Category: Plants

Knowing how to harvest spinach goes a long way to impact the growth of the plant after harvest. Spinach is a really fast-growing plant, as such, it has the ability to yield quite a lot of leaves in a short time.

Growing spinach must be done with tact and with careful attention paid to the plant. The trick with growing spinach lies in making the plant last as long as possible, even after harvesting. This article gives you a guide on how to harvest spinach so as to keep the plant alive for a long period.

Before we delve into how to harvest spinach, let’s briefly consider how to grow the plant.

Guide On Growing Spinach

When growing spinach, ensure to take note and observe the following tips:

• The best time to plant spinach is during the cool weather- very early spring, late summer or early fall, and late fall through mid-winter.
• Ensure to space spinach plants about 12 inches apart in well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. The plant should be prepared with the appropriate soil nutrient.
• You should check the soil moisture from time to time and ensure to keep it consistent.
• If you want to attain tender and very rapid leaf production, you should feed on a regular basis with water-soluble plant food.
• You should begin to harvest once leaves are large enough to be eaten, starting with the outermost leaves.

Harvesting Spinach – How To Harvest Spinach

Knowing how to harvest your spinach goes a long way to affect the lifespan of the plant. A convenient way to harvest spinach is to do so with scissors by cutting the leaves at the stem. This should be done by first focusing on the outer and older leaves first, and then gradually harvesting to the center.

Another method that may be adopted when harvesting spinach is to cut the whole plant off at the base instead of the stem. This method allows the plant to re-sprout and give you another partial harvest. You should ensure to decide when you intend to use the plant before harvesting.

If you want the plant to continue to flourish and last for long, you must take further precautions when harvesting. One of these is to ensure not to take more than 25-30% of a single plant at any point in time. This gives the plant room to continue to grow and blossom.

When harvesting baby spinach leaves, you should cut off individual outer leaves, but also ensure to leave the crown of the plant. Leaving this intact will allow the plant to regrow for a future harvest. You should halt after two harvests, and carry on the third only after the baby leaves are fully mature.

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When To Harvest Spinach

Knowing the best time to harvest your spinach also goes a long way to impact harvest and yield. Generally, the best timing for your harvest is dependent primarily on the type of green you are growing.

When you planted is baby spinach, they are usually ready to be harvested between 20 to 30 days after the seeds were sown. During this timeline, baby spinach leaves are still round in shape and very tender.

Where on the other hand, you are growing mature spinach, you may need to wait longer. The leaves will have to get thick, broad and in some varieties crinkled. These mature spinaches are usually ready to harvest between 38 and 50 days after planting.

Can You Plant Spinach In Succession To Aid Harvest Yield?

You may have wondered if Spinach is one of those vegetables that can be planted in succession, say for instance every week instead of planting at once. This is referred to as succession planting.

Succession planting of spinach seeds has been discovered to be the best way to maximize your harvest. When adopting this planting style, spread the sowing of the seeds out over several weeks. By doing so, you ultimately spread your harvest over a long period of time.

Planting And Growing Spinach For Best Harvest

You should do the following when planting and growing spinach so as to attain the best possible harvest:

• The seeds should be sown about 0.5 inches deep every 2 inches. You should plant in rows of about 12 to 18 inches apart.
• You should adopt succession planting if you wish to get the best possible result.
• Thinning should be done when seedlings sprout about 2 inches apart. The ideal spacing should be about 3-4 inches apart.
• Spinach does well with water, so water regularly and mulch so as to retain as much water in the soil as possible.
• The nutrient application should be done even as plants continue to grow. It is appropriate to add nitrogen fertilizer when the plant begins to grow so that the leaves can retain their green color.
• Spinach may get affected by pests and diseases such as leaf miners, bolting, leaf spot, Cercospora among others. You should therefore be very observant with your spinach and apply the appropriate pesticide when needed.

