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  • 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.

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    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.

  • Do You Know When To Pick Yellow Squash? Find Out Here

    Do You Know When To Pick Yellow Squash? Find Out Here

    Yellow squash is one of the members of the squash family, with lots of nutritional benefits and the ability to grow rapidly during summer. When to pick yellow squash is one common question asked among gardeners. The yellow squash usually has a very short maturity period making it susceptible to quick picks.

    Yellow squash is summer squash, and one of the varieties of marrow squash. It is largely an edible vegetable looking very much like zucchini in shape, flavor, and texture. Yellow squash usually come in different shapes, sizes, and hues, reaching their peak during the hottest weeks of summer.

    This article offers insight into when to pick (harvest) yellow squash. So, let’s begin.

    When To Harvest Yellow Squash

    Yellow squash should get harvested when it has attained maturity. The following are a few factors that should offer you hint into whether the plant is matured for picking or not:

    Length Of The Yellow Squash – When To Pick Yellow Squash

    The longer the size of the squash, the more likely it is matured for harvesting. When the squash appears long, then most of the seeds inside are very likely matured. While it is necessary for the seeds to matured, they should not be left to get too hardened inside. The ideal length for harvesting yellow squash is when it is about six inches in length.

    Plumpness Of The Blossom End – When To Pick Yellow Squash

    As a squash begins to mature, one of the signs you will notice is the bigger it gets around the blossom end. When the plump end gets really big around, thereby leaving the neck small, then the plant is matured for harvesting.

    Color Of The Squash – When To Pick Yellow Squash

    Although yellow squash is yellow from the beginning, as they mature, you begin to notice some changes. The matured squash begins to turn dark yellow as it nears the picking stage. When it becomes overly matured, there is an orange tint to the skin.

    You Begin To Notice A Few Bad Ones – When To Pick Yellow Squash

    Where you fail to pick any of the above signs, this last sign may come in handy. When you begin to notice that a few yellow squashes are getting worse, then you are sure that maturity has been attained. A change to brown is evidence of this.

    Read more about Foods High In Nitrogen

    Picking Matured Yellow Squash – When To Pick Yellow Squash

    After you have confirmed that the squash is matured for harvesting, then you should go ahead with the harvesting process. Squash can easily get harvested by being twisted off the vine or alternatively by using scissors or a garden pruner to cut off the vine.

    You should be careful not to tug or pull fruit from the vine with force as this may result in injury to the plant. When cutting off the fruit from the vine, it is best to leave a short stem attached to the fruit as this will greatly help improve storage life.

    Due to how easily the skin of the fruit can be injured, care must be taken when going about the harvesting of this plant. This is so as to prevent wounds to the skin.

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    Tips To Note When Picking Yellow Squash

    Below are a few tips that should be considered by you when picking your matured yellow squash fruit:

    • Not all fruits and vegetables are harvested the same way: While some fruits and vegetables are harvested when they are still hard, others require softness before harvest. Some fruits can ripe after picking while others cannot. You must therefore follow the prescribed picking way.
    • The bigger fruit is not always the best: the more you leave your yellow squash attached to the vine, the bigger it gets. This however has its downside, as the seeds also get harder and tougher. If the fruit is to be used for cooking, the soft seeds are better than the hard ones.
    • Exercise care when picking: You should ensure to use both hands when picking so as to protect such plants from being injured. Also, you should take enough care to ensure that the fruit is not yanked off the vine. Doing this may cause serious harm to the plant and growth hampered.
    • Harvest in the morning; Just like most other plants, it is best to harvest the yellow squash in the morning. This allows the product to stay crisp and store longer, and this protects the fruit from becoming limp from heat during the day. Where morning is not possible, then the fruit should be harvested in the evening.
    Tips To Note When Picking Yellow Squash
    • Constant checking of the garden: When you notice that a plant is producing, you should begin frequent visits to the garden. This is to ensure that you do not miss a matured yellow plant. Constant picking encourages the plant to produce even more and as such should be done.

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    Storing Yellow Squash After Harvesting

    After picking the yellow squashes, you may need to harvest some when they cannot all be consumed immediately. Below are a few tips you should note when storing the summer squash:

    • Wipe the fruit with a clean damp cloth and place it in a perforated plastic bag. Thereafter, place the bag in the vegetable crisper of a refrigerator. This is one of the best ways to store and maintain the humidity of the yellow squash.
    • The temperature for storing the summer squash in the refrigerator should not be lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Where the temperature gets too low, it may result in injury symptoms in the fruit such as surface pitting, water loss, and decay.
    • Grating and freezing: Another method that may be adopted when storing summer squashes is to grate and then freeze. Grating and freezing greatly help in retaining the quality and this may last longer than just freezing.
    Storing Yellow Squash After Harvesting

    Conclusion On When To Pick Yellow Squash

    The yellow squash is one of the lovely fruits you may decide to have in your garden. However, for the best possible result to be actualized, you must be conversant with when is the best time to plant as well as pick the fruit. This article gives you proper guidance into how to go about picking the fruit.

    FAQ’s

    How to tell when squash is ready to pick?

    There are a few things you would notice in a yellow squash to give you an inkling into whether it is ready to be picked or not. These include an increase in size to no less than 6 inches, plumpness of the fruit and a change in the color of the fruit to dark yellow as opposed to bright shiny yellow for young fruits. A yellow squash is usually ready to be picked about 50 to 60 days after planting

    How do I know when yellow squash is ripe?

    You know when the yellow squash is ripe by some of the features you will notice in the fruit. These include an increase in size to no less than 6 inches, plumpness of the fruit, and a change in the color of the fruit to dark yellow as opposed to bright shiny yellow for young fruits.

    How do you pick squash off the vine?

    You pick squash off the vine by carefully holding with one hand and twisting gently. Be careful and ensure not to pull so as not to break the vine. Also, for easing of picking, you may also use a scissors or garden pruner to cut the fruit off the vine.

    Will yellow squash ripen off the vine?

    Yes, if the yellow squash is allowed to stay on the vine long enough, it will ripen on the vine. You will gradually begin to notice a change of its color to a darker yellow. At this point, know it has ripened for harvest.

  • Get To Know How Often To Water Cilantro

    Get To Know How Often To Water Cilantro

    A major question most people ask is this: how often to water cilantro? Cilantro needs special care and when you properly care for this plant, you will enjoy great results.

    There are precautionary measures that need to be adhered to when it comes to watering cilantro. If you desist from them, you may end up endangering the health of your plant.

    This thereby leads to a state of confusion as many often tend to ask about how often to water cilantro. You don’t need to look too far for the answer because we will be discussing it in this post.

    Should Cilantro Be Watered A Lot?

    Maintaining moisturized soil is important to cilantro plants. They grow well when they are being watered the right way. But, you should know that adequate water is not needed by this plant.

    Also, this plant doesn’t require a lot of water when it has grown a bit to like an inch tall. The amount of water needed by the cilantro plant is determined by whether it’s being grown outside or indoors.

    When growing cilantro indoors, it is best you water them very well. This is most especially when you’re growing them in containers and when temperatures get higher. They need to be watered thoroughly, most especially if they’ve been planted newly, for successful growth.

    Again, you need to take note that it is important that the pot and the soil or the type of garden soil you plant the cilantro in must be well-draining. This is because of the huge amount of water the plant is being supplied with.

    Should Cilantro Be Watered A Lot

    The roots of the cilantro plant are extensive, hence the soil must be well-drained. But you might also consider holding back on watering when they are grown.

    Cilantro doesn’t need much water when they are grown. In fact, to keep the plants healthy, watering them should be done at appropriate times. For instance, when you check the surface of the soil and it’s totally dry, it means water is needed.

    However, when you get the soil clogged with water when the plant is already grown, you make it easy for diseases to have access to the plants. so, just provide the right amount of watering to your plant.

    Check Out Basil Water Requirements

    What Amount Of Water Should Cilantro Be Supplied With?

    When cilantro is newly planted, water it with an inch of water every day for successful healthy growth. And when it has grown, water it with an inch of water once a week to keep it healthy. Knowing the exact amount of water cilantro needs is important in order to avoid overwatering.

    Overwatering is also not the only factor to put into consideration, under-watering should also be considered. Under-watering is a serious issue despite the fact that the plant doesn’t need to be watered much. Under-watering can lead to wilting of the leaves which causes the leaves to dry off.

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    Drought, as well as the death of the plant, can also be caused by under-watering. This is because the leaves will begin to dry and fall off and then the stems get affected.

    Click Here to Learn How To Get Rid Of Aphids On Kale?

    Can Cilantro Be Overwatered?

    The cultivating means and the nature of the soil will determine how often cilantro should be watered. The soil in which you planted your cilantro should be watered once it becomes dry for the plant. Watering should be weekly.

    However, how often to water cilantro should be dependent on whether the plant is still about to germinate or if it has grown.

    The plant needs to be watered daily when planted newly in nursery plant beds. Its healthy growth is dependent on enough watering as it helps the seeds with proper germination.

    Then when the plants have been moved to the garden, water every week with just an inch of water. However, if you don’t want to transfer your cilantro plants from the containers, then take note that watering must increase daily. This should be most especially during when temperatures begin to rise.

    A lot of watering is required if you started your plants as stem cuttings. This is because much water will be needed by the quick sprouting root to establish itself in the soil.

    Can Cilantro Be Overwatered

    Furthermore, apart from the watering at the beginning, the plants should be watered every day with at least an inch of water. Do this for two weeks, and then continue water with just an inch of water weekly.

    However, watering the plants regularly is important if you’re growing your cilantro plants in pots first before you transfer them to the ground. You may also want to know that while it is good to water cilantro plants, overwatering is a thing that is likely to happen if you don’t adhere to the right tips for watering.

    How To Know If You’re Overwatering Cilantro?

    Overwatering can have serious negative effects on cilantro plants. This can lead to the total breakdown of the plants, thereby slowing down the total wellbeing and productivity of the plant. Let’s take a look at a few signs to look out for that indicates overwatering.

    • Dark Leaves: this condition, which is known as leaf spot, affects plants in the damp and cool surroundings.
    • Fluids Start to Accumulate: the leaves and stems accumulate water and then start to bloat due to the fact that the plant is the type that doesn’t need much water. This is a condition called edema.
    • The Cilantro Leaves become Yellow: overwatering leads to the rotting of the roots. This in turn stops the nutrients, like nitrogen, that are needed for the leaves’ greenish coloration from getting to the leaves. Therefore, the leaves begin to turn yellow.
    • Mildew: overwatering also causes mildew. This condition is an indication of the presence of a fungal disease on the plant. This condition usually causes the plant to become unproductive and to also lose some of its taste and flavor. This condition, however, will not cause the death of the plant.

    Additional Say On How Often To Water Cilantro

    How often to water cilantro is an essential aspect of growing cilantro plants successfully. Without knowing how the cilantro plant should be watered, you might make a lot of mistakes in trying to get a successful outcome.

    Watering your cilantro plant evenly is a very important thing to do. Endeavor to supply the plants in garden beds with an inch of water weekly. But if you have your cilantro planted in containers, you may need to water them more frequently.

    FAQ’s

    Do you water cilantro everyday?

    It’s not necessary you water your cilantro every day. Ideally, cilantro watering should be done a few times in a week. Water when it is necessary and aim to maintain a damp but not too moist or soggy soil.

    Can you overwater cilantro?

    Yes. Cilantro plants can be over-watered and this is usually a bad thing to do. Therefore, try as much as possible to avoid overwatering to avoid the negative impact of having a soggy cilantro plant.

    How much water and sun does cilantro need?

    Ideally, the appropriate amount of watering for cilantro should be about 1 inch into the soil per week for optimal growth. However, once cilantro plants are established, too much watering isn’t too necessary. The sunlight requirement for the cilantro plant is full sun.

    How often to water cilantro in a pot

    The watering needs for growing cilantro in pots aren’t so hard to deduce. Aim to keep your soil evenly moist and avoid soaking the soil. you can aim for about 1 inch water weekly.

  • How Do Artichokes Grow?

    How Do Artichokes Grow?

    With elegant and distinctive leaves, very endearing to the eyes and aesthetic to the environment, artichokes are a wonder to the eyes. It serves as a very important and nutritious addition to your vegetable garden. Its ability to thrive in different climatic conditions makes it all the more endearing.

    Growing artichokes is relatively easy as you are only required to note a few things and follow the right process. When you time your planting period properly, ensure you plant on good soil and water the plant regularly, yield is sure to be bountiful.

    Knowing how do artichokes grow and the intricacies involved in caring for the plant goes a long way to influence harvest. This article gives insight into how to grow and care for the artichoke plant. The proper time for planting, the time to expect harvest amongst others are explained here.

