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Category: Tips & Guides

  • How Long Do Carrots Take To Grow?

    How Long Do Carrots Take To Grow?

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

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

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

    How Long Do Carrots Take To Grow?

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

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

    Carrots Take To Grow

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

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

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

    • Soil Preparation: you may decide to plant your carrots just about anywhere. You may decide to plant them in the ground without making beds, or in raised beds, or even on the patio in tubs. The soil should however be stone-free and well-dug, with exposure to sunlight.
    • Planting Carrots: after preparing the soil, the carrot seeds can then be planted. The carrot seeds should be soaked for several hours or throughout the night in warm water. This aids the germination process. The seeds should be sown ¼ to ½ inch deep and 1 inch apart in rows spaced between 12 to 24 inches apart.
    • Watering the Plant: carrots require a good amount of water to grow even at a very early stage. As such, water should be provided regularly to the plant. It is for this reason that it is necessary for the soil to be well-drained.
    • Care for Carrots: When the seedlings reach about 2 inches tall, they should be spaced about two inches apart. When weeds begin to appear, ensure to pull them out early enough so they don’t disturb the carrots. Apply low nitrogen-rich fertilizers about 6 weeks after planting.

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

    Recommended Varieties Of Carrots

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

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

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

    Nutritional Benefits Of Consuming Carrots

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

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

    Conclusion – How Long Do Carrots Take To Grow?

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

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

    FAQ’s

    How long do carrots take to grow indoors?

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

    How long do baby carrots take to grow?

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

    How long do carrots take to grow from seed?

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

    How long do carrots take to grow from containers?

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

  • Head Of Broccoli

    Head Of Broccoli

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

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

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

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

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

    Broccoli Vegetable – Head Of Broccoli

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

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

    Broccoli Vegetable

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

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

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    The Number Of Cups Of Broccoli Florets In A Head

    3 ½ cups of broccoli floret can be gotten from an average size of a broccoli stem. You can also get up to 2 cups of stalks that have been cut into pieces and still cook everything together with your broccoli floret to get more quantity.

    Knowing What Broccoli Look And Taste Like

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

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

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

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    Knowing Broccoli Cuts From Florets

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

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

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

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

    Knowing Broccoli Cuts From Florets

    How To Cut Broccoli

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

    • Cut Off The Floret Stems

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

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

    • For Large Broccoli Florets, Cut Them In Half

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

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

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

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

    Head Of Broccoli: Conclusion

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

    FAQ’s

    What is a head of broccoli?

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

    How many calories in a head of broccoli?

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

    How much protein in a head of broccoli?

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

    How many carbs in a head of broccoli?

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

  • What Are T5 LED Grow Lights All About?

    What Are T5 LED Grow Lights All About?

    What exactly is the catch with T5 LED grow light? Is it necessary for you to switch to T5 LED grow lights? Let’s answer these questions and more in this post. T5 LED lights are another excellent type of fluorescent grow light that can be used to supply light to your indoor growing plants.

    T5 fluorescent lights alone are a great choice for seeding, vegging, and cloning. Now when you make use of T5 LED grow lights, they tend to offer even better work. Everything the normal fluorescent does is what T5 LED grow light does but they do it in a better way. This means they offer the same out and spectra as well as flexibility.

    Now, let’s delve in further and see what T5 LED grow light is all about and how it can benefit our indoor growing crops.

    T5 LED Grow Lights: What Are They?

    T5 LED grow lights are a type of fluorescent grow light that has LED lighting features. This grow light performs all that a normal fluorescent grow light will do but they do it in a better or more efficient way.

    Another great catch is that T5 LED grow light makes use of lesser power or half the power. For this reason, they release lesser heat and offer better durability.

    T5 LED Grow Lights - What Are They

    Types Of T5 LED Grow Light

    We have two types of T5 LED grow lights. They are:

    1. T5 equivalent LED light

    This type of grow light can perfectly replace a T5 fluorescent light and they come with a fixture. Therefore, they can be used as a standalone light.

    1. T5 LED direct replacement tubes

    These types of grow lights are light tubes. Hence, they need a fixture to work. However, they can still use any standard T5 fluorescent fixtures available to you. Therefore, you don’t need to purchase a new fixture if you already have one.