Preserving Spinach

It is very important to note that harvesting spinach requires some effort because of the nature of the plant. It is, therefore, best to harvest the amount of spinach that you will be needing immediately. By so doing, you don’t need to bother with preserving or storing the vegetable.

Where, however, you have a bumper harvest that cannot be consumed immediately, you can preserve the extra by freezing it in a sealed container or bags. By doing this, you may retain the nutritious and delicious taste of the harvested spinach for some time.

Check Out These Helpful Tips To Growing Yellow Squash

Conclusion on How To Harvest Spinach

From the above, you would notice that growing and harvesting spinach is not an entirely difficult task to do. You must however pay very close attention when harvesting the plant. Harvesting the proper way may help elongate the lifespan of the plant long after harvest.

Harvesting may be done in different ways depending on the result you wish to attain. Planting, caring for and harvesting spinach is not difficult if these simple tips are followed.

FAQ’s

Growing yellow squash is an option for a healthy garden. Yellow squash is a rich versatile vegetable and one of the species of summer squash. It is a vegetable that grows fast, rich in vitamins, and can be used to make cheesy casseroles, a healthy pasta substitute, and even baked parmesan bites.

Growing yellow squash may be a little tricky to grow as the plant require a varying amount of nutrients and may be easily affected by pests and diseases. It is therefore important that you take note of a few vital points when planting and growing yellow squash so as to attain the best result.

This article gives you a guide on the things you should note when planting and growing yellow squash. The best time to plant in the year and the likely time to expect harvest are all covered here. A few practices to adopt so as to prevent pests and diseases from attacking the plants are here also.

Now let’s begin with things you should note when planting and growing yellow squash.

Tips On Planting Yellow Squash

The following are some important planting conditions you should take note of when planting yellow squash:

Yellow Squash Grows Better In The Summer

This plant is highly susceptible to cold and as such does not do well in cold soil or frost. It is, therefore, best to plant in the middle or towards the end of spring when the temperature is about 65 degrees Fahrenheit. From mid-March to April is the best time for early harvest, while from late July through August is the best time for fall harvest.

It Requires A Lot Of Sunlight

This vegetable requires a lot of sunshine for the best possible result to be attained. Planting Yellow squash in a shady place or under an umbrella tree or plant will not yield the best result. Ensure the plant receives about eight hours of sunlight daily.

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Pick A Location That Drains Water Well

Yellow squash does not do well in a place where water is accumulated. This is bad for the root and may lead to root rot which may ultimately kill the plant. Avoid low grounds and water accumulated sites when planting.

pH Soil Levels

For yellow squash to do well, the pH level of the soil should be between 6.0 and 6.5. Where this level is not the case for your garden, take steps to augment it accordingly. You should take steps to check your soil pH level from time to time.

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Support Your Soil With More Nutrients

Squash is considered to be a heavy feeder, and this implies that it requires a lot of nutrients to thrive. As such, improve your soil with organic compost and natural, slow-release fertilizer before and after planting. You should however be careful not to use fertilizers with lots of nitrogen as this encourages leaf growth which may be good for a young plant, but not at the fruit-giving stage.

Check Out A Guide On Saving And Growing Persian Cucumber Seeds

How To Plant Yellow Squash – Growing Yellow Squash

You can do the following when planting yellow squash:

• Prepare the Soil: You do this by confirming the soil pH level, ensuring water drains well from the soil, and adding the relevant nutrients to boost the soil.
• Sow Seeds: Two or three seeds should be sown every nine to twelve inches. The depth of the seed should be between 1 and 1.5 inches into the soil. When planting seeds, ensure the temperature is about 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit since the plant is frost-sensitive.
• Cover the Seeds: After planting, you should cover them slightly with a mulch. This could be straw, wood chips, or dried leaves. This helps to keep the weeds down and maintain the soil moisture pending when the plant begins to grow leaves.
• Keep Soil Moist: During the germination period, keep the soil moist and water regularly. Ensure to be careful when watering so as to prevent leaf diseases. It’s best to water at ground level and not directly on leaves.

