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Category: Plants

Alfalfa Meal Fertilizer Benefits
Ever wondered if you can make use of an alfalfa meal in your garden? Alfalfa meal fertilizer can be used for other things but gardeners know there can be benefits from using it in their garden.
Alfalfa meal is a natural fertilizer that can be incorporated into your garden soil and drive great benefits for your plants’ growth.
If you are the one that likes to stick with organic fertilizer rather than synthetic fertilizer, then alfalfa meal is one natural fertilizer you can go for.
This natural fertilizer works great with different types of crops especially cole crops that include broccoli, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and so on.
The place of fertilizers cannot be underplayed in the growth of plants. With so many benefits this natural fertilizer offers; let’s look into what benefits our garden plants stand to gain using alfalfa meal fertilizer.
About Alfalfa Plant
Before we discuss the huge benefits of using the fertilizer, let’s mention a few things you should know about the Alfalfa meal:
- - Alfalfa is a richly leguminous perennial plant.
  - Derived by fermenting the adult seeds and plants of the plants.
  - The plant contains enormous nutritional benefits for other plants and soil-dwelling organisms.
  - Some of the major minerals which the plant may provide include Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Sulphur, Iron, Manganese, Boron Copper, Zinc, and other minerals In small proportions.
  - The alfalfa meal NPK analysis is 2.8-0.29-2.4, and it is an excellent addition to the compost pile for nitrogen. The fertilizer is entirely organic and non-GMO.
  - Used a great deal as a soil supplement. This is because it has the potential to re-energize the soil potential and increase the organic composition of the soil.
Can I Use Alfalfa Pellets As Fertilizer?
This alfalfa natural fertilizer can come in a meal or pellet for your garden use. The common type seen at the feed store is mostly the pellets. Use these pellets in your garden. All you need is to input a little extra work.
You can simply soak this pellet just to break them up. Then you get your resulting alfalfa meal.
Alfalfa For Garden: Alfalfa Meal Fertilizer Benefits
Using alfalfa meal in your garden as soil amendments and compost activator is a great idea. It will supply the soil in your garden with the required soil amendments especially after the soil has depleted its nutrients from the plants’ previous growing season.
Major Benefits Of Using Alfalfa Meal Fertilizer
Here are some of the major benefits of using alfalfa meal fertilizer in your garden.
1. Nutrients Provided To The Soil
Known for the great array of nutrients it offers to the soil and plants on it. Some of the nutrients provided include:
- NPK Nutrient: Provides good NPK which is balanced. Can also help improve the soil quality. The NPK is usually placed somewhere around 3-1-2.
- Vitamins: In addition to other nutrients, vitamins such as A, B, and E are also present in a reasonable proportion in the meal.
- Minerals: So, minerals such as magnesium and iron are also present in substantial quantities in the meal.
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So, the presence of this wide variety of nutrients makes for the potent nature of the fertilizer.
2.    Multiple Purpose Use
The Alfalfa Meal fertilizer can serve multiple functions. Used as a mulch material, weed blocker, fertilizer for plants, and even as feed for livestock. The preparation of the Alfalfa plant may vary depending on the final purpose it is intended to serve.
3.    Excellent Crop Cover
Another major benefit of Alfalfa is that it serves as crop cover. When planted, it usually grows very fast and covers the soil. This makes it difficult for weeds to survive. It also has deep, strong roots which in most situations help to break down strong clay soil.
4.    Presence Of Triacontanol
One major benefit of this fertilizer is the presence of triacontanol. This is a naturally-occurring component that helps to promote healthy root development in plants. This component also helps in substantially improving the yield in crops. It also fixes the nitrogen content of the soil.
5.    Hold Moisture In The Soil
This fertilizer while absorbing much of its weight in water, it also holds moisture conveniently. Therefore, this aids the soil’s moisture retention.
6.    Nematodes Suppression
The use of this fertilizer can also help in suppressing to a great proportion the amount of nematodes in the soil.
How To Use Alfalfa Meal Fertilizer
Now we understand the huge advantage that comes with using alfalfa meal fertilizers. Let’s get into how to properly use the fertilizer:
- - So, in heavy applications, use about 50 pounds for 1,000 square feet.
  - For a medium application, about 25 pounds should be used for 1,000 square feet.
  - In light application, about 12 pounds of fertilizer should be used for 1,000 square feet.
For the best possible result to be attained, the following should be noted when using the fertilizers:
- - Alfalfa meal fertilizer is an alkaline substance. As such, it should not be used for plants that do well with acid soil.
  - After the alfalfa meal has been spread on the desired potion of land, rake it into the soil and water the soil.
  - The fertilizer is usually powdery and dusty. As such, a protective cover should be worn when it is being used to protect the face of users.
  - So, ensure to put leftover alfalfa meal in a good container to prevent mice from having access to it. Mice love the meal and putting it in soft bags would easily attract them.
FAQ’s
How long has alfalfa meal been used by farmers?
Alfalfa is a perennial legume that is very nutritious. The plant grows in the wild and has been cultivated for thousands of years. It was first domesticated by the Ancient Romans and its seeds were used as a food source and a fertilizer for crops. Alfalfa has been used by farmers for centuries because of its ability to improve soil quality and produce a high yield of nutritious, high-quality hay.
What are different ways that alfalfa meal is used?
Alfalfa meal is a byproduct of the processing of alfalfa and contains a high protein content. The protein content ranges between 25% to 45% of the dry matter. Alfalfa meal is used as a source of protein for livestock and poultry feed and as an ingredient in pet food. It is also used in the manufacture of plastics, detergents, and other products.
What plants benefit from alfalfa meal?
It can also be used to help keep weeds down and as a soil conditioner.
It is a great soil conditioner because of its nitrogen and phosphorous content. It is not as expensive as other feed supplements and is often used to help keep weeds down.