    So, the advantage of using this tube is that you can use any fixture. However, to make it more efficient, just make use of LED tubes rather than fluorescent tubes.

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    Why Use T5 LED Grow Lights?

    You may often wonder if you should or should not switch to T5 grow lights. Well, the answer will generally depend on your plants’ basic needs. Both T5 grow light and T5 LED light featured grow lights are great to be used for indoor gardens.

    So, we know that the normal T5 fluorescent lights are great to be used for indoor gardens. T5 LED grow lights however are better fixtures that can offer even better features.

    T5 LED grow lights even make use of lesser power or half the power and this implies that they tend to emit minimal heat. So, even though T5 grow light costs a bit more, you can however recover the invested money quickly from the cost of saving power. They are also inclined to last longer.

    This also means you won’t have to change bulbs too often than saving half of the electricity will help you save a lot of money.

    Read more about What Ceramic Metal Halide Is All About

    How Is T5 LED Grow Light Better Than The Standard Fluorescent Bulb

    LED tubes offer 3 great benefits when we compare them to their fluorescent counterparts. Let’s look into them:

    1. Durability: T5 LED grow light tends to last longer. Hence, you get to save some money and it reduces the stress of replacing bulbs often.
    2. Half Power Usage: the fact that T5 LED grow lights only consume half power, again helps you save money.
    3. The Heat Emission is Minimal: the heat released by this grow light tends to be in a minimal form. However, there may be heat issues only if you are using a lot of this grow light.

    There is however a few downsides to T5 LED grow light and this is their price. They tend to be at a higher price compared to the equivalent T5 tubes.

    How Is T5 LED Grow Light Better Than The Standard Fluorescent Bulb

    The good news is that you can quickly make back the cost this high cost because they consume lesser power which saves you electricity. It will also last you for a longer time. Therefore, the issue of changing bulbs frequently is reduced. You may not even need to get a new bulb for many years.

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    Some Recommended T5 LED Grow Light

    Here are some recommended T5 grow lights you can go for:

    1.    Active grow T5 high output 4FT LED tubes

    Active grow light active tubes are one of the most favored types of T5 LED grow light. They are so loved because they can work with the ballast with most features. This implies that you can replace the fluorescent bulbs with these bulbs. Other complete lightning on the other hand usually requires you to rewire the fixture to disconnect the ballast.

    This grows light also has a high output with an excellent spectrum option that allows you to offer your plant exactly what it requires.

    The downside to this grow light is that it isn’t compactable with all types of ballast.

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    2.    Barrina LED T5 integrated single fixture

    This is a 4-foot Barinna integrated light bar that includes both the bulb and the fixture. No other thing is required once you have this light. Hence, this makes this type of grow light an easy way to add T5 LED to your grow light should in case you don’t already have a T6fixture.

    The downside to using this grow light is that it lacks a reflector. This implies that light tends to spread out in a 270-degree angle.

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    3.    HTM lightening 4ft 24W T5 high output LED tube

    This is a T5 LED grow light that is lesser in price compared to other types of T5 LED lights. It works well with any kind of T5 fluorescent fixtures.

    The drawback is that this light isn’t designed specifically for plants. However, it works just like a fluorescent tube would work.

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    Conclusion

    Now, we can see how T5 LED grow light benefits our indoor garden. T5 LED lights are excellent lights that can supply your indoor plant with the necessary light required for your plants to thrive and grow adequately.

    FAQ’s

    Which is better LED or T5?

    Although both LED lights and T5 are great lights, we can still say LED lights are a bit better than T5 in regards to efficiency.

    Are T5 lights good for growing?

    Yes T5 lights are good for growing.

    What is a T5 LED grow light?

    T5 LED grow light is a type of LED featured light that works just like a standard fluorescent light would, but T5 LED lights tend to perform better.

    T5 led grow lights how far from young plants?

    You can start with a hanging distance of about 5 to 10 inches. Then adjust the distance either away or towards them depending on how well your plant takes the grow light distance as they grow.

