Grower Today

Everything about Plant Nutrients and Pest Control for Plants

Category: Tips & Guides

  • Purple Green Beans

    Purple Green Beans

    Purple Green Beans are a particularly unique species of green beans. Just like the name indicates, these beans are purple as opposed to the common green colored green beans. Surprisingly, although they are purple when fresh, their color turns red when they are cooked.

    This article is a brief guide into how to grow purple green beans, the steps to follow when preparing the soil and harvesting. This article also briefly discusses how these unique beans can be utilized after harvesting.

    Purple green beans are also commonly known as the Royal Burgundy.

    Health Benefits Of Purple Green Beans

    Now, before we delve into planting purple green beans, let’s consider some of their nutritional and health benefits.

    If you were not previously knowledgeable about purple green beans, you may be in wonder as to their nutritional benefits. Let us briefly consider some of its nutritional benefits:

    • Healthy Weight: Green beans contain very low calories and virtually no fat and a very low amount of sugar. This means that if you are interested in watching your weight, you are very likely to benefit from green beans.

    • Support Heart Health: Another key benefit of consuming green beans is that it provides huge support for your heart health. Green beans contain fiber which may help lower blood pressure and reduce the occurrence of heart inflammation. The low sodium content of purple green beans makes it even more ideal for heart support.

    Health Benefits Of Purple Green Beans

    • High Protein Content: Green beans are renowned for containing very high protein. Protein generally helps to maintain healthy bones, hair, organs, and muscles in the body. A balanced protein intake is also essential to a healthy immune system.

    • Vitamins and Minerals: In addition to the above, this plant is a great source of vitamins and minerals. Essential vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, and Vitamin E are all contained in green beans. Similarly, minerals like calcium, iron, zinc, potassium are contained in green beans.

    • Other Benefits: There is a wide variety of other benefits to be derived from consuming purple green beans. These include cancer prevention; improved chances of pregnancy and fertility, healthy bones, amongst other benefits are attained.

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    Growing Purple Green Beans

    You should make sure to observe the following tips when growing purple green beans so as to achieve the best possible result:

    • Warm Sunny Location: Very importantly, purple green beans like other varieties of green beans require a warm sunny location. The soil temperature should be between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • Best Type of Soil: The best type of soil for growing purple green beans is organically rich loamy soil. The soil should be one with good water drainage. Ensure you prepare the soil by providing required nutrients, removing weeds, and moisturizing before planting your beans.

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    • Preparing the Beans for Planting: Purple green beans must be prepared adequately before planting takes place. This is done by soaking the beans overnight in a bucket of cool or slightly warm water. Make sure to stir sufficient inoculant into beans before planting.

    • Fertilizer Application: Since purple green beans are legumes, they usually fix the nitrogen content in the soil. As such, you should avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers. It is best to use a 10-20-10 fertilizer when growing purple green beans.

    • Time for Planting: The best time to plant purple green beans is usually any time after the last spring frost date. At this time, the temperature of the soil has improved significantly.

    Read more about How Long Does It Take Lantana Seeds To Germinate?

    Planting Purple Green Beans

    When planting purple green beans, make sure to do the following:

    • Prepare Seed Beds: You should dig rows of about 18 to 36 inches apart on which the seeds will be planted.

    • Dig Trench Down the Middle of Each Row: After making the rows upon which the seeds are to be planted, you should dig a trench right in the middle of each row. The prepared bean seeds should be placed 2 inches apart in the trench and thereafter the seeds covered with soil.

    • Succession Planting: If you wish your harvest to be sustained for the duration of a long period of time, you should adopt succession planting. This means that all available rows should not be planted at the same time. You should spread your planting may be over a month.

    • Water Consistently: Green beans require some moisture if it is to flourish. You should therefore water consistently, keeping the soil moist but not soaking wet. A total water supply of about 1 inch is required weekly by green beans for the duration of the growing season.

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    Harvesting Purple Green Beans

    Royal Burgundy beans also known as Purple green beans are usually ready for harvesting between 50 to 69 days. Knowing when to harvest and how to go about the harvesting process is key to getting the best possible nutrition from the beans.

