an understating that potted tomato plants need to be moist so they can thrive well. However, if your tomato plant is wilting even when your soil is wet then it may mean that you have over-watered your plant. Over-watering can cause your potted tomato to wilt.

    Also, if your potted tomato plant doesn’t have good drainage holes, it can clog the flow of water when you water your plant thereby causing wilting as we have mentioned above.

    My Tomato Plants Are Wilting In Pots Even When Soil Is Wet - What Are The Reasons

    Final Say On Wilting Tomato Plants In Pots

    Wilting tomato plants in pots can be a worrisome thing when this situation arises. But if you can determine the cause of wilting, it may be possible to revive your plant.

    FAQ’s

    How do you revive a wilted tomato plant?

    You can revive a wilted tomato plant by first determining the cause of the wilting issue. Once, you’ve confirmed the cause, then you can now take steps to mitigate the situation. For instance, if your tomato is wilted by under-watering or over-watering, simply stop watering or water more when needed.

    How often should I water my tomato plants in pots?

    Some things will determine how you water your potted tomato plant. For instance, if your potted plant is in a protected place where it can’t get water from rain, then you will need to dedicate some time to water them. During hot seasons, your plant will need more watering. But always check how dry or moist your soil is to further determine when to water them.

    Why are my tomato plants wilting after planting in pots?

    Your tomato may be wilting after planting in pots if you just transferred them to another pot. This transfer can cause shock especially when you cut or tear part of the root before transplanting it to another pot.

  • When To Pick Artichokes

    When To Pick Artichokes

    Artichokes are known for their elegant and distinctive leaves, which are veritably endearing to the eyes and aesthetic to the terrain. Artichokes are a wonder to the eyes. When to pick artichokes is what we will be discussing here.

    Picking artichokes comes with relative ease as you are only required to pay attention to a few things and follow the due process. Planting and caring for the artichokes can be considered to be the hard part. Once you finish that part, picking or harvesting is relatively easy.

    To pick your artichoke plant, you must be able to tell when the plant is ready for harvest. Once you can tell this, you can go ahead with the harvesting part of the task. Growing artichokes is an overall easy process that you can master if you wish to.

    This article gives insight into how and things to note when planting and growing artichokes, as well as how you can pick the artichokes. Before we delve into how to pick artichokes, let’s consider a few facts about the plant to give us a background understanding.

    About Artichoke Plant – When To Pick Artichokes

    It is important to have background knowledge and understanding of the artichoke plant as this will give you insight into how it should be picked. The buds of the plant are picked when the plant is mature enough for harvesting.

    Picking the plant at the right time is very important as a delay may allow the plant to flower. If this is allowed, the plant becomes thistle-like and turns purple.

    About Artichoke Plant

    Artichokes are mostly edible, and they should be picked when the flower bud is still not mature and very green. The plant can grow as high as three to five feet when placed in the right conditions.

    When To Pick Artichokes

    Artichokes usually stay green and alive for about five years. Production by the plant, however, begins about a year after planting. During the season, you will notice that about 10 or more stalks are produced by the mature plant.

    The best time to pick or harvest artichokes is when the flower buds begin to form on the stalks. This usually happens in the spring. You should inspect the plant daily so that you can cut the buds before they open. When you allow the buds to open, it becomes fibrous and unpalatable.

    When artichokes begin to produce, you will notice that the top bud in the stalk will ripen first, and then the buds in the lower part will follow. The bud atop is usually the biggest of the artichokes on the stalk. Now you understand when it’s the right time to pick artichokes, let’s consider how to.

    How To Pick Artichokes – When To Pick Artichokes

    You must note that picking artichokes is relatively the same as harvesting the plant. The following steps should be followed when you wish to pick your artichokes:

    • Cut the artichoke bud from the stalk using a knife, garden pruner, or lopper. Leave about 1 to 3 inches below the bud base when cutting. Leaving some stem behind makes it easy for you to handle the thorny bud. Buds must be handled very carefully to avoid bruising.
    • Repeat the above for all the buds ready for picking.
    • When you pick all the buds on a particular stalk, cut the entire plant down just slightly above soil level. You should thereafter reduce irrigation. In no distant time, you will notice that new stalks bearing new buds will begin to develop.

    Planting Artichokes: Tips For Growing Artichokes

    The following are a few tips you should adopt when growing artichokes for the best possible result to be attained;

    • Pick the Right Location: The location you choose will greatly affect your artichoke plant. Ensure you pick an area with good drainage and plenty of direct sunlight. Planting artichokes in soggy soil goes a long way to affect the plant negatively. The soil must be nutritious.
    • Prepare the Soil Adequately: after you have mapped out a perfect location to grow your artichoke plant, you must prepare the soil. While artichokes can grow in moist soil, such soil must have adequate organic matter if you wish to have a bountiful harvest.
    Amazon’s Choice
    FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil
    FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil
    $33.99

    FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil is a nutrient-rich blend of aged forest products, bat guano, and earthworm castings, perfect for indoor and outdoor plants. Its pH-balanced formula promotes healthy growth, making it ideal for seedlings, transplants, and mature plants.

