Category: Tips & Guides

Outdoor Outlet Timer
Outdoor outlet timer basically helps keep your light and other electrical devices on to whatever time you’ve scheduled them to be running. Therefore, it helps you run your electrical devices without wasting electricity because it has given you full control over what should be kept running for a particular period.
Outdoor outlet timer is pretty easy to use or set up and they can be quite beneficial for our daily use. It can offer you some good control over your outdoor electrical appliances.
This timer is great to be used outdoor because they are built to be resistant to weather in various conditions.
So, let’s look into some more details on the outdoor outlet timer and see how useful this device can be for our various electrical appliances.
Outdoor Outlet Timer
Outdoor outlet timer is also known as an outdoor electrical outlet and it is a device that helps keep your light as well as other electrical devices on at your preferred or set time or schedule.
This outdoor outlet timer differs from an indoor outlet timer and this means that both outdoor and indoor outlet timers are slightly built differently. The outdoor outlet timer has watertight covers and this protects the outlet especially when they have a plug in cord. Therefore, they are built in a way that can endure various outdoor weather conditions.
This outdoor electrical outlet timer is suitable to be used for your different outdoor appliances including lights.
The outdoor outlet timer works in a way that you can plug your electrical appliance and set them up to a specific running time. So, your devices will be up and running at scheduled periods and you end up saving electricity.
Read more about A Guideline On How To Harvest Spinach
Outdoor Outlet Timer With Photocell Light Sensor
Outdoor outlet timer can as well be hooked up with a photocell light sensor. They can work hand in hand to give you that versatile option that can give you automatic control over your light or other appliances.
- Photocell light sensor is also known as a photoresistor and this works by changing its resistance anytime light shines on it. This light changes a photocell makes always depends on the light striking its face or surface. Usually, a light incidence that is high that will strike the surface of a photocell will and this will cause a lower resistance. Then a lower light intensity will give rise to higher resistance in a photocell. It works with dusk and dawn.
Outdoor outlet timer can work with a photocell light sensor. In fact some outdoor timers can come with multiple options that can feature a dial that can be set to a photocell light sensor. Then it usually offers you the option to activate that dusk to dawn light setting. You also have the option to activate different times such as the time a programmed 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, or 8 hours dial settings.
An outdoor outlet timer that features a photocell light sensor is very versatile and can be used for many different applications. They can be used in your yard, for security, outdoor party or wedding, for Christmas time, or even in a restaurant.
You can also have that more outdoor automation control for your seasonal lighting, landscape, patio lighting, and so on.
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Advantages To Be Enjoyed When Using Outdoor Outlet Timer
There are many advantages you get to enjoy using an outdoor outlet timer and they include:
- Safety
Outdoor outlet works to automatically switch on or off your electrical appliances. Let’s take your lighting appliances for instance, when it turns dark, your light will be turned on automatically with the help of your outdoor outlet timer.
So, anytime your property turns dark, the outdoor timer you’ve set will light up your yard. So, you can see things clearly and feel safe because you have an illuminated spot.
Also, you can even minimize the chances of thieves lurking around your yard with the aim of invading houses that are not occupied. When you’re away may be on holiday, once you automatically set your light to switch on at specific periods, especially at night, it gives the impression that someone is home. Hence, it may help give the sign to intruders to keep off your property.
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- Convenience – Outdoor Outlet Timer
You can imagine the ease and convenience you get when you set up your porchlight and lampposts to switch on at dusk. You don’t even need to get up and manually turn your lights on.
- Cost-effectiveness And Saves You Electricity
The fact that this outdoor outlet timer helps you put on lights or appliances that are scheduled to be on at specific periods makes it easy for you to save electricity. Therefore, there’s no wastage of electricity because your appliances will be on at the set time when you need them to be on. Hence, it can help you save some money
It’s even more useful especially when you’re out on holiday and you don’t want to keep your lights on all day.
Also, most of these outdoor outlet timers are fairly affordable so there’s no excuse for you not to have one.
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- Can Help With Farm Productivity
Some farmers may want to have light time switches just to enhance farm productivity. For instance, light timer switches can enhance egg productivity in chickens at night.
Again, the automatic light switches can help bring convenience to farm management.
Conclusion On Outdoor Outlet Timer
So, from the above, we have discussed what an outdoor outlet timer is. We have also emphasized some good advantages you stand to gain using this device.
Outdoor outlet timers are great devices to use in our homes and gardens. This device gives control over our electrical appliances as they can be switched on and off at a specified time. As we’ve discussed above, using this device can offer you convenience, safety, effectiveness, and save you electricity.
So, anytime you hear about this outdoor outlet electrical timer, you can be sure of the great works and benefits they can offer you.
FAQ’s
How to set a six outlet outdoor timer?
To set a six outlet outdoor timer, you should locate the set timer pin and set it to the time you wish the timer to be on. Then plug your different electrical device into any of the 6 outlets.
How to hook up an outdoor electrical outlet to a intermatic mechanical timer switch?
This can be done by simply linking your electrical appliances to the intermatic mechanic timer switch and set up the time you wish your electrical appliance to be on and off.
Westinghouse 6 outlet outdoor timer what outlets are controlled?
The pins control the timer and they are in the down position and must be pulled up before you program the timer. Then rotate the dial until the indicator points at the time of the day.
February 18, 2022
A Guideline On How To Harvest Spinach
Knowing how to harvest spinach goes a long way to impact the growth of the plant after harvest. Spinach is a really fast-growing plant, as such, it has the ability to yield quite a lot of leaves in a short time.
Growing spinach must be done with tact and with careful attention paid to the plant. The trick with growing spinach lies in making the plant last as long as possible, even after harvesting. This article gives you a guide on how to harvest spinach so as to keep the plant alive for a long period.
Before we delve into how to harvest spinach, let’s briefly consider how to grow the plant.
Guide On Growing Spinach
When growing spinach, ensure to take note and observe the following tips:
- The best time to plant spinach is during the cool weather- very early spring, late summer or early fall, and late fall through mid-winter.
- Ensure to space spinach plants about 12 inches apart in well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. The plant should be prepared with the appropriate soil nutrient.
- You should check the soil moisture from time to time and ensure to keep it consistent.
- If you want to attain tender and very rapid leaf production, you should feed on a regular basis with water-soluble plant food.
- You should begin to harvest once leaves are large enough to be eaten, starting with the outermost leaves.
Harvesting Spinach – How To Harvest Spinach
Knowing how to harvest your spinach goes a long way to affect the lifespan of the plant. A convenient way to harvest spinach is to do so with scissors by cutting the leaves at the stem. This should be done by first focusing on the outer and older leaves first, and then gradually harvesting to the center.
Another method that may be adopted when harvesting spinach is to cut the whole plant off at the base instead of the stem. This method allows the plant to re-sprout and give you another partial harvest. You should ensure to decide when you intend to use the plant before harvesting.
If you want the plant to continue to flourish and last for long, you must take further precautions when harvesting. One of these is to ensure not to take more than 25-30% of a single plant at any point in time. This gives the plant room to continue to grow and blossom.
When harvesting baby spinach leaves, you should cut off individual outer leaves, but also ensure to leave the crown of the plant. Leaving this intact will allow the plant to regrow for a future harvest. You should halt after two harvests, and carry on the third only after the baby leaves are fully mature.
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When To Harvest Spinach
Knowing the best time to harvest your spinach also goes a long way to impact harvest and yield. Generally, the best timing for your harvest is dependent primarily on the type of green you are growing.
When you planted is baby spinach, they are usually ready to be harvested between 20 to 30 days after the seeds were sown. During this timeline, baby spinach leaves are still round in shape and very tender.
Where on the other hand, you are growing mature spinach, you may need to wait longer. The leaves will have to get thick, broad and in some varieties crinkled. These mature spinaches are usually ready to harvest between 38 and 50 days after planting.
Can You Plant Spinach In Succession To Aid Harvest Yield?
You may have wondered if Spinach is one of those vegetables that can be planted in succession, say for instance every week instead of planting at once. This is referred to as succession planting.
Succession planting of spinach seeds has been discovered to be the best way to maximize your harvest. When adopting this planting style, spread the sowing of the seeds out over several weeks. By doing so, you ultimately spread your harvest over a long period of time.
Planting And Growing Spinach For Best Harvest
You should do the following when planting and growing spinach so as to attain the best possible harvest:
- The seeds should be sown about 0.5 inches deep every 2 inches. You should plant in rows of about 12 to 18 inches apart.
- You should adopt succession planting if you wish to get the best possible result.
- Thinning should be done when seedlings sprout about 2 inches apart. The ideal spacing should be about 3-4 inches apart.
- Spinach does well with water, so water regularly and mulch so as to retain as much water in the soil as possible.
- The nutrient application should be done even as plants continue to grow. It is appropriate to add nitrogen fertilizer when the plant begins to grow so that the leaves can retain their green color.
- Spinach may get affected by pests and diseases such as leaf miners, bolting, leaf spot, Cercospora among others. You should therefore be very observant with your spinach and apply the appropriate pesticide when needed.
Preserving Spinach
It is very important to note that harvesting spinach requires some effort because of the nature of the plant. It is, therefore, best to harvest the amount of spinach that you will be needing immediately. By so doing, you don’t need to bother with preserving or storing the vegetable.
Where, however, you have a bumper harvest that cannot be consumed immediately, you can preserve the extra by freezing it in a sealed container or bags. By doing this, you may retain the nutritious and delicious taste of the harvested spinach for some time.
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Conclusion on How To Harvest Spinach
From the above, you would notice that growing and harvesting spinach is not an entirely difficult task to do. You must however pay very close attention when harvesting the plant. Harvesting the proper way may help elongate the lifespan of the plant long after harvest.
Harvesting may be done in different ways depending on the result you wish to attain. Planting, caring for and harvesting spinach is not difficult if these simple tips are followed.
FAQ’s
How to harvest spinach without killing the plant?
If you wish to harvest spinach without killing the plant, you should be careful enough to cut only the leaves from the stem and not cut the stem. Also, ensure that you do not harvest more than one-third (1/3) of the leaves on a plant.
How to harvest spinach seeds?
The spinach seeds are usually attached to the stem of the female spinach plant. The seeds begin to appear when the spinach plant begins to mature. You should pick up the seeds as they fall or remove them from the plant just before they fall from the stem.
How to harvest spinach so it keeps growing?
If you wish to harvest spinach so it keeps growing, you must exercise some caution when harvesting. You should be careful enough to cut only the leaves from the stem and not cut the stem. Also, ensure that you do not harvest more than one-third (1/3) of the leaves on a plant. As much as possible, try to harvest from the outside down to the inside. For baby spinach, you should be careful not to cut off the crown when harvesting.
How long to harvest spinach?
Baby spinach should be harvested between 20 to 30 days after being planted. However, for mature spinach, you should wait longer. It should be harvested between 38 to 50 days.
February 10, 2022
Helpful Tips To Growing Yellow Squash
Growing yellow squash is an option for a healthy garden. Yellow squash is a rich versatile vegetable and one of the species of summer squash. It is a vegetable that grows fast, rich in vitamins, and can be used to make cheesy casseroles, a healthy pasta substitute, and even baked parmesan bites.
Growing yellow squash may be a little tricky to grow as the plant require a varying amount of nutrients and may be easily affected by pests and diseases. It is therefore important that you take note of a few vital points when planting and growing yellow squash so as to attain the best result.
This article gives you a guide on the things you should note when planting and growing yellow squash. The best time to plant in the year and the likely time to expect harvest are all covered here. A few practices to adopt so as to prevent pests and diseases from attacking the plants are here also.
Now let’s begin with things you should note when planting and growing yellow squash.
Tips On Planting Yellow Squash
The following are some important planting conditions you should take note of when planting yellow squash:
Yellow Squash Grows Better In The Summer
This plant is highly susceptible to cold and as such does not do well in cold soil or frost. It is, therefore, best to plant in the middle or towards the end of spring when the temperature is about 65 degrees Fahrenheit. From mid-March to April is the best time for early harvest, while from late July through August is the best time for fall harvest.
It Requires A Lot Of Sunlight
This vegetable requires a lot of sunshine for the best possible result to be attained. Planting Yellow squash in a shady place or under an umbrella tree or plant will not yield the best result. Ensure the plant receives about eight hours of sunlight daily.
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Pick A Location That Drains Water Well
Yellow squash does not do well in a place where water is accumulated. This is bad for the root and may lead to root rot which may ultimately kill the plant. Avoid low grounds and water accumulated sites when planting.
pH Soil Levels
For yellow squash to do well, the pH level of the soil should be between 6.0 and 6.5. Where this level is not the case for your garden, take steps to augment it accordingly. You should take steps to check your soil pH level from time to time.
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Support Your Soil With More Nutrients
Squash is considered to be a heavy feeder, and this implies that it requires a lot of nutrients to thrive. As such, improve your soil with organic compost and natural, slow-release fertilizer before and after planting. You should however be careful not to use fertilizers with lots of nitrogen as this encourages leaf growth which may be good for a young plant, but not at the fruit-giving stage.
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How To Plant Yellow Squash – Growing Yellow Squash
You can do the following when planting yellow squash:
- Prepare the Soil: You do this by confirming the soil pH level, ensuring water drains well from the soil, and adding the relevant nutrients to boost the soil.
- Sow Seeds: Two or three seeds should be sown every nine to twelve inches. The depth of the seed should be between 1 and 1.5 inches into the soil. When planting seeds, ensure the temperature is about 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit since the plant is frost-sensitive.
- Cover the Seeds: After planting, you should cover them slightly with a mulch. This could be straw, wood chips, or dried leaves. This helps to keep the weeds down and maintain the soil moisture pending when the plant begins to grow leaves.
- Keep Soil Moist: During the germination period, keep the soil moist and water regularly. Ensure to be careful when watering so as to prevent leaf diseases. It’s best to water at ground level and not directly on leaves.
- Thinning: Yellow squash usually spread and cover available space easily. As such, you should thin to the strongest single seedling of the 2 or 3 you planted in each group.
- Harvesting: It all depends on the desired result. “Scallop” yellow squashes are best picked when they are between 3 to 5 inches across, while “Crookneck” and “Straightneck” are best left until they are about 4 to 7 inches. If you delay harvesting early enough, the skin may become thick and tough, with dense interior seed pockets.
Common Pests And Diseases That Affect Yellow Squash
Yellow squash is often affected by a wide array of pests and diseases. As such, extra care must be taken when growing the plant. They are plagued by squash bugs, cucumber beetles, squash vine borers, slugs, and snails. In addition to these, sap-sucking whiteflies and aphids are pests to the plant.
Yellow squash is also affected by diseases like mosaic viruses, squash blossom blight, and cucumber bacterial wilt. It is therefore imperative that you regularly check the plant to ensure that they are not disturbed by any of these diseases or pests. Treat swiftly once you notice any of the above.
Different ways are adopted when dealing with these pests and diseases. For example, squash bugs usually become active and lay their eggs in early spring. Squash visible eggs laid on the stem of the plant and use pesticides to eliminate those that are laying eggs or have hatched.
In the case of cucumber beetles, mulching the ground with stray, hay or any other item is a good way to deter the beetles from laying eggs. Also, by planting cucurbits later in the season, you are sure to scare the beetles away.
Growing Yellow Squash: Final Say