Plants like alfalfa meal. The roots of plants are made of mostly protein, carbohydrates, and minerals.
Alfalfa meal is used as a fertilizer for gardens, lawns, and farm land. It is commonly fed to livestock such as chickens, cows, pigs, and horses.
How do I use alfalfa meal as fertilizer?
Alfalfa meal is an excellent nitrogen source that can be used in many different ways. One of the easiest uses for alfalfa meal is to spread it on a lawn or garden to provide a slow release nitrogen source for your plants. You can also mix it with other fertilizers like liquid fish emulsion and add it to the soil around seedlings or young plants to help stimulate growth. Alfalfa meal is available at many feed stores or you can buy it online.
When you are using alfalfa meal as a fertilizer, you will want to spread it on top of the soil and not directly on the plants themselves. This is because alfalfa meal is not a plant food. It is more like a slow release nitrogen source than a true fertilizer. It is also not good for your lawns or gardens if you use it this way. You should only use alfalfa meal as a fertilizer when you want to encourage growth in your plants. If you do decide to use alfalfa meal as a fertilizer, make sure you spread it correctly. There are a few different ways to do this depending on the type of fertilizer you are using. If you are using a granular fertilizer, mix it with water and then spray the mixture onto the soil surface.
Conclusion On Alfalfa Meal Fertilizer Benefits
There is a need to use a supplement to improve plant growth and soil performance. So, the Alfalfa meal for plants has a great advantage over other soil supplements.
There is a wide array of benefits that the use of this fertilizer can give to the soil and plants. This fertilizer is very potent both for outdoor use and indoor plant use.
So, make sure to observe some of the key guides on how to use and apply this fertilizer.
November 25, 2021
What’s An English Cucumber: Any Difference From The Regular Varieties?
What’s an English cucumber and how exactly is it different from every other type of cucumber? Cucumber is from the family of Cucurbitaceae and it has up to 100 varieties and each of these cucumber varieties has its own characteristics.
However, the ones we are very familiar with are pickling and slicing. English cucumber is as well a fairly common variety of cucumber known. These common cucumber varieties come in different sizes, shapes, textures, as well as taste.
These different cucumbers can come in many seeds and other types have fewer seeds. Amongst all these cucumber types, English cucumber is also a cucumber variety that we are familiar with.
Let’s dig in further and find out about what’s an English cucumber.
What Is An English Cucumber?
So what’s an English cucumber? An English cucumber can be called many different names such as seedless cucumbers, European cucumbers, burpless cucumbers, and hothouse or greenhouse cucumbers.
Cucumbers English is a cousin of pickling and slicing cucumbers. However, the English cucumber has a sparingly different shape and taste. The English cucumber is as well longer in length and it can range from around 10 to 12 inches long or even longer. They are the more slender variety and are often sold in plastic sleeves.
English cucumbers were literally bred to result in a cucumber variety that has less desirable features than the other variety has. It’s been bred to have fewer seeds, less tough outer skin, and less bitter-tasting cucumber.
Appearance Of The English Cucumber
The English cucumber appears long, thin, and straight. The length of this cucumber can be two times the length of a regular slicing cucumber. They can be as long as 14 inches.
The outer skin of the English cucumber is dark green and smooth and it has some ridges that run along the length of this fruit. There are often no bumps found on this cucumber. The inner part of the English cucumber is light green and at the center, the seeds are scattered in this fruit.
The skins of this English cucumber are pretty fragile and can be easily nicked or torn. This often makes them prone to mold. Hence, it is often packed in shrink wraps to protect the tender skin and also to prolong its shelf life.
Choosing English Cucumber Based On Appearance And Texture
You can purchase English cucumbers anytime because they are mostly sold all year round. However, they may be a bit expensive than the regular cucumbers. You can find them in the product section of your local grocer. You should find them wrapped and sold in plastics and are often labeled as seedless cucumbers.
When buying English cucumbers, you should select the ones that are firm as this is a strong clue of their freshness. Don’t go for the ones that are shrinking or limped.
Also, choose the ones that are evenly cylindrical and are around 10 to 15 inches long and 1 to 2 inches in diameter.
This cucumber variety tends to decay firstly at their ends. Therefore, you should squeeze the two ends gently to test for mushiness. Then you should feel for any soft spots by running your hand along with the whole vegetable. The English cucumber should have a firm feeling along its entire length.
The Taste And Texture Of English Cucumbers
This English cucumber has a more pleasant taste compared to the other regular cucumbers. This is mainly thanks to the fewer seeds English cucumber, unlike the regular cucumber that has more large seeds that contribute to its bitter-tasting flavor.
Because the skin of the English cucumber is thinner, it does not need to be peeled before eating or making use of it. You may not even need to remove them before eating them because the seeds are very tiny and easy to digest. All you need to do is just slice and serve your cucumber.
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English Cucumber Applications
Most chefs and kitchen lovers usually favor the English cucumbers variety over the regular cucumbers in their cooking applications. This is mainly because of the edible skin and fewer edible seeds it offers. So, this makes the English cucumbers very easy to use and perfect for dishes such as salads, raw side dishes, and so on.
This cucumber variety is a mild and sweeter variety which makes them a perfect match for almost anything. You can pair them with onions, peppers, tomatoes, including any summary herbs. They are also great to be paired with fish, pork, lamb, chicken, and shellfish.
You can also get a rich and welcoming feel by incorporating them with dairy creamy products like cream cheese, yogurt, sour cream, feta, and goat cheese. You can also incorporate aromatic touches such as lemon, garlic, lime, capers, and olives to add a bit of punch.
The English cucumbers are also great for just slicing them in your fingers and enjoy them on their own. You can as well slice them and add them to your crudités platter or simply use them as a sandwich topping. You can as well enjoy them in your crunch tuna salad.
Storing English Cucumbers
The ideal way to store the English cucumbers is by refrigerating them in plastic wrap. This should last or stay fresh for around a week so far the moisture is retained.