    You can harvest the tender young beans when they have grown to about 3 to 4 inches in length. At this time, they usually give out the best possible flavor.

    The harvesting period usually takes between two to three weeks, thereafter, the plant stops producing the beans. There is no need to wait after time for more harvest. This is because continued care of the plant will only benefit the leaves, but will not yield any other harvest.

    Harvesting Purple Green Beans

    How To Store/Preserve Purple Green Beans

    Eating Purple green beans after it is freshly harvested is no doubt the best way to enjoy most of the nutritional value.

    To preserve the beans, you may decide to cook. This however is very likely to cause a reduction in nutrients like vitamin C. You may also decide to store purple green beans in a refrigerator after putting them in a plastic bag. You can preserve green beans this way for up to a week after harvesting.

    Purple Green Beans: Final Say

    So, what we have seen above are purple green beans which are one of the varieties of green beans. Although it has a purple color when fresh, it turns green when cooked. It has a lot of nutritional benefits when consumed also.

    FAQ’s

    Why do purple beans turn green when cooked?

    You will notice a change of coloration as you cook your purple green beans. This is because the cells begin to rupture and lose water. When this happens, the acid around the anthocyanins is diluted allowing the green chlorophyll to show.

    Do all purple beans turn green when cooked?

    As a result of the heat involved in cooking, all purple green beans turn green when being cooked. This is because the heat causes the anthocyanins to deteriorate.

    What do purple green beans taste like?

    The flavor of purple green beans can be likened to a French green bean with grassy notes and a sweet finish.

    How To Cook Purple Hull Green Beans?

    You can cook your purple hull green beans by following the following steps:
    • Wash your beans and cut off the end of the beans. Heat your water and oil and add the green beans when the oil is hot. Stir to coat and allow to boil for 5 minutes. Uncover the pot and check if they are done. You should note that the longer they are cooked, the less crispy they become. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve warm and enjoy.

  • The Types Of HID Grow Lights

    The Types Of HID Grow Lights

    When we make use of grow light in our indoor garden, it is an artificial way of providing light to our plants. HID grow lights are lights that are used for indoor gardens and it mimics the work done by sunlight.

    When it comes to indoor gardening, growers need to choose suitable grow lights that will help boost plant growth and yield. As a grower, you need to know the appropriate type of grow light to use for your indoor garden.

    Although, LED and fluorescent grow lights are still one of the leading types of grow light. HID grow lights are still great lights you can use apart from other types of grow lights. So, let’s look into some things you need to know about using HID grow lights in our indoor gardens.

    What Are HID Grow Lights?

    First, HID stands for high-intensity discharge lights. Hence, this type of grow light is used to grow plants that need a higher intensity of light compared to other types of low intensifying lights. HID grow lights are also fairly affordable compared to other types of grow lights such as LED lights.

    To put it in an easy way, HID is a type of light bulb and it is usually a big light bulb about the size of your forearm. HID light is a sealed tube filled with gas and it generates gas once the gas is ignited.

    The regular household bulb is a bit similar to HID bulb. For the regular household bulb, it has this small metal filament inside that lights up. The bulb in HID on the other hand has two electrodes that arc electric current between them and this lights up the gas.

    What Are HID Grow Lights

    Also, HID bulbs are usually defined by the type of gas used in the bulb. The major types of HID used for plant cultivation are:

    • Metal halide (MH) and
    • High-pressure sodium (HPS)

    The Main Components Of HID Grow Lights

    There are 3 major components of HID lighting system. They include:

    • A bulb
    • A ballast used to power the high-intensity discharge (HID)
    • Then a reflector or a hood is used to maximize the efficiency of the bulb (and this is done by directing the light over the surface of the plant).

    The Two Types Of HID Grow Light

    As we’ve mentioned, there are two types of HID grow light that can be used for indoor cultivation. They include:

    1.    Metal Halide (MH)

    So, metal halide grow is a type of high-intensity discharge (HID) lighting. The lamp of this metal halide contains a quartz tube filled with a noble gas.

    The bulb off MH comprises metal halide and the gas burns with a cool white light that has a huge amount of light in the blue wavelengths.

    Metal halide bulbs can last for long hours (up to 20,000 hours). However, they tend to degrade long before this period and become less effective as grow lights.