Growing yellow squash is a bit intricate as you have seen from above. You must therefore be willing to give the requisite attention when growing yellow squash. Ensure to plant at the right time and in well-prepared soil. These are factors that will likely improve the result obtained.
This plant like some other plants is susceptible to pests and diseases. Therefore, this means that you must put into consideration some necessary precautions to deal with these diseases.
FAQ’s
Why is my yellow squash growing deformed?
There are different reasons why your yellow squash may be growing deformed. Some of these reasons include pest infection, boring insects, excess calcium in the soil, or the result of a disease, more likely a mosaic virus.
Why are my yellow squash growing small?
If you are having problems with the size of your yellow squash, and the plant does produce ample flowers, then you are dealing with a pollination issue. So, you need pollination or a physical transfer of pollen from male flowers to female flowers, usually by bees. If this is not happening, then you will have issues with the size of your fruit.
When to start growing yellow squash from seed?
From mid-March to April is the best time to plant from seed for early harvest, while from late July through August is the best time to plant from seed for fall harvest.
How long does it take to grow yellow squash?
It usually takes between 45 to 60 days from planting to harvest for most varieties of yellow squash.
February 10, 2022
Quick Facts About Spiny Backed Orb Weaver
Spiny backed orb weaver is one type of colorful spider that may intrigue you and it may have you wondering what they are. Not too worry. We will be sharing some quick facts about this fascinating spider in this post.
Spiny backed orb weaver is a common animal seen along the southeast coast of the United States. It is one common inhabitant to different yards in Florida. The small bodies colorful creature has this distinctive physical appearance that cannot be missed.
Many people may often wonder what this unique and intriguing spider is. You may even wonder if they are poisonous or not; or if they can bite? We will answer all that and more in this article. So, dive in further for more information on this.
Quick Facts About Spiny Backed Orb Weaver
So here are some facts about the spiny backed orb weaver.
What types of animals and class of animals are they? Spiny backed orb weavers are easily categorized as spiders due to their colorful physical features and red-colored spine. They belong to the family of arthropods and the class of Arachnida.
Appearance And Characteristics
- Size – The size of this spiny backed orb weaver is around one inch and another half inch in length.
- Appearance – The spiny backed orb weaver looks like a crab and takes the shape of a crab. However, they are not closely related to the true crab spiders. They are also referred to as the Crablike Spiny Orbweaver. The body of this spider can be seen to have spines protruding from its abdomen.
- Color – One of the most unique and distinctive features about this spider is the color. It has this radiant color which makes them easy to identify or spot. This spider usually has a hard abdomen. This abdomen can come in white with red markings and black spines that emerge from the edges of the abdomen.
- Behavior – This spiny backed orb weaver tends to web in trees, shrubs. They can also web in the corner of windows as well as similar outdoor areas of buildings. Spiny backed orb weaver can’t harm you and if not for their radiant and distinctive color, you may not even notice them. Also, these spiders aren’t invaders unless you mistakenly carry them indoors from a potted plant they may be living in.
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Male And Female Spiny Backed Orb Weaver – Typical Lifestyle
- Male Spiny Backed Orb Weaver: The male spiny backed orb weavers are smaller in size compared to the females. They also lack point spines. Normally, the male spiny backed orb weavers are eaten by the female spiny backed orb weaver after the mating process.
- Female Spiny Backed Orb Weaver: The female spiny backed orb weavers are bigger in size than the male. They also tend to be longer. The females can be about 5 or even 9 mm in length and 10 to 13 mm in width. When the female and male spiny backed orb weavers have mated, the female feeds on the male. Then she keeps on living for a couple of weeks and produces eggs. Then the female will hang the egg sac she produces on the web under leave. This is to indicate she is done with her egg laying and that she has completed her breeding process. Then the female will look after her offspring for a couple of days and then she dies.
So, the above shows the typical lifecycle of the spiny backed orb weaver. And generally, their life span is around one year.
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Habitats Or Location Spiny Backed Orb Weavers Can Be Found
You can find spiny backed orb weaver across the world then you can particularly find them in some parts of the United States. The spider can be widely distributed and can range anywhere in the southern state and can range from southern California to Florida. Spiny backed orb weaver is a common inhabitant in the yards of Florida.
They are usually found on the trees or woodland, citrus groves, and shrubs or shrubby gardens. You can also find them around houses or nurseries especially in citrus groves.
Spiny Backed Orb Weaver Bite: Is Their Bite Poisonous?
It is true that the spiny backed orb weaver can bite. But they aren’t aggressive creatures and they won’t just bite you for no reason. Usually, they tend to bite when they are picked up or when they are provoked.
Their bite isn’t even a serious issue as the bite doesn’t really cause a serious symptom. So, spiny backed orb weaver isn’t a dangerous or poisonous creature.
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Matter of fact, they can be beneficial creatures as they are known to feed on flying and even crawling insects. So, they can help you clean up any unwanted flying or crawling insects around your yard. They usually prey on insects such as mosquitoes, beetles, moths, and the likes.
They often create or make their web in their preferred location such as leaves of trees, shrubs, citrus groves, and so on. They make their webs in these locations and wait until any small insects become trapped and they feed on them.
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What’s The Life Span Of The Spiny Backed Orb Weaver?
Spiny’s backed orb weaver life span is approximately one year. The male spiny orb weaver dies just after they’ve mated with the female. However, then the female tends to live longer and this is mainly because they need to lay eggs and feed their offspring.
The female after laying eggs and feeding their offspring for a couple of days dies off and this indicates that her breeding session is over.
Conclusion
There are so many interesting facts about the spiny backed orb weaver and we have listed some things you need to know about them. so, if you’ve ever found yourself wondering about what the spiny baked orb weaver is all about, then you should look through our guide for a quick knowledge about them.
FAQ’s
What ecosystem do spiny backed orb weaver live in?
Spiny backed orb weavers are mainly found on trees or in woodland areas. They can also be found in the citrus grove, shrubs or shrubby gardens.
Spiny backed orb weaver what do they eat?
They capture flying and even crawling insects and feed on them.
Is the spiny-backed orb weaver venomous?
No. Spiny backed orb weavers aren’t venomous or dangerous.
February 10, 2022
A Guide on Saving and Growing Persian Cucumber Seeds
Persian cucumber seeds are easily available in garden centers and online stores making them accessible to gardeners across America.
Persian cucumbers are classified as a single crop, also known as Cucumis melo var. flexuosus, belonging to the family of Cucurbitaceae. They are native to India but nowadays they are cultivated in many regions worldwide including Europe and North America. Persian cucumbers are also known as Beit Alpha, Middle Eastern cucumber, or Lebanese cucumbers.
The fruit length is between five to six inches. The fruits are cylindrically shaped with wrinkled skin covering firm flesh which can be white or green colored.
The plant growth habit is a bush type that has good resistance to pests, diseases, and drought conditions. One of the benefits of the Persian cucumber is that it requires very little space for growth since the plant size is small compared to others.
Growing Persian Cucumber Seeds
Growing Persian cucumber seeds is not difficult but their germination time is considered long. Persian cucumber planting requirements are different compared to other vegetable crops. These requirements include:
Planting depth
The seeding depth of Persian cucumbers is not recommended to be less than 1/2″ or more than 3/4″.
Seeding rate
The seeding rate for Persian cucumber seeds should be around four to eight lbs per acre depending on soil fertility.
Sowing time
The best time to sow Persian cucumber seeds is early spring after the frost danger period is over. These cucumbers are best suited to warmer areas with long summers. When sowing the soil temperature should be between 65 F to 70F for the best germination rate.
Seed spacing
Persian cucumbers are planted in rows with 60 cm between each row and from plant to plant should be at least 30 cm.
Health Benefits Of Persian Cucumber Seeds
Persian cucumbers are considered healthy, here are several health benefits they provide:
- Good Source of Antioxidants. Persian cucumbers are a good source of antioxidants which is necessary to keep the intracellular environment healthy and free from damage by free radicals.
- Rich in Vitamin C. Persian cucumbers is a significant source of Vitamin C which helps strengthen our immune system, improving skin health and reducing the risk for urinary tract infections.
- Rich in Dietary Fiber. Persian cucumber seeds contain a high amount of dietary fiber that is beneficial for the digestion system by regulating bowel movements and helping control blood sugar levels.
- Good for Skin. Persian cucumber seeds have been shown as a powerful weapon against acne, eczema, psoriasis, and sun damage due to their antibacterial properties.
- Anti-inflammatory Properties. According to a recent Persian cucumber study, these cucumbers have been found to carry a powerful anti-inflammatory food that can fight against arthritis and heart disease by preventing the development of inflammatory compounds in the body.
- Aids Weight Loss. Persian cucumbers are very low in calories making them ideal for weight loss diets. Many studies have shown that Persian cucumber seeds help to improve blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
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How To Save Persian Cucumber Seeds?
When growing Persian cucumbers, you can save your own seeds from overgrown fruits. The best time to collect Persian cucumber seeds is when the fruits become yellowish or after they fall on the ground.
The Persian seeds should be allowed to dry at room temperature before storing them in a cool dark place. Both dried and fresh Persian cucumber seeds can be stored for a long time without losing their germinating ability.
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Here are the steps to follow when saving Persian cucumber seeds:
- Step 1: Pick fruits when they are overgrown or have fallen on the ground.
- Step 2: Cut them open to reveal the seeds inside.
- Step 3: Scoop out the seeds and discard the fleshy part of the cucumber.
- Step 4: Spread the seeds in a dry place for several days until they are fully dried.
- Step 5: Store them in an air-tight container and place them in a cool dark room or cupboard.
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How To Grow Persian Cucumbers From Home Seeds
Once you have saved your Persian cucumber seeds, it’s time to grow them again in the next season. Here are a few things to consider when growing Persian cucumbers from home seeds.
Ensure your soil is rich. When growing Persian cucumbers, you need to start with farm soil that is rich enough with organic matter, liming materials, and well-drained. The pH level should be between 6.5 to 7.5 which can be achieved by adding limestone on-farm soil before planting your home seeds.
Water them regularly. Persian cucumbers require a lot of water to grow healthy and produce a high yield. They should be watered regularly during the growing season every day until fruits are harvested to keep the soil moist.
Protect them from plant enemies. Persian cucurbit seeds are vulnerable to fungal infections such as Downy mildew, powdery mildew, and bacterial wilt.
It’s important to take preventive measures against these fungi during the growing periods by using disease-free planting material. In addition, Persian cucumber seeds can be treated with fungicides for better results.
Conclusion
Persian cucumber seeds as described in this article are a little difficult to germinate and therefore require the best growing conditions.
The best growing conditions for this plant include rich soil that is well-drained, enough water, protection from plant enemies, and good air circulation.
If you choose to save your own seeds, remember to dry them completely and store them in a cool dark space. You can store your seeds long enough but you need to check them from time to time for any fungal infections that may lead to rot.
You can incorporate these scrumptious vegetables in several recipes like salads, dips, stews, and curries.
FAQ’s
What variety are Persian cucumbers?
The most common variety of Persian cucumbers is burpless. There are several other varieties including lemon, San Diego market, long green etc. The largest variety is the burpless cucumber which has a mild, sweet flavor.
Are Persian cucumbers easy to grow?
When compared to other cucumber types, Persian cucumbers are a little trickier to grow. They prefer warmer climates and should be planted after the soil temperature has reached at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Persian cucumbers require a moderate amount of water during the growing season so they may not survive in locations where summer rainfall is very scarce.
How can I save Persian cucumber seeds?
If you wish to save Persian cucumber seeds, separate the seeds from Persian cucumber flesh after harvesting them. Rinse the cucumber pulp in water to remove any dirt or debris left behind.
Spread the Persian cucumber seeds out on a paper towel to dry for about two weeks before storing them in an airtight container placed in a cool dark room or cupboard. Persian cucumber seeds can be stored for many years without losing germination ability if properly dried and stored for future use.
Can I grow Persian cucumber from home seeds?
When growing Persian cucumbers from home seeds, the process is very simple and straightforward. The Persian cucumber plant needs full sun exposure in order to produce fruits. They are known as warm-season crops that prefer soil temperature of at least 65 F or higher for the best germination rate.
Sowing Persian cucumber seeds directly into garden beds or containers should give you the same great results since both methods work well if you provide proper care to your plants.
February 9, 2022
A Complete Guide To Growing Lettuce From Seed
Growing lettuce from seed is an easy and fun activity to do with your young ones and later enjoy its good harvest.
Although growing lettuce is incredibly easy, there are some important factors to consider when growing it. Lettuce requires quite a lot of sunlight to grow properly, so if you live in low-light areas then growing lettuce may not be for you.
Also, growing salad greens like this will require more nutrients than their head-forming counterparts (it takes up to 20 days for them to form heads). If you plan on growing your vegetables over the summer or winter, make sure that you prepare the soil beforehand!
Step By Step Guide To Growing Lettuce From Seed Indoors
As you will see below, how to start growing lettuce from seed is easy and fast.
- Step 1: Germinate
To germinate lettuce seeds, you will need a growing medium. Any sterile growing mix is suitable for growing lettuce from seed, although there are specific growing mixes available at your local garden center.
- Step 2: Give them some space!
Fill the growing tray with the growing mix and level it out slightly before sowing your seeds evenly across the surface of the growing medium. It’s important to note that a single pickling cucumber plant requires 100 square feet of space!
- Step 3: Keep an eye on them
Cover them in a thin layer of fine compost or vermiculite and give them a good misting over with some water. Keep an eye on them throughout the first few weeks as young lettuce plants appreciate moist soil conditions – do not let their roots dry out.
- Step 4: Ready to transplant?
During the growing period, ensure the growing conditions are right for your plants. You will find that your young plants will rapidly germinate and start growing. Within a few weeks, they will have developed their first set of leaves and be ready to transplant into another growing container or module tray for a longer growing cycle.
You can choose to grow your seedlings indoors in this case. However, if you do not have enough space on your windowsill, it’s best to move them outside so long as the weather is starting to turn warm again.
You may wish to cover your seedling with some shade netting overnight. This is a good idea until they get used to being outdoors if you’ve been growing them indoors for a while – particularly during cold winter.
Read more about Growing Romaine Lettuce In Container
Growing Lettuce From Seed Outdoors
You’ll need to prepare the growing area by spading and preparing the soil with some sand beforehand – don’t forget it will require a lot of nutrients!
Hoe the surface until it has turned to fine soil and level it with your hand or rake and transplant your growing plants. Ensure that your growing containers are at least eight inches deep so that they have enough room to develop their roots.
Once planted, water them well and wait for those tender little green shoots to appear above ground. Make sure you keep an eye on them if there’s any possibility of frost as cold weather may cause them to “bolt” (run-up like a flower) rather than grow into a mature plant.
Once the weather starts to warm up, you will have lovely green leaves growing in no time! Harvest your lettuce when it is large enough and enjoy it with some tasty dressing or dip. I like to add nuts or dried fruit for an extra taste sensation.
Well, that’s about it – growing lettuce from seed requires very little work and attention – excellent if you’re busy but still want something productive growing on your windowsill. Enjoy!
Check Out How To Grow Salad Bowl Lettuce In Containers
What Is The Right Temperature For Growing Lettuce From Seed In A Greenhouse?
When growing your lettuce inside a greenhouse, ensure your plants have the right temperatures.
At night, when growing lettuce from seed in a greenhouse, the temperature should be at least +5°C (41°F). If the temperature goes lower than +5°C (41°F) outdoors, then you should consider bringing your growing tray with growing plants under the shelter. During the day, temperatures in the greenhouse should be at least +18°C (64.4°F).
Overall, the temperatures in the greenhouse should range between 20-30°C (68-86°F). However, growing lettuce from seed can withstand higher temperatures up to 35°C (95°F).
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What Type Of Fertilizer Does Growing Lettuce From Seed Require?