Additionally, it’s advisable you avoid any humid vegetable drawer and put them in a dry spot in the fridge.
If you wish to make use of just one portion of the cucumber, simply open one end and pull back the plastic. Then cut off the amount or portion you require then rewrap the end with extra plastic. Make sure you only wash the portion of cucumber you are making use of.
Final Say
English cucumber is another cucumber variety and they are also commonly known just like the slicing and pickling cucumbers. However, compared to the regular cucumbers, the English cucumbers have been bred to taste much better, have fewer seeds, have less tough skin, and have a less bitter taste.
November 25, 2021
Differences Between Baby Spinach And Regular Spinach
Let’s look into the differences between baby spinach and regular spinach. Spinach is a green vegetable with loads of nutrients and antioxidants when eaten.
The advantages of consuming this green vegetable are quite enormous; ranging from strong eye benefits to cancer prevention, reduced blood pressure, eye health among others.
What is usually referred to as baby spinach is the small version of the regular spinach. The baby spinach usually has its distinctive attributes such as small leaves, smooth leaves, and very tender or young leaves and stems.
The differences between baby spinach and regular spinach will be discussed in this guide. The similarities of these two types of vegetables are as well discussed here.
Now you may want to pay rapt attention to some of the details given as they are sure to come in handy in no distant time. However, before we delve into discussing the differences, let’s explain a few things about spinach generally.
What You Should Know About Spinach
So, let’s firstly look into what we need to know about this amazing vegetable. The following are a few things you ought to know about spinach:
- - It is a green leafy vegetable that is highly nutritious to the human body. There are numerous health benefits of eating this vegetable on a regular basis.
  - Spinach is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. Vitamin A, C, K1, and B9 are a few of the rich vitamins that can be gotten from vegetables.
- - It takes a relatively short period of time to attain maturity. Spinach would usually take about six weeks to grow after germination and they will be ready to be harvested. There are also, different varieties that can be grown, with some being able to grow all year.
  - Grown in pots indoors or outside in the garden. Whichever is more convenient depending on the amount of space we have, the vegetable does well both indoors and outdoors.
Major Differences Between Baby Spinach And Regular Spinach
So, regarding baby spinach vs spinach, there are some noticeable differences between them. They include:
1. Differences In Taste
One distinctive difference between baby spinach and regular spinach is the unique difference in taste.
Regular spinach usually has a relaxed flavor, unlike other edible greens. It may in some situations thirst a bit bitter if the leaves are allowed to grow too long. On the other hand, the baby spinach is particularly sweet.
2. Differences In Size And Appearance
This is one of the easiest ways to differentiate between these two vegetables.
The baby type is usually tender and young. Harvested between 30-40 days after planting. The leaves of the baby spinach are about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
Harvested when the leaves are about 3 to 6 inches long. The leaves are thick at this point in time.
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3. Differences In Nutritional Value
There are a few noticeable nutritional variations between regular spinach and baby spinach.
- - Carbohydrate: When compared per 100g, both regular and the baby type give almost the same amount of calories and carbohydrates.
  - Fat: The difference in fat is quite noticeable. For instance, 100g of regular type offers about 0.4g of Fat, whereas baby type gives no fat.
  - Protein: Similarly, 100g of regular spinach will give about 2.9g of Protein, whereas baby spinach of the same size will give only 1.2g of Protein.
  - Vitamins: In about 100g of regular spinach, Vitamin A (469ug), Vitamin C (28.1mg), Vitamin B1 (0.1mg), Vitamin B2 (0.2mg), Vitamin B5 (0.1mg) are present. But in baby spinach, these vitamins are completely absent.
Similarities Between Baby Spinach And Regular Spinach
Baby spinach and regular spinach are the same vegetables that come from the same plant. Here are a few similarities between them:
- - Both vegetables can be consumed raw, cooked, or dried.
  - They are also both very nutritious. Spinach is indeed a highly nutritious vegetable. This means that anyone you happen to consume, whether baby or regular will definitely give you the nutritional value you desire.
What Are Some Health Benefits Of Eating Spinach
Below are some of the health benefits of eating spinach:
- Eye Health: whether baby or mature is rich in lutein and zeaxanthin. These are carotenoids responsible for the green color in most vegetables. The human eyes also contain high quantities of these, as they help protect the eyes from damage caused by sunlight. Research also shows that these carotenoids help to prevent macular degeneration and cataracts, the major causes of blindness.
- Cancer Prevention: as a result of the presence of MGDG and SQDG in spinach, they slow a great deal of cancer growth. They not only slow the growth but help reduce the size in a situation where there is a tumor. Generally, this vegetable helps to prevent the formation of cancer.
- Blood Pressure Reduction: due to the high amounts of nitrates contained in spinach, it helps to moderate blood pressure levels. This compound also decreases the risk of having heart disease.
FAQ’s
Which one tends to be produced better?
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has a good overview of the differences between the two. The gist is that “Baby” spinach tends to be more tender, has less moisture content, and is generally of higher quality than regular spinach. It also comes in smaller bags, making it easier to keep track of when you are cooking.
Why is baby spinach more expensive than spinach?
According to the USDA, baby spinach is less expensive than spinach because it is typically shipped in bunches of three and is thus bulkier. This means that it is not as easy to clean and cut, and that it requires more space to store. Because of this, it has a higher cost per pound, which is why you pay more for it.
Should you cook baby spinach?
Baby spinach is a great salad green because it’s tender and has a mild, sweet flavor. It’s also very low in calories and full of vitamins. Cooking baby spinach can be a matter of personal taste. It’s easy to overcook it, which can make it lose its freshness and flavor. Also, some people think it’s best when raw, while others prefer it steamed or wilted.
