Grower Today

Everything about Plant Nutrients and Pest Control for Plants

Category: Tips & Guides

  • A Guide On Pepper Plant Spacing 

    A Guide On Pepper Plant Spacing 

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

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

    Pepper Plant Spacing By Row- 1st Method

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

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

    Pepper Plant Spacing By Row

    Pepper Plant Spacing In Blocks – 2nd Method

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

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

    Check Out The Mega 5000-Watt Inverter

    Pepper Plant Spacing – 3rd method

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

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

    Square Foot Gardening Template by Seeding Square

    81s Y+9k1gL. AC SX569
    Check Price on Amazon
    • Method 2: Planting in Rows Soak the seed in water for 3 hours before planting. When you plant your seeds, space them 6 inches apart in rows. If you are planting in a small garden, make sure to space the rows at least 12 inches apart. If you are planting in a large garden, make sure to space the rows at least 24 inches apart.

    Why Is Pepper Plant Spacing Important

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

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

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

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

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

    Final Words On Pepper Plant Spacing

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

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

    FAQ’s

    How close together can I plant peppers?

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

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

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

  • Quantum Board LED- What Are They?

    Quantum Board LED- What Are They?

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

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

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

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

    LED Lights

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

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

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

    LED Lights

    Quantum Board LED Grow Light: What Exactly Is It?

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

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

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

    Click Here to Learn:

    Configuration Of The Boards

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

    HLG 300L Rspec 270w 120 Volt- Horticulture Lighting Group Quantum Board LED Grow Light

    71YKq0BHJQL. AC SX569
    Check Price on Amazon

    Advantages Of Using Quantum Board LED

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

    ·         Efficiency

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

    ·         Spectrum

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

    ·         Light Spread

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

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

    ·         Affordability

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

    ·         The Option For DIY

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

    ·         Heat Management

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

    Drawbacks To Quantum Board LED

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

    Drawbacks To Quantum Board LED

    • Penetration Of Canopy

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

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

    • Heat Misconception

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

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

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

    • Open Built Components

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

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

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

    Open Built Components

    FAQ’s

    What is a quantum board led?

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

    How to build a quantum board led for growing weed?

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

    Why quantum board led?

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

    Conclusion

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

     

  • Growing Acorn Squash – Tips And Tricks 

    Growing Acorn Squash – Tips And Tricks 

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

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

    Differences Between Acorn Squash And Pumpkin

    The major differences between these two fruits are:

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

    Growing Acorn Squash – Step By Step Guide

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

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

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

    • Step 1: Preparing seeds

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

    • Step 2: Germinate

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

    • Step 3: Plant

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

    • Step 4: Harvest

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

    • Step 6: Ready to eat!

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

    Squash Seeds- Table Queen Acorn- Heirloom- 40+ Seeds

    Growing Acorn Squash
    Check Price on Amazon

    Requirements For Growing Acorn Squash

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

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

    Take-Home – Growing Acorn Squash

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

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

    FAQ’s

    What does acorn squash look like when growing?

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

    What is the growing season for acorn squash?

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

    How long is the growing cycle of acorn squash?

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

    Do acorn squash need a trellis?

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

  • Simple Steps On How To Cut Broccoli Like a Pro

    Simple Steps On How To Cut Broccoli Like a Pro

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

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

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

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

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

    Why is it Important To Cut Broccoli Properly?

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

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

    Why Is It Important To Cut Broccoli Properly

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

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

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

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

    How To Cut Broccoli Like a Pro

    Step #1: Wash off your broccoli plant.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    How To Cut Broccoli From Your Garden

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Garden Guru Hori Hori Gardening Knife for Weeding, Digging, Pruning, and Cultivating

    How To Cut Broccoli
    Check Price on Amazon

    Summary Of How To Cut Broccoli

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

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

    FAQ

    How to cut broccoli florets?

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

    How to cut broccoli from plants?

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

    How to cut broccoli from the garden?

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

    How to clean and cut broccoli?