• Thinning: Yellow squash usually spread and cover available space easily. As such, you should thin to the strongest single seedling of the 2 or 3 you planted in each group.
• Harvesting: It all depends on the desired result. “Scallop” yellow squashes are best picked when they are between 3 to 5 inches across, while “Crookneck” and “Straightneck” are best left until they are about 4 to 7 inches. If you delay harvesting early enough, the skin may become thick and tough, with dense interior seed pockets.

Common Pests And Diseases That Affect Yellow Squash

Yellow squash is often affected by a wide array of pests and diseases. As such, extra care must be taken when growing the plant. They are plagued by squash bugs, cucumber beetles, squash vine borers, slugs, and snails. In addition to these, sap-sucking whiteflies and aphids are pests to the plant.

Yellow squash is also affected by diseases like mosaic viruses, squash blossom blight, and cucumber bacterial wilt. It is therefore imperative that you regularly check the plant to ensure that they are not disturbed by any of these diseases or pests. Treat swiftly once you notice any of the above.

Different ways are adopted when dealing with these pests and diseases. For example, squash bugs usually become active and lay their eggs in early spring. Squash visible eggs laid on the stem of the plant and use pesticides to eliminate those that are laying eggs or have hatched.

In the case of cucumber beetles, mulching the ground with stray, hay or any other item is a good way to deter the beetles from laying eggs. Also, by planting cucurbits later in the season, you are sure to scare the beetles away.

Growing Yellow Squash: Final Say

Growing yellow squash is a bit intricate as you have seen from above. You must therefore be willing to give the requisite attention when growing yellow squash. Ensure to plant at the right time and in well-prepared soil. These are factors that will likely improve the result obtained.

This plant like some other plants is susceptible to pests and diseases. Therefore, this means that you must put into consideration some necessary precautions to deal with these diseases.

FAQ’s

Persian cucumber seeds are easily available in garden centers and online stores making them accessible to gardeners across America.

Persian cucumbers are classified as a single crop, also known as Cucumis melo var. flexuosus, belonging to the family of Cucurbitaceae. They are native to India but nowadays they are cultivated in many regions worldwide including Europe and North America. Persian cucumbers are also known as Beit Alpha, Middle Eastern cucumber, or Lebanese cucumbers.

The fruit length is between five to six inches. The fruits are cylindrically shaped with wrinkled skin covering firm flesh which can be white or green colored.

The plant growth habit is a bush type that has good resistance to pests, diseases, and drought conditions. One of the benefits of the Persian cucumber is that it requires very little space for growth since the plant size is small compared to others.

Growing Persian Cucumber Seeds

Growing Persian cucumber seeds is not difficult but their germination time is considered long. Persian cucumber planting requirements are different compared to other vegetable crops. These requirements include:

Planting depth

The seeding depth of Persian cucumbers is not recommended to be less than 1/2″ or more than 3/4″.

Seeding rate

The seeding rate for Persian cucumber seeds should be around four to eight lbs per acre depending on soil fertility.

Sowing time

The best time to sow Persian cucumber seeds is early spring after the frost danger period is over. These cucumbers are best suited to warmer areas with long summers. When sowing the soil temperature should be between 65 F to 70F for the best germination rate.

Seed spacing

Persian cucumbers are planted in rows with 60 cm between each row and from plant to plant should be at least 30 cm.