    However, before we delve into how to grow and care for artichokes for the best possible result to be attained, let’s consider a few facts about the plant. An understanding of what artichokes plant really is will influence your decision to have them in your garden and how you go about caring for them.

    Things To Know about Artichoke – How Do Artichokes Grow

    Understanding a few facts about the artichoke plant will give you insight into growing and caring for the plant. The buds of the plant are the artichokes that you can harvest and eat. If allowed to flower, it becomes thistle-like and purple.

    Artichokes are usually large to behold and can be grown in rows in the garden, or grown as informal boundaries or planted in the wide border. This plant has the ability to grow as high as 3 to 5 feet under the right conditions.

    Things To Know about Artichoke

    A single plant can produce many artichokes, with the biggest bud growing at the top, while the others below it. The artichokes are mostly edible, and best harvested when the flower bud is still immature and green.

    This plant has the ability to survive both in warm and cold climatic conditions without growth being affected.

    How To Plant Artichokes Seeds

    If you intend to begin growing artichokes from seed, you should ensure to do the following:

    • Prepare Soil Indoors: it’s best that you plant artichoke seeds indoors in late winter or early spring. This is best done about two months before the weather outside is ready for transplanting. the soil should be well-drained and rich in organic materials or fertilized.
    • Sow your Seeds: after the soil meets the above specification has been prepared indoors, you should sow. sowing should be done about three or four inches apart and about half an inch deep into the soil.
    • Water Regularly: after planting the seeds, ensure to keep the soil bed evenly moist. You should be careful not to get the soil too wet as your seedlings begin to sprout.
    • Thinning: it is always best to plant a little more than what you actually need, just in case some don’t germinate. So when the seedlings grow, you can thin them so that there is only one plant growing from a particular spot.

    • Transplant to a Permanent Location: when you are done vernalizing your seedlings, you may transplant them into your garden bed. Ensure to do this carefully so as not to disturb the root of the plant as this may affect the growth.
    • Spacing after Transplant: after transplanting the seeds, you should space them about 2.5 to 3 feet apart in rows of about 3 to 4 feet apart. Transplants usually have a slow growth between October through January. But growth improves significantly in early spring.
    • Water: after transplanting your seeds to their permanent site, ensure to water them regularly and nourish their new home with the right nutrients.

    How Long Does It take for Artichokes To grow?

    You must know this from the onset. Artichokes are relatively slow growers. They would as such take between 85 to 120 days of the proper weather condition-spring or summer, to produce flowers.

    However, some varieties of this plant do not produce flowers until about two years after planting. Choosing the right variety and exposing it to the right conditions is therefore paramount.

    It is imperative to note however that vernalization usually encourages the plant to produce flowers in its first year.

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    How Do Artichokes Grow
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    Tips On Growing And Caring For Artichokes

    For the best possible result to be achieved, you should adopt the following tips when growing this plant:

    • Seed Variety: there are different seed varieties you can grow which will help with the desired result. These include the Green Globe, Violetto, Imperial Star, and Emrald. These varieties will flow quickly and usually grow faster and better than others.
    • Climatic Conditions: artichokes are naturally coo-season plants. They, therefore, do better when the daytime temperature is about 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and the nighttime temperature is about 15 degrees cooler. Therefore, they excel in areas with cool summer.
    • Sunlight: this plant is best grown in full sun. This means they require about 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Where, however, very hot and dry summer is witnessed in your area, you can plant them in shades.
    • Water: this plant requires a lot of water to survive. As such, you should water regularly throughout the growing season. You should even add weeds to cover some part of the plant to protect the moisture content until buds begin to form.
    • Harvesting: you should harvest artichoke buds when they have swelled but are still tightly closed. You can use a sharp knife to cut across the stem just about 2 inches below the bud.
    • Pests and Diseases: very few pests and diseases affect this plant. However, slugs, aphids, botrytis can be a few disturbers of this plant. Removing affected and discolored leaves as soon as you notice them will help prevent a spread. You can also use pesticides occasionally.
    Tips On Growing And Caring For Artichokes

    How Do Artichokes Grow: Conclusion

    How do artichokes grow? By, now, you must now have an idea of how artichokes grow and what to expect when you plant them in your garden. The intricacies involved in growing this plant have also been demystified in this article.

    Be sure to observe these guides when planting or caring for artichokes. If you do, then your good yield will be guaranteed.

    FAQ’s

    How long do artichokes take to grow?

    Artichokes are relatively slow growers. Depending on the variety and the prevailing condition, they would as such take between 85 to 120 days of the proper weather condition-spring or summer, to produce flowers. They can also take a longer period to grow in other prevailing conditions.

    How tall do artichokes grow?

    Also, depending on the variety and the prevailing conditions, this plant has the ability to grow as tall as anywhere between 3 to 5 feet.

    How many artichokes do you get from one plant?

    A healthy artichoke plant should be able to produce between 6 and 9 buds. This means a healthy plant should be able to produce about 6 to 9 artichokes.

    How much space do I need to grow artichokes?

    The appropriate outdoor spacing for artichokes being planted on the garden bed is about 2.5 to 3 feet apart in rows of about 3 to 4 feet apart. The number of artichokes you wish to plant will therefore influence how much space you may need to get to grow them.

  • How Long Do Carrots Take To Grow?

    How Long Do Carrots Take To Grow?

    How long do carrots take to grow? Let’s find out. Carrot is one of those vegetables which is considered to be highly nutritious and beneficial for your health.

    This article gives an insight into how long it generally takes for carrots to grow from planting to harvest. The different tips to note about growing carrots and how best to care for the plant are also discussed in this article.

    To achieve the best possible result, this article also discusses the best time to plant carrots and when to possibly expect to harvest. How to go about the harvesting stage and a few tips on how to store carrots when they are not being consumed immediately are also discussed here.

    How Long Do Carrots Take To Grow?

    When carrots are planted outside in the garden or yard, with moderate exposure to the sun, good soil nutrients and proper watering harvesting become very easy. Carrots would in such conditions be ready for harvest between 70 and 80 days after planting.

    Where there is a change in the above conditions, the timeline may be altered slightly. Where they are planted indoors and exposed to the ideal temperature, light, and water conditions, carrots should be ready for harvesting between 60 and 80 days.

    Carrots Take To Grow

    You may not even need to wait for the above timelines if you have a preference for baby carrots. Your baby carrots should be ready for harvest in about 50 to 60 days after sprouting.

    Tips On Growing Carrots – How Long Do Carrots Take To Grow?

    If you are desirous of achieving the best possible results, you should take note of the following when growing carrots:

    • Soil Preparation: you may decide to plant your carrots just about anywhere. You may decide to plant them in the ground without making beds, or in raised beds, or even on the patio in tubs. The soil should however be stone-free and well-dug, with exposure to sunlight.
    • Planting Carrots: after preparing the soil, the carrot seeds can then be planted. The carrot seeds should be soaked for several hours or throughout the night in warm water. This aids the germination process. The seeds should be sown ÂŒ to Âœ inch deep and 1 inch apart in rows spaced between 12 to 24 inches apart.
    • Watering the Plant: carrots require a good amount of water to grow even at a very early stage. As such, water should be provided regularly to the plant. It is for this reason that it is necessary for the soil to be well-drained.
    • Care for Carrots: When the seedlings reach about 2 inches tall, they should be spaced about two inches apart. When weeds begin to appear, ensure to pull them out early enough so they don’t disturb the carrots. Apply low nitrogen-rich fertilizers about 6 weeks after planting.

    • Sowing Carrots: Carrot seeds can be sown from very early spring right through August. The vegetable can be harvested about all year round. Most varieties get sown between April and July, while early cultivars may be sown as early as February.
    • Carrot Disease Prevention: Carrot flies are notorious for damaging the roots of carrots. To prevent this insect from wreaking havoc, cover the ground with garden fleece or with a row cover.
    • Harvesting Carrots: When it is about time to harvest the carrots, you would know from the size of the top of the root poking out of the soil. When it appears matured, you can harvest the vegetable. The smaller ones are easy to pull out directly from the soil, while chunkier ones will require some digging from the ground.
    • Storing: Where the carrots are not being consumed immediately, they should be stored in cold temperatures a little above zero degrees. You can also store in sand or sawdust, or simply by leaving the harvested carrots under heaped soil in the garden.

    Recommended Varieties Of Carrots

    Carrots have a wide array of varieties from which you can pick if you are interested in growing the plant. These different varieties come in different sizes, shapes, and colors. Some of the recommended varieties are:

    • Danvers: This is a classic heirloom variety, usually about 6 to 8 inches long. It usually tapers at the end and has a rich, dark orange color. It has the ability to thrive in heavy soil.
    • Bolero: This variety is usually about 7 to 8 inches long and slightly tapered. It has the ability to resist most leaf pests and blights.

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    • Little Finger: Just like the name suggests, this is a small Nantes type of carrot which is only about 4 inches long and about 1 inch thick. It is a good variety to plant in pots or containers.
    • Nantes: This is an exceptionally sweet variety, of about 6 to 7 inches long. It has a crisp texture and is easily recognized.

    Nutritional Benefits Of Consuming Carrots

    The nutritional benefits of consuming carrots are numerous. Carrot contains water, protein, calories, carbs, sugar, fiber, and little traces of fat. Below are some of the major nutritional benefits:

    • Lowers the Risk of Cancer: antioxidants that carrot contains help a great deal to fight harmful free radicals in your body. These radicals can easily make you less likely to have cancer. Carotenoids and Anthocyanins are the two main types of antioxidants in carrots.
    • Heart Health: just the way the antioxidants in carrots help reduce the risk of cancer, they are also very beneficial to the heart. Carrot also contains potassium which helps keep your blood pressure in check, while the fiber content helps with weight and lowers risks of diseases.
    • Boost Your Immune System: carrots contain a substantial quantity of Vitamin C, and this helps your body build antibodies. This ultimately helps to defend your immune system. Vitamin C also helps your body to take in and use iron, which helps prevent infections.
    • Help Control Diabetes: people who have been diagnosed with diabetes are advised to consume more starchy vegetables such as carrots. The fiber in carrots helps to keep blood sugar levels under control and the Vitamin A and beta-carotene it contains helps with diabetes.
    Nutritional Benefits Of Consuming Carrots

    Conclusion – How Long Do Carrots Take To Grow?

    As you have seen from the above, carrots are one of the vegetables that anyone can recommend for you. Its benefits are huge and as such, it is highly desirable.

    This article gives you a guide to planting, growing, and caring for carrots. It also gives you an idea of how long it will take to grow carrots and when you are likely to harvest after planting.

    FAQ’s

    How long do carrots take to grow indoors?

    In a situation where carrots are planted indoors and exposed to the ideal temperature, light, and water conditions, they should be ready for harvesting between 60 and 80 days.

    How long do baby carrots take to grow?

    If you are a lover of baby carrots, the wait time is usually less. Your baby carrots should be ready for harvest in about 50 to 60 days after sprouting.

    How long do carrots take to grow from seed?

    In the right conditions, carrots usually take between 70 and 80 days to grow before they can be harvested when planted as seeds. This timeline may be briefly altered depending on the exact conditions the seeds and plants are exposed to.

    How long do carrots take to grow from containers?

    When carrots are grown in containers, the timeline before harvest usually depends largely on the variety. Most varieties will however be ready for harvest about 75 days after germination.

  • Head Of Broccoli

    Head Of Broccoli

    Broccoli is a type of vegetable that is under the cabbage family. Head of broccoli is pretty edible. So, its flowering head, stalk, and up to the leaves make up for that edible vegetable.

    Under the cabbage family, there are others like cabbage, kale, bok choy, Romanesco, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, arugula, and kohlrabi. The big flower portion which is at the extreme of a broccoli stalk is called the head of broccoli.

    Cutting the head into smaller bits and removing the thick stock gives you what is called broccoli florets. The broccoli floret most times is used as part of mouth-watering recipes.

    In an actual sense, the part of the broccoli with the best taste is the stalk. It is the best part of broccoli because it is rich in vitamins than the flower itself.

    That is why you shouldn’t throw away the stalks. But the stalk has tough skin and gets tougher after cooking it. To know how to get the best of the head and stalk of broccoli, keep reading.

    Broccoli Vegetable – Head Of Broccoli

    Like it’s been said earlier on, broccoli is a vegetable under the cabbage family. Broccoli and the rest of the members of the cabbage family are all vegetables that have their origins traced down to a wild mustard plant.

    This particular plant has been bred for the sole aim of producing different traits. They all are from Brassica oleracea species. The reason for breeding the plant called broccoli is to bring about a plant with bigger stems flowers.