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

  • A Guide On Planting Carrot Seeds – Important Soil Requirements

    A Guide On Planting Carrot Seeds – Important Soil Requirements

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

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

    Planting Carrot Seeds

    Sowing Method

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

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

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

    Germination

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

    Jiffy Seed Starting Greenhouse with 72 36mm Peat Pellets

    Planting Carrot Seeds
    Check Price on Amazon

    Thin The Seedlings Once They Germinate

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

    Keep The Plants Moist

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

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

    Read more about Low Nitrogen Fertilizer

    Seedling Care

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

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

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

    Carrot Seedling Care

    Carrot Varieties

    Some of the popular varieties commonly grown are:

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

    Requirements For Planting Carrot Seeds

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

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

    Summary For Planting Carrot Seeds

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

    FAQ’s

    How to germinate carrot seeds before planting?

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

    What month do you plant carrot seeds?

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

    Should I soak carrot seeds before planting?

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

    How long does it take to grow carrots from seed?

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

  • UV Light For Plants: Can They Be Beneficial?

    UV Light For Plants: Can They Be Beneficial?

    It is a general knowledge that it is necessary for grow lights to give off a certain wavelength for plants to flourish adequately and grow. But apart from these light wavelengths, some growers have come to terms that UV can benefit plant growth. UV light for plants is one wavelength that has been highly contested.

    Most of our knowledge about ultraviolet light has been non-appealing because we’ve been mostly told to avoid it in our day-to-day activities. However, a minimal dose of ultraviolet light can still be safe to be exposed to.

    You can even assimilate a safe dose of UV light as it can give you a great tan without actually causing any damage to your skin.

    So, if you’ve ever wondered about the importance of UV light to your plants then you can get some information about this here.

    About UV Light

    UV light also referred to as ultraviolet light is a type of light wavelength and also it’s a type of electromagnetic radiation. UV is a light that is invisible to the naked eye of humans and the light is measured in nanometers (nm).

    Although humans can’t see UV light with their naked eyes, many other creatures including plants use it to survive.

    About UV Light

    Between 400 nm to 700 nm is where the visible spectrum of light falls under. Then the wavelength of UV light sits between 10 nm to 400 nm.

    The 3 primary types of UV lights include UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C.

    UV Light For Plants

    Generally, grow lights need to generate a certain wavelength of light for plants to thrive well and develop.

    Grow lights can generate red wavelengths which are necessary for the flowering stage of a plant. Then we have the blue light for the vegetative stage of the plant. And there are other colors or wavelengths of light that can enhance our plant perform photosynthesis and other necessary processes.

    UV light for plants is also a type of wavelength that your plant can benefit from when supplied in a safe dose. Even though some have claimed they didn’t notice a difference in the usage of UV light for their plants: others have however claimed that UV rays can bring out the natural flavor and scent of a plant better than when UV isn’t used.

    But the truth of the matter is that UV lights can be helpful to indoor grow room plants. However, you need to have a good knowledge of how to use these UV lights for your plants.

    Let’s look into the types of UV lights and see how they can benefit our plants.

    Read more about Low Nitrogen Fertilizer

    The Types Of UV Light And Their Benefits To Plants

    1.    UV-A

    UV-A is the most common or abundant type of ultraviolet light on earth that reaches or gets to us here from the sun. This type of UV makes up about 98.7 percent of all types of ultraviolet light that get down to earth. The electromagnetic wavelength of UV-B is between 400 nm to 315 nm.

    Plants are generally exposed to some level of UV light in their natural environment. Hence, UV-A can’t cause harm to your indoor plants if it is included in the grow light you’re using for your plants.

    UV-A light exposure to plants in a safe dose has been shown to enhance the production of CBD and THC.

    2.    UV-B – UV Light For Plants

    UV-B is the second most common type of ultraviolet light to get to us here from the sun. The wavelength is between 314 to 280 nm. This type of ultraviolet ray makes up about 1.3 percent of what’s reaching the earth’s surface.

    When you expose your indoor plants to UV-B in the appropriate dosage, it can benefit your plants this UV-B light spectrum encourages plants to manufacture their own sunscreen.

    UV Plant Lights Grow Lamp Dual Switch for Indoor Plants Veg and Flower 1000w

    71KL ML5+iL. AC SX569
    Check Price on Amazon

    3.    UV-C – UV Light For Plants

    UV-C light wavelength ranges between 280 nm to 0 nm. This type of ultraviolet light ray is absent in the light rays that reach the earth’s atmosphere. The ozone layer usually absorbs this light wavelength. Therefore, no UV-C wavelength usually penetrates the earth’s surface.

    UV-C light rays can be pretty damaging to both plants and humans. This is why it is prevented by the ozone layers and it does not get to the earth’s atmosphere.