Health Benefits Of Persian Cucumber Seeds

Persian cucumbers are considered healthy, here are several health benefits they provide:

• Good Source of Antioxidants. Persian cucumbers are a good source of antioxidants which is necessary to keep the intracellular environment healthy and free from damage by free radicals.
• Rich in Vitamin C. Persian cucumbers is a significant source of Vitamin C which helps strengthen our immune system, improving skin health and reducing the risk for urinary tract infections.
• Rich in Dietary Fiber. Persian cucumber seeds contain a high amount of dietary fiber that is beneficial for the digestion system by regulating bowel movements and helping control blood sugar levels.
• Good for Skin. Persian cucumber seeds have been shown as a powerful weapon against acne, eczema, psoriasis, and sun damage due to their antibacterial properties.
• Anti-inflammatory Properties. According to a recent Persian cucumber study, these cucumbers have been found to carry a powerful anti-inflammatory food that can fight against arthritis and heart disease by preventing the development of inflammatory compounds in the body.
• Aids Weight Loss. Persian cucumbers are very low in calories making them ideal for weight loss diets. Many studies have shown that Persian cucumber seeds help to improve blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.

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How To Save Persian Cucumber Seeds?

When growing Persian cucumbers, you can save your own seeds from overgrown fruits. The best time to collect Persian cucumber seeds is when the fruits become yellowish or after they fall on the ground.

The Persian seeds should be allowed to dry at room temperature before storing them in a cool dark place. Both dried and fresh Persian cucumber seeds can be stored for a long time without losing their germinating ability.

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Here are the steps to follow when saving Persian cucumber seeds:

• Step 1: Pick fruits when they are overgrown or have fallen on the ground.
• Step 2: Cut them open to reveal the seeds inside.
• Step 3: Scoop out the seeds and discard the fleshy part of the cucumber.
• Step 4: Spread the seeds in a dry place for several days until they are fully dried.
• Step 5: Store them in an air-tight container and place them in a cool dark room or cupboard.

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How To Grow Persian Cucumbers From Home Seeds

Once you have saved your Persian cucumber seeds, it’s time to grow them again in the next season. Here are a few things to consider when growing Persian cucumbers from home seeds.

Ensure your soil is rich. When growing Persian cucumbers, you need to start with farm soil that is rich enough with organic matter, liming materials, and well-drained. The pH level should be between 6.5 to 7.5 which can be achieved by adding limestone on-farm soil before planting your home seeds.

Water them regularly. Persian cucumbers require a lot of water to grow healthy and produce a high yield. They should be watered regularly during the growing season every day until fruits are harvested to keep the soil moist.

Protect them from plant enemies. Persian cucurbit seeds are vulnerable to fungal infections such as Downy mildew, powdery mildew, and bacterial wilt.

It’s important to take preventive measures against these fungi during the growing periods by using disease-free planting material. In addition, Persian cucumber seeds can be treated with fungicides for better results.

Conclusion

Persian cucumber seeds as described in this article are a little difficult to germinate and therefore require the best growing conditions.

The best growing conditions for this plant include rich soil that is well-drained, enough water, protection from plant enemies, and good air circulation.

If you choose to save your own seeds, remember to dry them completely and store them in a cool dark space. You can store your seeds long enough but you need to check them from time to time for any fungal infections that may lead to rot.

You can incorporate these scrumptious vegetables in several recipes like salads, dips, stews, and curries.

FAQ’s

Growing lettuce from seed is an easy and fun activity to do with your young ones and later enjoy its good harvest.

Although growing lettuce is incredibly easy, there are some important factors to consider when growing it. Lettuce requires quite a lot of sunlight to grow properly, so if you live in low-light areas then growing lettuce may not be for you.

Also, growing salad greens like this will require more nutrients than their head-forming counterparts (it takes up to 20 days for them to form heads). If you plan on growing your vegetables over the summer or winter, make sure that you prepare the soil beforehand!

Step By Step Guide To Growing Lettuce From Seed Indoors

As you will see below, how to start growing lettuce from seed is easy and fast.

• Step 1: Germinate

To germinate lettuce seeds, you will need a growing medium. Any sterile growing mix is suitable for growing lettuce from seed, although there are specific growing mixes available at your local garden center.

• Step 2:  Give them some space!

Fill the growing tray with the growing mix and level it out slightly before sowing your seeds evenly across the surface of the growing medium. It’s important to note that a single pickling cucumber plant requires 100 square feet of space!