  • An In-depth Into What Ceramic Metal Halide Is All About

    An In-depth Into What Ceramic Metal Halide Is All About

    One excellent type of high intensity discharge (HID) grow light that can do great works on your indoor plant is ceramic metal halide. Ceramic metal halide is also regarded as light emitting ceramic (LEC) and they are one type of HID lightening that is new in the market.

    As the indoor growing industry keeps evolving, there have been different competition among growers. Now, staying updated when it comes to the latest lighting technology is a good way to maintain a good edge over your garden endeavor. Ceramic metal halide can offer great benefits to your garden with only a few downsides to using them.

    In this article, we will be bringing light to the things you need to know about ceramic metal halide. So, if you’re keen on getting to know more about ceramic metal halide, you’ve come to the right place. Now, let’s delve in for some good information on this.

    What Exactly Is Ceramic Metal Halide Grow Lights?

    Ceramic metal halide is typically a variation and a better version of metal halide (MH). The major difference between MH and CMH is the ‘C’ ceramic in the CMH. A ceramic arch tube that is similar to those used in HPS lamps is used in the CMH brand compared to the quartz used in traditional MH lamps.

    So, the arc tube material in CMH is composed of ceramic material and this material is similar to what is used for HPS lamps. The material is more stable compared to the quartz glass used in MH lamps.

    Additionally, the material is able to tolerate higher temperatures more and it gives more resistance to the aggressive salts. Because a higher temperature is used inside the arc tube, the color stability, efficiency, as well as overall light maintenance are adequately improved.

    This ceramic arc tube operates at higher pressure compared to quartz glass tubes. Now, this allows manufacturers to generate a more accurate variation on the spectrum compared to previous technologies.

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    Benefits Of Using Ceramic Metal Halide

    Below is the advantage you stand to gain using ceramic metal halide grow light for your indoor plants:

    ·         Durability

    When you use ceramic metal halide, you enjoy long lasting use. This is because CMH arc tubes tend to be more resistant to wear and tear or breakdown. Hence, they tend to last longer compared to HPS and MH lamps.

    Ceramic metal halide lamps can last up to 24,000 hours or more and they can still maintain at least 80% of their original intensity at the 20,000-hour mark. Therefore, this beats the regular 10,000-hour replacement rule for metal halide and high pressure sodium bulbs.

    ·         Offers A Balanced Spectrum

    Ceramic metal can offer you a more balanced spectrum. CM is also preferable when it comes to turning your electricity into usable light.

    Offers A Balanced Spectrum

    So, when we compare CM to MH and HSP lights, MH and HSP tend to waste a lot of energy just so they can generate light at positions or ranges that may not even be used efficiently by your plants. Ceramic metal halide corrects this by offering more efficiency in PAR compared to HSP or MH bulbs. Therefore, this makes them a more preferable single light solution.

    ·         Offers More Color Rendering Index

    Ceramic metal halide also offers a more natural color rendering index (CRI). The color rendering index of a grow light signifies how an object appears to the eyes of humans and how well subtle variations in color shades are shown. So, when CRI is high, it tends to make things look more realistic.

    The rating of the color rendering index is around 80 to 96 CR. When we compare this to the sun’s CRI, the sun tends to be rated 100 CRI.

    So, this generally implies that the color rendering index allows you to see the real color of your plants without making your grow room look purple, yellow, or blue.

    ·         Ultra Violet Radiation

    Ultraviolet rays are good for plants in a safe dose. UV rays at appropriate ranges and intensities are beneficial for plant’s growth and development.

    CMH lights offer UV rays to our plants in a safe dose. Ceramic metal halides provide our plants with UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C light. However, UV-C lights are not safe to the human eye. Hence, most commercial growers make use of glass filters to block the UV-C output while leaving UV-A and UV-B untouched.

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    Drawback Of Using CMH

    Even though CMH offers great benefits to our growing plants, there are still some downsides to them. They are:

    1. Thermal Output

    The heat generated by CMH is usually high in the infrared portion of the spectrum. This is over 700 nm and this makes CMH generate a lot of heat. Notwithstanding, this is still less compared to 400 watts of other types of HID bulbs.