    Broccoli Vegetable

    While the reason for breeding other cultivars is for more and bigger leaf buds, this is in the case of cabbage and Brussels sprouts, then for more leaves in the case of kale.

    The flowering part of a plant that must be harvested before the flower buds begin to bloom is known as broccoli. When the head of the plant turns yellow and begins to produce seed, then it can be planted instead to grow more seeds.

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    The Number Of Cups Of Broccoli Florets In A Head

    3 œ cups of broccoli floret can be gotten from an average size of a broccoli stem. You can also get up to 2 cups of stalks that have been cut into pieces and still cook everything together with your broccoli floret to get more quantity.

    Knowing What Broccoli Look And Taste Like

    Broccoli takes the form of a small tree which is green and has a thick stem. Looking at typical broccoli closely, you will notice the head of broccoli has lots of flower buds that are tightly clustered together but have not started to bloom.

    Fresh broccoli should be dark green, especially the flower potion. It must be heavy and the buds must be tightly held together. If the broccoli is older, the color will be pale green or sometimes yellow. The body mass will be light too. Don’t eat it if it has turned slimy which means it’s old.

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    As for the taste of broccoli, it should be earthy and even a bit bitter too. This is because the vegetable contains glucosinolate compounds. For some people, it’s really bitter, while some others can’t taste it at all due to the type of gene that they have.

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    Knowing Broccoli Cuts From Florets

    It is possible to mistake broccoli cuts as broccoli florets if you’re not so familiar with how they come when they’ve been packaged to be sold.

    You see, broccoli cuts comprise broccoli florets and as well as broccoli stalks that have been cut into pieces. Hence, you might not even know you’re buying broccoli cuts at the supermarket because the package comes as a lot of cut-up stalks but few florets.

    Endeavor to use only broccoli florets, instead of cut broccoli, as a side dish. But you can use the cut if you will take your time to prepare it correctly. You can as well purée the broccoli cuts as a soup instead or you can as well prepare them in a casserole, they will turn out good and taste great.

    This is because eating the cuts without being prepared can turn out bad. They are usually very tough and chewy if they are not been peeled and prepared.

    Knowing Broccoli Cuts From Florets

    How To Cut Broccoli

    Cutting all the parts of broccoli, especially the stalks, doesn’t take much time. It is also worth it because you get to use up all the broccoli stalk parts which is very economical.

    • Cut Off The Floret Stems

    A great idea of getting lovely florets is to leave the stems long. With the help of a chef’s knife, slice off the floret of the broccoli at the point where both its stem and the main stalk meets. Don’t cut the florets to the point where they are attached to each other.

    This is because the broccoli loses its lovely shape that way, making the floret look stubby. But there can always be an exception in a situation whereby you want to make a broccoli soup or you don’t need much stem in a veggie tray. Then the stem can be cut shorter.

    • For Large Broccoli Florets, Cut Them In Half

    For florets that are large in size, cut them into two at the bottom of the stem and then separate the florets. The florets should be equal in size if possible but not necessarily perfect.

    • You Can Cut The Stalk Too But It’s Optional

    The stalk is rich tastier and rich in vitamins than the flowers, you just have to know the right way to bring out its flavor.

    The irregular outer skin that is on the stalk should be sliced off, thereby making them into four sided rectangular sticks. The stalls can be used in stir-fries just like the florets.

    Head Of Broccoli: Conclusion

    So that’s it. The broccoli peelings can also be used for making vegetable broth. After all, the whole part of the broccoli can be very useful and not just the head of broccoli.

    FAQ’s

    What is a head of broccoli?

    The head of broccoli is very unique and it is the clusters of flowers that. So, it is also referred to as the cluster of flowers.

    How many calories in a head of broccoli?

    Broccoli tends to offer very low calories. The calories of broccoli are around 31. So, if you are concerned about your calorie intake, you can be sure that broccoli offers you low calories.

    How much protein in a head of broccoli?

    The head of broccoli comprises of about 2.6 grams of protein. However, when it comes to the calorie content of one cup of chopped broccoli which is the same as 88 grams, it has 2.5 grams of protein. Then 100 grams of broccoli comprise 2.8 grams of protein.

    How many carbs in a head of broccoli?

    The quantity of carbs present in the head of broccoli is about 6 grams. However, when it comes to the carb content of 1 cup of broccoli florets, we have about 3.6 grams.

  • Basil Companion Plants

    Basil Companion Plants

    A companion plant basically refers to those plants that can be planted closely together successfully. In determining whether plants are companions, factors like pollination, nutrient requirements, amongst others are considered. Basil companion plants are what we will be looking into.

    Basil is one of the herbs that can be easily grown alongside other plants in a garden. Basil plant is known for helping neighboring plants in areas like protection from pests, attracting pollinators, and even insects prevention.

    Now, let’s delve into basil companion plants.

    Basil Companion Planting Herbs

    Here is some of the list of plants that can do well with basil plants being planted closely together:

    1.    Basil And Tomatoes

    These pair do very well when planted together. Some gardeners even argue that the flavor of both plants gets greatly improved when they are grown together. Both plants also require very similar nutrients to flourish, making them even more compatible.

    Basil And Tomatoes

    2.    Peppers – Basil Companion Plants

    These are another two highly compatible plants to grow together. They are both very good pest repellents, providing dense ground cover. Furthermore, pepper plants do very well in humidity, while basil can very easily get heat and moisture from the atmosphere. Indeed, great companions to pair.

    You must however monitor watering both plants carefully so as to keep the balance. This is because too much watering may suffocate the root of the pepper but in some cases, it is good for basil.

    3.    Basil And Root Vegetables

    Another great companion of Basil in the garden is root vegetables. Basil can easily flourish with radishes, carrots, beets, parsnips, and turnips.

    The great scent that basil gives off helps to deter pests from coming around root vegetables. The absence of a plant-like Basil exposes the planted root vegetables to root-infesting pests.

    4.    Basil And Chillies

    Planting Basil and Chillies together is another great pairing that you can do in your garden. Basil can readily repel a large host of insect pests that usually interfere with the growth of chilies.

    Basil And Chillies

    Chilies also thrive in very similar conditions as Basil, especially during summer. Plants like eggplants and capsicums, which bear very similar attributes to chilies also pair well with Basil. Planting these plants alongside Basil will to a large extent improve their individual performance.

    5.    Basil And Parsley Or Chives

    These plants do very well when planted together primarily because of their environmental preferences. These plants all like full sun and have very similar water and soil requirements.

    Planting them together will therefore save you any extra effort that would have been expended in tendering them. You just need to care for them as you should care for your Basil plant and they will come out fine.

    6.    Asparagus – Basil Companion Plants

    Asparagus is a perennial crop that thrives well in sunny conditions. It usually takes between 2 to years to reach full maturity. Basil and Asparagus are good companions to plant together.

    This companion will attract ladybugs to your garden. The advantage of this is that ladybugs help to weed out notorious cabbage aphids. In addition, basil also repels the asparagus beetle which is a pest that disturbs asparagus growth.

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    7.    Parsley And Basil Companion Plant

    These two plants also do very well when planted together. The reason for this is that they basically require almost exact water and sunlight for growth. Planting them together would therefore result in a splendid yield of both plants.

    8.    Potatoes – Basil Companion Plants

    Planting basil and potatoes do not only improve their individual taste but also brings some beautiful order to your garden. You must however be careful when applying fertilizer to the plants. While potatoes need lots of phosphorus and potassium, basil needs more nitrogen.

    Both plants are however sunlight and water-loving plants. Whereas many other plants will affect the growth of potatoes if planted as a companion, the reverse is the case with basil.

    Plants That Do Not Complement Basil

    As we have seen that there are different plants that complement basil well, there are also plants that don’t do well with basil. These plants should not be planted close to basil as this will affect the growth of both basil and the plant.

    Some of these plants that should be taken far away from basil are common rue, thyme, sage, and cucumbers. The reason why these plants do not complement basil varies widely. The reasons range from differences in the nutrient requirement to differences in sunlight and water requirement.

    Plants That Do Not Complement Basil

    Benefits Of Companion Planting

    Companion planting which is also referred to as inter-cropping comes with varying advantages. Some of these specific benefits of adopting the practice of companion planting are:

    • Repel Insect Pests: the adoption of this practice has a major advantage of detrimental pests being repelled. Some plants naturally secrete toxins or scents that have the ability to repel these detrimental pests. Some of these pests cannot be killed by pesticides.
    • Attract Beneficial Insects: just the way this practice will lead to the repelling of detrimental insects, it also attracts beneficial insects. Some beneficial insects such as bees, butterflies, and birds can be lured into your garden by planting the right companion like a marigolds lure.
    • Improvement of Soil Nutrients: some plants have the ability to add specific nutrients to the soil. Planting such a plant in your garden relieves you of the daunting task of getting that nutrient and applying same in your garden. Nitrogen for instance can be added by Legumes.
    • Provide Cover for the Ground: where some of the soil in your garden is open and not covered by any plant, the room is given to weeds to grow. Planting companion plants that spread on a low level across the ground like oregano will therefore help with this greatly.
    • Provide Shade: where you wish to plant a crop that does not require direct sunlight, you may decide to plant as a companion another plant to give shade. For instance, planting a crop that grows tall and leafy like the zucchini and asparagus may be a good solution to this.
    • Serve as Markers: where you wish to demarcate your farm or garden, you may decide to plant fast-growing plants that will rise and provide the necessary demarcations as quickly as possible.

    |

    Conclusion On Basil Companion Plants

    As you have seen above, companion planting comes with a lot of advantages. Basil is one of those plants that can complement other plants in the garden. Some of the plants that are well complemented by basil are discussed above.

    This should be a good guide to you if you are planning to begin companion planting using basil. Ensure not to plant alongside basil those plants that don’t do well with basil mentioned above.

    FAQ’s

    What are companion vegetable plants to basil?

    Some companion vegetable plants to basil include radishes, carrots, beets, parsnips, and turnips.

    Basil and spinach companion plant?

    Basil is a great companion plant to spinach. They can both thrive in the same garden. They both have very similar water and sunlight requirements.

  • Bell Pepper Sprouts

    Bell Pepper Sprouts

    They are from the Grossum cultivar group of species Capsicum annumm and they are known as bell peppers. Bell pepper sprouts are what we will be looking at in this post.

    Peppers generally are great ingredients to add to all kinds of dishes, either raw or cooked. You can enjoy the delightful taste of bell peppers in your different cooking experiences.

    When it comes to growing bell peppers, it’s not a difficult thing to do. Just have the right knowledge and you are good to go.

    Growing bell pepper from seeds especially is an important thing to look at and once we’ve planted our seeds, we definitely would want some god germination or sprouting.

    So, let’s delve in and get some details about the sprouting of bell peppers.

    About Bell Pepper 

    Bell peppers are characterized by their smooth outer skin that shields the inner crunchy flesh. This pepper is hollow with numerous seeds that tend to cluster in the center and cling to their white inner membrane along their walls.

    Bell pepper is a type of fruit that their cultivars can give rise to different colors that include red, orange, yellow, green, white, and purple. The scientific name of this bell pepper is Capsicum annuum Group and they are sometimes grouped with the less pungent chili variety as sweet peppers.

    Although bell peppers are majorly or botanically classified as fruits, they are commonly used as a vegetable ingredient or side dish.

    About Bell Peppers

    So, in tropical regions, bell peppers are grown as perennial crops.  In colder climates, on the other hand, they are grown as annuals. Their tolerance to cold isn’t so great.

    The growing season of bell peppers tends to be a bit long. Their growing seasons can last up to 90 to even 100 days. Therefore, this implies that once you notice you have a short summer, it is crucial you begin your seeds indoors once things are warming up outdoors.

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    Bell Pepper Sprouts: Tips To Seed Germination

    Although growing bell pepper is an easy thing to do, you have still to put some factors into consideration to achieve that successful outcome. This is particularly important when it comes to seed sowing and germination.

    Here are some tips to take note of when it comes to bell pepper sprouting and growing successfully:

    • Peppers love hot environments, especially in their germination stage. Therefore, you would have to allow the outdoor environment especially tour soil to warm up before planting. However, we recommend you begin sowing your seeds indoors to have a better chance.
    • Also, begin your seeding early especially if you have a short summer in your region. But ideally, you should begin your seed indoors early enough.
    • You can either save seeds from organic store-bought bell peppers or you can just purchase the bell pepper seeds.

    • Seeds from red pepper plants are recommended to be used. This is because they are more mature compared to the green ones so you should have a better chance of a good outcome.
    • Then seeds should be set out to dry for a couple of days. After this, you can now sow these seeds or store them in a paper envelope then put them in a dry spot.
    • We generally recommend seeding to be commenced 6 to 8 weeks before the last average frost date in spring. But you can still sow these seeds earlier if you can maintain a healthy and thriving plant.