• Step 3: Keep an eye on them

Cover them in a thin layer of fine compost or vermiculite and give them a good misting over with some water. Keep an eye on them throughout the first few weeks as young lettuce plants appreciate moist soil conditions – do not let their roots dry out.

• Step 4:  Ready to transplant?

During the growing period, ensure the growing conditions are right for your plants. You will find that your young plants will rapidly germinate and start growing. Within a few weeks, they will have developed their first set of leaves and be ready to transplant into another growing container or module tray for a longer growing cycle.

You can choose to grow your seedlings indoors in this case. However, if you do not have enough space on your windowsill, it’s best to move them outside so long as the weather is starting to turn warm again.

You may wish to cover your seedling with some shade netting overnight. This is a good idea until they get used to being outdoors if you’ve been growing them indoors for a while – particularly during cold winter.

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Growing Lettuce From Seed Outdoors

You’ll need to prepare the growing area by spading and preparing the soil with some sand beforehand – don’t forget it will require a lot of nutrients!

Hoe the surface until it has turned to fine soil and level it with your hand or rake and transplant your growing plants. Ensure that your growing containers are at least eight inches deep so that they have enough room to develop their roots.

Once planted, water them well and wait for those tender little green shoots to appear above ground. Make sure you keep an eye on them if there’s any possibility of frost as cold weather may cause them to “bolt” (run-up like a flower) rather than grow into a mature plant.

Once the weather starts to warm up, you will have lovely green leaves growing in no time! Harvest your lettuce when it is large enough and enjoy it with some tasty dressing or dip. I like to add nuts or dried fruit for an extra taste sensation.

Well, that’s about it – growing lettuce from seed requires very little work and attention – excellent if you’re busy but still want something productive growing on your windowsill. Enjoy!

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What Is The Right Temperature For Growing Lettuce From Seed In A Greenhouse?

When growing your lettuce inside a greenhouse, ensure your plants have the right temperatures.

At night, when growing lettuce from seed in a greenhouse, the temperature should be at least +5°C (41°F). If the temperature goes lower than +5°C (41°F) outdoors, then you should consider bringing your growing tray with growing plants under the shelter. During the day, temperatures in the greenhouse should be at least +18°C (64.4°F).

Overall, the temperatures in the greenhouse should range between 20-30°C (68-86°F). However, growing lettuce from seed can withstand higher temperatures up to 35°C (95°F).

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What Type Of Fertilizer Does Growing Lettuce From Seed Require?

When growing your lettuce indoors you don’t need any additional fertilizers for growing. However, when planting your young plants outside you should consider fertilizing them with an organic liquid fertilizer such as fish emulsion or seaweed extract plus bonemeal. When growing indoors and outdoors use only half the recommended dosage that is read on the package.

Growing Lettuce From Seeds In Containers

Growing lettuce from indoor starts requires very little time.  Plants will need a minimum of four hours of full sun per day outside and twelve hours per day inside.

You will need containers that are around eight inches deep if you’re planting them outdoors or about five inches if growing them indoors. Black plastic pots are best as they absorb the maximum amount of light and heat (perfect for plants like lettuce and tomatoes).

Plant your seeds about 1/8 inch deep into moist potting soil in either small individual pots or one large container that measures approximately eight inches deep. Keep the growing medium moist but not wet at all times to ensure your success with these fast-growing plants.

Conclusion On Growing Lettuce From Seed

Growing lettuce indoors is nice if you don’t have the space outside or you can grow them all year round inside where it’s warm without worrying about cold temperatures (for growing plants only after they are mature enough).

FAQ’s

Do you know how to cut cilantro or a guide on how to do it correctly will help you get some tips?

Cilantro is not only used in cooking but it is also considered a herb. Cilantro or coriander leaves are popular in many parts of the world and most especially in Asia and Europe.

Coriander is often seen in Asian dishes such as Vietnamese, Thai, Indian, and Chinese meals because this herb brings out the best flavors when combined with other ingredients.