    All in all, metal halide bulbs are quite efficient, but they aren’t as efficient as high-pressure sodium or ceramic metal halide bulbs. Metal halide grow light can be used by any indoor grower of all skill levels.

    Metal halide grow lights are used for the vegetative stage of a plant. But they are known to generate lots of heat so caution needs to be taken when using them so they don’t burn our plants.

    2.    High Pressure sodium (HPS)

    HPS tends to produce red light spectrum and they are easy to use and they are affordable. HPS are great to be used by any indoor grower of all skill levels.

    Normally, once your plants have entered their flowering stage, HPS grow lights are used to replace metal halide bulbs to boost flowering.

    When you’ve decided to use high-pressure sodium for your indoor gardening, you should use the wattage to figure out the grow room size the HPS lamp can cover. This is to ensure you get optimal results.

    For instance, 150-watt HPS grow lights are ideal small room sizes of around 4 square feet. This 150-watt HPS grow light can be used to grow lettuce, herbs, as well as other small plants. Then 400 watts of HPS grow lights can cover up to 16 square feet and thus they are able to produce high yield.

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    We also have up to 1000 watts of HPS grow light and these are the most powerful ones that can cover a wider area of about 49 square feet.

    However, the downside to these lights is that they tend to emit heat especially the ones with higher wattage. Hence, they should be positioned a bit far away from your plants to avoid plant burns.

    More About HID Grow Lights

    You should know that both metal halide and high-pressure sodium emit heat. So the right distance to mount these grow lights should be noted.

    For instance, HPS grow lights can be positioned between 6 to 34 inches and this distance will also depend on the type of plant you’re growing. Therefore, it is crucial you fully research the type of plant you will be growing when using this type of grow light and get to know the ideal distance to mount your grow light.

    Although most HPS grow lights are meant to be used in combination with MH bulbs, there are still a few cases where you can still use these bulbs as a stand-alone grow light.

    For instance, some HPS grow lights have been designed to have a higher blue light spectrum. Now, this allows your plant benefits from the vegetative stage which in turn removes the need to use metal halide grow lights.

    More About HID Grow Lights

    Led Grow Light Strips

    LED strips can help boost the growth of our indoor plants. However, using them alone won’t be bright enough to help most seedlings to develop. So, LED lights are usually used alongside other brighter and bigger bulbs.

    Conclusion

    High-intensity grow lights are great to be used for our various indoor gardening for all kinds of skill level growers. HID grow lights may not be the best of the best grow lights, but they can still do good work for our indoor plants.

    There are two types of HID grow lights namely metal halide and high-pressure sodium and these two lights are usually used in combination to produce a nice yield.

    FAQ’s

    How long do hid grow lights last?

    The bulbs of HID grow lights can last for about 10,000 hours for MH, then 18,000 hours for HPS.

    What kinds of plants grow under hid lights?

    Different plants can be grown under HID light, Some of them includes lettuce, herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, strawberries, and so on.

    How much hid grow lights increase production?

    A higher wattage of HID grow light tends to increase production. But you need to match the right type of plants for a particular grow light wattage.

  • Outdoor Outlet Timer

    Outdoor Outlet Timer

    Outdoor outlet timer basically helps keep your light and other electrical devices on to whatever time you’ve scheduled them to be running. Therefore, it helps you run your electrical devices without wasting electricity because it has given you full control over what should be kept running for a particular period.

    Outdoor outlet timer is pretty easy to use or set up and they can be quite beneficial for our daily use. It can offer you some good control over your outdoor electrical appliances.

    This timer is great to be used outdoor because they are built to be resistant to weather in various conditions.

    So, let’s look into some more details on the outdoor outlet timer and see how useful this device can be for our various electrical appliances.

    Outdoor Outlet Timer

    Outdoor outlet timer is also known as an outdoor electrical outlet and it is a device that helps keep your light as well as other electrical devices on at your preferred or set time or schedule.

    This outdoor outlet timer differs from an indoor outlet timer and this means that both outdoor and indoor outlet timers are slightly built differently. The outdoor outlet timer has watertight covers and this protects the outlet especially when they have a plug in cord. Therefore, they are built in a way that can endure various outdoor weather conditions.

    outdoor electrical outlet

    This outdoor electrical outlet timer is suitable to be used for your different outdoor appliances including lights.