When growing your lettuce indoors you don’t need any additional fertilizers for growing. However, when planting your young plants outside you should consider fertilizing them with an organic liquid fertilizer such as fish emulsion or seaweed extract plus bonemeal. When growing indoors and outdoors use only half the recommended dosage that is read on the package.
Growing Lettuce From Seeds In Containers
Growing lettuce from indoor starts requires very little time. Plants will need a minimum of four hours of full sun per day outside and twelve hours per day inside.
You will need containers that are around eight inches deep if you’re planting them outdoors or about five inches if growing them indoors. Black plastic pots are best as they absorb the maximum amount of light and heat (perfect for plants like lettuce and tomatoes).
Plant your seeds about 1/8 inch deep into moist potting soil in either small individual pots or one large container that measures approximately eight inches deep. Keep the growing medium moist but not wet at all times to ensure your success with these fast-growing plants.
Conclusion On Growing Lettuce From Seed
Growing lettuce indoors is nice if you don’t have the space outside or you can grow them all year round inside where it’s warm without worrying about cold temperatures (for growing plants only after they are mature enough).
FAQ’s
What temperature is fit for growing lettuce in the greenhouse?
Growing lettuce in the greenhouse requires a growing temperature of +5°C (41°F) at night and a minimum growing temperature of +18°C (64.4°F) during the day.
How do you grow lettuce seeds indoors?
You should start growing lettuce indoors early in the growing season. Plant your growing seeds about 1/8 inch deep into moist potting soil in either small individual pots or one large container that measures approximately 5 inches deep. Keep the growing medium moist but not wet at all times to ensure your success with these fast-growing plants.
How do you grow lettuce from seed outdoors?
Growing lettuce outside is very easy, however, growing indoors is a little different from growing outdoors. Start by sowing the seeds indoors to transplant outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up.
Plant your seedlings in a prepared growing garden bed, spacing them 12-24 inches apart (30.5-61cm). Ensure you water your lettuce once a day in the morning when there is no chance of rain in the forecast.
How do you grow lettuce from seed?
Growing lettuce from growing seed requires very little effort – you don’t need any special growing techniques! Ensure to sow your seeds at the right growing season and feed them with organic liquid fertilizer if growing them outdoors. Whether you are growing lettuce indoors or outdoors, on your window sill or in the greenhouse, timely sowing of seeds is critical.
February 8, 2022
All About LED Grow Light Distance Chart
An LED grow light distance chart is essential to help every gardener determine how much light the plants receive from grow lights.
During the winter months, many LED grow lights enthusiasts use panels closer than their usual distances for an extended period to ensure successful growth indoors under limited natural sun exposure. Although this technique does work, LED plant lights should only be used closer for limited periods and not left on plants 24/7.
A single LED lamp tends to dissipate its energy in all directions, thus creating a sphere of light around the actual lamp itself. Therefore, if positioned too close (over 2-3″/5-7 cm)to the top of the plant canopy, these lamps can scorch or burn leaves and flowers.
The LED grow light distance chart is the most useful resource for finding out how far your garden lighting should be from plants.
The LED Grow Light Distance Chart
This is determined by various factors that include measurements, dimensions, and other variables essential for determining how far you can place light.
Another factor that determines LED grow light distance is the wattage of each lamp you are using. Lamps with high wattage (100 watts +) will need to be placed further away than lower wattage lamps so as not to damage sensitive the garden foliage.
How To Use The LED Grow Light Distance Chart
This is a very simple exercise that will let you know how far away your plants are from your LED lamps so that they receive the optimum amount of light without being burnt by an excess of heat.
Simply place one or two LED garden lamps on the floor at equal distances between each other, then look up at the top interior side of your canopy, which is where the grow light fixture should be hanging.
Then measure the distance between LED lights and your plant, but make sure you use a tape measure as this will ensure consistency of the measurements taken.
After which you should check against the LED grow light distance chart to determine whether or not you are within range of your garden lamps.
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The LED Grow Light Distance Calculator
Found on most LED lighting manufacturers’ sites, they can tell you how far away from the plants your grow bulbs need to be so that they do not burn them. This is essential if you want to avoid scorching or burning of the foliage.
To calculate how far your plants are from the LED bulb, follow these steps:
- Measure the distance between LED grow light and plant so that you can use that as your X measurement in the grow light distance formula.
- Next, measure the distance of the LED panel to the plant up top near the hood, which is where the garden lights should be placed according to this grow light chart.
- Now take those amounts of inches (or cm’s) and divide them by two (in case there are two bulbs on your LED panel).
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For example: If your LED lamp is 36 inches away from your plant.. divide 36 by 2; now you will have 18 inches. . Then look at the LED grow light distance chart below to determine if it is too close or not.
Don’t forget your LED grow light calculator to determine the plant distance!
This LED grow light distance chart will ensure that your plants receive enough light, especially during winter months when there is limited sun exposure outdoors.
Using LED lights for growing vegetation indoors does have its advantages, but only if they are positioned at the right distances away from plants to avoid scorching of the leaves and flowers.
Check Out What Does An Artichoke Plant Look Like?
The LED Grow Light Distance Chart Seedlings
This is one of many LED grow light distance charts that focus on the lights for young seedlings.
One of the LED grow light distance charts helps you identify how far your grow lights are from your plants.
There are plenty of factors that go into the correct measurements needed for each plant in your indoor garden. This makes it essential that you have an LED grow light distance chart seedlings at all times so that you can ensure optimum growth conditions leading up to outdoor harvesting.
The ability to utilize the LED grow light distance chart seedlings is something many grow light enthusiasts will find extremely useful.
Full-spectrum LED Grow Light Distance Chart
The full spectrum LED grow light distance chart provides you with detailed information on these lights so that you can place them correctly in your garden.
If your LED grow light is too far away, your plants will not receive enough light to photosynthesize, while a light placed too close can cause the burning of leaves.
This is why it’s important to know how far away to keep LED lamps from the plants, while at the same time receiving just enough full-spectrum lights for proper growth conditions.
There are plenty of factors that go into measuring LED plant lights correctly, with many gardening companies making LED grow light distance charts for this purpose.
For example, make sure you are using a tape measure when taking measurements between LED lamps and your plants, as this will ensure consistency of LED grow measurements.
Most LED grow light distance charts focus on the lamps for garden plants specifically. However, some of these charts provide detailed information that can be useful to anyone wanting to know the distance of the correct light between their grow lights and the plants.
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The 600W LED Grow Light Distance Chart
This 600W LED grow light distance chart 600w is one of many LED grow light distance charts that can be found online.
Many gardening enthusiasts find the 600W LED grow light distance chart useful for this reason, it can provide detailed information that has been collected over time by experienced LED gardeners.
While many LED light distance charts provide grow measurements in inches, the plant height can vary quite a bit when these lights are involved. For this reason, make sure you know the exact height of the LED lamps when using the 600w grow light distance chart led to getting accurate readings.
Most gardeners will find that their plants need less than 18 inches in distance from LED lighting within the first few weeks following germination. During flowering and vegetation periods, most indoor plants will require over 10 inches of space between an LED lamp and a plant for best results.
Final Thoughts
The LED grow light distance chart is a tool that every grow light enthusiast should have available to use even as gardening becomes more popular. Knowing the correct wattage and how far away you should place LED lamps from the plants will ensure optimum conditions for your garden.
You can take measurements either with a tape measure or ruler when using an LED grow light distance chart. This information will be useful if you’re planning on growing indoor plants.
FAQ’s
How far should plants be from LED grow lights?
Most LED light distance charts will advise you to keep the lamps at least 2-4 inches away from plants, with 18-24 inches being optimal.
How far away should LED grow lights be from seedlings?
Most LED grow lights distance charts Recommend that the garden plants under 2-3 inches be kept at least 3-4 inches away from the growing lights.
How far apart should grow lights be from each other?
On average, most growers will want to leave about 6 inches between LED lights during vegetation periods (with the exception of flowering periods, which usually require more space).
February 8, 2022
Do You Know How To Cut Cilantro? – Learn With Our Step-by-step Guide
Do you know how to cut cilantro or a guide on how to do it correctly will help you get some tips?
Cilantro is not only used in cooking but it is also considered a herb. Cilantro or coriander leaves are popular in many parts of the world and most especially in Asia and Europe.
Coriander is often seen in Asian dishes such as Vietnamese, Thai, Indian, and Chinese meals because this herb brings out the best flavors when combined with other ingredients.
Since cilantro grows fast and can easily be propagated by breaking apart clumps into smaller sections that contain one stem and several leaves, it can be grown in a home garden.
Both the leaves and stems of the cilantro plant are edible. The leaves are soft and tender, whereas the stems are fibrous and more flavorful.
How To Cut Cilantro From Plants?
If you want to know how to cut cilantro without killing the plant, here’s how:
Step 1: Select a stem on the periphery of the clump and cut it off using sharp kitchen shears. Cutting at this stage will remove only the stem and some leaves but not all. This method helps you harvest cilantro several times.
Step 2: After removing one stem, use your fingers to separate the remaining stems so you can find how to cut cilantro from a plant with ease. If there are no other stems visible anywhere in your garden, be sure to check again as they might still be hidden underneath larger leaves.
How To Cut Cilantro From The Garden?
Now that you know how to cut cilantro from plants, let’s learn how to correctly cut your cilantro leaves from the garden. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Hold a stem firmly in one hand and a clean pair of scissors in the other.
Step 2: Cut cilantro stems right above a leaf node to retain most of your plants. A leaf node is where leaves are attached to the stem. Removing leaves below this area will seriously affect how to cut cilantro from the garden because it can disturb its growth pattern plus you’re left with shortened stems that won’t be as strong.
Step 3: Cut off your cilantro stems with a single clean cut to ensure you don’t damage the plant. Whatever you do, never cut your cilantro in a zigzag manner because this will tear the stem open and expose it to air which encourages its tissue to dry up.
Follow this how-to cut cilantro guide correctly and your garden will always be full of culinary delights!
Click here for A Guide To Growing Black Beauty Zucchini
How To Cut Cilantro Leaves In The Kitchen
Once you have harvested your cilantro, it’s time to learn how to cut cilantro leaves in the kitchen. Follow these steps to get it done easily:
Step 1: Start by washing your hands. Always handle your food with clean hands.
Step 2: Start pulling off the large outer leaves from the stems. Be sure to tear the leaves off instead of cutting with a knife.
Step 3: Once you have enough leaves pulled off, wash them with clean water to get off dirt and insects if any.
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Step 4. Roll these leaves upholding them between your first three fingers. Place them flat on your cutting board and hold them firmly so they won’t move. Hold your knife with a comfortable grip, keeping it in one position. Slowly slice the how-to-cut cilantro leaves length.
Step 5: Cut these leaves into thin strips by holding your knife at an angle, about 30 degrees against the leafy pile. The thicker part of the cilantro leaves should be placed on top while the narrow end should be facing down towards your cutting board for stability.
Now you know how to cut your cilantro and get them ready to garnish your food.
Read more about How Does An Artichoke Grow?
How Long Does Cilantro Last After Harvesting?
Now that you know how to cut cilantro, you need to know that proper storage is important after harvesting.
Store your cut cilantro in a glass of water by covering it with a plastic bag and placing it on your refrigerator’s top shelf. Remember that cilantro tends to wilt fast so it’s best you only harvest what you need currently. If you want them to stay longer, you can also freeze the cilantro leaves inside baggies for up to six months.
If you’re cutting fresh cilantro leaves from your garden, don’t leave it out at room temperature even if it’s only one stem – never leave any food uncovered especially with how long cilantro lasts.
Conclusion – How To Cut Cilantro
After harvesting cilantro from your garden, always store them properly in the fridge. Cut the cilantro stems or leaves with a single clean cut to ensure you get perfect results every time.
Cilantro is a companion to every chef, as it has both health and medicinal properties that most people use. It can be used fresh or dry.
When used fresh, it has a very different taste than when it is dried. Fresh coriander leaves are an essential ingredient in many Asian dishes and American foods as well as Middle Eastern dishes.
Coriander has many health benefits which include its ability in helping to control diabetes. It also helps ease muscle pain and detoxifies the body when used topically or orally. In addition, it also lowers blood cholesterol levels, boosts good bacteria in your gut, and helps with digestion.
Happy gardening everyone!
FAQ’s
What part of cilantro do you cut?
There are many parts of cilantro you can cut. Different parts of how to cut cilantro can be used for different recipes.
Shallot – the white part that grows below the green leaves.
Green onion – the longest green stalk minus roots.
Root – it’s actually how to cut cilantro from the plant so you have to dig up the plant first before harvesting this part.
Do you use the stems of cilantro?
Yes, cilantro stems are edible too. However, how to cut cilantro stems is not always efficient because it takes a lot of time and effort before you can make all those leaves come out.
February 7, 2022
Growing Black Beauty Zucchini – Important Facts
A guide to growing black beauty zucchini is essential to gardeners who would love to grow this scrumptious vegetable.
Black Beauty zucchini is the classic dark green, straight, thin-necked summer squash. It was introduced by W. Atlee Burpee in 1902 and quickly became popular because of its productivity, good flavor, smooth texture, and long shelf life. This vegetable produces well even under less-than-perfect growing conditions.
However, you do not have to stick to tradition if you don’t want to. The bright yellow or gold flowers are edible as well as the young leaves which are added to salads.
Growing Black Beauty Zucchini
This plant is easy to grow if you know some tips and tricks. Here are several tricks that should be able to help you grow it.
- Starting Seeds. You may start black beauties indoors before transplanting them outside after all danger of frost has passed. If you transplant them in the fall, black beauty zucchini will provide a steady supply of tender, dark green squash in your home garden until frost.
- Ideal Planting Location. Black beauty zucchini thrives in the warm weather, so you should plant it in a location that is exposed to full sunlight and is sheltered from cold winds.
- Mulching. You should also use black plastic mulches around young plants to help them grow well by retaining more of the soil‘s warmth and moisture.
- Watering. Water black beauties regularly during the growing season because summer squash needs regular watering especially after it starts flowering or fruiting. You can check whether your black beauty zucchini needs watering by sticking your finger in the soil up to your first knuckle and feeling whether the soil feels dry.
- Fertilizing. You should use black beauty zucchini fertilizer when planting black beauties and once every two weeks until it starts fruiting. While black beauties do not need much nitrogen, they still require nutrients such as potassium and phosphorus to grow well.
For the best flavor, harvest black beauty zucchinis when they are young. They can be enjoyed raw or cooked and they will also freeze well.
Read more about How Does An Artichoke Grow?
How Often To Feed Black Beauty Zucchini?
Black beauties are heavy feeders so make certain that they receive regular applications of liquid fertilizer throughout their growing season.
Black beauty zucchinis need ample nitrogen to develop their dark green foliage. Organic vegetable gardeners may want to plant black beauty zucchini along with green beans or peas because they fix nitrogen in the soil.
You can also nourish black beauties by mulching around them with compost or aged animal manure. The best fertilizer to use on these plants is the one providing nitrogen and potassium in low amounts. Organic fertilizer is also good for black beauty zucchini. Feed your plants at least once every two weeks with black beauty zucchini fertilizer.
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How Long Does It Take Black Beauty Zucchini To Grow?
Black beauties are very fast-growing summer squash. Their maturity time depends on how often you water them and fertilize them as black beauties need more moisture than most vegetables.
They can be harvested in about 55-60 days after planting black beauty zucchini seeds or transplants. If you start black beauties indoors early enough and give them ideal growing conditions, they will be ready for harvest 50-55 days after planting.
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When To Harvest Black Beauty Zucchini