    1. Offers Weaker Flowering Light Stage Compared To HPS

    HPS lights are still one of the best when it comes to providing lights for your flowering plants. The reason being that HPS bulbs generate more light in the red spectrum compared to CMH.

    1. Initial Investment

    The initial cost is another drawback to using CMH grow lights. For instance, purchasing a high-quality 400 watt HPS or MH grow light kit that includes a ballast, reflector, and bulb can cost about 200 dollars. On the other hand, when you initially invest in a complete kit of 31 watt CMH grow light, it can cost around 500 dollars. But when you look at it from the angle of saving energy, CMH lights will still save you more energy.

    Ceramic Metal Halide Spectrum

    CMH offers a more complete PAR spectrum in a single grow light compared to other HID bulbs such as MH and HSP lights.

    Ceramic Metal Halide Spectrum

    However, you can still pair them up with HPS for an extra boost on the red spectrum and this will benefit your flowering crops in a great way.

    Final Say

    As we can see, ceramic metal halides are great to be used for our indoor growing needs. If you end up going for CMH for your plants, you can be rest assured of supplying good light for your plant’s needs.

    FAQ’s

    Which ceramic metal halide for veg cycle?

    Ceramic metal halide for veg is a type of light that is great to be used for the vegetative stage of a plant.

    Ceramic metal halide which color for growing?

    Ceramic metal halide offers a different color spectrum for growing plants.

    What is ceramic metal halide?

    Ceramic halide is a type of HID light that has only a slight variation to MH and is a better version of metal halide.

  • Growing English Cucumber Seeds

    Growing English Cucumber Seeds

    Cucumbers are one of the most popular plants people grow in their gardens. Growing English cucumber seeds makes a great addition to your garden. They taste delicious and can be enjoyed in many different dishes.

    If you are a lover of cucumbers then English cucumbers are a great variety to try. They are flavorful and are relatively easy to grow, which makes them great no matter your experience level as a gardener. They make a great addition to any garden and will be a new favorite.

    English Cucumbers Vs Common Cucumbers

    There are nearly 100 types of cucumbers, however, the most common varieties are slicing, pickling and English. These types vary by size, texture, appearance, and taste, with English being a favorite among many.

    English cucumbers were created to be a more desirable version of the common cucumber. They have smoother skin, smaller seeds, and a less bitter taste.

    English Cucumbers Vs Common Cucumbers

    English cucumbers also go by other names including seedless cucumber, burpless cucumber, hothouse cucumber, and European cucumber. They are long, thin, and straight in appearance with dark green skin. They can be twice as long as slicing cucumbers as they can grow to be 14 inches.

    Unlike pickling cucumbers, they do not have bumps on their skin. They typically have a sweeter taste than common cucumbers and due to their thinner skins, they do not need to be peeled.

    Growing English Cucumber Seeds

    English cucumbers are a great variety to grow in your garden. You can grow them in pots or in your garden, depending on how much space you have. Growing them from seed can be a rewarding process, as you will be able to enjoy all the work you put into them.

    Before you get planting your cucumbers, you will want to aerate the soil. Cucumbers do best in soil with a pH level between 6-7 that is rich in organic matter. You will also want to choose a location where they will receive full sun.

    Plant your cucumber seeds in late March or early April, once temperatures reach at least 55-60 degrees Farenheit. Place your seeds six inches apart in rows that are 12-18 inches apart. Create small mounds of soil and place six to eight seeds in each mound.

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    You can also opt to grow them in a pot instead. Ideally, you will want a pot that has a depth of about one foot.

    Moisten the soil after planting the seeds but do not soak it. Keep the soil moist for seven to 10 days after planting your seeds. Remove any weeds that sprout up where your seeds are planted.

    Once your cucumbers begin to sprout, mulch your garden to help it maintain moisture. After around three to four weeks, the plants will begin to sprout their first set of leaves. Continue keeping the soil constantly moist until the leaves become fully developed and open up.

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    Proper Care – English Cucumber Seeds

    After around eight weeks of planting your seeds, the plant will likely begin to bloom. As the cucumbers begin to grow, you can use a stake, wire cage, or fence to prevent the cucumbers from being on the ground. This will help keep them away from excess moisture and insects.