To keep it from turning brown, add a little lemon juice to the water or water that you steam the spinach in. Baby spinach is a great salad green because it’s tender and has a mild, sweet flavor. It’s also very low in calories and full of vitamins. Cooking baby spinach can be a matter of personal taste. It’s easy to overcook it, which can make it lose its freshness and flavor. Also, some people think it’s best when raw, while others prefer it steamed or wilted.
Conclusion
The major differences there are between this two spinach have been discussed in this guide. We also discussed the similarities between this two spinach. Health benefits you get to enjoy are also discussed here.
The vegetable can be consumed in a variety of ways either alone or in combination with other vegetables. Exploring the rich option provided by this vegetable will no doubt have great positive effects.
So, there you have it on the details about spinach vs baby spinach.
November 25, 2021
Tomato Plant Spacing Raised Bed – Spacing Requirement
Growing tomato plant, particularly in a raised bed garden is a great idea and it is a very easy and straightforward process. Just ensure you give the tomato in your raised bed based on the proper spacing and offer the tomato plant with other essential growing conditions.
Planting tomatoes in a raised bed comes with lots of benefits. You enjoy benefits such as less digging, less problem of weeds, almost no soil issues, and many more. You also get to have some control over your plants when you grow them in a raised bed.
However, growing tomatoes in a raised bed you need to consider the appropriate spacing so your plan can grow optimally. This is why we will be looking into tomato plant spacing requirements in a raised bed garden.
Tomato Spacing In Raised Bed
So when it comes to growing the tomato in a raised bed garden, spacing is one important factor to put in mind.
Generally, planting tomatoes in a normal or traditional garden requires a spacing of 2 feet apart. So, the tomato plant usually requires more spacing in the traditional garden.
A raised garden bed on the other hand tends to be more compact. But the tomatoes plants can be grown more closely. But for the fact that raised bed is a little limited does not mean you should pack it together with your tomatoes plant.
So, when it comes to the tomato plant spacing in a raised bed, each tomato requires a minimum of 1 square foot per tomato plant for the plant to flourish.
We recommend you support your raised bed tomato plant with a trellis or tomato cage. This will encourage the tomato plant to grow in a vertical manner.
Supplying your raised tomato bed with excellent and rich soil can also allow or accommodate for closer planting.
Additionally, when you are going for a raised bed garden for your plant, the number of plants you will be growing should be taken into consideration. Then from here, you can go ahead to prepare the raised bed dimension.
Find more information about Spacing For Vegetables In Raised Beds
How Far Apart To Plant Tomatoes In A Raised Bed?
So how far apart should your tomato plant be spaced in a raised bed? The required distance to plant your tomato in a raised garden bed is at least 1 square foot apart. This is the required distance between each tomato plant and this will encourage optimal growth of your plant.
However, you there is still some room, you can add a bit more space so you can work in some support such as a trellis. When you do this, it will train your tomato plant to continue growing as the vine gets bulky or heavier.
When setting up your raised bed garden, remember to plan your garden according to how many tomato plants you wish to grow. However, if you already have a raised bed garden, you can just calculate how much space will be needed for each tomato plant.
The whole bed can be just tomato plants if you wish. You can as well simply divide the raised bed into smaller parts or sections. Then include your tomato in one section and other vegetables and plants should be assigned to other sections.
Just measure out a square foot each for each plant to calculate the number of plants you can grow in your raised bed.
Raised Bed Spacing Based On The Type Of Tomato Plant
The spacing requirement on your raised bed garden will also depend on the type of tomato variety you will be growing.
- For the bushy tomato which is also known as determinate tomato variety, the distance between each tomato plant should be about two feet apart. Bush variety requires a bit more spacing as the plant tends to spread out in a busy manner.
- For the vining tomato variety which is also known as indeterminate tomato, the distance between each tomato plant should be about 18 to 24 inches. The vining tomato variety may be grown a bit closer as they tend to grow in a vining manner.
Also, the distance between rows should be at least 3 feet.
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Other Growing Requirement For Tomato Plant
Spacing shouldn’t be the only growth requirement for your raised bed tomato plant. You should also consider other growing requirements for your tomato plant by providing them with the best soil conditions.
First, ensure you are using only the right type of soil. Give your tomato plant the best soil conditions to grow optimally and remain healthy.
Tomato plants flourish well in soil conditions that are slightly acidic. Ensure you test your soil to get the right range of pH. The appropriate pH range should be around 6 to 7 for your tomato to do well.
The addition of some organic matter is also a great idea to assist your tomato plant is doing well. Tomatoes are relatively heavy feeders that are capable of consuming a lot of nutrients from the ground. This is so they can grow strong and robust.
Furthermore, tomatoes should also be grown in warm soil temperatures as they are considered to be warm-loving plants. Once you’ve followed all the required growing conditions to grow your tomato in a raised bed, you can enjoy a successful outcome.
Your tomato plant should be ready in about 50 days. However, it can also take as much as 90 days to be ready for harvest.
FAQ’s
How much space should be between tomato plants in raised beds?
If you don’t want them to grow into each other, space them at least 2 inches apart. If they are going to grow into each other, space them 1/2″ apart. You can always move them if you want to. I think that’s a good idea to space them at least two inches apart. This way you can have a little extra room for the plants to grow, but you’ll still be able to easily harvest them.
I usually space plants at least 4″ apart, and then I make sure to give them plenty of room to grow. If there are no weeds in the garden, they will be just fine with a little extra room. There are some other posts that discuss how to plant tomatoes. I would suggest reading through those posts, as well as reading the post about how to water tomatoes.
Does the type of tomato matter when it comes to spacing them?
When starting a tomato plant from seed, the spacing between the plants will depend on the type of tomato plant you are growing. There are two types of tomatoes; determinate and indeterminate. In this article we will discuss what the spacing between determinate and indeterminate tomato plants should be. The type of tomato plant you grow will also affect the spacing between the raised beds in your garden.