    Read more about Planting Lettuce Seeds

    Starting Bell Pepper Seeds To Ensure Seed Sprouting

    You can commence seed sowing with the help of a seed starting mix and position them in a warm sunny area. Using cell packs or covering flats with plastics can help speed up germination or sprouting of seeds.

    Additionally, when you provide a constant source of heat such as a seedling heating mat or pad can also be of great help. This is because the soil needs to be around 80 degrees Fahrenheit for the bell pepper seed to sprout. If your soil is warm enough, you should notice some sprouting within ten days.

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    So, when your seeds have sprouted and grown about two to three leaves, you can go ahead and put them in a bigger container. This container should be filled with moist potting soil to minimize settling.

    Organic fertilizer should also be added just to encourage strong and healthy growth. Then always water when needed and maintain a constantly damp soil.

    Harvesting – Bell Pepper Sprouts

    Determining when your bell peppers are ready to be harvested is an easy and straightforward thing. You can start harvesting your peppers once they have attained a length of around 3 to 4 inches. The bell pepper fruit must also be firm and green, red, or other colors, depending on the variety you planted.

    However, if you notice they are somehow thin, then they are not ready for harvest yet. If they have this soggy feel, this implies that they’ve been left for too long.

    Once the first batch of crops has been harvested, you can go ahead and fertilize the plants. this can supply them with extra energy for them to yield another crop.

    Harvesting Bell Peppers

    Closing Remark – Bell Pepper Sprouts

    Bell peppers are warm-loving crops that tend to do well in warm weather so summer is usually the best period to sow seeds or plant these crops.

    So, one of the secrets to successfully sprouting and growing your bell pepper is to grow them in a temperate spot. Peppers generally thrive in warm surroundings. The seeds of bell peppers will require warmth to grow. So, it is recommended you sow your seeds indoors so you can get that ideal sprouting temperature for your bell pepper to germinate.

    Once your bell pepper seeds have sprouted, you can go ahead and transplant outdoors and plant them in a sunny spot. But ensure the temperature outdoors is warm enough to encourage good growth.

    Therefore, it is important you ensure the frost in your area is completely gone as frost can destroy your pepper plant or slow down its growth.

    FAQ’s

    What do bell pepper sprouts look like?

    The sprouts of bell pepper will have about 2 to 3 leaves spouts that tend to be narrow and pointy.

    How many days does red bell pepper start to sprouts?

    Red bell pepper begins to sprout within 10 days.

    How to plant bell pepper sprouts?

    If you want to achieve more successful sprouting, your bell peppers should be planted indoors where you can supply the seeds at the ideal temperature. Then once your seeds have sprouted, you can transplant them outdoors in a sunny spot.

    What do you do after bell pepper seeds sprout?

    Once your bell pepper seeds have germinated, you can go ahead and transplant them outdoors that is if your seeds were sown indoors.

  • Planting Lettuce Seeds

    Planting Lettuce Seeds

    Planting lettuce seeds can be easy for you if you’ve got the right knowledge. Lettuce is a great addition to one’s stock of vegetable garden at home because of its health benefits.

    Hence there comes the importance of attaching them to having them in your kitchen. It’s a crop that likes the cool weather, hence it’s better to plant your lettuce seeds during spring and fall.

    Growing lettuce from seeds to becoming a full crop is known to be one of the easiest. Lettuce seeds grow very fast, in fact, you can start harvesting the baby greens within a month of planting.

    But on average, they take up to 40 to 50 days to mature. The types that are larger or that produce head needs more time to get to maturity. This should be between 60 to 80 days.

    Growing lettuce is beneficial. That is why having them in your garden will provide you with fresh homegrown organic greens for months. So let’s take a look at the process of planting lettuce seeds.

    Different Types Of Lettuce Seeds To Plant

    The lettuce seeds come in varieties that you can choose from. You can find them on seed racks and catalogs, just choose the one that is suits your preference and your regional climate.

    The leaf lettuce still remains the best because of how fast it grows. It also gives you the privilege of having a steady supply of luscious greens for weeks. Let’s look further into the various types of lettuce seeds.

    • Oakleaf: The oakleaf lettuce can be grown as leaf lettuce and can be continuously harvested while growing. It is better to start harvesting it because the plants will produce full-sized heads when they are left to mature. Depending on the variety the leaves can be either red or green and also take the form of oak leaves.
    • Looseleaf: The looseleaf is one of the types of lettuce that can be grown easily. It also grows very fast as it only takes between 5 to 6 weeks to produce large loose heads.
    Different Types Of Lettuce Seeds To Plant - Looseleaf
    • Butterhead: Also called Boston or Bibb, produces beautiful heads with loose soft crisp leaves. The butterhead has varieties that can be grown in regions with high temperatures, suitably during summer. It also has varieties that can be grown in cold regions, suitable for winter.
    • Iceberg: Also known as crisphead lettuce is not an easy variety to grow but you can be lucky with it.
    • Romaine: The romaine lettuce produces tightly closed heads. This variety is known to be an important ingredient in making Caesar salad.
    • Summer Crisp: The summer crisp type is also known as Batavia lettuces. This type looks so much like the loose-leaf type while growing. They begin to produce lovely rounded heads as they grow to maturity. The summer crisp has varieties that can be grown in regions with high temperatures, preferably during summer.

    Planting Lettuce Seeds

    Lettuce is a type of crop that thrives in cool weather. Hence, the best time to grow lettuce is during spring and fall. In temperatures as low as 40 F, your lettuce seeds will germinate.

    But the best temperature for growing and germination is from 60 F and 65 F. To get a successful outcome at growing lettuce, start by choosing a location that gets up to six to eight hours of sunlight. You can also grow your lettuce in a shady spot but must get three to four hours of sun.

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    But if there’s not enough sunlight, it will be advisable to plant looseleaf varieties. This is because they grow more quickly than the varieties that produce heads. The next thing should be to mix in one or two inches of compost in your garden bed. You may also mix in organic fertilizer with slow release.

    Growing lettuce in containers is also a great idea. This is because the plant has a shallow root system. Lettuce can be grown in pots, baskets, window boxes, or fabric planters. Using any type of container that is four to six inches deep with holes for drainage is also fine.

    In order to be able to harvest your crop early, get plastic or fabric-covered mini tunnels to cover your garden beds. This way, you can trap in solar energy. It can also help to protect your plants from low temperatures and frost during early spring or fall.

    Methods For Planting Lettuce Seeds

    Lettuce seeds can be planted in two ways. They are:

    • Direct Sowing Lettuce Seeds

    This involves directly planting lettuce seeds in garden beds or containers. For direct planting of varieties of seeds of lettuce that produce heads in rows, give the seeds space of two inches apart. This should depend on the varieties you’re planting though.

    Endeavor not to plant the seeds deep down in the soil, remember they need the sunlight to sprout. Go ahead and pour a little amount of soil on your seeds. You can begin thinning when your seedlings are growing well.

    • Transplanting Lettuce Seedlings

    This on the other hand entails transplanting lettuce seedlings that were started indoors or bought from a garden center. You can start by transplanting your seedlings into your garden beds or containers in a grid form. Endeavor to give space of at least ten inches between each seedling.

    If you’re transplanting multicolored varieties, you can bring creativity to play by arranging the colors to form a checkerboard pattern.

    Remember to take note of the specific spacing instructions on the packet of the seeds you bought. Hence, if you’re transplanting in rows, depending on how mature in size of each variety is, give your seedlings space of ten to twelve inches each. And then space the rows by twelve to eighteen inches.

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    Spacing Your Lettuce Plants

    Start thinning your lettuce seedlings once they begin to grow well. Doing this will allow the plants enough space for them to produce good-sized heads when they mature. The ideal spacing should be ten to twelve inches but you can still check the seed packet for specific spacing instructions for each variety.

    If you’re growing baby lettuce, make the spacing between each plant a bit closer at about six to eight inches because of the formation of heads. Romaine lettuce can be grown successfully with this method as this type of lettuce produces tight heads.

    Spacing Your Lettuce Plants

    Conclusion On Planting Lettuce Seeds

    Now that you know a lot about planting lettuce seeds, you can go ahead and enjoy several weeks of luscious, tender, and mild-tasting lettuce from your garden.

    FAQ’s

    How long from planting seeds to picking lettuce?

    Lettuce seeds grow very fast and you can start harvesting your crops as early as possible, depending on the variety you have. The baby can be harvested within a month of planting but for them to mature they take up to 40 to 50 days. But the types that produce heads need more time to get to full maturity which is between 60 to 80 days.

    When to start planting lettuce seeds?

    You can start planting lettuce seeds in spring and fall. Lettuce seeds will definitely germinate in temperatures as low as 40 F. But the best temperatures for planting and growing lettuce seeds are between 60 F and 65 F.

    How many planting seeds yield one lettuce?

    For seed sown directly into the soil, you should have about 10 seeds per foot.

    Can lettuce seeds be planted directly in the ground?

    Sowing lettuce seed directly on the ground is ideal. Sometimes, transplanting lettuce seedlings might not be easy because the seedlings are quite fragile.

  • How To Grow Tomatoes From Seeds

    How To Grow Tomatoes From Seeds

    Tomatoes are one of the best plants to grow in your garden, no matter your experience level. Knowing how to grow tomatoes from seeds is beneficial to know when starting your garden. Though some people may buy mature tomato plants, tomato seeds are also a great option for many gardeners.

    Tomatoes are generally easy to grow and produce an abundance of fruit. Fortunately, there are many great dishes you can use fresh tomatoes or you can make them into sauces as well. They can be great to grow whether you have a yard with a garden or grow them in a container on your balcony.

    How To Grow Tomatoes From Seeds

    Tomatoes are a great plant to grow in your garden as they grow well in most warmer climates. Though you can buy mature plants to plant right into your garden or a container, you can also grow them straight from seeds.

    Though growing tomatoes from seeds can seem intimidating if you have never done it before, it is quite straightforward with the right knowledge. Growing from seeds also gives you more variety in the type of tomato you grow.

    Decide On Your Seeds – How To Grow Tomatoes From Seeds

    Before you get planting, you want to decide on your seeds. Some varieties of tomatoes are more ideal for certain recipes than others are.

    Also, be sure you have the right room for the variety you want to grow. Determinate tomatoes grow to around three feet tall, making them the best choice for containers. On the other hand, indeterminate tomatoes grow to be very large, up to six feet tall, making them a better choice for garden beds.

    Plant Your Seeds In Small Containers

    Once you have selected your type of tomato, you will want to plant it indoors in small containers. You can use yogurt cups or egg cartons, as long as they have holes for drainage poked in them.

    Use a seed-starting mix as soil to encourage root growth. Fill your containers up with the mix and use a spray bottle to water the soil until it is moist.

    Plant your seeds around 1/8-inch deep in your soil, placing two to three seeds per container. Gently firm over the seeds with soil to ensure sufficient contact with the soil. You can then cover the containers loosely with plastic wrap to keep the moisture in.

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    Keep your seeds in a warm location, which is around 70-80 degrees Farenheit. You can place your containers on a heat mat to help keep them warm enough. At this point, you do not need to worry about having your plants in sunlight.

    The seeds will generally start to sprout within 1-2 weeks. Once your tomato plants begin to sprout, you can move them to an area with sunlight or use artificial light. You can also remove the plastic wrap at this point.

    When leaves begin to appear, you will want to transfer them to a larger pot that is around 16 ounces. You will want to make sure to keep the soil moist.

    Transplant Your Plants – How To Grow Tomatoes From Seeds

    As your tomatoes continue to grow, you can begin to introduce them to the outdoors. Place them outside for a few hours and bring them inside whenever temperatures fall below 50 degrees Farenheit. Repeat this process for around 10-14 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Around two weeks after the last frost or when soil temperatures are at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit, you can transplant your tomatoes into your garden. Plant them in an area where they will get at least six to eight hours of sun a day. Allow around two to three of space between tomato plants to give them plenty of room.

    Transplant Your Plants

    Tomato Care

    Before planting your tomatoes, mix compost into the soil. The soil should be loose and well-draining. Around five weeks after transplanting your tomato plants, add mulch to help the soil retain moisture.

    Use organic fertilizer or tomato fertilizer every two weeks to ensure your tomatoes are getting enough nutrients. Avoid using fast-release fertilizers and avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers on your tomatoes.

    Water your tomato plants in the morning so they have plenty of moisture throughout the day when it gets hot. Water generously the first few days after transplanting your tomatoes. Your tomato plants will need around two inches of water a week.

    Taller varieties can benefit from stakes or cages. This will help prevent fruit from developing on the ground and help the plant stay upright.