Black beauty zucchini is ready when it reaches six to eight inches long and two inches in diameter. It is best to harvest them when they are under eight inches as this is when they have the best flavor.
Harvest them when the skin is glossy black with white stripes or solid black. Use them within two or three days after picking for the best flavor and texture, before they become seedy and coarse.
Once black beauty zucchini starts producing fruit, you should harvest them several times a week. Black beauties produce abundant crops of high-quality summer squash over a long period.
When picking black beauties, cut them off with a sharp knife or pruning shears while leaving 1/2 inch of stem attached. Alternatively, just twist off black beauties while supporting their weight in your hand – similar to handling a ripe melon. Harvesting these fruits carefully will keep them fresh longer which is essential if you want to use them for longer.
How Big of a Pot Do You Need For Black Beauty Zucchini?
Did you know you can also grow your black beauty zucchini in pots? Ideally, you should use a container that measures at least eight inches deep. Black beauty zucchini is a very productive black summer squash that doesn’t need much space and can be grown in large pots.
You can grow black beauties in small pots 3-4 feet wide. These vegetables are extremely easy to grow and produce lots of nutritious black summer squash.
Fill the pot with a good quality soil or cactus mix, mixed with 30 percent fine sand and 10 percent composted manure to ensure optimum drainage.
Start fertilizing these plants every two weeks from planting until you start seeing the fruit forming. Use black plastic mulch to help them retain soil moisture and warm the plants up earlier. Water black beauties regularly during the growing season to provide adequate moisture.
Conclusion On Black Beauty Zucchini
If you are interested in growing black beauty zucchini, we hope you find the guide above useful. Have you grown this plant before and have tricks up your sleeve you would like to share with us? If so, please share any tricks for growing black beauty zucchini in the comments.
FAQ’s
Is Black Beauty zucchini a bush or vine?
Black summer squash is an annual, warm-season vegetable grown for its tender black fruit. They are vining black zucchini plants that can grow up to 6 feet tall x 3 feet wide black zucchini bush. Vines are not very suitable for container growing black beauty zucchini, but this one can still get decent production in pots.
How much space does Black Beauty zucchini need?
Black zucchini squash plants are vines that can spread up to 6 feet – meaning it’s not too big. You can also successfully grow them in pots.
How much water does black beauty zucchini need?
Black beauties need regular watering to help them fruit well because their fruits are particularly sensitive to drought. Water black beauty zucchini deeply, soaking them until the top 8 inches or so of soil are quite moist. However, don’t let them sit in wet soil black winter squash because this will rot them.
February 7, 2022
How Does An Artichoke Grow?
Artichokes are a popular and versatile vegetable. However, due to their unusual appearance, you may wonder, how does an artichoke grow? Though they may take some experience, they are great vegetables to grow in your garden.
Artichokes are packed full of health benefits. There are many different tasty ways you can prepare them to enjoy. They are a great vegetable that you can grow in your own home garden with the right experience.
How To Grow Artichokes
Artichoke plants are a type of herbaceous perennials that are part of the Asteraceae family. This group of plants includes thistles, dandelions, and sunflowers.
Artichokes are short-lived perennials when grown in warmer climates but in cooler regions, they are grown as annuals. They are grown for their unique edible flower buds, which people harvest before the flowers open.
Originally, artichokes are from the Mediterranian area. They are still mainly grown here today, but they are also grown commercially in other areas too such as California.
Though commercially they are mainly grown in California, home gardeners grow them all over. However, they’re very large plants so you will need to have plenty of space.
How Does An Artichoke Grow?
Artichokes are commonly described as architectural plants, due to their tall, branching build. They have big, silvery-green leaves that can be prickly and thick stems large flower buds. The buds are the part of the plant we eat and a healthy plant will produce around six to nine buds.
You can grow them without the worry of animals eating them, because very few do. They can be harvested at will, but the unique plants and textural leaves will add an interesting look throughout the season. Despite not being grown commercially in many areas, they can grow well in most regions.
At maturity, artichokes can be three to six feet tall and four to five feet wide. If you grow them at home, you need to have a large garden with plenty of space. Place them four to six feet apart in rows and place the rows six to eight feet apart to make growing and watering easier.
Proper Growing Conditions – How Does An Artichoke Grow
Depending on the climate, artichokes will be planted at different times of the year. If grown in cooler climates as annuals, they should be planted in the spring. In warmer climates, they can grow as perennials and can be planted as seeds in late spring or as young plants in mid-fall.
Artichokes can grow in zones 7-11. They need soil that is well-drained, light, and fertile. You should be certain to plant your artichokes in an area where they can receive full sun.
Ideally, the pH level of the soil should be slightly alkaline. Artichokes prefer warmer, drier weather, which is why they thrive in California and the Mediterranean. If you grow them as a perennial, you will want mild winters and cool, moist summers.
Watering And Fertilizer
Artichokes do best with a balanced vegetable plant food fertilizer that is applied every two weeks during the growing season. They should be watered one to three times a week. This will allow the plant to develop a strong root system while keeping the buds fleshy and tender.
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Varieties
There are a few different varieties of artichokes. Some of the most common varieties include Big Heart, Green Globe, Imperial Star, Purple of Romagna, and Violetto. Green Globe tends to be one of the most popular varieties.
How To Trim An Artichoke
Though it can be tricky at first, trimming an artichoke is a pretty straightforward process once you get the hang of it. After harvesting, it requires a few steps to get them to the point where you can eat them.
To begin, cut off the top third of the artichoke bud using a serrated knife. Next, remove the outer two layers of leaves that are around the stem. Then, you will use kitchen scissors to trim off any sharp tips remaining on the outer leaf.
Peel the stem off the artichoke. If you don’t plan on using the artichoke right away, you can place it in a bowl with lemon water to keep it fresh until you are ready to use it.
Common Ways To Prepare Artichokes
You can cook artichokes in many different ways including steaming, baking, grilling, braising, or stuffing. Steaming is often the most popular way to cook artichokes as it is the easiest.
Artichokes also taste great in dips, salads, soups, stew, and hash. They come with many health benefits including being low in fat and rich in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Growing Your Own Artichokes
Artichokes are a versatile and healthy vegetable that you can grow in your own garden with the proper room and knowledge. They can grow in zones 7-11 and need full sun along with well-drained, light, fertile soil.
Do you have any questions regarding how does an artichoke grow? If so, please ask any questions relating to growing artichokes in the comment section below.
FAQ’s
How Long Does it Take to Grow an Artichoke?
Most artichokes take around 85-100 days to reach harvest once planted. The center of the bud matures the fastest, followed by the sides of the bud.
How Much Water Does it Take to Grow an Artichoke?
Artichokes should be watered thoroughly one to three times a week. This will allow the roots to grow strong and allow the buds to become tender and fleshy. During production season, they will need about 15 inches of water in order to be healthy.
Are Artichokes Easy to Grow?
Artichokes are not particularly hard to grow, but most importantly you need plenty of space to grow them. Most intermediate and advanced gardeners have no problem growing them with the right knowledge. In order to enjoy a bountiful harvest, you need proper planting, watering and pruning.
How Tall Does an Artichoke Plant Grow?
Artichoke plants can grow to be as tall as three to six tall. They can be as wide as four to five feet.
Due to their large size, you need to have plenty of room in your garden to grow artichokes. You should plant them four to six feet apart in rows and the rows should be six to eight feet apart to make growing and watering easier.
February 7, 2022
The Differences Between Greensand Vs Azomite
If you are an avid gardener, you might have looked into the benefits of using Greensand vs Azomite for your plants. As they are both naturally occurring substances, they are used to amend the soil, improving the conditions. They are both particularly popular to use with indoor plants.
Both Greensand and Azomite have advantages and disadvantages for using for your garden. It is important to understand the differences between the two along with the pros and cons so you can decide which one is best for your gardening needs. Both substances can be great options to improve your plants as long as you know how to use them right.
Greensand Vs Azomite
Both Greensand and Azomite are substances that are used in potting mix, primarily for indoor plants though you can use them in outdoor gardens too. They help benefit the soil to help your plants grow strong and healthy.
Greensand is a type of sand also known as sandstone that is greenish in color. It is rich in Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, and Silica and is a popular choice among organic gardeners. It offers great drainage and works well as a fertilizer.
The main ingredient in Greensand is Glauconite, which gives it its green appearance. It is mined in New Jersey from oceanic sedimentary deposits. It has been used by gardeners for decades as a reliable fertilizer
Azomite comes from dust rocked that is mined in Utah. It is the most popular type of rock dust used in gardening. It is extracted from ancient volcanic ashes and it is one of the rarest minerals.
Azomite contains a distinct combination and quality of crystalline minerals unlike any other mineral deposit in the world. It is mainly Silica, but it also contains Boron, Magnesium, Iron, Copper, Potassium, and Zinc. Known as the “A to Z of Minerals” it contains an excellent source of micronutrients plants can benefit from.
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Benefits Of Greensand Vs Azomite
There are many benefits that come with using Greensand for your plants. Since it is natural, it is safer to use than artificial fertilizer.
Greensand works as a natural fertilizer for your plants and since it contains potash, it increases disease resistance in plants. It also adds a free-draining texture and the green color can look great with your plants. Greensand is also non-toxic, so it is safe to use around pets and children.
Greensand is particularly great to use with clay and sandy soils. It can help loosen up clay while helping sandy soil better retain water. It can also enhance soil structure, increase root growth and improve the overall health of your plant.
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Greensand is neutral on the pH scale and is great for providing your soil with essential nutrients. You can use it as a potting mix for indoor plants or for your outdoor garden as well. You can even use it on your lawn as well to improve grass growth and it is safe to use on sensitive plants.
Cons Of Greensand Vs Azomite
If you use too much Greensand, it will end up releasing the nutrients too slowly, not giving them the benefits that they need. Depending on where you live, Greensand can be hard to find and it can get a bit expensive.
Benefits Of Azomite
Azomite is packed full of many beneficial nutrients that plants need. It is natural, so it is safe to use for indoor and outdoor plants.
Azomite can produce larger fruits and vegetables while also improving their taste. It promotes root growth while also improving depleted soil.
Azomite provides 70 micronutrients, many more than traditional fertilizer does and it is safer to use. Though its pH is alkaline, it is safe to use on all types of soil.
Though you can use Azomite with just about any plant, it is particularly great to use with vegetables and fruits. It increases the concentration of sugars and can produce healthier fruits and vegetables. Since it is nontoxic, it is safe to use around pets and children in your household.
Cons Of Azomite Vs Greensand
Since Azomite is rock dust, overexposure from excessive inhalation can lead to problems with your lungs. This, however, is true for all forms of dust. Depending on where you live, it may be hard to find at local garden centers and it can be pricey as well.
Excellent Choices For Your Gardening Needs – Greensand Vs Azomite
Both Greensand and Azomite come with many benefits that outweigh the negatives. Both can be very beneficial fertilizers for your garden and they are both natural and non-toxic, making them safe to use. Your gardens will see many benefits from using either of these natural fertilizers.
Do you have any questions regarding Greensand vs Azomite? If so, please ask any questions in the comment section below regarding these two natural fertilizers for your plants.
FAQ’S
What is Greensand?
Greensand is a type of sandstone that is greenish in appearance. It contains mainly Glauconite and is also full of many beneficial nutrients for your plants. It comes from oceanic sedimentary deposits and is mined in New Jersey.
Greensand is non-toxic and is a great fertilizer to use for clay and sandy soil. You can use it for your indoor plants, outdoor garden and even your lawn.
What Does Azomite Do for Plants?
Azomite provides plants with 70 micronutrients that are beneficial for growth. It can help increase the yields of fruits and vegetables while also making them taste better.
Azomite also promotes root growth while enhancing depleted soil. It is non-toxic and it is safe to use for all soil types.
Greensand or Azomite, Which is Better?
Greensand and Azomite both come with many benefits and can both be used as fertilizers for your plants. They are both safe to use and provide your plants with important nutrients to help them grow.
Azomite releases its nutrients faster and contains more minerals than Greensand, making it the better option for some. It is especially great to use for growing fruits and vegetables. Greensand is still an excellent choice and it is particularly great for clay or sandy soil.
February 7, 2022
Can You Eat Cross Pollinated Squash? Yes Or No?
Can you eat cross-pollinated squash? This is one common question that some growers would like to know and we will answer this in this post. We have different types of squash and they come from the family of Cucurbitaceae plants. Squash examples include zucchini, pumpkins, guard, and the like.
Squash is a type of fruit that has seeds in its internal part and they are derived from a flowering plant of plants.
Cross-pollination happens when two separate plants exchange their pollen grains and pistil to give rise to a new variety that has the characteristic of the two parent plants. Now cross-pollination can occur between different types of squash variety.
It is possible for different squash varieties that are planted close to each other to cross-pollinate even when that is not our intention in the first place. Can you eat cross-pollinated squash? Is cross-pollinated edible the question we would like to know?
So, this article will give you the answer to your troubling questions about if you can eat cross-pollinated squash.
Are Cross Pollinated Squash Edible Or Consumable?
Can you eat cross-pollinated squash? The straight-up answer is that cross-pollinated squash is mostly inedible. It isn’t a good thing to consume cross-pollinated squash. The reason is that they contain a large amount of cucurbitacin. Consuming cross-pollinated squash may simply be toxic to your health.
Now the normal squash contains a reasonable amount of cucurbitacin which is safe for consumption. However, the high concentration of cucurbitacin tends to taste very bitter.
Squash Cross-Pollination
From what we mentioned above, cross-pollination occurs by exchanging male and female gametes between two separate plants to produce offspring. Cross-pollination does occur among squash. If you plant two same or different squash varieties, they may cross-pollinate with each other to yield new offspring.
Cross-pollination can occur in squashes and pumpkins. All these species can cross-pollinate with each other.
Check Out A Guide On When To Pick Basil Leaves
Seed Saving From Squash
It is pretty rewarding to save seeds from your garden. However, you need to be careful of the type of seed being saved particularly if they have been cross-pollinated. If the seeds of cross-pollinated offspring of squash are saved and planted the following year, it may give rise to a totally different plant that is inedible.
Although, not all types of squash are compactable to cross-pollinate. Below we have listed some categories of squash that tend to cross-pollinate with each other.
What Squash Will Cross Pollinate With Other Squash?
As we have mentioned, different squash can cross-pollinate with each other. The following squashes from each group can cross-pollinate with each other.
- Zucchini, acorn, delicata, pattypan, yellow crookneck, and spaghetti squash. Pumpkins and gourds can also cross-pollinate with these groups of squash.
- Buttercup, butternut, Hubbard, and turban squash.
All these plants can be easily cross-pollinated by insects. Their separate male and female flower increase the chances of the female flower becoming fertilized with different pollen grains from a different variety of species or the same species. These combinations of plants may end up yielding inedible fruits.
Read more about What Does An Artichoke Plant Look Like?
Why Cross Pollinated Squash Tends To Be Toxic?
Normally, the plants of the Cucurbitaceae family are meant to produce a toxic compound which is cucurbitacin. This toxic compound usually acts as a natural defense against insects.
This cucurbitacin toxic compound is present in wild squash, cucumbers, as well as other cucurbits in a substantial amounts. So, because of the large amount of cucurbitacin compound in the wild, these types of squash and cucumbers tend to taste very bitter.
However, the domesticated variety often contains a very little amount of this compound that isn’t harmful to humans when consumed. Also, the domesticated squash variety that is grown in the garden and the ones purchased from the stores usually have a less bitter taste. And this is due to the varying amount of bitter compound.
But some factors can cause this bitter and toxic compound to increase its concentration in squash. They are; other product that has been cross-pollinated with wild plants and some types of stress during their growth (stress like lack of water or poor fertilization).
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Therefore, if you come across any squash such as zucchini, pattypan, acorn squash, and the like, and you didn’t plant them in your garden, you should definitely avoid them. Even consuming a small amount of this type of cross-pollinated squash can be pretty toxic to your health.