What is the difference between determinate and indeterminate tomato plants? There are two types of tomatoes that can be grown. Determinate tomatoes produce a single flower at a time. Indeterminate tomatoes will produce flowers all at once. These are the two main types of tomato plants and they will need different spacing. Determinate tomato plants have a short life span and require more space than an indeterminate tomato plant. This means that you need to space them further apart. Indeterminate tomato plants grow longer than determinate tomatoes. This means that you can get away with less space between the plants. In most cases, you will only want to grow one type of tomato plant in your garden. How to grow determinate tomato plants When starting a determinate tomato plant from seed, it is important to space them further apart. You will want to space them at least 2 feet apart. You can use tomato cages to support them.
What’s the right type of soil for tomatoes in raised beds?
There are different types of soils for different purposes. Raised beds are not made of soil; they are made of soil-like materials.
The most common ones are gravel, brick, concrete blocks, wood planks or railroad ties. But they can also be made from other materials such as wood, plastic, stone, etc. Whatever you use, you will need to amend your bed with compost and/or manure.
How do you make the best soil for tomatoes in raised beds?
Whatever you use, you will need to amend your bed with compost and/or manure.
The most common are composted manures (manure-based). A typical recipe would be 2 parts composted manure to 1 part composted manures. You can make your own compost or buy it pre-made. I prefer to make my own compost, but if you do not have time to do so, you can purchase compost that has already been made by your local garden center.
Final Say
The seedlings, young plants, as well as grown plants of tomato, love warm soil temperatures. So, because tomato plants love heat and will thrive beautifully in warm weather, raised bed tends to be more useful in this aspect.
The soil that is raised is more inclined to get warm quicker. Therefore, this will give the tomato plant a better head start.
But when it comes to growing tomatoes in a raised bed, spacing is very important for the plant to flourish. Spacing your tomatoes plants appropriately will encourage good growth and prevent the intertwining of plants.
Spacing also gives adequate space for root growth and proper airflow between the tomato plants. This also helps prevent the spread of diseases.
November 25, 2021
When To Harvest Hubbard Squash: Best Time To Harvest
Do you know when the best time is to harvest hubbard squash? We will be filling you in about what you need to know about harvesting hubbard squash in this post.
Hubbard squash is a type of winter squash that is botanically classified as Cucurbita maxima. The harvest peak season of this type of winter squash is from mid-autumn down through early winter. Hubbard squash is an excellent option for sweet-tasting winter squash that you can prepare and serve on a cold, late autumn evening.
But when it comes to selecting or harvesting the best hubbard squash, there are some things to look out for. This is why we would be looking at when to harvest hubbard squash so you can pick the best fruit and enjoy this great-tasting squash.
Hubbard Squash Description
Hubbard squash is a winter squash from the family of Cucurbita maxima and this family also includes kabocha squash, banana squash, turban squash, and so on.
This type of winter squash is a large-sized fruit that can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter. The fruit can grow from 5 pounds to as heavy as 40 pounds.
Hubbard squash has this hard and inedible outer skin. The shape of hubbard squash can come in a teardrop shape that looks pointed at both ends or they can simply be round and squat.
There are two main varieties of the hubbard squash which are the blue and golden squash. The blue hubbard squash comes in a moody greyish-blue skin. The golden Hubbard on the other hand is bright orange.
The colors are the only differences between these two hubbard squash (blue and golden hubbard squash). They are both similar when it comes to their inner color, texture, as well as taste. They are both chubby and robust in shape and they can weigh an average size of around 8 to 20 pounds.
Therefore, when to harvest the blue hubbard squash is the same as when to harvest the golden hubbard squash.
Once you cook the flesh of hubbard squash, it has this starchy and smooth feel. It also has this sweet carrot-like flavor as well as buttery taste.
Harvesting Hubbard Squash
Hubbard squash has a fairly long growing season. It takes about 110 days for hubbard squash to attain maturity. Therefore, if you wish to start growing some hubbard squash, you should pretty start early.
The hubbard squash is allowed to mature on the vine. Harvest when the fruit is as hard as a rock. The stem should also be full and corklike.
Harvesting hubbard squash usually starts around August up until March. However, the peak to harvest this squash is around October through January.
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When Is The Best Time To Harvest Hubbard Squash
The hubbard fruit should be ready for harvest in about 50 to 55 days after the fruit sets. However, note that the exterior that tends to be hard doesn’t indicate the ripeness of hubbard squash.
Additionally, the best way to know when hubbard squash is ready for harvest is when the maturation day has passed. This maturation date is usually around 100 to 120 days. Also, you can wait until the vine starts to die off to ascertain the hubbard squash is ready for harvest.
However, if you notice the fruit are already big enough and they look ready to be picked but the vine has not shown any sign of dying off: you can simply look at the first couple of inches of the stem attached to the squash. If this part of the stem has begun to dry and looks cork-like, then it’s fine to harvest. It means the vine isn’t giving the fruit nourishment anymore.
However, if the stem remains moist and viable, refrain from harvesting it. The fruit is still obtaining nourishment and hasn’t attained its full flavor potential, sweetness, and seed viability.
Furthermore, harvesting should also be done right before any heavy frost. This is because this type of squash is a tropical plant and heavy frost can damage the fruit.
To harvest hubbard squash appropriately, simply cut the fruit off the vine. But leave about two inches attached to the hubbard squash fruit.
So the remaining vine should be left alone on the fruit to cure for 10 days to two weeks. Doing this will help sweeten the flesh and it will also harden the shell so you can store them for a longer period.
Reasd more about How To Grow Butternut Squash From Fresh Seeds
Storing Hubbard
The thick rind of hubbard squash makes them easy to store for many months (about 5 months or more) even through winter. All you need to do is to keep them in a cool and dry place. Make sure you store them unwrapped at a temperature less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
The interesting part is that as you store them for this long period, their flavor won’t deteriorate. They will rather continue to develop as their starch gradually turns to sugar.