    How To Grow Tomatoes From Seeds – Harvesting

    Tomatoes are ready to harvest when they are firm and bright red in color or the color they are supposed to be, depending on the variety. Leave them on the vine for as long as possible for the best results.

    Harvesting Tomatoes

    Growing Your Own Tomatoes

    Growing your own tomatoes from seeds is easier than you may think. In addition, growing them from seeds gives you more options of varieties to grow.

    Do you have any questions regarding how to grow tomatoes from seeds? If so, please ask any questions regarding growing tomato plants in the comment section.

    FAQ’s

    How to Grow Tomatoes From Seeds From Fresh Tomatoes?

    To plant seeds from a fresh tomato, soak the seeds in water for 14 hours. Then, dry your fresh seeds with a paper towel and plant them within seven days of soaking.

    How to Grow Cherry Tomatoes From Seeds?

    Plant your cherry tomato seeds in a small container with drainage and moisten the soil well. Keep the containers in a warm spot indoors for around six to eight weeks before the last frost. When the temperature of the soil is at least 60 degrees, you can then plant your cherry tomatoes outside.

    How to Grow Tomatoes in Pots from Seeds?

    Start your tomato seeds out in small containers such as yogurt cups or egg cartons. Keep the soil moist and the plants warm. Once leaves begin to appear and the temperature outside is at least 60 degrees Farenheit, you can transfer your plants to a pot.

    How Long Does it Take for Tomatoes to Grow from Seeds?

    In general, it will take around 6-8 weeks for seeds to become seedlings. Once they become seedlings, it will take around 50-100 days for tomatoes to fully mature to harvest.

  • When To Plant Peppers

    When To Plant Peppers

    Peppers are one of the most popular plants people grow in their gardens. Knowing when to plant peppers is important to ensure you get the best possible crop. There are many different great varieties of peppers you can grow, each that are delicious.

    No matter your experience as a gardener, you can grow peppers with the right knowledge. They are one of the easier plants to grow and they often produce a good-sized harvest. From red bell to jalapeno, there are some tasty options you can grow at home.

    When To Plant Peppers

    Whether you grow them in your garden or a container, peppers make great plants to grow. Though they can grow in many different areas, they do best in warm weather.

    There are many great varieties of sweet and hot peppers that you can grow. You can eat peppers raw or cooked, as they taste great both ways. They are great for stuffing, casseroles, grilling, salads, and much more.

    Since peppers need warmth to grow, most people start growing them indoors before planting them outdoors. In most cases, growers will sow their pepper seeds in late winter or early spring indoors. Peppers will need about 8-10 weeks before the last frost date from sowing to transplanting until you can move them outside.

    When To Plant Peppers Outside

    Sow the seeds into pots or trays, at least one inch apart. It is best to begin growing them with a temperature around 70 degrees Farenheit.

    Once nighttime temperatures are consistently above 55 degrees Farenheit at night, you can transplant your pepper plants outside. Peppers will thrive in daytime temperatures of 70 to 85 degrees Farenheit.

    Plant your peppers around 16 to 24 inches apart. Be sure to plant them in areas where they get at least six to eight hours of sun as peppers do best in full sun. You can plant them in garden beds or containers that are at least are at least 1.5 gallons in size.

    Pepper Care – When To Plant Peppers

    Pepper plants need around one inch of water a week. You should allow the soil to almost dry up between waterings. On average, you will need to water them one to three times a week.

    Pepper plants do best in slightly acidic to neutral soil. The soil should be sandy loam soil that has plenty of organic matter and drains well.

    When the plants begin to produce flower buds, you can use a liquid feed high in potassium on a regular basis. Tomato fertilizer can be a great option for your pepper plants. After the first peppers grow, you can switch to using a low-nitrogen fertilizer.

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    Be sure to weed carefully around your peppers, being sure not to disturb their roots. If necessary, you can use cages or stakes to support your plants.

    Though pepper plants strive in warm weather, they can struggle if the temperatures get too hot. If you are experiencing a heatwave, it may be a good idea to move your peppers back inside for a bit.

    Best Peppers To Grow

    There are many tasty varieties of peppers you can grow. You can go with the mild taste of sweet peppers or spice it up with hot peppers.

    Bell

    Bell peppers are one of the most popular types of peppers to grow. They are versatile, as you can prepare them in many different ways. These large sweet peppers can be red, yellow, orange, or green.

    Bell peppers are great as you can stuff, grill, saute or eat them raw. Their delicious flavor goes well in a variety of dishes.

    Poblano – When To Plant Peppers

    Poblanos are mild chili peppers that are green in color. They are large in size and make a great pepper for stuffing. In addition, they are also great for roasting and sauteing.

    Thai – When To Plant Peppers

    Thai peppers are a type of hot pepper, making them great for adding some spice to your meal. They are particularly popular in Asian cuisine. They are smaller in size and can be green or red when ripe.

    Jalapeno

    Jalapenos are one of the most popular types of hot peppers. They taste great on tacos, burgers, wraps and sandwiches. They tend to mature faster than most hot peppers, making them particularly great for gardeners up north.

    Habanero – When To Plant Peppers

    Habaneros are a spicy hot pepper with just a slightly sweet kick to them. They are orange at maturity and are relatively small in size. They are great in salsas, salads, and spicy dishes.

    Banana

    Banana peppers are medium-sized mild chili peppers with a mild tangy taste. They are typically bright yellow in color and are great on sandwiches, salads, and pizzas. They also taste great when they are pickled.

    Banana peppers

    Growing Your Own Peppers

    Peppers make great plants to grow, no matter your experience level in gardening. You can opt for sweet peppers or hot peppers, depending on your preference.

    Plant your pepper seeds 8-10 weeks before the last frost inside and once temperatures reach 55-60 degrees overnight, you can plant them outside. Be sure to water them one to three times a week and plant them in full sun. The soil should be sandy loam soil that is well-drained and use should use liquid feed high in potassium regularly when the flowers bloom.

    Do you have any questions regarding when to plant peppers? If so, please ask any questions regarding growing peppers in the comment section.

    FAQ’s

    When to Plant Peppers Outside?

    You should plant peppers outside when the overnight temperature has consistently been 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer. You will want to plant them after the last frost as they strive in warm temperatures.

    When to Plant Green Peppers?

    Plant green pepper seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost. Then, when overnight temperatures reach at least 55-60 degrees Farenheit, you can plant them outside. Plant green peppers 18-24 inches apart.

    When to Plant Banana Peppers?

    Plant your banana pepper seeds around eight weeks before that last frost. Plant them two weeks after your last frost or when overnight temperatures are around 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer.

    When to Plant Hot Peppers?

    Plant hot peppers 8-12 weeks indoors before the last frost. Once the overnight temperatures have risen to 60 degrees or warmer, you can plant them outside.

  • How Much Water Does Basil Need? – Gardening Secret Revealed!

    How Much Water Does Basil Need? – Gardening Secret Revealed!

    How much water does basil need is a question asked by most gardeners who want to grow this herb for their personal use.

    Basil is a perennial herb that grows from the root system. It needs full sunlight, lots of moisture, and a warm temperature to grow. It has a long life span, which means you can grow it all year round.

    You can start the seed indoors or outdoors. Basil is easy to grow and is one of the best herbs to grow in a pot. You can grow it in pots and grow it in the ground. The most important thing to know about basil is that it needs a lot of water, more than any other herb.

    So How Much Water Does Basil Need?

    Before you get planting, you will want to know how much water does basil need. In order to have a healthy basil plant, you need to provide adequate amounts of water. 

    The soil should be kept moist but not saturated. You should use a timer to make sure your basil gets enough water. You can also keep the soil dry by watering once or twice a week.

    Watering frequency for basil: Watering every 3-4 days to once a week is the best way to ensure your basil stays healthy. On hot, sunny summer days, you will generally want to water your basil plant daily.

    How much water does basil need? The amount of water your basil needs depends on the weather, the season, and your basil variety. In most cases, basil will need an inch of water a week.

    So How Much Water Does Basil Need

    The best time to water your basil is when it’s just starting to grow. In summer and autumn, basil grows in the shade, which means it gets less sunlight and therefore needs less water. If you live in a hot climate, you may want to water your basil in the morning or evening to prevent wilting and heat stress.

    If you are worried about over-watering your basil, check the soil’s moisture content. The soil should be slightly moist, but it should not be soggy by any means.

    Water your basil when it’s actively growing, but not when it’s dormant. It’s best to water your basil when it’s just started to grow, but it can be watered any time of the day.

    Dangers Of Over-watering Basil – How Much Water Does Basil Need?

    Over-watering is dangerous to basil as it kills it. When a basil plant is over-watered, it can develop yellow, droopy leaves.

    When watering your basil, make sure to water only the base of the plant. If you have a large pot, you can fill it up to the rim and then continue to water until it runs out.

    It is generally best not to water from the top, as it can be too much for this plant. It is best to water from the base and not above the leaves. Too much moisture on the leaves can potentially cause disease and fungus growth and not allow enough water to get to the roots.

    The water has to travel through the leaves and get into the stem before it reaches the roots. If the leaves are dry, then the plant doesn’t need water.

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    If you have a large pot, you can water it until water runs out of the drainage holes. You should only water your basil when the soil is dry to the touch.

    So if you have a big pot, fill it up to the rim. If it is not full, then you need to keep watering until it is. Then let it dry out and leave it for a few days.

    Over-watering will cause the leaves to turn yellow and drop off.  If you don’t water your basil often enough, it will wilt. Wilting might lead to death if you don’t save your plant early.

    Check Out A Guide To Growing Cucumbers In Containers

    The Best Schedule For Watering Basil

    In a small amount of time, you can grow herbs that will provide your family with delicious fresh food, medicine, and even beauty. You can grow herbs indoors or out, in containers, raised beds, or on a patio.

    To grow these herbs it’s important to have a watering schedule. If you water regularly your plants will grow well. When your plants are young they need more frequent watering than when they’re older.

    The best time to water is just after sunrise. Watering in the evening or night can cause the leaves to get too wet and the plant will stop growing. You should water your plants every day.

    If you wait until the soil gets dry, you can water the plant with a spray bottle. Herbs are very easy to grow and can be grown indoors in pots on a sunny windowsill or outside in the garden.

    Summary Of How Much Water Does Basil Need

    So how much water does basil need?  Basil is one of those plants that will actually grow better with a good amount of water. The reason is that basil is a tropical plant and it needs lots of water. However, when it does not get enough water, it will start to wilt.

    FAQ’s

    How much water and sun does basil need?

    Basil will grow anywhere from a minimum of 10 to 20 inches tall. It does best in full sun, but it can tolerate some shade. It is drought-tolerant and thrives in most soils.

    How much water does basil need per day?

    The amount of water basil needs will depend on a variety of factors, including the weather and growing conditions. However, a general rule of thumb is that basil requires about one-half to one-third the amount of water that tomatoes do. To grow healthy basil plants, keep an eye out for signs of stress such as wilting, yellowing leaves and brown tips on the leaves.

    How much water and sun does an indoor basil plant need?

    Indoor Basil plants are very easy to grow, but they do require a lot of light. You can get a good plant by placing it in a bright window with a south-facing aspect. In cooler northern climates, you can also provide heat by using a warm room or heated mat (in summer). The ideal temperature for your indoor basil plant is around 75°F.

    How much water does basil need in liters to survive?

    Basil will tolerate low water conditions and will grow even better in poor drainage. It prefers slightly moist soil but will tolerate dry conditions for a limited time. What are the ideal temperatures for growing basil? Basil prefers warm weather with lots of sun, and will not tolerate cool weather. It can be grown indoors in a greenhouse or in a heated bed outdoors.

  • A Guide To Growing Cucumbers In Containers

    A Guide To Growing Cucumbers In Containers

    Any cucumber lovers in the house?  Growing cucumbers in containers is possible and easy and provides you with fresh cucumbers.

    Cucumbers are very popular in Australia as a summer fruit, and there is a huge range of different types, shapes, and sizes of cucumbers. Most people grow them for eating fresh or as part of salads and sandwiches, but there are many other ways of using them.

    So what if you want to grow your own cucumbers? There are several reasons why this is a good idea.

    • Firstly, the price of cucumbers is increasing, so it makes sense to grow your own.
    • Secondly, cucumbers are one of the easiest vegetables to grow from seed in a greenhouse.
    • Thirdly, cucumbers are very easy to grow in containers. Cucumbers are also very easy to grow in pots or baskets and can be used as decorative plants or to provide shade for other plants.

    Growing Cucumbers In Containers Successfully  – A Step By Step Guide

    There is no doubt that growing cucumber plants in containers is the most popular way to grow these vegetables. But, when it comes to growing cucumbers in containers you will need to take into account a number of things before deciding whether to go ahead with this process.