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Can Insect Pollinating Bees Cross Pollinate Squash?
Squash are insect-pollinated plants. Hence bees can cross-pollinate squash. You may even be growing just one type of squash variety in your garden, bees can simply collect a different pollen grain from your neighborhood and cross-pollinate it with yours. Then this gives rise to new offspring.
As we said, you should totally avoid any type of squash you didn’t plant in your garden. They are simply toxic squash and should be removed from your garden.
How To Avoid Cross-Pollinated Squash In Your Garden
If you wish to avoid cross-pollination between squashes, do the following;
- It is required you separate them by a good distance of one and a half to a mile.
- Additionally, you can build some barriers to drastically reduce the chances of pollinators cross-pollinating your plants. Large barriers such as thick standing trees, a hill, large buildings, and so on may help slow down pollinators from around your neighborhood.
- Furthermore, you can cage or net your entire plants. Or you can simply tape new male and female flowers as they begin to form (i.e. right before they open). But this method usually requires hand pollination of flowers once they are ready to pollinate.
Can Cantaloupe Cross-Pollinate With Zucchini?
It’s unlikely that cantaloupe will cross-pollinate with zucchini. The female flower of each crop will only be fertilized with pollen from the same species. Cantaloupe and zucchini are both members of the Cucurbitaceae family. As a result, these fruits can cross-pollinate. However, the natural occurrence is rare.
Cross-pollination occurs when one plant’s pollen is transferred to another’s stigma. This results in fertilization and the production of seeds. Bees and other critters are responsible for this. It can happen when these insects visit flowers on both plants and transfer pollen from one to the other. Cross-pollination can also occur when pollen is carried by the wind or when humans inadvertently transfer pollen from one plant to another by handling the flowers or plants.
You can separate the plants if you are worried about cross-pollination between your cantaloupe and zucchini crops. Plant them in different areas of your garden or use physical barriers like netting screens to separate them. Alternatively, choose cantaloupe and zucchini varieties that aren’t prone to cross-pollination.
How Do You Cross-Pollinate Zucchini?
To cross-pollinate zucchini, you can follow these steps:
1. Identify the male and female flowers on the zucchini plant. Male flowers have a thin stem on the plant’s main branches. Female flowers have a small, immature zucchini at the base of the flower and are located on the main stem or branches of the plant.
2. Gently remove the petals from a male flower to expose the stamen, which is the pollen-producing part of the flower.
3. Use a small paintbrush or cotton swab to gently dab the stamen on the stigma of a female flower. The stigma is the sticky, receptive part of the female flower that receives the pollen.
4. Repeat this process with multiple female flowers to ensure cross-pollination.
It’s important to know that zucchini plants can also self-pollinate. This means they can produce fruit without cross-pollination. However, cross-pollinating can help improve the genetic diversity of the plant and may result in stronger, healthier plants and fruit.
There are several reasons to consider cross-pollinating your zucchini plants. These include:
Improves Genetic Diversity
Cross-pollination introduces new genetic material into the plant, which can result in offspring with traits that are different from those of their parents. This can lead to plants that are more resistant to diseases and pests and that are better adapted to their environment.
Increased Fruit Production
Cross-pollination can lead to more flowers and fruit, as the plant’s genetics may be more favorable for fruit production.
Improved Fruit Quality
Cross-pollination can result in improved size, shape, and flavor, as well as longer shelf life.
Increased Seed Viability
Cross-pollination can result in seeds that are more viable and able to germinate and grow into healthy plants.
Whether you leave your zucchini plants to self-pollinate or offer a helping hand is up to you. Although cross-pollination has added benefits, it can be tricky to master.
Conclusion
So, we have answered the question; can you eat cross-pollinated squash? Hence, if you encounter a cross-pollinated squash, it is very likely they contain a huge amount of the toxic compound cucurbitacin.
So, do well to avoid eating them so you don’t experience serious illness as a result of consuming them.
FAQ’s
Are Cross Pollinated Squash Edible?
No. Cross pollinated squashes aren’t edible. Because they contain a large amount of cucurbitacin.
What Squash Will Cross Pollinate?
Zucchini, acorn, delicata, patty pan, yellow crookneck, and spaghetti squash are squashes that can cross pollinate each other.
Can Bees Cross Pollinate Squash?
Yes. Bees can pollinate squash because squash are insect pollinated plants.
February 5, 2022
The Easiest Guide On When To Pick Basil Leaves
This guide on when to pick basil leaves will help you discover the right time to pick these herbs when growing them at home.
Basil is a type of herb that is found in the Mediterranean region. It is from the plant family called Lamiaceae, which makes it closely related to other herbs such as mint and sage.
When growing basil at home, you can use the leaves for cooking purposes or just for aesthetic appeal. When harvesting your leaves from this herb, it is important that you only harvest when your leaves are vibrant in color and when they have a nice smell.
When To Pick Basil Leaves
Knowing when to pick basil leaves is important to get the best flavor possible. The right time to pick basil leaves is when they are a deeper green in color and when they have a distinct smell. It is advised that you do not pick basil when it is flowering as this will stop the growth of the plant.
Helpful tips when trying to determine when to harvest your leaves from the basil.
- The best time to harvest basil is when the plant has turned around its development cycle so it can now create new flowers. You can identify when this happens by looking at the stem where the new sprouts grow from. Once these sprouts have started growing, it’s a sign that harvesting will help promote more leaves to grow. Pick young leaves off your plants for aesthetic purposes
- If you just want beautiful-looking leaves on your crops for selling purposes, then picking young leaves when they are smaller and when they have a nice green color will help you achieve this.
- On the other hand, if you want to harvest basil when it is fully mature then allow the plant to grow until it has started producing flowers. Once these flowers start appearing, you can pick them and use them as garnishes or in various recipes for their distinct taste and smell.
Read more about How Much Bone Meal Per Tomato Plant?
When is Basil Ready For Harvest? – When to Pick Basil Leaves
If you are growing basil for cooking purposes, when is it ready to harvest? It takes about 50 days from planting for basil to be ready for harvesting.
Basil seeds can take a few weeks to germinate so when growing seedlings, you will have to wait about 8-9 weeks before harvesting them. The basil plant will be ready to harvest when it is about six to eight inches tall.
Another method that people use when harvesting basil is when the leaves are just starting to branch out. Harvesting basil at an early stage means that you don’t have to wait for too long before your crop is ready to be harvested. You can either pick off individual leaves or cut down the entire stem of the plant if it’s grown big enough.
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How To Pick Basil Leaves So it Keeps Growing
When to pick basil is now clear. But how to harvest basil so it keeps growing more is still a question to many gardeners.
When harvesting basil leaves, choose to pluck the leaves from the top part of the basil stem. This is the part of this plant that is most flavorful.
If you can see flowers developing on the stems, then leave some leaves on there. Note that even if this looks like new growth on the stems, it is still not ready for harvest.
If you want to preserve your basil for several weeks, then using stem cuttings will help you achieve this. Harvest the basil when there are flowers on your plants. Then, put the stem and put it in water until new growth emerges from the stems.
You can use some kind of rooting hormone when doing this method to get the best results when growing new basil plants.
Remember when harvesting basil leaves, don’t forget to pick the stems off your plant. In addition, also make sure you don’t break or cut these too close to your main stem when doing so. This will only cause the plant to lose stability and when this happens, it will no longer produce new shoots when harvested.
What Leaves To Pick Off Basil When Harvesting?
It is not only important to know when to pick basil leaves, but also what leaves to pick. You can pick basil leaves when they are young and when they have a nice green color.
When the plant has flowers starting to grow on its stems, it’s best not to remove them so you can harvest basil for longer periods. This will help preserve some of your plants when growing new ones.
Harvesting the leaves both when they are young and mature helps the basil plant to continue growing.
Take-Home On When To Pick Basil Leaves
When to pick basil leaves is now clear among other essential details. As long as the plant has both flowers on its stems when harvesting, it will keep growing new shoots when you harvest the leaves properly.
If you notice the leaves starting to branch out when harvesting, this means that your plant can continue growing more even as you harvest. You can harvest basil from your plant for a long period without exhausting it if you had provided it with the right growing nutrients.
You will also need to carefully pick the leaves without damaging the plant so that it continues to produce more leaves for days to come.
FAQ’s
Do basil leaves grow back after you pick them?
Yes, the leaves will grow back when you harvest them when they are young and when they have a nice green color.
Where should I cut my basil?
If you are cutting the entire plant when harvesting, then cut it close to the main stem so that you don’t damage it.
When should you pinch basil?
Basil should be pinched when the plant is just starting to grow in readiness for harvesting.
How do you pick basil leaves so it keeps growing?
When harvesting basil, pluck the leaves from the top part of the plant when they have a nice green color. Make sure you don’t break or cut these too close to your main stem when doing so. Harvesting the leaves when they are young and when they have a nice green color helps the basil plant to continue growing when harvesting.
February 2, 2022
Growing Lettuces In Pots – 7 Useful Care Tips!
Growing lettuces in pots is possible if you currently don’t have a garden to grow them in. It comes with several advantages and is a great option for gardeners of all skill levels.
Lettuce is an all-time favorite crunchy vegetable that we all love in our salads, burgers, sandwiches, and everything in between. Lettuce is one of the easiest vegetables to grow. Anyone can successfully grow this plant whether in the garden or in containers.
Growing Lettuces In Pots
Can lettuces be grown in pots? Yes, it is possible to grow lettuce in containers. You can grow them indoors during wintertime or when the climate conditions are not favorable for growing them outside.
Planting lettuce in containers is straightforward. Simply add your potting mix to the container of your choice and leave a few inches from the top of the growing medium to allow for your plants to develop.
You can plant at least one to two lettuce plants per pot for maximum productivity. Ideally, your pot should be at least six to twelve inches in diameter.
From sowing seeds to harvest, this plant takes about one month to mature. Once mature, the leaves are ready for harvesting by simply pinching the leaves.
Lettuce leaves are full of nutritional benefits as they contain potassium, iron, calcium, and vitamins A, B6, and C.
Read more About What Does An Artichoke Plant Look Like?
How Deep Do Containers Need To Be For Lettuce?
Growing lettuce in pots requires good drainage and a well-draining growing medium. To provide the perfect growing conditions that this plant needs, you can create a beautiful garden by growing lettuces in containers.
Start by adding soil into your container followed by an inch layer of coarse sand or gravel then finishing by adding the growing medium. Loose, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter, such as compost and peat, works as the best growing medium for lettuce. The growing medium should be moist but not wet and you can add fertilizers when planting your lettuce plants.
Growing lettuces in pots requires deep containers that have a depth of at least 8 inches to accommodate growing lettuce plants. Their width can be about 8 inches as well, but it is up to you to choose the width you like. You can use plastic, clay, or wooden pots depending on the kind of look you are going for in your garden.
Ensure that your pots have holes in the lower side for proper drainage. Excess water after watering your lettuce plants can cause root rot if they stay stagnant for too long.
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Care Tips for Potted Lettuce
Growing lettuces in pots will need you to provide them with good that includes;
Tip #1: Provide full sun exposure, at least six hours daily
You should, however, protect your growing lettuce from overheating as this can cause slow growth and spoil the leaves.
Tip #2: Provide a well-draining growing medium
Your growing medium must be able to hold the right amount of moisture so that your growing lettuce can take advantage of it. Do not overwater them, but at the same time do not allow the growing medium to dry out completely.
Ensure your pots have good drainage. Since lettuce plants need a moist growing medium, excess water tends to accumulate in their pots and starts rotting their roots if not drained properly. Provide holes at the bottom side of the container for proper drainage.
Tip #3: Consistent watering
Keep the growing medium moist but not soggy or wet to encourage deep root growth. You can monitor its moisture by sticking your finger into the growing medium. If it feels dry then you should water them again.
Tip #4: Fertilize it
Add your fertilizer when you plant them to encourage faster growth. If you are growing them in containers, it is best during a liquid fertilizer every week during the first month. You can also use organic manure to fertilize your growing medium before planting your lettuce. Organic manure has more nutrients than a regular growth medium.
Tip #5: Avoid temperature shock
If you are growing your lettuce in containers outdoors during springtime, avoid exposing them to temperature shock. If the light conditions change from sunny to cloudy, ensure that they have quick access to shade by moving their pots accordingly.
Tip #6: Protect them from disease
If growing lettuce outdoors, avoid placing them too close to other plants because this can lead to disease issues such as mildew.
Tip #7: Harvest when ready
This is one of the best parts because you get to enjoy fresh homegrown lettuce leaves! The harvesting technique depends on which type you are growing (head or leaf) but generally it involves cutting off mature leaves by slicing them off with a sharp knife.
You’ve finished growing your lettuces! Now it is time to eat them up… But remember… they need to be washed before eating because lettuces contain natural protection mechanisms against predators that function even if picked. It is recommended not to wash them too much though, but just enough for any dust or debris off the leaves. Once clean they’re ready for consumption! Bon Appetit!
Lettuce growing in pots is a great way to have fresh lettuce year-round, even when growing seasons are not so favorable for growing outside.
You can easily grow lettuce in pots with the tips provided above, but you will need to pay more attention to keeping its growing medium moist. Without this consistency of maintaining medium moisture, your lettuce may suffer from root rot or other issues that can lead to poor growth.
Conclusion
Growing lettuces in pots are quite simple and provide many benefits and the luxury of growing almost anywhere without worrying about pests or diseases that may affect your garden.
You can easily move them outside when the growing season starts or bring them inside when growing seasons end – thus extending your growing season. With good lighting and proper moisture growing lettuce in pots is easy!
FAQ’S
How do you keep potted lettuce alive?
You can ensure growing lettuce in pots by having consistent moisture in a growing medium. Water them when the growing medium is dry so the growing lettuce has the water it needs to survive.
Does lettuce need full sun?
Lettuce growing in pots requires partial sun. The partial sun generally means a few hours of indirect sunlight per day. If growing your lettuce indoors, be sure to use a window sill that receives bright light throughout the day.
How do you harvest lettuce so it keeps growing?
You can harvest growing lettuces by cutting off leaves that are ready for eating. If growing in pots, be sure to take care not to harm growing lettuce roots/medium when harvesting, as the growing lettuce is likely potted.
February 2, 2022
What Does An Artichoke Plant Look Like?
What does an artichoke plant look like and what features does it have that will cause you to identify it easily?
Artichokes are a much-loved delicacy that most Americans love to eat. However, what many do not know is that it takes a lot of time and commitment to grow your artichokes. It can take up to 85-100 days for artichokes to be ready to harvest. But once mature, it will produce what looks like a big purple and green center bud with little yellow flowers.
It takes at least one year before what comes out of that bud is edible. However, it takes even longer than that if you want really large artichokes!
What Does An Artichoke Plant Look Like?
How do you identify an artichoke plant? Identifying an artichoke plant is easy because of its very unique look.
An artichoke plant starts as a baby bud and grows into what looks like a large green bush with spiky leaves. When fully grown, the center of the plant will have what looks like a big purple bud with little yellow flowers on it.
When this flower bud blossoms, something might come out of it that looks like an artichoke! If you leave the baby buds on the plant, what you will be left with is what looks like a purple and green center.
It can take up to one year before what comes out of that bud is edible. However, you will need to wait longer than that if you want really large artichokes!
How Long Does It Take To Grow An Artichoke?
If you intend to grow your artichokes, don’t be shocked if they take too long to grow. The total growing time for artichokes can be up to 180 days.
When started from seed, how long does it take for artichokes to germinate? It takes at least 10 to 21 days to germinate.
Once germinated, give them some time to grow some more before transplanting them. It can take up to 60 days until they are ready to be planted outside.