    As your cucumber plants begin to grow, you will only need to water them around once a week. Be sure to water them deeply and if the weather is hot you can water them more regularly.

    If too many flowers appear, you can cut them off with scissors. This process is called thinning and will help the plant produce better quality cucumbers.

    When your English cucumbers are around 12-14 inches long and medium green in color, they are ready to be harvested. At this point is when they will taste their best.

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    What Are Burpless Cucumbers?

    Burpless cucumbers are types of cucumbers that contain little to no cucurbitacin. Cucurbitacin is the compound in cucumbers that gives them a bitter taste and can cause indigestion. English cucumbers are also commonly known as burpless cucumbers.

    English Cucumber Seeds Burpee

    If you are looking for a good variety of English cucumber seeds, you can find them through the brand Burpee. The Burpee brand even has its own exclusive English cucumber called the Early Pride. They produce delicious cucumbers that are thick, crisp, and flavorful.

    What Are Burpless Cucumbers

    Growing Your Own English Cucumbers

    English cucumbers are a great variety of cucumbers that you can grow in your own garden from seeds. You can grow them in a garden bed or a pot, depending on if you have a yard or live in an apartment. They will result in a slightly sweet, crunchy cucumber that is long and smooth.

    Be sure to plant your English cucumbers somewhere where they will have full sun and soil rich in organic matter. They can benefit from having mulch and a stake, wire cage, or fence to help them grow and to keep moisture and bugs away.

    Do you have any questions regarding growing English cucumber seeds? If so, please ask any questions regarding planting and growing English cucumbers in the comment section below.

    FAQ’s

    Can You Grow English Cucumbers from Seeds?

    You can grow English cucumbers from seeds in a garden or in a pot. Plant them in late March or early April in area where they will get full sun.

    The soil should be full of organic matter with a pH level of six to seven. For the first few weeks the soil will need to be moist. Once mature, cucumbers will only need to be watered approximately once a week.

    What’s the Difference Between English Cucumbers and Regular Cucumbers?

    English cucumbers are longer and smoother than regular cucumbers. They have a slightly sweeter taste along with smaller seeds and a crisp bite. Many people prefer them to regular cucumbers as they are less bitter.

    What are English Cucumbers Good For?

    English cucumbers are a versatile cucumber and are great for salads, sandwiches, soups and dips. They are also great for snacking on raw or even adding to your favorite side dishes.

  • Basil Companion Plants

    Basil Companion Plants

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

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

    Now, let’s delve into basil companion plants.

    Basil Companion Planting Herbs

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

    1.    Basil And Tomatoes

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

    Basil And Tomatoes

    2.    Peppers – Basil Companion Plants

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

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

    3.    Basil And Root Vegetables

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

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

    4.    Basil And Chillies

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

    Basil And Chillies

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

    5.    Basil And Parsley Or Chives

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

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

    6.    Asparagus – Basil Companion Plants

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

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

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    7.    Parsley And Basil Companion Plant

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

    8.    Potatoes – Basil Companion Plants

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

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

    Plants That Do Not Complement Basil

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

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

    Plants That Do Not Complement Basil

    Benefits Of Companion Planting

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

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

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    Conclusion On Basil Companion Plants

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

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

    FAQ’s

    What are companion vegetable plants to basil?

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

    Basil and spinach companion plant?

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

  • Bell Pepper Sprouts

    Bell Pepper Sprouts

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

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

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

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

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

    About Bell Pepper 

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

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

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

    About Bell Peppers

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

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

    Check Out When To Plant Peppers

    Bell Pepper Sprouts: Tips To Seed Germination

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

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

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

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

    Read more about Planting Lettuce Seeds

    Starting Bell Pepper Seeds To Ensure Seed Sprouting

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

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

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

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

    Harvesting – Bell Pepper Sprouts

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

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

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

    Harvesting Bell Peppers

    Closing Remark – Bell Pepper Sprouts

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

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

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

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

    FAQ’s

    What do bell pepper sprouts look like?

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

    How many days does red bell pepper start to sprouts?

    Red bell pepper begins to sprout within 10 days.

    How to plant bell pepper sprouts?

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

    What do you do after bell pepper seeds sprout?

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