    There are two ways to grow cucumbers indoors: in raised beds and in containers. Raised beds are great if you have a lot of space, but they can also be expensive and difficult to keep clean. Containers are easy to use, inexpensive, and require less space.

    If you decide to grow cucumbers in containers, you’ll need a few things. You’ll need a container, a potting mix, and fertilizer.

    Find A Good Container That Suit Your Needs

    There are many different types of containers that can be used for growing cucumbers. The size of the container you choose depends on how much space you have available. A large container will hold more plants than a smaller one. You can choose between plastic or glass. Glass containers are easier to keep clean, but plastic is more durable and won’t break if the container is dropped. When choosing a potting mix, it’s important to pick one that has enough nutrients for your plants. You’ll also need a fertilizer that is specifically designed for your plants.

    Get Your Potting Mix Ready – Growing Cucumbers In Containers

    You’ll need to buy a potting mix that contains nutrients. This type of soil is specially made to grow vegetables. It’s easy to make at home using ordinary garden soil. You can also buy a commercial potting mix, which is similar to garden soil, but with added nutrients and other additives. It will cost more money than homemade potting mix. When you’re choosing a potting mix, you’ll want to look for one that is free of chemicals. If you live in an area where there is heavy rainfall, it’s best to avoid using a potting mix that contains fertilizer. This can cause your plants to rot.

    Plant Your Cucumber Seeds Or Seedlings

    Cucumbers are easy to grow from seed. To get started, the first plant the seeds on a sunny windowsill. You should start the seeds indoors about three weeks before you plan to transplant them into the pots or garden. Cucumbers need full sun, so keep this in mind when you decide where you want to plant your seeds. If you live in an area with a hot, humid climate, protect your cucumber plants from direct sunlight.

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    Plant your seeds or seedlings. As soon as your plants have two sets of true leaves, you can begin to plant them into the ground. You can plant your cucumbers as soon as the weather is warm enough and the soil is moist. If you’re planting seeds, sow them directly into the ground. If you’re planting seedlings, be sure to choose a site that has plenty of room for them to grow. Space your plants about 2 inches (5 cm) apart.

    Watering Your Plants Or Seeds

    Water your seeds or seedlings daily. Water your seeds or seedlings daily. This will encourage them to grow roots. Watering daily also helps prevent the growth of fungus. When you water, don’t let your seeds or seedlings sit in water for too long. Remove any excess water with a paper towel before letting the plants dry out. Keep your cucumber plants watered. You’ll need to keep your cucumber plants watered. Don’t let the soil become dry around your cucumber plants.

    When growing cucumbers in containers, you should mist your plants every other day. This will encourage them to grow strong roots. Cucumbers like moist soil, so make sure that your container is never completely dry.

    To help your plants grow, apply a layer of mulch around them. Cucumbers like moist soil, so make sure that your container is never completely dry.

    Fertilize Your Plants – Growing Cucumbers In Containers

    Fertilize your cucumber plants when they start to flower. Cucumbers are heavy feeders. To help them grow, feed your plants with a general-purpose fertilizer that has a high nitrogen content.

    Growing cucumbers in containers - Fertilize Your Plants

    Use A Trellis To Support Your Cucumber Plants

    Trellis are great for growing cucumbers in containers vertically. Trellis allows you to train the vines to grow straight up. The trellis also helps the vines stay strong. To help prevent weeds, cover the bottom of the trellis with a piece of plastic.

    Summary Of Growing Cucumbers In Containers

    Growing cucumbers in containers as we have seen takes some work but the rewards are great.  For cucumber lovers, you know how it feels to have that fresh crunchy cucumber for your salad. Cucumbers are a type of summer vegetable and they are a very easy crop to grow in containers.

    FAQ’s

    Do cucumbers grow well in pots?

    Yes, they can. Cucumbers are easy to grow and the fruit should not need a lot of water as they grow in the soil.

    How deep should a container be for cucumbers?

    The ideal depth is 1.5 times the width of the cucumber, or about 2 cm (1 inch). This will allow the cucumber to breathe and not sit too deep in the water and cause it to rot. If you are growing your own cucumbers in soil or sand, you can place them at a depth that is deeper than this.

    Do container cucumbers need a trellis?

    Container cucumbers are usually grown in the open, but if you have room for a small trellis, it is possible to grow them in cages on this. The trellis is used to keep the plants upright and to provide additional support for the plant.

  • A Guide On Growing Bell Peppers in Pots

    A Guide On Growing Bell Peppers in Pots

    Growing bell peppers in pots is easy and produce an attractive harvest of a good crop. in addition, it will encourage you as a gardener to grow more peppers.

    Bell peppers are the most common and most popular of all the different types of peppers, especially among adults.  The reason for this popularity is because they are versatile.  You can use them in many different ways in salads, soups, appetizers, as a side dish, and even as a topping for meat.

    A well-kept secret about growing bell peppers in pots is that they can be grown in the same way as other vegetables such as tomatoes.  So if you are looking for a good harvest of this fruit, but don’t have a garden, then you might want to consider growing bell peppers in pots. This guide will help you grow bell peppers in pots successfully.

    How To Grow Bell Peppers in Pots Successfully

    The first step to growing bell peppers in pots is to select the right variety. There are many different kinds of bell peppers, each with its own unique flavor and color.  If you are growing your bell peppers from seed, you should select a variety that produces small, round, and smooth fruit.

    You can also choose a variety that is mild in taste, like the “Sweet Banana”, or you can choose one that is spicy, like the “Crimson Cayenne”.  You can even choose a variety that is both sweet and spicy, like the “Thai Hot”.

    If you are new to growing peppers in pots, then you will want to start with some general information first. The first thing you will need to do is decide whether you want to grow hot or sweet peppers.

    Hot peppers are more pungent, while sweet peppers are milder and sweeter.  Both types can be used for a variety of different purposes. For example, you can use hot peppers to make salsa, as a topping for meat, or even as a salad dressing.

    Sweet peppers are best when they are used for making sauces, jams, and jellies. You can use the seeds of the pepper you are growing to make your own salsa, or you can also save the seeds and plant them next year.  

    The same method applies to growing bell peppers in pots. You can grow them in either a hot or sweet pepper variety.

    Once you have selected the right variety, you should start planting your seeds at least two weeks before your last frost date.  In fact, if you have a greenhouse, then you should start your seeds indoors a month before your last frost date.  This will give your plants a head start on growing.

    Check Out A Guide On Pepper Plant Spacing

    Choose a Good-sized Pot and Potting Soil

    The pot size should be at least six inches high, and preferably taller than the tallest plant you plan on growing in it. The best way to do it is to choose a pot that has a wide bottom and is shallow enough so that the water can drain easily.

    Another important consideration when choosing a pot is what soil you will be using.  If you are using a potting mix, then you should only use one type of soil. 

    If you are using organic soil, then you can mix a couple of different types of soils together.  You may even want to use a fertilizer that is specifically designed for growing peppers.

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    Once you have chosen the right sized pot and soil, then you need to decide how big your plants will get.  Once your bell pepper plant is mature, you want to make sure to use a pot that is 10 to 12 inches wide and 10 to 12 inches tall.

    You should also make sure that the soil in the pot is loose and rich.  If the soil is too dense, it will be difficult for the roots to grow. 

    In order to grow bell peppers in pots successfully, you need to keep the soil moist at all times.  This is especially important during the first few weeks of the plant growing.

    Set a Watering Schedule

    Once the plant has grown a little bit, you can gradually reduce the watering schedule. The most common mistake that beginners tend to make when growing bell peppers is to give them too much water.  By doing so, they often end up with weak, spindly stems. 

    When this happens, the pepper cannot get enough nutrition from the soil and the plant will eventually die. When the soil dries out, it will be difficult for the pepper to grow.

    To prevent this, keep your pepper plant in a spot where it receives ample sunlight. Water it every two or three days. After about three months, you should notice the stem of the pepper starting to get stronger.

    At this point, you can start reducing the frequency of watering. You should water your plant with about one to two inches of water every week.  This will prevent the stem from getting too dry and allow the plant to continue growing properly.

    Set A Watering Schedule

    Growing Bell Peppers in Pots – Harvesting

    When the pepper is ripe, it will start to look a little bit like a small tomato. You may notice a few black spots on the pepper’s skin.

    The pepper should be firm and have good color. If the pepper is too young, it will still be green and the pepper will be hard. It is best to harvest when the pepper is mature and the pepper has a good color.

    Final Thoughts On Growing Peppers in Pots

    Growing bell peppers in pots indoors or growing bell peppers in pots outside can be a great way to grow peppers for your use. The plants will grow fast and you won’t have to worry about watering them. You can also plant different varieties of peppers in your pots and give each one its own space.

    Growing peppers in pots will help you save space in your garden. Go on and start your bell pepper potted garden.  And while at it have some mad fun!

    FAQ’s

    Do bell peppers grow well in pots?

    Yes, bell peppers will grow in almost any pot. They are a very forgiving plant and will even grow in a pot if the bottom is slightly wet. You can also put bell pepper on a window sill or on the ground.

    Do bell peppers need sun or shade?

    Bell peppers like most vegetables will do better in a bright, well-lit position. They also do best if they get a good amount of sunlight. If you have a shady area, place the pepper plants in the shadier part of that area to help them grow and avoid sunburn.

  • A Guide On Pepper Plant Spacing 

    A Guide On Pepper Plant Spacing 

    Pepper plant spacing is highly important as it directly affects the yield of your pepper plants causing them to either produce much or little.

    Pepper plant spacing in greenhouse or pepper plant spacing in pots is very important.  There are many methods of plant spacing. But we have narrowed down my research to 3 methods and will show you how to space your plants.

    Pepper Plant Spacing By Row- 1st Method

    Spacing your plants by row is done by simply planting your plants in a row and then using spacers to space them apart. The spacers can be purchased from the garden center or you can make your own. You can use anything that fits between your rows, from bricks to small rocks, as long as they are between the plants. This is also the method used in organic gardens.

    Plant your seeds and cover them with a thin layer of soil (or compost) and water well. Once the seeds sprout, remove the spacers. When the plants are about 2-3 inches tall, remove the spacer and water well again. Spacing your plants by the square foot is done by simply planting your plants in a square or rectangle and then using spacers to space them apart. The spacers can be purchased from the garden center or you can make your own.

    Pepper Plant Spacing By Row

    Pepper Plant Spacing In Blocks – 2nd Method

    Planting your pepper plants in blocks. This is the most popular method of spacing peppers. It also gives you the opportunity to get a close look at how much space each plant will occupy in the garden. The spacing between the rows should be based on the size of the plant, not the distance from the previous row. For example, if your plant is 2 feet tall and you want it to grow 3 feet wide, then space each plant 4 feet apart.

    You can plant peppers anywhere you like, but we recommend planting them in blocks. A block is simply a rectangular area of ground. You can make the block any size you want. Make it big enough for your pepper plants to grow to maturity. Planting them in blocks allows you to make sure they don’t overlap or touch. If you plant them individually, you will have to figure out a way to keep them apart.

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    Pepper Plant Spacing – 3rd method

    Planting your pepper plants in rows and then using spacers.  The first method is easiest to do, but not the best as it limits your plants to one row. If you want more than one row of peppers, then this method is the way to go.  There are two ways you can do this:

    • Method 1:  Planting in Rows.  Soak the seed in water for 3 hours before planting. After that, plant in rows. The rows should be spaced 2 inches apart. Plant each seed 2 inches deep. Water the seeds when they sprout, but make sure the soil is dry between plants. You may also use a spacer between the plants to keep them apart.

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    • Method 2: Planting in Rows Soak the seed in water for 3 hours before planting. When you plant your seeds, space them 6 inches apart in rows. If you are planting in a small garden, make sure to space the rows at least 12 inches apart. If you are planting in a large garden, make sure to space the rows at least 24 inches apart.

    Why Is Pepper Plant Spacing Important

    Spacing pepper plants is important because pepper plants grow very fast. If the plants are too close together, they will compete for sunlight and space. This can cause pepper plants to be stunted or have other problems. Some varieties of pepper plants like ‘Big Jim’ and ‘Big Bertha’ grow extremely large. They can reach heights of 50 feet or more. When you grow these types of peppers, you may need to leave about 25-35 inches between plants.

    Spacing peppers is also important because if peppers are planted too close together, the plants can block each other’s airflow. This can cause them to grow weak stems and leaves. Pepper plants need a lot of air circulation to keep their leaves healthy and strong.

    If you plant peppers too close together, they may not get enough airflow and could become stunted. If you grow peppers on a trellis, you should space them about 1/4 of an inch apart.  When you plant peppers, you want to space them at least a few inches apart so that they will have room to grow.