Transplant them at least two weeks after the last frost date has passed and the soil has warmed up. Once transplanted, artichokes will take about one year. Most artichoke plants are ready to harvest within 80-100 days. If you want to grow really large artichokes, it will take even longer!
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How Many Artichokes Do You Get From One Plant?
How many artichokes you get from one plant varies by the time your artichoke plant starts producing buds? There’s a chance that what comes out of the artichoke flower is a tiny thing no bigger than a broccolini. It can take up to three years for this size to grow.
However, if you want something in between, maybe the size of a regular store-bought one. The number also depends on how long it takes the plant to grow what looks like a big purple bud with little yellow flowers.
A full-grown artichoke plant produces at least 10 to 20 mature artichokes for a period of two to three weeks during the artichoke flower’s blooming period.
So bottom line, the number of mature artichokes you can get from one plant varies.
For example, you could get as many as five to ten if the plant takes less than 20 months. However, most artichoke plants provide six to nine buds per plant.
Some artichoke plants will produce smaller buds that are more numerous. This will happen if it takes less than 10 months to grow the big purple bud with little yellow flowers.
Final Thoughts On What Does An Artichoke Plant Look Like
So what does an artichoke plant look like? Once you identify what does an artichoke plant look like, you can also learn how long it takes to grow this plant. These flower-like edible buds are beautiful to look at as you await them to grow to maturity. Though a much-loved delicacy, artichokes take a long time to grow, however, they are worth the wait.
So next time you think of growing your artichokes, be patient enough to allow them to grow to maturity. When you practice patience, you will surely enjoy a good crop from the sumptuous artichokes.
Want to share recipes that you can make from artichokes so we also get to try them? Let us know in the comments below.
FAQ’S
Where can you buy an artichoke plant?
You can buy a young artichoke plant from your local nursery. It’s also possible to purchase a young artichoke plant that looks like it has a big purple bud with little yellow flowers from online nurseries.
What does an artichoke plant look like?
The best way to tell what an artichoke plant looks like is by its leaves. They look similar to what you’ll find on an asparagus plant because they are fern-like and delicate looking. Another way that you can identify what an artichoke plant looks like is the center of the bud – it is purple and green.
What do artichokes look like when they bloom?
One way to tell what looks like what an artichoke flower looks like is by the sounds they make. When you touch them, they sound similar to how silk feels when you rub your hands against them.
February 2, 2022
Ebb And Flow Hydro Systems
Hydroponics gardens are excellent ways of growing different plants without soil and ebb and flow hydro systems are one type of hydroponic system. Ebb and flow hydro systems are fairly easy to use if you have the right knowledge and you can set them up easily.
Ebb and flow hydro systems are a versatile hydroponic system that is widely recognized and they are also regarded as flood and drain systems.
Understanding the principle of ebb and flow system setup is a great way to go about building, using, and maintaining this hydroponic system.
In this article, you will find out how to set up an ebb and flow system, the advantages and disadvantages of it, the best growing medium to use for this system, and so on. So, let’s delve in and discuss more on the ebb and flow hydro system.
Ebb And Flow Hydroponic System
As we mentioned, the ebb and flow hydro system is a type of hydroponics system and it is also referred to as a flood and drain system.
This type of hydroponic is a versatile system as it can accommodate containers or pots of different sizes. They can even be customized to grow just about any kind of plant and achieve great results.
How Do You Set Up An Ebb And Flow Hydroponic System?
The setup of ebb and flow may vary depending on how you wish to customize your setup. However, you should know that all these different set up works under the same concept.
The main components to set up an ebb and flow system are plant tray, timer, nutrient solution reservoir, and submersible pump.
· Plant Or Flood Tray
This plant tray is a big and shallow container. It is also referred to as the flood tray. This is where the plants are placed in pots that are perforated and filled with growing medium. The flood or plant tray is always flooded by pumping nutrient-filled water from the reservoir below.
So, the nutrient-filled water flows from the pot below up into the plant’s root. Then the water is drained back outside and this allows the root of the plant to become dry and receives oxygen. Then after this, the tray is flooded again and the mechanism continues.
· Reservoir, Timer, And Submersible Pump Action
Directly below the flood or plant tray, you will find the reservoir. The setup from the reservoir connects to the flood tray through a drain tube or fill tube. The drain tube is connected to the submersible pump with a timer. This timer help control the flow of water up into the flood tray.
Then the power of gravity allows the tube to be pulled back out and drained into the reservoir once the plant tray has been flooded. So, the water is reused as this mechanism is repeated time and time again.
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This nutrient-filled water from the reservoir can be reused for up to a week. But the nutrient-filled water will need to be changed so to maintain and renew nutrients for the plants.
Customization of your ebb and flow hydro system is possible with the timer and submersible pump. It allows you to control the length and frequency of watering according to your garden or plant needs.
Check Out When To Harvest Oyster Mushrooms – Guide On The Best Harvest Time
What Is The Best Grow Medium For Ebb And Flow?
When it comes to the best-growing media to be used in your ebb and flow hydro systems, any grow media is actually great to be used. Anything from coco coir to Hydroton, perlite, Rockwool, oasis cubes, and so on.
What Is A Major Advantage Of The Ebb And Flow System?
We have discussed the setup of ebb and flow hydro systems. Now let’s delve into the advantages they offer:
- Affordability: this type of hydro system is pretty affordable and efficient. It is a low-cost hydroponic system that can save you money especially if you build it yourself.
- No expertise is Needed: you don’t need to be an expert to set up the ebb and flow hydro system. This is in comparison to other complex and expensive hydroponic system that usually requires the knowledge of an expert. Hence, it is easy to build a hydroponic system.
- Easy Operation: the operation of this hydroponic system is also pretty easy. Just make sure optimal nutrient solution is always available to your plants.
- Abundant Nutrient Supply for Plants: additionally, your plants get abundant nutrient supply because of the flood and drain concept. Your plant or grow tray is frequently flooded with nutrient-filled water. This is beneficial to plants such as strawberries that need heavy loads of nutrients.
- Little to no Technical Assistance or Supervision: again, this hydro system doesn’t need too much supervision and maintenance. Therefore, little to no technical assistance will be required. When it comes to using these ebb and flow hydro systems, your chances of achieving great success with plants that don’t do well in other hydroponic systems are increased. For instance, you can grow plants such as beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, and other media to large-sized plants.
Read more about Vertical Hydroponics System
What Are The Disadvantages Of Ebb And Flow?
Even though ebb and flow hydro systems offer great benefits, there are still some cons to this hydroponic system. They include:
1. Possible PH Fluctuation: There is the possibility of pH fluctuation if the system fails. It may cause water to overflow into the containers and consequently flood the pants in your flood trays. Hence, this causes unbearable pH that can have harmful effects on your farm.
2. Possible Power Failure: Any equipment failure that may be due to power failure can cause your system not to operate. Thereby causing system failure.
3. Possible Breakdown of The System: Your ebb and flow system may break down due to any little mistake. This is why you need to be extra careful with setting up your system. The most common breakdown experienced by most growers is with their pumping machines.
Conclusion
Ebb and flow hydro systems are easy to use hydroponic and they are also cost-effective. This hydroponic system is versatile and customizable. Hence, this makes it an excellent choice for hobbyist hydroponic rowers.
FAQ’S
How Do You Set Up An Ebb And Flow Hydroponic System?
The set up of ebb and flow may vary depending on how you wish to customize your set up. However, you should know that all these different set up works under the same concept.
The main components to set up an ebb and flow system are plant tray, timer, nutrient solution reservoir, and submersible pump.
• Plant or flood tray
This plant tray is a big and shallow container. It is also referred to as the flood tray. This is where the plants are placed in pots that are perforated and filled with growing medium. The flood or plant tray is always flooded by pumping nutrient-filled water from the reservoir below.
So, the nutrient-filled water flows from the pot below up into the plant’s root. Then the water is drained back outside and this allows the root of the plant to become dry and receives oxygen. Then after this, the tray is flooded again and the mechanism continues.
• Reservoir, timer, and submersible pump action
Directly below the flood or plant tray, you will find the reservoir. The set up from the reservoir connects to the flood tray through a drain tube or fill tube. The drain tube is connected to the submersible pump with a timer. This timer help control the flow of water up into the flood tray.
Then the power of gravity allows the tube to be pulled back out and drained into the reservoir once the plant tray has been flooded. So, the water is reused as this mechanism is repeated time and time again.
This nutrient-filled water from the reservoir can be reused for up to a week. But the nutrient-filled water will need to be changed so to maintain and renew nutrients for the plants.
Customization of your ebb and flow hydro system is possible with the timer and submersible pump. It allows you to control the length and frequency of watering according to your garden or plant needs.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Ebb And Flow?
Even though ebb and flow hydro systems offer great benefits, there are still some cons to this hydroponic system. They include:
1. Possible PH fluctuation: there is the possibility of pH fluctuation if the system fails. It may cause water to overflow into the containers and consequently flood the pants in your flood trays. Hence, this causes unbearable pH that can have harmful effects on your farm.
2. Possible power failure: any equipment failure that may be due to power failure can cause your system not to operate. Thereby causing system failure.
3. Possible breakdown of the system: your ebb and flow system may break down due to any little mistake. This is why you need to be extra careful with setting up your system. The most common breakdown experienced by most growers is with their pumping machines.
What Is A Major Advantage Of The Ebb And Flow System?
We have discussed the set up of ebb and flow hydro systems. Now let’s delve into the advantages they offer:
1. Affordability: this type of hydro system is pretty affordable and efficient. It is a low cost hydroponic system that can save you money especially if you build it yourself.
2. No expertise is needed: you don’t need to be an expert to set up the ebb and flow hydro system. This is in comparison to other complex and expensive hydroponic system that usually requires the knowledge of an expert. Hence, it is an easy to build a hydroponic system.
3. Easy operation: the operation of this hydroponic system is also pretty easy. Just make sure optimal nutrient solution is always available to your plants.
4. Abundant nutrient supply for plants: additionally, your plants get abundant nutrient supply because of the flood and drain concept. Your plant or grow tray is frequently flooded with nutrient-filled water. This is beneficial to plants such as strawberries that need heavy loads of nutrients.
5. Little to no technical assistance or supervision: again, this hydro system doesn’t need too much supervision and maintenance. Therefore, little to no technical assistance will be required. When it comes to using these ebb and flow hydro systems, your chances of achieving great success with plants that don’t do well in other hydroponic systems are increased. For instance, you can grow plants such as beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, and other media to large sized plants.
What Is The Best Grow Medium For Ebb And Flow?
When it comes to the best growing media to be used in your ebb and flow hydro systems, any grow media is actually great to be used. Anything from coco coir to Hydroton, perlite, Rockwool, oasis cubes, and so on.
January 31, 2022
When To Harvest Oyster Mushrooms – Guide On The Best Harvest Time
Do you know when to harvest oyster mushrooms? In this guide, you will learn or find out how and when you can correctly harvest oyster mushrooms.
One mushroom variety that is commonly loved by most gardeners is oyster mushrooms. When it comes to growing oyster mushrooms, it can be a fairly easy thing to do so far you have the right knowledge on how to go about it.
So, once you’re done growing your oyster mushroom, the right time to harvest is also important to know. This is so you harvest them properly and you don’t keep them past their due date.
So, in this article, we will be looking into when to harvest oyster mushrooms. So, keep on reading to know more about the harvesting period for oyster mushrooms.
When To Harvest Oyster Mushrooms
Getting to know when to harvest oyster mushrooms is pretty important so you don’t keep them past their due date harvest them too early.
So, the stage we gardeners are always anticipating when growing our oyster mushroom is the harvesting period. We would like to know when to harvest oyster mushrooms.
Once, you’ve successfully introduced your spawn and inoculated it into the growing medium of your choice, then your mushroom should begin to fruit.
The fruiting stage is the phase to look out for as this is the stage you should start getting ready to harvest your oyster mushrooms. This is because as fruiting begins, things tend to move very fast so far you are maintaining nicely hydrated fungus.
So, fruiting usually commences once the substrate has been entirely colonized by the spawn. This fruiting you see is the last surviving response of the mycelium.
During this fruiting period, you should begin to notice your mushrooms growing bigger every hour. Therefore, it is imperative you keep a close eye on your mushrooms and start preparing to harvest your oyster mushrooms. This is so your mushroom doesn’t grow too big and dry.
Click Here to Learn more about:
- Grow Room Cost Calculator
- Hydroponics Medium Types
How Do You Know When Oyster Mushrooms Are Ready?
So, to know when to harvest oyster mushrooms, there are some physical characteristics you should notice.
Once you notice your oyster mushrooms are starting to flatten out at the top of the edges or they begin to turn upwards, then it’s time to harvest. They should be harvested at this point and harvesting should not be delayed so they don’t start to drop lots of spores.
Although, this stage may be quite confusing to judge particularly if it’s your first time growing oyster mushroom. But with frequent practice and the right guide, you should become familiar with it.
Additionally, if you see that your oyster mushrooms are growing larger, then harvesting time is set. Also, if they are beginning to dry out or they are dropping lots of dust, then it’s time to harvest. Drying out is a sign that the oyster mushroom has been left to grow longer and should have been harvested sooner. But you can still go ahead and harvest them.
Furthermore, when you buy a complete mushroom kit, it usually comes with instructions for you to know the particular time frame for picking your oyster mushroom. You can follow this time frame and work on it.
You can also make an estimate of when your oyster mushroom should be ready depending on the conditions your mushroom grew under.
Read more about When To Plant Bush Beans
How To Harvest Oyster Mushrooms
When it comes to harvesting your oyster mushroom, you should aim to harvest the edge of the mushroom cap once you see these caps have begun to flatten out. These mushroom caps can be twisted with your hands or you can cut the cluster off with a sharp knife or scissors.
How Long Do Oyster Mushrooms Take To Grow?
Oyster mushrooms are easy to grow and they are fast growers. They can grow as fast as 20 days or they may take some weeks. However, how fast they grow usually depends on the type of species you’re growing and the process by which you choose to grow them.
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Here are a few things to consider you should know about how long your oyster mushroom may take to grow:
- If you’re just buying a complete mushroom grow kit and just fruiting, then it can take around 10 days for the mushroom to form.
- The type of oyster mushroom species you choose can also determine the period length they tend to grow.
- If you are using a low nutrient regime, then it may take longer to grow.
- Using a high nutrient substrate on the other hand can increase your yield and fruiting can happen faster. However, a high nutrient plan requires sterilizing media, and a lab is required for inoculations.
- Some substrate can also determine how fast your oyster mushroom can grow. Some of these substrates include straw, toilet paper, woodchips, etc. These substrates can take around 3 to 5 weeks to grow. But using substrates such as logs for instance can take about 6 months or more to grow.
How Many Times Can You Harvest Oyster Mushrooms?
You can harvest your mushroom about 3 times before the mycelium fruit is exhausted. And you can get a new flush of mushrooms approximately every 10 days for 5 to weeks depending on the variety of oyster mushrooms.
How Do You Store Oyster Mushrooms After Harvesting?
Now that we know when and how to harvest our oyster mushrooms, then let’s get to know how to store them.
So, after harvesting your oyster mushroom, you should wrap them in a damp paper towel. Then put them in a brown paper bag. Once you do this, it will stop them from drying out.
Then you should keep your wrapped oyster mushroom at the bottom of the fridge with other vegetables. This part shouldn’t be as cold as other parts of the fridge.
When To Harvest Oyster Mushrooms Conclusion
Oyster mushrooms are great-tasting mushrooms that you and your family can eat and they are very healthy. Harvesting these mushrooms is pretty easy and we have given you some good tips on how to go about it. So, do well to look through our guide.
FAQ’S
How Long Do Oyster Mushrooms Take To Grow?
Oyster mushrooms are easy to grow and they are fast growers. They can grow as fast as 20 days or they may take some weeks. However, how fast they grow usually depends on the type of species you’re growing and the process by which you choose to grow them.