    The outdoor outlet timer works in a way that you can plug your electrical appliance and set them up to a specific running time. So, your devices will be up and running at scheduled periods and you end up saving electricity.

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    Outdoor Outlet Timer With Photocell Light Sensor

    Outdoor outlet timer can as well be hooked up with a photocell light sensor. They can work hand in hand to give you that versatile option that can give you automatic control over your light or other appliances.

    • Photocell light sensor is also known as a photoresistor and this works by changing its resistance anytime light shines on it. This light changes a photocell makes always depends on the light striking its face or surface. Usually, a light incidence that is high that will strike the surface of a photocell will and this will cause a lower resistance. Then a lower light intensity will give rise to higher resistance in a photocell. It works with dusk and dawn.

    Outdoor outlet timer can work with a photocell light sensor. In fact some outdoor timers can come with multiple options that can feature a dial that can be set to a photocell light sensor. Then it usually offers you the option to activate that dusk to dawn light setting. You also have the option to activate different times such as the time a programmed 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, or 8 hours dial settings.

    An outdoor outlet timer that features a photocell light sensor is very versatile and can be used for many different applications. They can be used in your yard, for security, outdoor party or wedding, for Christmas time, or even in a restaurant.

    You can also have that more outdoor automation control for your seasonal lighting, landscape, patio lighting, and so on.

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    Advantages To Be Enjoyed When Using Outdoor Outlet Timer

    There are many advantages you get to enjoy using an outdoor outlet timer and they include:

    • Safety

    Outdoor outlet works to automatically switch on or off your electrical appliances. Let’s take your lighting appliances for instance, when it turns dark, your light will be turned on automatically with the help of your outdoor outlet timer.

    So, anytime your property turns dark, the outdoor timer you’ve set will light up your yard. So, you can see things clearly and feel safe because you have an illuminated spot.

    Also, you can even minimize the chances of thieves lurking around your yard with the aim of invading houses that are not occupied. When you’re away may be on holiday, once you automatically set your light to switch on at specific periods, especially at night, it gives the impression that someone is home. Hence, it may help give the sign to intruders to keep off your property.

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    • Convenience – Outdoor Outlet Timer

    You can imagine the ease and convenience you get when you set up your porchlight and lampposts to switch on at dusk. You don’t even need to get up and manually turn your lights on.

    • Cost-effectiveness And Saves You Electricity

    The fact that this outdoor outlet timer helps you put on lights or appliances that are scheduled to be on at specific periods makes it easy for you to save electricity. Therefore, there’s no wastage of electricity because your appliances will be on at the set time when you need them to be on. Hence, it can help you save some money

    It’s even more useful especially when you’re out on holiday and you don’t want to keep your lights on all day.

    Also, most of these outdoor outlet timers are fairly affordable so there’s no excuse for you not to have one.

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    • Can Help With Farm Productivity

    Some farmers may want to have light time switches just to enhance farm productivity. For instance, light timer switches can enhance egg productivity in chickens at night.

    Again, the automatic light switches can help bring convenience to farm management.

    Can Help With Farm Productivity

    Conclusion On Outdoor Outlet Timer

    So, from the above, we have discussed what an outdoor outlet timer is. We have also emphasized some good advantages you stand to gain using this device.

    Outdoor outlet timers are great devices to use in our homes and gardens. This device gives control over our electrical appliances as they can be switched on and off at a specified time. As we’ve discussed above, using this device can offer you convenience, safety, effectiveness, and save you electricity.

    So, anytime you hear about this outdoor outlet electrical timer, you can be sure of the great works and benefits they can offer you.

    FAQ’s

    How to set a six outlet outdoor timer?

    To set a six outlet outdoor timer, you should locate the set timer pin and set it to the time you wish the timer to be on. Then plug your different electrical device into any of the 6 outlets.

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

    This can be done by simply linking your electrical appliances to the intermatic mechanic timer switch and set up the time you wish your electrical appliance to be on and off.

    Westinghouse 6 outlet outdoor timer what outlets are controlled?