    If you grow peppers too close together, they may compete for sunlight, and this can cause problems such as stunted growth or even death. They may also block each other’s airflow, which can cause them to become weak and spindly.

    Pepper plants also need a lot of air circulation to keep their leaves healthy and strong. If you plant them too close together, they may not receive enough air and could become stunted.

    Final Words On Pepper Plant Spacing

    Pepper plant spacing is important as we have seen above if you would like to get a good harvest. How far apart should the pepper plant spacing be? We suggest planting at least two pepper plants about 2-3 feet apart.

    This is enough distance to make sure the pepper plants are spaced out enough. If you plant more than two pepper plants, you might want to space them further apart. We recommend planting at least two pepper plants about two feet apart. This is enough distance to make sure the pepper plants are spaced out enough.

    FAQ’s

    How close together can I plant peppers?

    Plant your peppers as soon as you buy them, and leave them in a warm place until they sprout. They should be ready to transplant about 3 weeks after planting. You can plant the seedlings at any time, but wait until the weather is warmer than 60° F. before you start the process.

    How many peppers can you put in a 5-gallon bucket?

    We have found that the best way to pack peppers is to first place them in a large mixing bowl, and then place a second mixing bowl on top of the first bowl. The top bowl should be approximately 1/4 inch lower than the bottom bowl so that the pepper juices don’t spill out when they are packed into the bucket.

  • Quantum Board LED- What Are They?

    Quantum Board LED- What Are They?

    Quantum board LED: what exactly are they and how do they work? The market is full of various types of grow light. Light-emitting diodes (LED) are one efficient and popular type of grow light.

    Quantum board LED is one latest tech that has been getting the LED growing users to begin to ask questions about this type of technology. The fact that it is one of the latest LED techs makes it easy for people to want to jump on it as people like to indulge in new trends.

    But do you know exactly what quantum boards for LEDs are? Do you know if they are as good as they claim? If these questions have been troubling your mind about the quantum board, not too worry.

    By the time you’re almost done reading this page, you should be able to have a good clue on what quantum board LED is all about and its advantages and disadvantages.

    LED Lights

    LED lights have been popularly used amongst indoor growers and they have been widely accepted by many growers over these past few years. This is because they have been offering wonderful lightning capacity to our indoor plants.

    Also, LED lights have now been widely adopted because of economic, energy, as well as environmental reason. However, there is an increasing demand for high-power and high brightness LED lights.

    So, designers came up with a common solution which is to make use of the chip on board (COB) LED style. But now there is this new technology that is known as the quantum boards.

    LED Lights

    Quantum Board LED Grow Light: What Exactly Is It?

    The people who designed or came about the term quantum board are the Horticulture Lighting Group (HLG). This implies that they were the very first group to make the first quantum boards. They were typically the new supplier for LED grow lights.

    So, when we talk about quantum board it refers to a large circuit board that comprises hundreds of mid-power in which LEDs are mounted to it. Then these LEDs are connected are arranged and connected together in series to form strings.

    Now, these strings are joined together in a parallel configuration. This is done just to ensure they are compactable with common high-powered constant current drivers such as HLC 80-H-C, 240-H-C, OR 320-H-C series.

    Click Here to Learn:

    Configuration Of The Boards

    As of now, there are two models available namely QB304 and QB288 where the number in the model numbers represents the number of diodes.

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    Advantages Of Using Quantum Board LED

    There are good benefits when it comes to choosing quantum boards type of grow light compared to other types of regular grow light. So, here are the benefits you stand to gain when using quantum board LED:

    ·         Efficiency

    Quantum board can offer you a better output and will only consume little wattage.

    ·         Spectrum

    There is a generation of full-spectrum white light by the Samsung diodes and this has every visible wavelength of light. These are available in many different color temperatures and they can mimic the natural sunlight making it a great spectrum for plants.

    ·         Light Spread

    The light quantum board generates tends to spread out from many points across a large board. Quantum board type of grow light has a more direct path to the canopy of the coverage area. Compare this to other light that can come from a smaller fixture and emanates further outwards.

    Therefore, you can have a more evenly spread light because there will be less intensity in the middle of the coverage area and more intensity around the outside.

    ·         Affordability

    Compared to the other traditional LEDs or COBs that usually give similar outputs, quantum boards cost less.

    ·         The Option For DIY

    Manufacturers including HLG sell kits that make it easy to set up your own light. Therefore, this can help you save some money.

    ·         Heat Management

    A thin piece of aluminum or sometimes a heatsink is where the quantum board is usually mounted to. This helps pass cool air to the diodes. Therefore, you don’t really need fan for cooling. However, quantum board fixtures still tend to get hot.

    Drawbacks To Quantum Board LED

    Quantum board lights may offer good advantages. However, there are a few downsides to using them.

    Drawbacks To Quantum Board LED

    • Penetration Of Canopy

    Although, quantum board white lights tend to penetrate better into the canopy of your plant due to the presence of green wavelength. This gives quantum grow lights more advantage over blurple LEDs.

    However, more powerful LEDs, such as COBs, tend to give deeper penetration compared to quantum lights.

    • Heat Misconception

    When it comes to thermal management, you need to understand how the quantum board works. Just as LED lights tend to give rise to a huge amount of heat even though they run cooler compared to other types of grow lights, quantum board lights are no exception.

    Just because it’s been said that quantum light runs cool and doesn’t require a fan does not mean they are free from heat. The diodes of quantum boards still tend to heat up a lot.

    But generally, you can expect lesser heat of around 30% when we compare them to HID grow lights.

    • Open Built Components

    Quantum boards are built in a simpler way. LED on the other hand is fixed directly to a board.

    The diodes of quantum boards are often exposed and even their wires may be exposed. However, a couple of the manufacturers of quantum boards have started adding plastic covers to the exposed wires. However, you may still find a lot of them with open-wire.

    This simply implies that the components of quantum boards are less protected but this helps to reduce their cost.

    Open Built Components

    FAQ’s

    What is a quantum board led?

    Quantum board LED is a type of LED light that has small pieces of boards that are lined up with their LED chips.

    How to build a quantum board led for growing weed?

    You can make a quantum board led for growing your weed by making use of the components used in HLG. You can easily purchase components from HLG as well as some other manufacturers that sell DIY kits.

    Why quantum board led?

    Quantum board LED has low energy consumption, they are efficient, and they have a reliable light spectrum and other advantages you stand to gain from using them.

    Conclusion

    So, from the information we’ve listed above, we do hope you’ve had good knowledge of what quantum board LEDs are.

     

  • Comparison Between Thai Basil Vs Basil

    Comparison Between Thai Basil Vs Basil

    Is there a major difference between Thai basil vs basil or are they the same in taste, flavor, and look?

    Thai basil is just one of many varieties of basil. It is one of the most widely used and consumed varieties of basil.

    Thai basil is a member of the Lamiaceae family, which includes mints and other culinary herbs. The leaves are used in cooking and garnishing. It has a sweet flavor and fragrance.

    Basil is one of the commonly used herbs for cooking. Its unique flavor is appreciated in a variety of dishes. Thai basil is available at grocery stores, supermarkets, and farmers’ markets throughout the year.

    It can be found fresh or dried. Thai basil can be used as a substitute for Italian basil, as the flavor will not change much.

    Comparison Between Thai Basil Vs Basil

    Thai Basil

    Thai basil is a type of basil plant which grows to about 12 to 18 inches in height and has pink and purple flowers that grow in the late summer. Its fragrant, sweet-scented leaves are used as an ingredient in Thai cuisine. 

    Thai basil is a variety of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) and can be considered an annual herb. It is widely used in Thai cuisine and has many culinary uses. Thai basil is a member of the Lamiaceae family and has dark green, glossy leaves with fragrant purple flowers.

    Thai Basil

    Thai basil has many uses and benefits. Its health-promoting properties are similar to those of basil, but with a more intense aroma.

    It is used in cooking, aromatherapy, medicine, and perfume. Thai basil can be found in kitchens throughout Southeast Asia and has a slight hint of licorice in the taste. 

    Holy Basil

    Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) is a type of basil in the family of Lamiaceae. The plant is native to the Indian subcontinent and grows throughout Southeast Asia. It is cultivated in many other places around the world as an ornamental garden plant.

    Holy basil has small purplish flowers with green leaves with a hint of purple.  It is also known as hot basil or Tulsi. It can be used for its culinary and medicinal properties.

    People in Ayurveda use the Holy basil for medical purposes. It is used for anxiety, stress, diabetes, high cholesterol, and other conditions. It is one of the most important herbs used in Ayurveda for curing various ailments. 

    Holy basil is a small perennial herb that has a peppery taste to it. It has an aromatic smell and grows about three feet tall. 

    Differences Between Thai basil Vs Basil

    Thai basil is a very different plant from other basils. This article discusses the differences between Thai basil vs basil, which are:

    • It has much more delicate leaves than most basils, and they are thin and tender.
    • Thai basil is slightly savory with a spicy, licorice-like flavor. Holy basil has a peppery-sweet flavor.
    • Thai basil has purple flowers while other varieties have white flowers.
    • Thai basil can be grown indoors or outdoors.
    • Thai basil has purple stems while sweet basil has green stems.

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    • Thai basil is used in Thai dishes and Thai people often put it on their food. Basil is used in Italian dishes, and most of the time, people use basil in the United States.
    • The most noticeable difference is the color. Thai basil is green with purple, while basil is light green with no hint of purple. Thai basil has an anise smell, while basil has a sweeter smell.
    • Thai basil is used as a garnish and in cooking while basil is used to make pesto. Thai basil is often used in soups, salads, curries, and other dishes. Basil is widely used as a flavoring for both sweet and savory dishes. It is one of the most common herbs used in pesto.

    Similarities Between Thai Basil Vs Basil

    • Thai basil vs regular basil, both have similar tastes, but with slight differences.  Both of them are used in cooking as herbs. They both have similar medicinal properties.
    • Both Thai basil and basil are used for culinary purposes and can often be used interchangeably. 
    • Both are herbs that grow best with six or more hours of sun and regular watering. 
    Similarities Between Thai Basil Vs Basil

    Final Thoughts Thai Basil Or Basil

    Thai basil vs basil do not have many differences and only those who know their herbs well can tell the differences.

    If you enjoy using Thai basil to spice up your foods, keep going and if you enjoy the holy basil, don’t stop!  Both are herbs that bring in plenty of flavor to different dishes.

    FAQs

    What is Thai basil vs basil taste?

    Thai basil is slightly savory with a spicy, licorice-like flavor. Sweet basil has a peppery-sweet flavor.

    Differences between Thai basil vs normal basil

    Thai basil is a variety of regular basil that has been grown in Thailand.  It’s sweet, fragrant and delicious!

  • Growing Acorn Squash – Tips And Tricks 

    Growing Acorn Squash – Tips And Tricks 

    Growing acorn squash is rewarding as you get to harvest a large crop of about five fruits per plant from some varieties.

    Acorn squash is a type of winter squash that is similar to pumpkins. Keep reading to learn the differences between both fruits and to know how to grow acorn squash.

    Differences Between Acorn Squash And Pumpkin

    The major differences between these two fruits are:

    • Acorn squash and pumpkins vary by the shape of the fruit, the size of the fruit, and the seeds.  Acorn squash is round in shape and has about 4-6 seeds in each fruit. Pumpkins have a different shape and have a hard shell with one seed inside.
    • When you pick acorn squash, the skin is should be tough and green, with the flesh being tender and delicious. When harvesting pumpkins, they will also have tough skin and should be fully colored with firm flesh.
    • As for the nutrition values, the acorn squash has about 115 calories per cup while the pumpkin has about 137 calories per cup.  Acorn squash also has more fiber and less fat than pumpkin. However, if you want to make the best-tasting pumpkin pie, then it’s better to buy canned pumpkin instead of acorn squash.
    • After cooking, pumpkins will have a crunchy texture while acorn squash will have a softer texture.
    • Pumpkins are larger than acorn squash. Pumpkins are large, orange-fleshed gourds that are grown as a fruit. Acorn squash is a small, yellow-fleshed gourd that is grown as a fruit.
    • Acorn squash and pumpkin can be eaten raw, though pumpkins taste better when cooked.
    Differences Between Acorn Squash And Pumpking

    Growing Acorn Squash – Step By Step Guide

    Growing acorn squash from seed is easy and fun. It’s the best way to start your own garden. Growing acorn squash from seed takes about 80-100 days and is a great learning experience.

    The seeds are inexpensive and can be planted directly into the ground without first having to be soaked. Acorn squash seeds take about six weeks to germinate, so you will have a baby acorn squash in about two months. It’s a wonderful winter squash that grows large and tastes delicious.