    Check Amazon Price
    We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
    12/15/2025 04:01 am GMT
    • Plant your Artichokes: planting your artichoke seeds shouldn’t be too much of a problem. The seeds usually come with guides that should help you. Artichokes are generally planted and left to grow for about 60 days before they are brought into the garden and planted in rows at an interval of 4-6 feet apart. Spacing them about 6 to 8 feet apart provides greater room for water movement and fertilizer application.
    • Water Artichokes Consistently: artichokes are a huge lover of water. This is very important to the plants as they need water to produce tender buds. The perennial power of the plant lies in its deep roots which can only be cultivated when watered regularly.
    • Apply Artichoke Fertilizer: when you provide adequate fertilizer for your artichoke bed, your plant gets many of the essential nutrients needed to thrive. Applying a balanced vegetable plant food every two weeks or thereabout will give the plant a considerable boost.
    • Harvesting/Pruning: harvesting should ordinarily occur when the plant is matured enough to be picked. You should harvest artichoke buds when they have swelled but are tightly closed. Pruning takes place after harvesting, and this helps to prepare the plant for the next harvest.

    Storing Artichokes – When To Pick Artichokes

    After the plant has been picked, the need may arise for storing it. This may be done by putting the artichokes harvested in a refrigerator immediately after harvesting occurs. The plant can be stored conveniently in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks. You may also decide to cook the plant.

    Storing Artichokes

    Conclusion On When To Pick Artichokes

    Picking artichokes as we have seen above is relatively easy. All you need do is pay attention to the plant and care for it as at when due. Picking the plant is the easy aspect of dealing with the plant. This article directs how to go about planting, caring for, and picking artichokes.

    FAQ’s

    How can you tell when an artichoke is ripe?

    An artichoke plant will usually be good for picking within a year after planting. You can easily tell when an artichoke is ripe, and this is when it begins to flower, and the bud is still very green and immature. This is when the artichoke is ripe for picking.

    When should I cut my artichoke?

    You should cut your artichoke when it is ripe. You can easily determine this because the plant begins to flower, but make sure to do your cutting before the flowers turn purple. When it is still green and immature, it is the best time to cut.

    When is it too late to pick artichokes?

    It becomes too late to pick artichokes when you notice that it has flowered fully, and the bud has changed color. From being sharp green to being dull purple, then it is about too late to pick.

  • What You Need To Know About The Best PH For Tomatoes

    What You Need To Know About The Best PH For Tomatoes

    Best pH for tomatoes, do you know what this is? If you are interested in growing tomatoes, there are a few factors you must look out for such as soil nutritional content, soil pH level, the amount of sunlight to expose the plant to, and the best time to plant. All of these have a way of affecting the overall result that is achieved at the end of the day.

    Tomatoes are one of the very important vegetables that is used by many for cooking and preparing different delicacies. Its nutritional benefits are numerous ranging from reduction of the risk of heart disease and cancer to being a great source of vitamin C and K potassium and folate.

    This article considers the best pH for tomatoes to grow and attain the best possible result. Things that may be done in situations where the pH level is too high or too low to bring it to the desired levels are also discussed.

    What Is pH? – Best pH For Tomatoes

    When we talk about pH of a plant, we are referring to if your soil is acidic, alkaline, or in a few cases neutral. The scale of pH usually ranges from 0 to 14.

    It is crucial you know your soil pH before planting because it can determine how available nutrients will be supplied to your plant. This will therefore help your plant thrive well.

    Tomatoes pH Level Requirement

    The ideal soil pH to grow tomatoes is anywhere between levels 6.0 and 6.8 according to research. Although this is the ideal levels, tomatoes can also grow in soils with acidic levels as low as 5.5 on the pH scale.

    If you desire your tomatoes plant to be healthier and blossom as when due, then you must strive to maintain the soil pH level. The farther the tomatoes plant strays from this range, the lower your yields.

    Any soil that is too acidic will generally slow the growth of tomato plants and ultimately reduce harvest. Where the soil is too acidic, it also leads to nutrient deficiencies, resulting in a problem like an end rot on tomato fruit.

    A similar result is bound to be attained where the soil has a high alkaline content. As such, pH levels against 6.8 would greatly affect the growth and yield of the tomatoes plant.

    How To Test The pH Level Of Soil – Best pH For Tomatoes

    In a bid to prevent the problems associated with planting your tomatoes in soil that does not meet the pH requirements, ensure to test the soil. Testing a soil’s pH level can be done in various ways.