    So, because UV-C wavelengths are not naturally present in the earth’s atmosphere, they are therefore not suitable to be exposed to plants. UV-C can be one pretty damaging light ray to plants if they are exposed to it.

    Can You Use UV Light In Your Grow Room?

    Even with the different drawbacks that we have heard UV light causes, there are still some good to them, especially to our plants.

    UV light for plants can help enhance the quality of your plant’s yield. And you can use UV lights for a large, commercial operation or for smaller, private use.

    The Ideal UV Light For Plants

    Click Here to Learn Is Zucchini A Fruit?

    The Ideal UV Light For Plants

    We can therefore see from the above that both UV-A and UV-B are the most ideal type of ultraviolet light to use for plants. No benefits whatsoever are seen from using UV-C light wavelengths.

    Additional Say – UV Light For Plants

    We have seen that some ultraviolet rays can be quite beneficial to plants. It can even encourage or improve canopy penetration. Thus, it encourages plants to produce more.

    There are primarily three types of ultraviolet light you can find and they are UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. However, only two of them (UV-A and UV-B) are suitable for plant use.

    Also, ultraviolet light has also been known to encourage different photomorphogenic responses in plants. Plants that are supplied with the appropriate dose of ultraviolet light tend to create a higher level of natural sunscreen compounds that include THC, CBD, antioxidants, flavonoids, terpenes, and vitamins.

    Trichomes are another natural mechanism that can be used to supply protection from UV light. Therefore, plants tend to produce more trichomes that helps manufacture natural sunscreen compound when they are exposed to UV light rays.

    You should also note that some grow lights can naturally emit UV-A light through the means of chemical exchange. Then other grow lights like LED can be built with specialized UV-B bulbs.

    FAQ’s

    Can you use a UV light to grow plants?

    Yes, UV can offer some beneficial properties to your plants. But you need to use them in the correct dose so they don’t cause harm to your plants.

    How to use uv light for plants?

    UV light can be used to speed up germination process when it comes to starting seeds indoors.

    How to make uv light for plants?

    UV lights can be made by passing an electric current through a gas (usually vaporized mercury).

    How long should plants be under UV light?

    The duration of leaving UV lights under your plants will depend on the type of plants been grown and their needs.

  • Low Nitrogen Fertilizer

    Low Nitrogen Fertilizer

    Sometimes, gardeners prefer not to use fertilizers with high nitrogen if their garden soil already contains a high level of nitrogen. Low nitrogen fertilizer is what you need if your soil already contains nitrogen.

    So, before adding fertilizer to your garden, you should consider doing a soil test. This will help in knowing if what your soil needs are low or high nitrogen fertilizer.

    There are plants that do not require a high level of nitrogen such as plants that produce vegetables, fruits, and flowers. But for some other types of plants, the reverse is the case. These are plants that produce large foliage like lawn grass.

    When the level of nitrogen in the soil is high, the plants produce abundant foliage instead of much of the expected crops. But fertilizers with low levels of nitrogen, plants will be able to produce much of their fruits than leaves.

    Therefore, let’s take a look at how to identify and also know the benefits of low nitrogen fertilizer.

    Low Nitrogen Fertilizers: How To Know Fertilizers That Are Low In Nitrogen

    To identify a package of fertilizer that is low in nitrogen, take note of the three numbers on the package. Every fertilizer has three numbers indicated on it and these numbers signify the levels of the three nutrients in the fertilizer. The available nutrients in the fertilizer are represented by these three numbers.

    You will see the nutrients indication as N-P-K. “N” stands for nitrogen, “P” stands for phosphorus while “K” stands for potassium. A fertilizer with low nitrogen will have a low or zero the first number. This means that it’s either the nitrogen in the fertilizer is minimal or there’s none.

    Low Nitrogen Fertilizers - How To Know Fertilizers That Are Low In Nitrogen

    Let’s take for example a package with the indication “5-10-10”. This simply means Nitrogen is 5, Phosphorusis 10 while Potassium is 10. This package contains low nitrogen. But any package with an indication such as “0-10-10” means it contains no nitrogen.

    So, take note that apart from these three nutrient figures which are NPK, choose the one that suits your plant needs.

    Factors To Consider Before Using Fertilizer

    Before adding any type of fertilizer to your soil, be it low or high nitrogen fertilizer, there are factors you need to put into consideration.