    Let’s see how we can grow acorn squash from seeds:

    • Step 1: Preparing seeds

    First of all, you need to get good quality seeds. The best way is to buy it from a specialized shop. If you don’t have one near you, you can try to find it online. When buying the seeds, make sure they are healthy and fresh. It’s better to get them in a shop where they keep them in cool, dry conditions.

    • Step 2: Germinate

    Place the seeds on a damp paper towel to help them germinate. However, this is not necessary if the growing medium is moist and warm. The germination period will last around 6 to 12 days.

    • Step 3: Plant

    Once germinated, plant them in a pot with a little soil. Plant the seeds in a sunny spot, but not in direct sunlight. When the seeds sprout, keep an eye on them. Make sure that they don’t dry out.

    • Step 4: Harvest

    When the squash is ready to be harvested, it should have a nice shape and size. You can start picking them when they are small, but it’s better to wait until they are big enough to eat. It will take between 10 to 12 weeks to grow the acorn squash.

    • Step 6: Ready to eat!

    Once the acorn squash is ready to eat, you can cut off the stem and peel off the skin. If you want, you can wash the squash, but it’s not necessary. It’s also possible to eat it raw. The acorn squash is an easy and healthy food to add to your diet.

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    Requirements For Growing Acorn Squash

    The following are some of the things you should know about growing acorn squash.

    • Acorn squash is winter squash. It can be grown during the summer if it is protected from freezing temperatures.
    • The ideal soil temperature for growing acorn squash is 70°F to 75°F. If you live in a colder area, you may want to grow it indoors.
    • You should plant your squash seeds no more than one inch deep and at least two inches apart in full sun.  The direct sun makes them sweeter.
    • Water your squash plants thoroughly when they are small. Don’t let your squash sit in water; allow it to dry out before watering again.
    • Fertilize your squash plants with a slow-release fertilizer every two weeks until the plants start producing fruit.

    Take-Home – Growing Acorn Squash

    Growing acorn squash is easy and fast and you can expect a big harvest from a few plants. As long as you provide them with the right growing conditions, acorn squash will be good to go.

    You can grow them in a container on a deck or patio. You can also plant them in the garden. However, be sure to provide a trellis so that they don’t fall over. When growing squash in a container, add a few small stones to help the roots establish themselves.

    FAQ’s

    What does acorn squash look like when growing?

    Acorn squash is a round, oblong, or pear-shaped fruit with green skin and tan flesh. It grows in a bunch of 5 to 8 fruits on a long stem called a “pistil.” The stem is about 2 feet long.

    What is the growing season for acorn squash?

    The growing season for acorn squash is between March and November.

    How long is the growing cycle of acorn squash?

    According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) publication, “Agricultural Statistics,” from the USDA’s Crop Production and Agronomy Statistics, Acorn Squash (Cucurbita maxima) has a “days to harvest” of 155. This is the number of days from seeding to harvesting.

    Do acorn squash need a trellis?

    Yes. It is best to grow these on a trellis because the vine can become very long and difficult to manage. It is possible to grow them on a wall but they are prone to slugs and snails which can cause damage.

  • Simple Steps On How To Cut Broccoli Like a Pro

    Simple Steps On How To Cut Broccoli Like a Pro

    Let’s learn how to cut broccoli the right way to avoid wasting too much good stuff from these precious vegetables.

    Broccoli is a member of the Brassicaceae family, also known as the mustard family or cabbage family, and is related to cauliflower, kale, collard greens, kohlrabi, and bok choy.  If you are looking to add more greens to your diet, you should try broccoli. It’s a very nutritious vegetable and full of vitamins A, C, K, and Folic Acid.

    The leaves of broccoli can be eaten raw as a salad or added to stir-fries. They also make a great addition to soups, especially when combined with other veggies like carrots.

    If you want to try adding broccoli to your diet, start with a small amount. Start with a few cups of chopped broccoli and see how it goes. You may find that you enjoy it and can eat it regularly.

    Broccoli is a delicious and nutritious vegetable that needs to be prepared with care. It can be very hard to cut or chop if you do not know the correct method. The most important thing is that we do not waste anything.

    Why is it Important To Cut Broccoli Properly?

    It’s easy to eat raw broccoli, but you can get a lot of vitamins and nutrients from it if you cook it. However, broccoli is one of the vegetables that are very easy to overcook.

    Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable. It belongs to the family Brassicaceae, which also includes kale, cabbage, and cauliflower. We love broccoli. In fact, we love it so much that we can eat it raw with no problem at all.  There are times, though, when we want to make a salad out of our broccoli and we find it hard to decide what to do with it once we’ve prepared it.

    Why Is It Important To Cut Broccoli Properly

    Is it better to chop it up and put it in a salad bowl? Or is it better to leave it whole and put it on a plate? Cooking broccoli is an easy way to get a lot of nutrients from this vegetable.

    The best thing to do with raw broccoli is to eat it raw in salads or by itself. But for cooking, there are several ways you can go about it.

    You can either cut the broccoli into small pieces and cook them separately or you can chop the broccoli into smaller pieces and cook the broccoli as one piece. The choice is yours.

    Broccoli is easy to overcook. That’s why we usually choose to cut the broccoli into smaller pieces before cooking it.

    How To Cut Broccoli Like a Pro

    Step #1: Wash off your broccoli plant.

    Step #2: Take a sharp chef’s knife and slice off the broccoli floret right where it meets the larger stalk. If you cut off the florets right where they each attach, you will end up with stubby-looking florets. 

    Step #3: Cut the large broccoli florets in half.

    Step #4: Start by cutting the base of the stem of any large floret in half, pulling it apart using your fingers. Try to cut them in similar sizes making them perfect and beautiful even when cooked.

    Step #5: Cut the stalks if you wish to, slicing them into 1/4-inch-sized pieces.

    Step #6: The stalks are edible too, so you don’t have to throw them away.  Slice them up and use them as you would the florets.

    And that is how to cut broccoli florets ready for cooking.

    Please note:  You can cut your broccoli into tiny bits if you would like to use them for broccoli soup, or if you like to just have them in smaller bits.

    How To Cut Broccoli From Your Garden

    Once your broccoli heads are ready for harvest, you can go ahead and cut them off the plants.  But how exactly do you do that? Well, it’s actually quite easy to cut broccoli from your garden.

    What you will need to cut broccoli (and store it)

    • A sharp knife or scissors
    • A container or basket to carry your broccoli home

    Step #1: Cut the broccoli off by slicing it at the stem. You’ll notice that there are leaves attached to the bottom of the stem. Leave 2-3 inches of the main stem on the broccoli plant when you harvest it. Cut with sharp scissors or a knife to avoid damaging the stem of the plant.

    Step #2: Place the cut broccoli in a large bowl or basket for easier storage and transportation.

    Step #3: Store your broccoli in the fridge for up to two days.

    Do not wash your broccoli before storage as it attracts mold due to high levels of moisture trapped inside it. This mold leads to rotting even when refrigerated.

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    Summary Of How To Cut Broccoli

    Cutting vegetables, such as broccoli and cabbage, is a skill that all cooks need to master. This skill comes in handy when you want to cook broccoli or cabbage in a way that the vegetable retains its bright green color and fresh flavor.

    Broccoli and cabbage have a tendency to turn brown when cooked. The browning of broccoli and cabbage is caused by the Maillard reaction, which occurs when amino acids are heated with sugars.  To avoid this, ensure that you cook them lightly so you don’t destroy the vitamins in these foods.

    FAQ

    How to cut broccoli florets?

    In a nutshell, you need to cut the stems first. Then cut the florets in half lengthwise, and then cut each half into smaller pieces.

    How to cut broccoli from plants?

    Cut your broccoli using a sharp knife that will cut the broccoli head from the stem at the level where the head joins the stem.

    How to cut broccoli from the garden?

    Cutting broccoli from the garden is simple. Check to see that broccoli is ready for harvesting before you cut it off. Once you ensure it’s ready, cut the broccoli head off from its stem, leaving two to three inches of the stem, using a sharp knife or scissors.

    How to clean and cut broccoli?

    Broccoli should be washed with water before cutting. It is also recommended to use a sharp knife when cutting so you get a clean cut.

  • A Guide On Planting Carrot Seeds – Important Soil Requirements

    A Guide On Planting Carrot Seeds – Important Soil Requirements

    Planting carrot seeds requires tons of patience as they take a long time to germinate which could make one think they died.

    Carrots are biennial plants that need at least two seasons to produce any vegetable. Carrots are usually planted after the last frost date of spring. They should be sown in well-prepared seedbeds or holes.

    Planting Carrot Seeds

    Sowing Method

    Carrot seeds can be planted in either direct or indirect planting methods.  Direct planting means that the seeds are planted directly into the soil, without a growing medium.  Indirect planting means that the seeds are first grown in a growing medium such as vermiculite or peat moss, then planted into the soil.

    If carrots are to be planted in direct soil, it is best to sow in a shallow container and transplant them into the soil later. Sow carrot seeds in rows, 10” apart and 2-3″ deep.  The seedlings will grow about 3-4 inches tall before they are transplanted. 

    If starting seeds indoors, use a germination tray to cover the seeds. The seeds should be sown after the last frost date of spring, which is usually in mid-May.  Thin your seedlings to at least 3-4 inches apart to allow air to circulate.

    Germination

    Carrots seeds take a long time to germinate, 14-21 days. During the germination time, the soil should be kept moist.

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    Thin The Seedlings Once They Germinate

    It is advisable to thin the seedlings to about 4-6 inches apart.  The seedlings need to be thinned every two weeks until the plants have reached a length of 8-10”, after which time it is not necessary to thin anymore. A few weeks before planting, thin the seedlings so that only the strongest plants remain.

    Keep The Plants Moist

    Irrigate with water whenever the soil dries out.  Carrot is a cool-season crop and requires cool weather for optimum production.

    The plants can be harvested from late fall through early spring. Carrots are very popular vegetables and there are many different varieties available.

    Read more about Low Nitrogen Fertilizer

    Seedling Care

    Seeds are best planted in a sunny location with well-drained soil.  The soil should be kept moist until the seedlings have emerged from the ground.  

    Once the seedlings emerge, they should be watered every day until they are large enough to be transplanted into their permanent home.  The plants should be transplanted into a well-drained, but not too dry, soil as soon as possible after they reach two inches in height.

    Carrots should receive at least one inch of water a week during the growing season. When grown in dry soil, carrots may become misshapen, or develop a bitter taste.

    Carrot Seedling Care

    Carrot Varieties

    Some of the popular varieties commonly grown are:

    • Cortland – This variety has long taproots and high yield potential.
    • Early Burpee – Early maturing and high yielding variety.
    • Excel – This variety is hardy and productive and is best grown in cooler climates.
    • Giant Winter – The largest carrot variety available.

    Requirements For Planting Carrot Seeds

    Carrots need to have a frost-free period of at least six weeks to produce good-quality roots.

    • Soil Temperature.  Soil should be kept warm enough so that the soil is moist when the seeds are planted, and that the temperature does not drop below freezing. Ideal soil temperatures for germination are between 60 to 70 degrees, with little or no germination happening below 40 degrees.
    • Soil Moisture. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy.  Watering can be done by overhead sprinkler or by hand.
    • Sunlight.  Carrot seeds need light to germinate and to help them grow.
    • Spacing.  Carrots seedlings need 6-8 inches of space to grow and should be thinned out once they are large enough to handle.
    • Soil Fertility.   When planting carrots, it is important to provide a good balance of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.  Carrots need an abundance of nitrogen to produce a strong root system and healthy plants.  Phosphorus and potassium are also important for healthy growth.
    Requirements For Planting Carrot Seeds

    Summary For Planting Carrot Seeds

    Planting carrot seeds requires enough preparation before putting those seeds on the soil or germinating trays. You must also provide them with proper nutrients to ensure they grow healthy and strong.

    FAQ’s

    How to germinate carrot seeds before planting?

    Carrot seeds are the most popular seed type, but they are often difficult to start. It is not necessary to soak your seeds for a long time.

    What month do you plant carrot seeds?

    Carrot seeds can be planted from late March to early April. When the temperature reaches 10°C (50°F) the soil should be moist, and then you need to water the seeds.

    Should I soak carrot seeds before planting?

    Seeds should be soaked in water for a few hours to soften and make them easier to handle. If you soak the seeds for too long they will begin to rot. After soaking, drain the seeds and then place them on a clean surface to dry out. After 2-3 days the seeds should be ready to plant.

    How long does it take to grow carrots from seed?

    Carrots can be grown from seed in about two months, though it is not necessary to start seeds indoors. The time from planting seeds to eating fresh-picked carrots will vary depending on the season and the variety of carrots.