For instance, that hubbard squash that gave you a mealy or starchy taste in September could offer a creamier texture and sweeter flavor when you store them up until February.
How To Select The Best Hubbard Squash
You can find hubbard squash being sold during their season which is around early fall and early winter.
So, when you select any hubbard squash, select the ones that are heavy in size and also hard as a rock. This means when you try to press the skin, there should be no chance of yielding into the outer skin. Never go for hubbard squash that has soft spots or the squash that has been bruised.
FAQ’s
How do you know when to pick Hubbard squash?
The best way to determine if a Hubbard is ready for harvest is to see how firm the stem is. It should be hard and somewhat flexible. If it feels soft, then it’s too early. If it’s firm, but still flexible, then it’s just right.
Hubbard squash ripens at the end of October, so you should be fine picking it up now. The only thing to watch out for is that if the weather is cold, the squash may not ripen as quickly as it would if the weather was warm.
Hubbard squash are a great addition to your summer garden and the best part about them is that they are a delicious, versatile vegetable. They’re not as sweet as some other varieties of summer squash, but they are very easy to grow in any climate.
How big should a Hubbard squash be?
The standard sizes of Hubbard squash are from 4 to 6 inches long.
You can find a variety of different types of Hubbard squash, but the most common is the Large White variety. It’s also referred to as “Crockpot” or “Crockpot Squash”.

It is a large type of winter squash that is easy to grow. It’s a very popular type of squash because it doesn’t require a lot of space. It can be grown in small pots, in containers, in raised beds, and even in the ground. It will grow quite well in areas with high temperatures and low humidity.
How to grow Hubbard Squash seeds?
Hubbard squash is an easy winter squash to grow. You can start your seeds indoors or directly in the ground. It’s a quick-growing squash that requires only 70 to 90 days to harvest. The seeds are small, so it’s important that you plant them in the right place.
You should first choose a location where you will plant your seedlings. If you plan on growing them in pots, you will need to buy potting soil. You will also need to buy a large container with a drainage hole and a cover. Once you have all of these items, you can start planting the seeds. You will need to make sure that the soil is at least 6 inches deep. After you have planted your seeds, you will need to water them regularly until they sprout. When the seeds sprout, you will need to give them more light. This will help them to grow and grow. You will need to keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate. Once the plants start to grow, you will need to water them every day. You should not fertilize your plants when you first plant them. You should only fertilize them after they have grown to about 1 foot tall.
How do you store hubbard squash?
You can choose between two methods for storing hubbard squash:
you can either keep it in the refrigerator or store it on the counter. Store the hubbard squash in the refrigerator and use it within five days. You can also store it on the counter for up to three to four weeks. This will depend on how cold your kitchen is. Make sure to cover your hubbard squash with a lid or plastic wrap so that it does not get exposed to light. You can also store your hubbard squash in an airtight container or even better in a plastic bag.
There is no need to wash it before storing. Hubbard squash keeps well if stored in a cool place.
Conclusion
The time to harvest hubbard squash is when the maturation duration has passed. And this is around 100 to 120 days.
Even though this type of squash may not be the most commonly selected in produce stand or section, there are so many benefits and amazing flavors this squash can offer. Therefore, it is worth seeking out this squash and you will enjoy that sweet flavor, fine-grained texture, and buttery taste.
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November 25, 2021
Is Sweet Basil A Perennial?
Sweet basil is a type of culinary herb that is mostly used in our various cuisines all over the world. But do you know if sweet basil is perennial or annual?
Basil is a very useful herb that many gardeners love to grow. We also love to incorporate them in our meal because they will offer our meal that distinctive flavor and they can be used in salads, pizza, pasta, and many other dishes.
There are many varieties of basil and sweet basil is one of them. But when it comes to growing sweet basil, most people often wonder if sweet basil is a perennial or annual plant.
Is Sweet Basil A Perennial Plant?
So, is basil a perennial? Perennial plants return or grow back after a year. Annual plant on the other hand does not grow back each year.
Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) also known as the common basil and this is an annual plant and not a perennial plant. This implies that sweet basil needs to be replanted every season. Usually, the sweet basil variety doesn’t grow back after a year. There are however some basil varieties that are perennial.
Where you have a frost-free location, the sweet basil variety can act as a short-lived perennial plant. It may survive or live up to two years in warmer climates before replanting.
Sweet basil tend to be annual because they are warm-loving plants and very sensitive to cold weather and frost. Therefore, before the weather in your region changes to cold weather, ensure you try to preserve your sweet basil plant for the following year.
If you however want to enjoy your sweet basil for a longer period, you can plant container basil that you can always move indoors as the cold weather shows up. You will however need to supply the indoor sweet basil plant with sunlight and steady warm temperatures. This may help the sweet basil plant last longer.
Does Basil Come Back Every Year?
So, does basil grow back? The sweet basil variety does not come back or grow back every year because it isn’t a perennial plant but an annual plant.
Therefore, it is usually required you plant new seeds or new cuttings every year especially during spring. During summer, basil seeds are produced. Then they will eventually flower and grow seeds once fall is around the corner. Then once the first frost arrives, the plant growing season is over.
Growing Sweet Basil
Basil is a warm loving plant that will only thrive well in the warm season. You can grow basil from their seed or simply form their cuttings. But for germination to take place successfully, the seeds will grow and germinate well in temperatures of at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperatures at 50 degrees Fahrenheit or below can stunt the growth of basil or may even cause them to get damaged.
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Growing or sowing basil seeds during cold temperatures can stunt the growth as well as damage the plant. It’s best to germinate basil plants in a sunny spot.
You should begin to see sprouting starting from 5 to 7 days of seed sowing so far you meet the right growing conditions. You can as well sow your seed indoors and transplant them in the outdoor garden.