    One way of doing this is by sending a sample of your soil to a lab for testing and thereafter waiting for the result. Another way would be to buy the test kits and test on your own using an easy time-saving method.

    Luster Leaf 1601 Rapitest Test Kit for Soil pH, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potash, 1 Pack

    Best pH For Tomatoes
    Check Price on Amazon

    How To Lower The Soil pH Levels – Best pH For Tomatoes

    Where you discover after your testing that your soil pH level is above 6.8, you may need to lower this level. The following are a few ways to achieve this:

    • Use of Compost: If you add compost to your soil, it will not only feed your soil with very valuable nutrients, it will also help stabilize the pH level. Where the pH is too high, it helps lower it, and when it is too low, it helps increase it. So it’s both manure and pH balancer.
    • Sulfur: The use of sulfur is another way to balance the soil’s pH levels. The use of sulfur just like compost helps to balance the soil’s pH levels. You should however be careful not to add too much sulfur to the soil as this may be harmful to plants.
    • Sphagnum Peat Moss: This is a slow-acting agent for the amendment of the soil’s organic content and pH levels. It is also a good substance to help improve water retention and aeration in your soil.

    How To Increase The Soil pH Levels

    There are also instances where results will show that the soil has very low pH levels (highly acidic) and there is a need to increase the pH levels. The following can be done to get the pH levels increased:

    • Addition of Compost: If you add compost to your soil, it will not only feed your soil with very valuable nutrients, it will also help stabilize the pH level. Where the pH is too high, it helps lower it, and when it is too low, it helps increase it.
    • Limestone (calcium): This is one of the most common ways to lower the soil’s pH levels. By adding limestone to the soil, calcium bicarbonate is formed which helps to improve the soil’s pH levels.
    How To Increase The Soil pH Levels
    • Wood Ashes: This is one of the natural ways to amend the acidic nature of soil as they contain calcium carbonate. Where you have a fireplace, spreading some ashes from the fireplace on the soil may be of great assistance here.
    • Removal of Pine Needles: Recent research has shown that pine needles do not substantially affect soil pH levels. However, freshly dropped pine needles have been discovered to be a very good neutralizer of soil pH.

    Conclusion On Best pH For Tomatoes

    Growing tomatoes require consideration for a number of things. The soil pH level is one of those items that must be considered before growing tomatoes. It is very important to carry out a test to determine the soil’s pH level before growing for the purpose of getting the desired result.

    Where after your test it is discovered that the soil’s pH level is too low or too high, steps can be taken to amend these levels to an appropriate state. These are well discussed in this article.

    FAQ’s

    How do you acidify soil for tomatoes?

    Tomatoes require soil pH levels of 6.0 to 6.8, which is an acidic level. Where this is not the current level of your soil, you may acidify the soil by doing any of the following: addition of compost, sulfur, peat moss, and chelated fertilizer. All of these will help in making sure that the soil is acidified to the right levels.

    What is the best pH levels for tomatoes?

    If you require your tomatoes to blossom and give out fruit bountifully, then the soil’s pH level should be between 6.0 and 6.8. Any level below or above this is not the ideal pH condition for planting tomatoes.

    Do tomatoes prefer acidic or alkaline soil?

    Acidic soil is a soil with pH level below 7, while alkaline soil is one with a pH level above 7. Considering the fact that tomatoes thrive in soil with pH level 6.0 to 6.8, it is correct to say it does well in acidic soils.

    What is the best pH for hydroponic tomatoes?

    Hydroponic tomatoes are those tomatoes grown in a nutrient solution instead of soil. They can as such be grown indoors without natural light and the desired result actualized. Hydroponic tomatoes will usually give the best possible result when grown in a pH condition of 6.0 to 6.5.

  • Get To Know The Difference Between Summer Squash And Zucchini

    Get To Know The Difference Between Summer Squash And Zucchini

    The difference between summer squash and zucchini may be on your mind. Not to worry because this post is all about educating you about this and even more.

    The terms zucchini and summer squash are usually used interchangeably especially when it comes to food recipes.

    You might have even been in a situation where you’ve searched the whole supermarket shelves for zucchini only to find nothing. Then you just decide to simply toss a summer squash in your shopping cart instead because you think they are the same. But are they really the same or is there a difference between them? We will find out soon.

    But before we look into the difference between summer squash and zucchini, let’s briefly look into some brief details about summer squash and zucchini.

    Brief About Zucchini

    Although zucchini is often referred to as a vegetable, botanically speaking, it is actually a type of fruit. But you can still refer to them as vegetables. It belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae together with other types of fruits such as cucumbers and gourds.

    They are vining herbaceous plant and their fruits are usually harvested while their seeds and epicarp are still young or immature and soft or edible. The entire fruit of zucchini is totally edible so the skin, the flesh, and even the seeds are totally edible and they are rich in phytonutrients.