Here are a few things to consider you should know about how long your oyster mushroom may take to grow:
• If you’re just buying a complete mushroom grow kit and just fruiting, then it can take around 10 days for the mushroom to form.
• The type of oyster mushroom species you choose can also determine the period length they tend to grow.
• If you are using a low nutrient regime, then it may take longer to grow.
• Using a high nutrient substrate on the other hand can increase your yield and fruiting can happen faster. However, a high nutrient plan requires sterilizing media, and a lab is required for inoculations.
• Some substrate can also determine how fast your oyster mushroom can grow. Some of these substrates include straw, toilet paper, woodchips, etc. These substrates can take around 3 to 5 weeks to grow. But using substrates such as logs for instance can take about 6 months or more to grow.
How To Harvest Oyster Mushrooms
When it comes to harvesting your oyster mushroom, you should aim to harvest the edge of the mushroom cap once you see these caps have begun to flatten out. These mushroom caps can be twisted with your hands or you can cut the cluster off with a sharp knife or scissors.
How Do You Know When Oyster Mushrooms Are Ready?
So, to know when to harvest oyster mushrooms, there are some physical characteristics you should notice.
Once you notice your oyster mushrooms are starting to flatten out at the top of the edges or they begin to turn upwards, then it’s time to harvest. They should be harvested at this point and harvesting should not be delayed so they don’t start to drop lots of spores.
Although, this stage may be quite confusing to judge particularly if it’s your first time growing oyster mushroom. But with frequent practice and the right guide, you should become familiar with it.
Additionally, if you see that your oyster mushrooms are growing larger, then harvesting time is set. Also, if they are beginning to dry out or they are dropping lots of dust, then it’s time to harvest. Drying out is a sign that the oyster mushroom has been left to grow longer and should have been harvested sooner. But you can still go ahead and harvest them.
Furthermore, when you buy a complete mushroom kit, it usually comes with instructions for you to know the particular time frame for picking your oyster mushroom. You can follow this time frame and work on it.
You can also make an estimate of when your oyster mushroom should be ready depending on the conditions your mushroom grew under.
How Many Times Can You Harvest Oyster Mushrooms?
You can harvest your mushroom about 3 times before the mycelium fruit is exhausted. And you can get a new flush of mushrooms approximately every 10 days for 5 to weeks depending on the variety of oyster mushrooms.
How Do You Store Oyster Mushrooms After Harvesting?
Now that we know when and how to harvest our oyster mushrooms, then let’s get to know how to store them.
So, after harvesting your oyster mushroom, you should wrap them in a damp paper towel. Then put them in a brown paper bag. Once you do this, it will stop them from drying out.
Then you should keep your wrapped oyster mushroom at the bottom of the fridge with other vegetables. This part shouldn’t be as cold as other parts of the fridge.
January 31, 2022
Grow Room Cost Calculator
Do you have a grow room where different sizes of plants are grown in a controlled environment? If the answer is yes. Then a grow room cost calculator is important for proper planning. So, let’s discuss grow room cost calculator.
A typical or a commercial grow root setup is fast becoming a thing in the United State. Electricity will surely be required in your grow room. So, calculating the cost of electricity for your grow room and other things to be used is essential so you can understand how to run your system and so you don’t go out of budget.
It may be pretty confusing calculating the cost of electricity that your grow will consume. But with the right knowledge, you can work your way around it.
So, this is why we would be discussing grow room cost calculator so you can plan your indoor garden properly.
How Much Would A Grow Room Cost?
The cost of your grow room usually depends on some factors. You need to factor in all the equipment and supplies to determine the cost you will be using inside your grow room. But you can read below to have a brief idea of the cost of a grow room.
How Much Does It Cost To Start A Growing Operation?
Before you begin making serious plans to start a grow room operation, you need to ask yourself how much the cost for a grow room operation is. It is a very crucial question so you can make proper plans.
Answering this question may not be so easy or straightforward, but we would give you some clue as to the estimated cost so you can be enlightened on this.
Now when it comes to estimating the cost of grow-room operation, there are some things or factors that need to be considered when establishing the operation cost.
Factors such as light, temperature, ventilation, irrigation, climate control, and so on should be considered. This is because all these things need to be artificially controlled.
However, an average estimate for a grow room cost operation for a large-scale operation is around 42 dollars per square foot. But this estimated cost can vary in many ways and this depends on the type of facilities and cultivation methods.
Take for example; when we are referring to the start-up cost per square foot for a greenhouse, it is around 50 dollars. Then for an indoor grow room cost on the other hand is around 75 dollars per square foot. But outdoor cultivation is the least expensive at around 10 dollars per square foot.
But let’s generally look into more details on some factors that can determine the cost of grow room so that you can make proper plans.
Grow Room Cost Calculator: Some Factor To Determine Cost
- Light
Grow lights are essential for an indoor room cost calculator. So, when it comes to grow-light. We have two most common types and they are light-emitting diodes (LED) and high-intensity discharge (HID). LED grow lights usually cost more while HID is moderately priced.
However, HID grow light emits lots of heat and can increase the cost of your climate control. LED on the other hand doesn’t generate too much heat. They only tend to be more expensive. However, LED grow light may consume more electricity thereby making you save more money eventually.
- Climate Control And Temperature
You need to have an upper hand regarding the climate control of your grow room. This is because climate control tends to have a good impact on the well-being and profit of your plants. This is particularly important when it comes to temperature. Air circulation and humidity are also other climate conditions to factor in.
Therefore, you should put things in place such as fans, air conditioners, and so on.
- Irrigation
Even hand watering can be used in your grow room; making use of an ideal irrigation system will make things much easier for you. Also, the ideal irrigation system will deliver the appropriate amount of water to each of your plants.
VIVOSUN 48” x 48” x 80” Hydroponic Mylar Grow Tent with Observation Window
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Grow Room Electricity Calculator
Grow room cost calculator can be estimated using the formula: Cost of electricity x Number of hours x Watts/ 1000) = Total cost
So, let’s look into each part of the equation above to determine how to get our values for the equation.
- Cost Of Electricity
The cost of electricity is mainly what you pay for your electricity and this is mostly found in your electricity bill. The cost of electricity is measured in kWh.
- Number Of Hours
You will need to run your electrical appliance in your grow room. This needs to be estimated.
For instance, most growers like to keep their grow light on for about 18 hours. Then switch the grow light off for about 12 hours just to give the plant some rest. This is to achieve a light and dark phase for your plants.
On the other hand, some growers can opt to keep their grow lights all through 24 hours every day because it helps speed up the vegetative phase.
- Watts
With the different electrical appliances, you have in your grow room, they all will draw some number of watts from the wall. These electrical appliances include grow-light, rotating fans, exhaust, and so on. All these electrical appliance wattage needs to be calculated. Grow room cost calculator needs their values to estimate the cost of your grow room.
So, after obtaining all these listed above values, you can input them into the equation. Then divide it by 1000 just to convert the number of watts to KiloWatts (kW).
Do Grow Lights Use A Lot Of Electricity?
The electricity used by your grow light usually depends on the type of grow light used. The most common grow light known to indoor growers are light-emitting diodes (LED) and high-intensity discharge (HID).
Even though LED grow lights are usually more expensive than HID, LED grow light usually consumes lesser wattage compared to HID grow lights. LED also offers bright light with lesser wattage. HID on the other hand consumes more wattage and doesn’t give much brightness,
Grow Light Cost Calculator – Additional Say
You can calculate your grow light cost by knowing the amount of time you will be running your grow light. You should note that different stages of the plant phase (vegetative, flowering, and fruiting) require different light duration.
Then figure out the actual wattage your grow light consumes from the wall to determine the grow light cost.
FAQs
How Much Would A Grow Room Cost?
The cost of your grow room usually depends on some factors. You need to factor in all the equipment and supplies to determine the cost you will be using inside your grow room. But you can read below to have a brief idea of the cost of a grow room.
How Much Does It Cost To Start A Growing Operation?
Before you begin making serious plans to start a grow room operation, you need to ask yourself how much the cost for a grow room operation is. It is a very crucial question so you can make proper plans.
Answering this question may not be so easy or straightforward, but we would give you some clue as to the estimated cost so you can be enlightened on this.
Now when it comes to estimating the cost of grow room operation, there are some things or factors that need to be considered when establishing the operation cost.
Factors such as light, temperature, ventilation, irrigation, climate control, and so on should be considered. This is because all these things need to be artificially controlled.
However, an average estimate for a grow room cost operation for a large-scale operation is around 42 dollars per square foot. But this estimated cost can vary in many ways and this depends on the type of facilities and cultivation methods.
Take for example; when we are referring to the start-up cost per square foot for a greenhouse, it is around 50 dollars. Then for an indoor grow room cost on the other hand is around 75 dollars per square foot. But outdoor cultivation is the least expensive at around 10 dollars per square foot.
But let’s generally look into more details on some factors that can determine the cost of grow room so that you can make proper plans;
Do Grow Lights Use A Lot Of Electricity?
The electricity used by your grow light usually depends on the type of grow light used. The most common grow light known to indoor growers are light emitting diodes (LED) and high intensity discharge (HID).
Even though LED grow lights are usually more expensive than HID, LED grow light usually consumes lesser wattage compared to HID grow lights. LED also offers bright light with lesser wattage. HID on the other hand consumes more wattage and doesn’t give much brightness,
January 31, 2022
Hydroponics Medium Types
Let’s talk hydroponics medium types. Hydroponics medium is one of the types of growing medium that may be used for growing plants. A growing medium basically involves any solid material which may be fibers, sponge, pebbles, shreds, or barks. These materials are used to hold nutrient solutions and then slowly released to plant roots.
So, when using the hydroponic system, the grower does not depend on soil to support plants and supply nutrients. You would rather depend on a selected hydroponic media to provide support for the roots and maintain water content.
While there are different systems of hydroponics you should know about, these systems work on the basis of suitable materials. This means that the growing media you chose for growing your plants will be as important as the system you use them in.
The hydroponics growing medium involves the selection of a wide variety of growing media to be used. This is a guide on how to use the hydroponic growing media and the hydroponics medium types are also discussed. The strength of the different growing media is also discussed.
Before we delve into the major hydroponics medium types, let’s discuss what the medium of hydroponics truly means.
What Is The Medium Of Hydroponics?
The growing medium of hydroponics involves a system where the plant growing medium takes the place of soil. The medium does not act as a nutrient provider like the soil but serves as a support to keep the plant upright. Virtually inert materials are used as a growing medium.
The Hydroponics growing medium basically involves a simple soil-less material that is largely porous. This feature makes it possible for moisture and oxygen to be well circulated to the root system of the plant. Where a non-porous hydroponic material is used, there will be a need for more watering.
The use of hydroponics growing medium and continuous watering of plants with ordinary water will not yield fruits. For you to get any meaningful result, you must water the plant with nutrient-filled nutrients. This is because, unlike the soil, the hydroponics medium lacks nutrients for growth.
Although it cannot be said that one hydroponic growing media is better than another, some are easier to use. There are however a lot of factors that must be considered when picking a growing media. The system with which you will use it, and how it’s designed are big factors to consider.
The goal of a hydroponic system is basically to keep the roots of plants moist- not saturated nor soggy. Where the growing system allows for too much water, the roots will suffocate from lack of oxygen. This would very easily lead to root dying or rot.
Major Hydroponic Growing Media
The following are the major types of hydroponics growing media:
·         Coconut Coir
Also referred to as coco coir; it is made from the outer husk of coconuts. Coco coir is a byproduct made from the rough, brown, fibrous husks of coconuts. It is an entirely organic material that holds water exceptionally well and allows for proper aeration. It is also an eco-friendly material, completely renewable, and can easily be composted when no longer needed. Most users use it alongside other media like perlite for best results.
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·         Rockwool – Hydroponics Medium Types
This is a fascinating material for hydroponic growing media for plants. This material is created by melting rock and thereafter spinning it into fibers. The Rockwool fibers are thereafter compressed into cubes of different sizes used for hydroponic plant growing.
This media has good water retention abilities and excellent aeration. The drawbacks of this media are that it is not environmentally friendly and it has high pH content. The dust from the fiber may also cause a serious irritant to the eyes.
·         Expanded Clay Pellets
This is one of the most used hydroponic media used in recent times. It is made by expanding clay so as to form round balls of porous material. The clay pellets have the advantage of having a neutral pH level, being reusable, and releasing almost no nutrients to the soil.
·         Rocks And Gravel
Natural rocks gravel processed from rocks such as perlite and vermiculite are also used as growing media. They have the advantage of being cheap, readily available, and drain very well. The downside however is that they are heavy and hold very little water. This makes them very undesirable in systems where the root relies on some water.
·         Perlite – Hydroponics Medium Types
This is one of the most common growing media. Perlite is usually made from volcanic glass. When the volcanic glass which normally contains tiny pockets of water is subjected to high temperature, the water expands.
This expansion creates thousands of tiny pores from which perlite is gotten. Due to the small size of the perlite, it is used to add drainage, water, and air to a plant growing medium.
Hydroponic Growing Medium Alternatives
If you are not interested in using hydroponic growing media, you may consider the use of hydroponic alternatives. Below are some growing alternatives:
- Sawdust: the use of sawdust has recorded some success as a hydroponic growing medium alternative. There are lots of factors that come into play in determining how well this works. The type of wood used and how pure such wood was are a few. Also, there is a high possibility of sawdust being contaminated by diseases or pathogens.
- Rice Hulls: this is the byproduct of the rice milling process. This process usually involves the use of the coating of unprocessed rice which has peeled off. This alternative is usually used in places where rice processing is largely a practice.
- Sand: sand is another widely used alternative to the hydroponic growing medium. One major con with the use of sand is that it lacks the ability to retain water and it has very poor aeration abilities. Sand is usually packed together making it difficult for roots to be exposed to air. It however has the advantage of being readily available.
Hydroponics Medium Types Conclusion
Hydroponics Medium is a system as you have seen above that can be used for plant cultivation. It largely involves the absence of soil when growing plants. It offers plants the advantage of media with water retention abilities and excellent aeration.
Some of the major hydroponic media and their alternatives are discussed above. If you are interested in trying out this method of plant cultivation, this should be a good guide for you.
FAQ’s
What Is The Medium Of Hydroponics?
The growing medium of hydroponics involves a system where the plant growing medium takes the place of soil. The medium does not act as a nutrient provider like the soil but serves as a support to keep the plant upright. Virtually inert materials are used as a growing medium.
The Hydroponics growing medium basically involves a simple soil-less material that is largely porous. This feature makes it possible for moisture and oxygen to be well circulated to the root system of the plant. Where a non-porous hydroponic material is used, there will be a need for more watering.
The use of hydroponics growing medium and continuous watering of plants with ordinary water will not yield fruits. For you to get any meaningful result, you must water the plant with nutrient-filled nutrients. This is because, unlike the soil, the hydroponics medium lacks nutrients for growth.
Although it cannot be said that one hydroponic growing media is better than another, some are easier to use. There are however a lot of factors that must be considered when picking a growing media. The system with which you will use it, and how it’s designed are big factors to consider.
The goal of a hydroponic system is basically to keep the roots of plants moist- not saturated nor soggy. Where the growing system allows for too much water, the roots will suffocate from lack of oxygen. This would very easily lead to root dying or rot.
January 31, 2022