Adequate watering is also needed in growing sweet basil. Basil loves a sunny location with plenty of moisture. However, the soil should not be waterlogged.
A soil with good organic content is as well required for the successful growth of basil. Soil that is low in nutrients may slow down the growth of basil and it may even result in less flavorful basil.
Indoor Basil Growth
Growing basil indoors is also a great idea. It is possible to grow basil all year round indoors using containers. You can grow basil outdoors during summer then you take them indoors during fall.
Basil plants can grow fairly well indoors during winter in your containers. All you need do is supply the plant with warm temperatures. You can make use of a grow light when there is an absence of sunlight or warm temperatures.
But if growing basil indoors takes much of your time and effort, you can simply save basil in the summer so it lasts through winter. The stem should be harvested and you should strip the leaves from every stem.
Then spread the leaves in a single layer and allow them to dry out. You can also freeze them in a single layer keeping them frozen in an airtight container.
Is Re-seeding Possible With Basil?
A basil plant that is healthy and robust can definitely reseed itself if you leave it to flower. This is because naturally, the plant’s natural lifecycle is meant to germinate, flower, and yield seeds.
Some basil seeds can simply fall into garden soil and may germinate without any assistance. You may be lucky to find some tiny basil that has gone to seed in your garden the next summer already sprouting. However, re-seeding by itself isn’t so reliable.
Saving basil seeds from your plant for the following year is usually required to help with the re-seeding of the basil plant. Ensure you select the seeds from the healthiest of your basil plant once they go to seed.
However, other gardeners may prefer to buy new seeds from time to time just to have some variation.
You can easily re-seed basil by just sprinkling the seeds all over the top of your soil or potting soil. It is this easy to sow because they are very tiny and they don’t require presoaking or deep burying into the soil.
They will simply germinate successfully with adequate sunlight and an appropriate watering scheme.
FAQ’s
Does basil come back every year?
Basil is one of the most popular herbs in the garden. It’s easy to grow, it produces lots of fragrant leaves, and it can be used for everything from cooking to making pesto.
As a perennial, sweet basil is technically classified as a biennial.
This means that it blooms and sets seed only once during its first season. So you may get a few blossoms and maybe some seeds in your first year of growing. But it won’t produce new foliage or flowers until the following season. This makes it much more challenging to grow than annual herbs such as oregano, thyme, and chives. But if you have a sunny garden spot and lots of water, you can still enjoy sweet basil year round.
Does sweet basil regrow?
It does not grow back after the first year.
Basil is an annual plant. It flowers and sets seeds in its second year, then dies back each fall and starts over again the next spring. It’s a short-lived plant, so you should try to harvest it as soon as it starts to flower, before the flowers turn brown. That way, your basil will have the most flavor.
When should I grow basil?
When it came to growing basil, I knew it had to be done in the summer, when the weather is hot and dry. Basil grows best in soil that’s rich in organic matter and can tolerate high temperatures. It also needs lots of water.
The biggest problem with basil is that it’s hard to keep it alive. The stems are long and thin, and they tend to dry out quickly in the heat. To keep it alive, I used a lot of water. The plants need about an inch of water every day, which is more than you might think.
Can you keep a basil plant year round?
Yes, you can keep basil year round. You’ll need to keep the plant indoors, but it will grow quite well under artificial light.
There are several ways to do this:
1. Directly under a fluorescent or incandescent bulb. Place the bulb directly over the plant, with the base of the bulb about 1″ above the top of the pot. The bulb should be on for 12 hours a day, and off for 12 hours a night.
2. Use a soaker hose to water the leaves.
3. Water using a timer, which is often used for hydroponics. Set the timer to turn on the water at night, and set it to turn off during the day. This will keep the basil healthy, but may not provide enough light for the plant to grow.
4. Use a bright, full-spectrum fluorescent bulb for 12 hours a day, and use a full-spectrum bulb for 12 hours at night.
If you have a container that will hold about 1 gallon of water, you can keep your basil all year round. You may want to add some fertilizer or a liquid food every 2-3 weeks.
Is Sweet Basil A Perennial Plant: Final Note
So, on a final note, we have now learned that sweet basil is an annual plant and not a perennial plant. However, sweet basil can act as a short-lived perennial plant in areas that have favorable sunny weather and frost-free location.
There are so many ways to use or integrate sweet basil in our various meals. Sweet basil is a great herb used as a flavor in soups, stews, meat, tomato dishes, egg dishes, fish, and herb ginger.
November 25, 2021
Sweet 100 Tomato Determinate Or Indeterminate
Sweet 100 tomato is another amazing variety of tomato you can add to your vegetable garden. This juicy tomato is a type of hybrid that produces abundant fruits. But what is the growing style of sweet 100 tomatoes? Is sweet 100 tomato determinate or indeterminate? Let’s find out.
When we talk about determinate or indeterminate tomato plants, we are basically referring to the growing style of a tomato plant. Most gardeners would like to know the growing style of the tomato variety they choose to plant so they can carefully plan their garden properly.
So, let’s look into the sweet 100 tomato variety and get to know if they are either determinate or indeterminate.
Is Sweet 100 Tomato Plant Determinate Or Indeterminate?
The sweet 100 tomato plant is indeterminate and it is definitely not determinate. This implies that the sweet 100 tomato variety will keep on producing fruits throughout their growing season and they tend to grow in a vining manner. Just keep harvesting them regularly and they will continue yielding abundant fruits up until frost kills them.
About The Sweet 100s Tomato
This sweet 100 tomato plant is loved by most gardeners because of its super prolific production. This tomato variety grows so vigorously and they produce delicious fruits. They are indeterminate tomato variety that grows in a vining way. Therefore, they will require support such as caging or staking.
This indeterminate tomato variety tends to yield long fruit-bearing stems. The plant can hold up to 100s or even more sweet cherry tomatoes.