    Brief About Zucchini

    The fruit of zucchini is cylindrical and long and it has this mild, sparingly sweet flavor. The color of the fruit is deep green and it has this soft white flesh. However, you may occasionally find a golden-yellow variety of zucchini. The taste of zucchini tends to be mild and it has this slightly sweet flavor.

    Usually, it is the color of zucchini that is one of the most common ways of distinguishing between summer squash and zucchini. Then normally, the color of summer squash tends to be a bright shade of yellow compared to the zucchini forest green trademark.

    Check Out When To Pick Yellow Squash? Find Out Here

    Brief About Summer Squash

    Summer squash is a warm season crop that can be grown anytime so far the weather conditions are warm and frost free. When we talk about summer squash, it can encompass many varieties of freshly harvested squash that are usually picked during the summer months.

    The truth of the matter is that zucchini is also a summer squash plant family. And zucchini is included in other summer squash families such as pattypan squash, crookneck squash, and yellow squash. This implies that all zucchini can be referred to as summer squash. However, not all summer squash are zucchini because summer squash has different varieties of other squash apart from zucchini.

    Now, that we have some ideas about what zucchini and summer squash is, we can now look into the differences if there are any.

    Our Pick
    Squash Seeds for Planting 5 Individual Packets - Zucchini, Delicata, Butternut, Spaghetti and Golden Crookneck
    Squash Seeds for Planting 5 Individual Packets – Zucchini, Delicata, Butternut, Spaghetti and Golden Crookneck
    $9.95

    Gardeners Basics Squash Seeds for Your Non-GMO Heirloom Vegetable Garden

    Check Amazon Price
    We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
    12/15/2025 05:03 am GMT

    Differences Between Summer Squash And Zucchini: Zucchini vs Squash

    As we mentioned earlier, zucchini is also a type of summer squash. The difference between these two isn’t so much. But here are some differences we can find about these two squash:

    1.    Colors

    The main difference between these two squash is their color. Zucchini is mostly dark green while summer squash on the other is mostly yellow. However, there are still some zucchini varieties that are yellow and they are known as gold zucchini.

    This gold zucchini also have the same flavor as the green zucchini so you can switch them in your dishes. The yellow zucchini may not be seen frequently or at all if you try to find them at grocery stores. You may however see them once in a while at the farmers market. You can even grow it yourself.

    2.    Shape – Difference Between Summer Squash And Zucchini

    Apart from color being the difference between zucchini and summer squash, the shape of these squash is another difference we can look at. A little closer look at their shapes can tell their differences.

    For the shape of zucchini, it has this straight, even shape. Then summer squash on the other hand has this thick and wider near the bottom and a narrow shape at the top. So, even if you find a zucchini and summer squash of the same color lying side by side, you should be able to tell the differences in their shape.

    3.    Slicing – Difference Between Summer Squash And Zucchini

    It is believed that you may get the difference between zucchini and summer squash when you slice them apart. When you cut them apart, summer squash may have fewer seeds compared to zucchini.

    What About The Flavor: Does Summer Squash And Zucchini Taste Different?

    When it comes to the flavor of both zucchini and summer squash, they tend to taste similar. So, it will be pretty easy to just use either zucchini or summer squash interchangeably in your recipe.

    Can You Swap Zucchini For Summer Squash?

    The fact that zucchini and summer squash taste similar, makes them easy to be swapped easily. These two types of squash also have similar appearances from the inside. Therefore, you can easily use zucchini or summer squash interchangeably for your kitchen recipe.

    Both zucchini and summer squash have this mid-taste and that slightly firm texture. You may not even notice so much difference in their taste. So, if you are probably having trouble finding one of these squash, you can simply go for either and it won’t even affect the flavor of your dish.

    You may even make a unique recipe with these squash by simply including or mixing a little of each of these squash in your dish to make your plate look more colorful and appetizing.

    Can You Swap Zucchini For Summer Squash

    Final Note On Difference Between Summer Squash And Zucchini

    Differences between summer squash and zucchini have been discussed in this post. So we hope we have answered most of the troubling questions you may have about the differences between these two squash.

    FAQ’s

    Can I use summer squash instead of zucchini?

    Yes. You can comfortably use summer squash instead of zucchini. You may not even notice the difference because both summer squash and zucchini tend to have a similar taste. These two squash both have a mild taste with a hint of sweetness.

    Which is healthier yellow squash or zucchini?

    Both yellow squash and zucchini have unique nutritional values that you can benefit from. For instance, squash has more beta-carotene and alpha-carotene compared to zucchini. But zucchini also contains more lutein and zeaxanthin compared to squash.

    Is squash the same as zucchini?

    Technically speaking, squash can be referred to as zucchini because zucchini is also a type of squash (zucchini is a summer squash to be precise). Apart from the difference in color and shape, zucchini and squash can be used interchangeably, especially during food recipes.