    ·         Test The Soil

    Get your soil tested first in order to know the soil pH and nutrient levels. This will help in knowing the decision to make regarding any amendments in your garden. It helps in knowing what will be good to use to make your soil healthy and ready for planting.

    You can get your soil tested yourself by buying a do-it-yourself soil test kit. This can be bought online or from a garden center.

    Another way to get your soil tested is by taking a soil sample and sending it to the agricultural extension lab close to you. The lab will be able to advise you and give you some recommendations, on keeping your soil healthy, based on what you want to plant.

    Test The Soil

    ·         Stick To The Fertilizer Label Instructions

    Check for the instructions labeled on the fertilizer and follow them when you want to add fertilizer to your soil.

    Don’t add too much fertilizer to the soil early. It can cause fertilizer burn, thereby causing serious irreversible damage to your plants. Adding fertilizer to your soil should be a gradual process.

    ·         Overall Soil Health Is Important

    Look to achieve and maintain good overall soil health first. And then, every other thing like using fertilizer, compost, manure, and mulch can follow.

    Keeping your soil in good condition in regards to its texture, water retention, and microorganisms, is very important.

    Manure With Low Nitrogen

    Apart from using commercial fertilizers with a minimal level of nitrogen, there are natural types of soil nutrients that contain low nitrogen.

    A way to add organic material and other necessary nutrients to your garden soil without burning your plants is with low-nitrogen manure. But have it in mind that, it is not all manure that is being made in an equal manner. You should remember that every type of manure has a different level of nitrogen in it.

    Black Kow Composted Cow Manure 4 lb. Size

    810sH8R7KlL. AC SY879
    Check Price on Amazon

    The level of nitrogen in manure is determined by the type of animal the manure is gotten from. And also, its water content.

    For example, chicken manure contains more nitrogen. For this reason, it will be hotter than that of a cow which can burn the plant. Typically, the nitrogen in chicken manure is 6% by weight and this also depends on the amount of water in it.

    Compost With Low Nitrogen

    Before you begin planting in your garden soil, it is a great idea to first prepare the soil by adding compost.

    This helps to provide nutrients and organic materials to your soil. When looking at the nitrogen content in compost, know that the level of nitrogen in the compost depends on all that is being added to the pile.

    Pile components such as grass clippings or cuttings from pruned plants are “greens” are high in nitrogen. But pile components like sawdust and straw or any other components are “browns” are high in carbon.

    All these components that are contained in the compost decompose gradually with the help of microorganisms.  E.g worms and bacteria in the soil. This way, there will be a gradual release of nutrients to your soil in a small dose.

    Bone Meal

    Bone meal contains is a soil additive that contains a low amount of nitrogen, but lots of calcium and phosphorus. If you want to add calcium or phosphorus to your soil without adding much nitrogen, you can opt for a bone meal.

    Reasons For The Use Of A Low Nitrogen Fertilizer

    Sometimes, a garden soil may contain a high level of nitrogen which can be as a result of adding high-nitrogen fertilizers to the soil improperly in time past. For this reason, it will be advisable to carry out a soil test. Also, get recommendations on the amount of nutrients to add to your soil.

    Too much nitrogen in the soil can lead to plants not producing as many flowers and fruits as they should. Hence, adding fertilizer with less amount of nitrogen can help encourage the plants to produce more flowers and fruits than leaves.

    Low Nitrogen Fertilizer: Conclusion

    With the help of this article, it’s certain you now understand the benefits, as well as everything about a low nitrogen fertilizer. You should have also learned about where and how to get them.

    FAQ’s

    What is a low nitrogen fertilizer?

    Low nitrogen fertilizer is any fertilizer package where the first number amongst the three nutrient numbers is low. For example, a package that has 5-10-10 on it which stands for NPK means that the amount of nitrogen in the fertilizer is low.

    Why is fertilizer with low nitrogen hard to find?

    This may be because most farmers may find it a bit hard to get all the necessary things they need to make low nitrogen fertilizer.

    Which fertilizer is low in nitrogen?

    A fertilizer that is low in nitrogen is the type that the first number in the ratio is low. All fertilizers come with 3 numbers as the ratio of the percentage of each of the nutrients available in them. The first number stands for nitrogen.
    To get a fertilizer with low nitrogen, look out for a package with a low first number.

    What is low nitrogen fertilizer good for?

    Low nitrogen fertilizer is good for encouraging plants to produce more flowers as well as fruits.