    The pins control the timer and they are in the down position and must be pulled up before you program the timer. Then rotate the dial until the indicator points at the time of the day.

  • A Guideline On How To Harvest Spinach

    A Guideline On How To Harvest Spinach

    Knowing how to harvest spinach goes a long way to impact the growth of the plant after harvest. Spinach is a really fast-growing plant, as such, it has the ability to yield quite a lot of leaves in a short time.

    Growing spinach must be done with tact and with careful attention paid to the plant. The trick with growing spinach lies in making the plant last as long as possible, even after harvesting. This article gives you a guide on how to harvest spinach so as to keep the plant alive for a long period.

    Before we delve into how to harvest spinach, let’s briefly consider how to grow the plant.

    Guide On Growing Spinach

    When growing spinach, ensure to take note and observe the following tips:

    • The best time to plant spinach is during the cool weather- very early spring, late summer or early fall, and late fall through mid-winter.
    • Ensure to space spinach plants about 12 inches apart in well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. The plant should be prepared with the appropriate soil nutrient.
    • You should check the soil moisture from time to time and ensure to keep it consistent.
    • If you want to attain tender and very rapid leaf production, you should feed on a regular basis with water-soluble plant food.
    • You should begin to harvest once leaves are large enough to be eaten, starting with the outermost leaves.
    Guide On Growing Spinach

    Harvesting Spinach – How To Harvest Spinach

    Knowing how to harvest your spinach goes a long way to affect the lifespan of the plant. A convenient way to harvest spinach is to do so with scissors by cutting the leaves at the stem. This should be done by first focusing on the outer and older leaves first, and then gradually harvesting to the center.

    Another method that may be adopted when harvesting spinach is to cut the whole plant off at the base instead of the stem. This method allows the plant to re-sprout and give you another partial harvest. You should ensure to decide when you intend to use the plant before harvesting.

    If you want the plant to continue to flourish and last for long, you must take further precautions when harvesting. One of these is to ensure not to take more than 25-30% of a single plant at any point in time. This gives the plant room to continue to grow and blossom.

    When harvesting baby spinach leaves, you should cut off individual outer leaves, but also ensure to leave the crown of the plant. Leaving this intact will allow the plant to regrow for a future harvest. You should halt after two harvests, and carry on the third only after the baby leaves are fully mature.

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    When To Harvest Spinach

    Knowing the best time to harvest your spinach also goes a long way to impact harvest and yield. Generally, the best timing for your harvest is dependent primarily on the type of green you are growing.

    When you planted is baby spinach, they are usually ready to be harvested between 20 to 30 days after the seeds were sown. During this timeline, baby spinach leaves are still round in shape and very tender.

    Where on the other hand, you are growing mature spinach, you may need to wait longer. The leaves will have to get thick, broad and in some varieties crinkled. These mature spinaches are usually ready to harvest between 38 and 50 days after planting.

    Can You Plant Spinach In Succession To Aid Harvest Yield?

    You may have wondered if Spinach is one of those vegetables that can be planted in succession, say for instance every week instead of planting at once. This is referred to as succession planting.

    Succession planting of spinach seeds has been discovered to be the best way to maximize your harvest. When adopting this planting style, spread the sowing of the seeds out over several weeks. By doing so, you ultimately spread your harvest over a long period of time.

    Planting And Growing Spinach For Best Harvest

    You should do the following when planting and growing spinach so as to attain the best possible harvest:

    • The seeds should be sown about 0.5 inches deep every 2 inches. You should plant in rows of about 12 to 18 inches apart.
    • You should adopt succession planting if you wish to get the best possible result.
    • Thinning should be done when seedlings sprout about 2 inches apart. The ideal spacing should be about 3-4 inches apart.
    • Spinach does well with water, so water regularly and mulch so as to retain as much water in the soil as possible.
    • The nutrient application should be done even as plants continue to grow. It is appropriate to add nitrogen fertilizer when the plant begins to grow so that the leaves can retain their green color.
    • Spinach may get affected by pests and diseases such as leaf miners, bolting, leaf spot, Cercospora among others. You should therefore be very observant with your spinach and apply the appropriate pesticide when needed.