The sweet 100 tomato gives rise to red cherry tomatoes and they can grow up to 4 to 8 feet long. They are capable of producing abundant yields of fruits from early summer up until frost.
Because of the abundant clustered fruits, they produce on their vine, they are named 100 sweet cherry tomatoes. But that doesn’t mean this tomato variety will only yield 100 fruits. Rather, a single part of the cluster on the plant vine is capable of producing 100 tomatoes. Therefore, the plant is capable of giving rise to different clusters of 100s of tomatoes.
Sweet 100 tomato cherry is a tasty fruit that can even be eaten raw straight up from the plant. Thus, they can be used as snacking and they are great to be used in fresh salads.
Stored at room temperature until they become ripe. Then you can refrigerate to slow down the decay process.
The sweet 100 cherry tomato breed is resistant to fusarium wilt and verticillium wilt. It will flourish well in full sunlight just like all other tomato plant varieties.
Some Background History About Sweet 100 Tomatoes
The Northrup King Seed Company in Minneapolis which is now a division of Syngenta was the company that developed the sweet 100 tomato hybrid.
The sweet 100 tomato variety has transformed the world of cherry tomatoes because of its very prolific yields of up to 100 for each cluster. The business involved in this cherry tomato is also very competitive.
There have also been some string speculations going about that the heirloom tomato Gardener’s Delight was used to cross-breed the sweet 100 cherry tomato variety.
Major Downside Of The Sweet 100 Indeterminate Tomato
The only major complaint about this cherry tomato variety is the issue of cracking. Cracking is mostly caused when the plant has less water and heavy rain pours down. The tomato plant will then absorb more water during the heavy downpour because it has become so thirsty, and this causes the tomato fruit to crack.
So, to prevent this, make sure you always water evenly at appropriate times. Then always harvest your tomato fruits before they become too ripe on the vine.
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Growing Sweet 100 Tomato
Grow your sweet 100 tomatoes in a full sunny spot. Also, consider spacing as this is important. This tomato variety can grow so very big reaching up to 4 feet wide and 10 feet long. Therefore, space this tomato plant about 24 to 48 inches apart.
Caging or staking is necessary for this vining cherry tomato. You can grow them on a trellis or fence as well. Sweet 100 tomato cherry will mature in about 70 days
However, the sweet 100 cherry tomato isn’t an ideal tomato variety to grow using a container. Although the plant can still produce, it will get too large. However, if the only option you have is containers, ensure the container is very wide and big. You can make use of a 10-gallon container minimum.
Applications Of Sweet 100 Tomatoes
The sweet 100 cherry tomatoes are excellent in cooking applications. You can as well freeze them and use them for pickling. Sweet 100 tomatoes can also be used in a recipe that calls for cherry tomatoes.
Just like other tomatoes variety, sweet 100 cherries are very tasty. They are sturdy and resilient and they will maintain their shape in salads, pasta, and casseroles.
You can as well use them in sauté and grill them up pretty well. They will look so great that they can add up a pop of color to your various dishes.
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Nutritional Benefits
Sweet 100 cherry tomatoes have some amazing nutritional benefits. The benefits of sweet tomato plant include:
- Sweet 100 cherry tomatoes are loaded with vitamin C.
- They are very low in calories and they are cholesterol-free.
- The tomato cherry is packed with potassium.
- The sweet 100 cherry tomato also provides folate and fiber.
FAQ’s
Is the Sweet 100 tomato determinate or indeterminate?
The Sweet 100 tomato is an indeterminate tomato. This means that you will have a continuous harvest of fruits from this plant as long as the plants remain productive. A: You can see from the photos below that the plant has a bushy habit with a single main stem that branches off at ground level. The branching pattern and size of the plants are very similar to a determinate variety.
This is a typical indeterminate variety, with a habit of spreading out over time.
Where does this variety come from?
Sweet 100 tomatoes are not a new variety. They have been grown for hundreds of years, but they were only recently given their name because the sweetness of the fruit is the result of a mutation. There are many old varieties of tomatoes that are sweet and some are quite sour.
Sweet 100 is a heirloom tomato, meaning that it is a non-hybrid variety that has been around for many years.
weet 100 is a popular variety of tomato that has been grown in the U.S. for years. The original seedlings were developed in France and found to be particularly resistant to powdery mildew. They’ve since been propagated in many different locations, including the U.S., and are used by commercial farmers to grow high-quality tomatoes.
What does the sweet 100 tomato taste like?
The 100 is a very popular tomato. It has a sweet flavor that makes it a great addition to a pizza or pasta sauce.
Indeterminate tomatoes tend to be more flavorful than determinate tomatoes, and they tend to be more juicy than other varieties.
It has a very unique flavor. It is a great tasting fruit, even more so than the cherry tomato.
Sweet 100 is a tomato that is best eaten as fresh as possible. It has the most flavor and texture when it’s picked ripe. It can also be stored for up to 3 weeks in a refrigerator.
Why are they popular?
There are many applications of sweet 100 tomatoes. You may use them in salad, soup or you can add them to your favorite dishes. They are a great source of nutrients and they are a low calorie food. The best thing about these fruits is that they are rich in vitamins and minerals. You can get this fruit from any supermarket. If you are not sure what to do with them, then you can make a smoothie.
Final Thoughts
So, we’ve pointed out that sweet cherry 100 tomato variety is indeterminate and not determinate. Therefore, they are vining plants that usually require supports such as caging or staking. They tend to produce massive branched clusters of fruits and each cluster can yield up to 100 cherry tomatoes.
The sweet 100 cherry tomatoes are warm weather-loving plants. Hence, they tend to flourish well in sunny spots.
This cherry tomato variety can be eaten raw while freshly picked from the vine, therefore, making them great for snaking and fresh salads. It can also be integrated into many different meals for a great tasting flavor. You can as well use this tomato to decorate your dishes to add up a pop of different colors.
November 24, 2021