Since cilantro grows fast and can easily be propagated by breaking apart clumps into smaller sections that contain one stem and several leaves, it can be grown in a home garden.

Both the leaves and stems of the cilantro plant are edible. The leaves are soft and tender, whereas the stems are fibrous and more flavorful.

How To Cut Cilantro From Plants?

If you want to know how to cut cilantro without killing the plant, here’s how:

Step 1: Select a stem on the periphery of the clump and cut it off using sharp kitchen shears. Cutting at this stage will remove only the stem and some leaves but not all. This method helps you harvest cilantro several times.

Step 2: After removing one stem, use your fingers to separate the remaining stems so you can find how to cut cilantro from a plant with ease. If there are no other stems visible anywhere in your garden, be sure to check again as they might still be hidden underneath larger leaves.

How To Cut Cilantro From The Garden?

Now that you know how to cut cilantro from plants, let’s learn how to correctly cut your cilantro leaves from the garden. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Hold a stem firmly in one hand and a clean pair of scissors in the other.

Step 2: Cut cilantro stems right above a leaf node to retain most of your plants. A leaf node is where leaves are attached to the stem. Removing leaves below this area will seriously affect how to cut cilantro from the garden because it can disturb its growth pattern plus you’re left with shortened stems that won’t be as strong. 

Step 3: Cut off your cilantro stems with a single clean cut to ensure you don’t damage the plant. Whatever you do, never cut your cilantro in a zigzag manner because this will tear the stem open and expose it to air which encourages its tissue to dry up.

Follow this how-to cut cilantro guide correctly and your garden will always be full of culinary delights!

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How To Cut Cilantro Leaves In The Kitchen

Once you have harvested your cilantro, it’s time to learn how to cut cilantro leaves in the kitchen. Follow these steps to get it done easily:

Step 1: Start by washing your hands. Always handle your food with clean hands.

Step 2: Start pulling off the large outer leaves from the stems. Be sure to tear the leaves off instead of cutting with a knife.

Step 3: Once you have enough leaves pulled off, wash them with clean water to get off dirt and insects if any.

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Step 4. Roll these leaves upholding them between your first three fingers. Place them flat on your cutting board and hold them firmly so they won’t move. Hold your knife with a comfortable grip, keeping it in one position. Slowly slice the how-to-cut cilantro leaves length.

Step 5: Cut these leaves into thin strips by holding your knife at an angle, about 30 degrees against the leafy pile. The thicker part of the cilantro leaves should be placed on top while the narrow end should be facing down towards your cutting board for stability.

Now you know how to cut your cilantro and get them ready to garnish your food.

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How Long Does Cilantro Last After Harvesting?

Now that you know how to cut cilantro, you need to know that proper storage is important after harvesting.

Store your cut cilantro in a glass of water by covering it with a plastic bag and placing it on your refrigerator’s top shelf. Remember that cilantro tends to wilt fast so it’s best you only harvest what you need currently. If you want them to stay longer, you can also freeze the cilantro leaves inside baggies for up to six months.

If you’re cutting fresh cilantro leaves from your garden, don’t leave it out at room temperature even if it’s only one stem – never leave any food uncovered especially with how long cilantro lasts.

Conclusion – How To Cut Cilantro

After harvesting cilantro from your garden, always store them properly in the fridge. Cut the cilantro stems or leaves with a single clean cut to ensure you get perfect results every time.

Cilantro is a companion to every chef, as it has both health and medicinal properties that most people use. It can be used fresh or dry.

When used fresh, it has a very different taste than when it is dried. Fresh coriander leaves are an essential ingredient in many Asian dishes and American foods as well as Middle Eastern dishes.

Coriander has many health benefits which include its ability in helping to control diabetes. It also helps ease muscle pain and detoxifies the body when used topically or orally. In addition, it also lowers blood cholesterol levels, boosts good bacteria in your gut, and helps with digestion.

Happy gardening everyone!

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