    Preserving Spinach

    It is very important to note that harvesting spinach requires some effort because of the nature of the plant. It is, therefore, best to harvest the amount of spinach that you will be needing immediately. By so doing, you don’t need to bother with preserving or storing the vegetable.

    Preserving Spinach

    Where, however, you have a bumper harvest that cannot be consumed immediately, you can preserve the extra by freezing it in a sealed container or bags. By doing this, you may retain the nutritious and delicious taste of the harvested spinach for some time.

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    Conclusion on How To Harvest Spinach

    From the above, you would notice that growing and harvesting spinach is not an entirely difficult task to do. You must however pay very close attention when harvesting the plant. Harvesting the proper way may help elongate the lifespan of the plant long after harvest.

    Harvesting may be done in different ways depending on the result you wish to attain. Planting, caring for and harvesting spinach is not difficult if these simple tips are followed.

    FAQ’s

    How to harvest spinach without killing the plant?

    If you wish to harvest spinach without killing the plant, you should be careful enough to cut only the leaves from the stem and not cut the stem. Also, ensure that you do not harvest more than one-third (1/3) of the leaves on a plant.

    How to harvest spinach seeds?

    The spinach seeds are usually attached to the stem of the female spinach plant. The seeds begin to appear when the spinach plant begins to mature. You should pick up the seeds as they fall or remove them from the plant just before they fall from the stem.

    How to harvest spinach so it keeps growing?

    If you wish to harvest spinach so it keeps growing, you must exercise some caution when harvesting. You should be careful enough to cut only the leaves from the stem and not cut the stem. Also, ensure that you do not harvest more than one-third (1/3) of the leaves on a plant. As much as possible, try to harvest from the outside down to the inside. For baby spinach, you should be careful not to cut off the crown when harvesting.

    How long to harvest spinach?

    Baby spinach should be harvested between 20 to 30 days after being planted. However, for mature spinach, you should wait longer. It should be harvested between 38 to 50 days.

  • Helpful Tips To Growing Yellow Squash

    Helpful Tips To Growing Yellow Squash

    Growing yellow squash is an option for a healthy garden. Yellow squash is a rich versatile vegetable and one of the species of summer squash. It is a vegetable that grows fast, rich in vitamins, and can be used to make cheesy casseroles, a healthy pasta substitute, and even baked parmesan bites.

    Growing yellow squash may be a little tricky to grow as the plant require a varying amount of nutrients and may be easily affected by pests and diseases. It is therefore important that you take note of a few vital points when planting and growing yellow squash so as to attain the best result.

    This article gives you a guide on the things you should note when planting and growing yellow squash. The best time to plant in the year and the likely time to expect harvest are all covered here. A few practices to adopt so as to prevent pests and diseases from attacking the plants are here also.

    Now let’s begin with things you should note when planting and growing yellow squash.

    Tips On Planting Yellow Squash

    The following are some important planting conditions you should take note of when planting yellow squash:

    Yellow Squash Grows Better In The Summer

    This plant is highly susceptible to cold and as such does not do well in cold soil or frost. It is, therefore, best to plant in the middle or towards the end of spring when the temperature is about 65 degrees Fahrenheit. From mid-March to April is the best time for early harvest, while from late July through August is the best time for fall harvest.

    It Requires A Lot Of Sunlight

    This vegetable requires a lot of sunshine for the best possible result to be attained. Planting Yellow squash in a shady place or under an umbrella tree or plant will not yield the best result. Ensure the plant receives about eight hours of sunlight daily.

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    Pick A Location That Drains Water Well

    Yellow squash does not do well in a place where water is accumulated. This is bad for the root and may lead to root rot which may ultimately kill the plant. Avoid low grounds and water accumulated sites when planting.

    pH Soil Levels

    For yellow squash to do well, the pH level of the soil should be between 6.0 and 6.5. Where this level is not the case for your garden, take steps to augment it accordingly. You should take steps to check your soil pH level from time to time.

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    Support Your Soil With More Nutrients

    Squash is considered to be a heavy feeder, and this implies that it requires a lot of nutrients to thrive. As such, improve your soil with organic compost and natural, slow-release fertilizer before and after planting. You should however be careful not to use fertilizers with lots of nitrogen as this encourages leaf growth which may be good for a young plant, but not at the fruit-giving stage.