Hydroponic Nutrient Chart For Vegetables – Helpful Guide To Follow

Hydroponic nutrient chart for vegetables can help guide you on the nutrient regime to give your vegetable plants. We will be giving you a helpful tip on the hydroponic nutrient chart here for your vegetables so you can have proper guidance on the nutrients to provide your plants so they can flourish and yield great results.

Hydroponics majorly deals with growing plants in the absence of soil in which soil is replaced by water. The nutrient solution is usually dissolved in this water and it supplies the plant the required nutrient to grow.

But do you actually know the type or amount of nutrient plan to supply your vegetables? Let’s delve into the hydroponic nutrient chart for vegetables to know more about this.

Hydroponic Nutrients Guide

It is crucial to supply the right balance of nutrients and amounts of nutrient solution in your hydroponic garden. This is important so your plants can grow well. Plants have various needs.

Here are some tips to guide you when it comes to hydroponic nutrient needs for your hydroponic gardening.

Basic Nutrients

The basic nutrients are one of the most essential needs of a plant. They are responsible for the biological process that plants needs for survival. Plants need to respire, obtain moisture, and photosynthesize just to survive.

These basic nutrients responsible for the biological process of plants include hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen. They need to be taken care of first because, without them, plants will die. But plants can still live without other remaining nutrients but they just won’t thrive properly.

Macro-nutrients And Micro-nutrients

So macro and micro-nutrients are the remaining nutrients needed by plants. Macro-nutrients include nitrogen, potassium, phosphorous, calcium, sulfur, and magnesium. Then micro-nutrients include iron, zinc, boron, and manganese.

What Nutrients For Hydroponic Vegetables?

The nutrients that your hydroponic vegetables require include nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, sulfur, zinc, manganese, and zinc. All these nutrients can help improve the growth and quality of your vegetables.

Hydroponic Nutrient Chart For Vegetables

A hydroponic nutrient chart for vegetables has been shown below. So, we’ve given below a chart to describe the nutrient regime for some of your favorite vegetables;

S/N	Plant	PPM	EC	pH
1	Asparagus	980- 1260	1.4- 1.8	6.0- 6.8
2	Artichokes	560-1260	0.8- 1.8	6.5- 7.5
3	Broccoli	1960- 2450	2.8- 3.5	6.0-6.5
4	Basil	700- 1120	1.0-1.6	5.5-6.5
5	Lettuce	560- 840	0.8- 1.2	5.5- 6.5
6	Parsley	560-1260	0.8- 1.8	5.5- 6.0
7	Spinach	1260- 1610	1.8- 2.3	5.5- 6.6
8	Swiss chard	1260- 1610	1.8- 2.3	6.0- 6.5
9	Thyme	560- 1120	0.8-1.6	5.5- 7.0
10	Watercress	280- 1260	0.4- 1.8	6.5- 6.8

We have also added the pH chart because nutrient and pH usually comes hand in hand. The right pH helps in the appropriate absorption or intake of nutrients by your plants.

EC And PPM

Electrical conductivity, EC, measures the level of salt or nutrient in your hydroponic system. Hence, it is an indirect way of measuring the concentration of the nutrient solution. So, the electrical conductivity of your nutrient solution is measured using an EC meter.

After measuring the electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution, the value gotten is then converted to a measure of the total dissolved solids in PPM (i.e. part per million).

Using an EC meter can help in ensuring your nutrient solution is in the right concentration and remain at this state over time. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about nutrients becoming too concentrated.

How Much Nutrients Do I Need For Hydroponics?

Hydroponic gardening is based on water rather than soil and this water has nutrients that have been dissolved into them. But the question we would like to know is the amount of nutrient solution is needed in your hydroponic garden?

The answer mainly depends on some factors and they include:

· Reservoir Size

The size of your hydroponic reservoir is one major determining factor when it comes to how much nutrients your plant needs. Generally, for a 16 gallon of water, you will need around 1 to 2 cups of pre-mixed liquid nutrient solution.

· Plant’s Stage

The plant stage is another factor to consider. The plant has different growth stages such as seedling stage, flowering stage, vegetative stage, fruiting stage, and so on. Each of these plant stages requires different nutrient amounts. You can buy a pre-mixed nutrient solution or you can make one by yourself.

When using a pre-mixed solution, you can go for multiple prepared solutions just to achieve your desired ratio.

On the other hand, when using a prepared hydroponic nutrient solution, it is important to follow the instructions on the label. This is to determine the right amount of nutrients for your reservoir.

Ideally, less amount of nutrients should be supplied during the early part of your plant’s life cycle. Then you will need to increase the nutrient plan once your plant has reached the big or major part of its growth. While you’re at it, ensure you start with less and increase it along the line so you don’t overdo the nutrient supply.

· The Type Of Plant

The type of plant is another determining factor when it comes to the amount of nutrients for your hydroponics. For example, peppers and tomatoes need a bit more fertilizer compared to most vegetables or leafy greens.

The good thing is that you can get some suggestions about the nutrient plan for the type of plant from the nursery where the plant was purchased.

General Hydroponics HGC718125 FloraMicro 5-0-1

Check Price on Amazon

Conclusion On Hydroponic Nutrient Chart For Vegetables

The hydroponic nutrient chart for vegetables has been explained in this guide. So, if you would love to start a vegetable hydroponic garden for your indoor farming, you can look through our guide.

Even though the amount or dosage of the nutrient is pretty important, you don’t really have to worry about perfection. There are too many factors that can affect the accurate or precise amount that can lead to a perfect nutrient regime.

Just ensure you do the best you can to supply your plants with the appropriate amounts of the nutrient regime. Then you can see your plant flourish and enjoy that bountiful harvest.

FAQs

How much nutrients do I need for hydroponics?

The amount of nutrients supplied to your hydroponic plants can make a big difference in their outcome. Too little nutrients can hinder your plants from attaining their peak. Then too much nutrient can fry your plants.
Hydroponic gardening is based on water rather than soil and this water has nutrients that have been dissolved into them. But the question we would like to know is the amount of nutrient solution is needed in your hydroponic garden?
The answer mainly depends on some factors and they include;
• Reservoir size
The size of your hydroponic reservoir is one major determining factor when it comes to how much nutrients your plant needs. Generally, for a 16 gallon of water, you will need around 1 to 2 cups of pre-mixed liquid nutrient solution.
• Plant’s stage
The plant has different growth stages such as seedling stage, flowering stage, vegetative stage, fruiting stage, and so on. Each of these plant stages requires different nutrient amounts. You can buy a pre-mixed nutrient solution or you can make one by yourself.
When using a pre-mixed solution, you can go for multiple prepared solutions just to achieve your desired ratio.
On the other hand, when using a prepared hydroponic nutrient solution, it is important to follow the instructions on the label. This is to determine the right amount of nutrients for your reservoir.
Ideally, less amount of nutrients should be supplied during the early part of your plant’s life cycle. Then you will need to increase the nutrient plan once your plant has reached the big or major part of its growth. While you’re at it, ensure you start with less and increase it along the line so you don’t overdo the nutrient supply.
• The type of plant
The type of plant is another determining factor when it comes to the amount of nutrients for your hydroponics. For example, peppers and tomatoes need a bit more fertilizer compared to most vegetables or leafy greens.
The good thing is that you can get some suggestions about the nutrient plan for the type of plant from the nursery where the plant was purchased.

What nutrients for hydroponic vegetables?

January 31, 2022

Category: Tips & Guides

Outdoor Outlet Timer

Outdoor Outlet Timer With Photocell Light Sensor

Advantages To Be Enjoyed When Using Outdoor Outlet Timer

Safety

Convenience – Outdoor Outlet Timer

Cost-effectiveness And Saves You Electricity

Can Help With Farm Productivity

Conclusion On Outdoor Outlet Timer

FAQ’s

How to set a six outlet outdoor timer?

How to hook up an outdoor electrical outlet to a intermatic mechanical timer switch?

Westinghouse 6 outlet outdoor timer what outlets are controlled?

Guide On Growing Spinach

Harvesting Spinach – How To Harvest Spinach

When To Harvest Spinach

Can You Plant Spinach In Succession To Aid Harvest Yield?

Planting And Growing Spinach For Best Harvest

Preserving Spinach

Conclusion on How To Harvest Spinach

FAQ’s

How to harvest spinach without killing the plant?

How to harvest spinach seeds?

How to harvest spinach so it keeps growing?

How long to harvest spinach?

Tips On Planting Yellow Squash

Yellow Squash Grows Better In The Summer

It Requires A Lot Of Sunlight

Pick A Location That Drains Water Well

pH Soil Levels

Support Your Soil With More Nutrients

How To Plant Yellow Squash – Growing Yellow Squash

Common Pests And Diseases That Affect Yellow Squash

Growing Yellow Squash: Final Say

FAQ’s

Why is my yellow squash growing deformed?

Why are my yellow squash growing small?

When to start growing yellow squash from seed?

How long does it take to grow yellow squash?

Quick Facts About Spiny Backed Orb Weaver

Appearance And Characteristics

Male And Female Spiny Backed Orb Weaver – Typical Lifestyle

Habitats Or Location Spiny Backed Orb Weavers Can Be Found

Spiny Backed Orb Weaver Bite: Is Their Bite Poisonous?

What’s The Life Span Of The Spiny Backed Orb Weaver?

Conclusion

FAQ’s

What ecosystem do spiny backed orb weaver live in?

Spiny backed orb weaver what do they eat?

Is the spiny-backed orb weaver venomous?

Growing Persian Cucumber Seeds

Planting depth

Seeding rate

Sowing time

Seed spacing

Health Benefits Of Persian Cucumber Seeds

How To Save Persian Cucumber Seeds?

How To Grow Persian Cucumbers From Home Seeds

Conclusion

FAQ’s

What variety are Persian cucumbers?

Are Persian cucumbers easy to grow?

How can I save Persian cucumber seeds?

Can I grow Persian cucumber from home seeds?

Step By Step Guide To Growing Lettuce From Seed Indoors

Step 1: Germinate

Step 2: Give them some space!

Step 3: Keep an eye on them

Step 4: Ready to transplant?

Growing Lettuce From Seed Outdoors

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

What Type Of Fertilizer Does Growing Lettuce From Seed Require?

Growing Lettuce From Seeds In Containers

Conclusion On Growing Lettuce From Seed

FAQ’s

What temperature is fit for growing lettuce in the greenhouse?

How do you grow lettuce seeds indoors?

How do you grow lettuce from seed outdoors?

How do you grow lettuce from seed?

The LED Grow Light Distance Chart