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    How To Plant Yellow Squash – Growing Yellow Squash

    You can do the following when planting yellow squash:

    • Prepare the Soil: You do this by confirming the soil pH level, ensuring water drains well from the soil, and adding the relevant nutrients to boost the soil.
    • Sow Seeds: Two or three seeds should be sown every nine to twelve inches. The depth of the seed should be between 1 and 1.5 inches into the soil. When planting seeds, ensure the temperature is about 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit since the plant is frost-sensitive.
    • Cover the Seeds: After planting, you should cover them slightly with a mulch. This could be straw, wood chips, or dried leaves. This helps to keep the weeds down and maintain the soil moisture pending when the plant begins to grow leaves.
    • Keep Soil Moist: During the germination period, keep the soil moist and water regularly. Ensure to be careful when watering so as to prevent leaf diseases. It’s best to water at ground level and not directly on leaves.
    How To Plant Yellow Squash
    • Thinning: Yellow squash usually spread and cover available space easily. As such, you should thin to the strongest single seedling of the 2 or 3 you planted in each group.
    • Harvesting: It all depends on the desired result. “Scallop” yellow squashes are best picked when they are between 3 to 5 inches across, while “Crookneck” and “Straightneck” are best left until they are about 4 to 7 inches. If you delay harvesting early enough, the skin may become thick and tough, with dense interior seed pockets.

    Common Pests And Diseases That Affect Yellow Squash

    Yellow squash is often affected by a wide array of pests and diseases. As such, extra care must be taken when growing the plant. They are plagued by squash bugs, cucumber beetles, squash vine borers, slugs, and snails. In addition to these, sap-sucking whiteflies and aphids are pests to the plant.

    Yellow squash is also affected by diseases like mosaic viruses, squash blossom blight, and cucumber bacterial wilt. It is therefore imperative that you regularly check the plant to ensure that they are not disturbed by any of these diseases or pests. Treat swiftly once you notice any of the above.

    Different ways are adopted when dealing with these pests and diseases. For example, squash bugs usually become active and lay their eggs in early spring. Squash visible eggs laid on the stem of the plant and use pesticides to eliminate those that are laying eggs or have hatched.

    Common Pests And Diseases That Affect Yellow Squash

    In the case of cucumber beetles, mulching the ground with stray, hay or any other item is a good way to deter the beetles from laying eggs. Also, by planting cucurbits later in the season, you are sure to scare the beetles away.

    Growing Yellow Squash: Final Say

    Growing yellow squash is a bit intricate as you have seen from above. You must therefore be willing to give the requisite attention when growing yellow squash. Ensure to plant at the right time and in well-prepared soil. These are factors that will likely improve the result obtained.

    This plant like some other plants is susceptible to pests and diseases. Therefore, this means that you must put into consideration some necessary precautions to deal with these diseases.

    FAQ’s

    Why is my yellow squash growing deformed?

    There are different reasons why your yellow squash may be growing deformed. Some of these reasons include pest infection, boring insects, excess calcium in the soil, or the result of a disease, more likely a mosaic virus.

    Why are my yellow squash growing small?

    If you are having problems with the size of your yellow squash, and the plant does produce ample flowers, then you are dealing with a pollination issue. So, you need pollination or a physical transfer of pollen from male flowers to female flowers, usually by bees. If this is not happening, then you will have issues with the size of your fruit.

    When to start growing yellow squash from seed?

    From mid-March to April is the best time to plant from seed for early harvest, while from late July through August is the best time to plant from seed for fall harvest.

    How long does it take to grow yellow squash?

    It usually takes between 45 to 60 days from planting to harvest for most varieties of yellow squash.

  • Quick Facts About Spiny Backed Orb Weaver

    Quick Facts About Spiny Backed Orb Weaver

    Spiny backed orb weaver is one type of colorful spider that may intrigue you and it may have you wondering what they are. Not too worry. We will be sharing some quick facts about this fascinating spider in this post.

    Spiny backed orb weaver is a common animal seen along the southeast coast of the United States. It is one common inhabitant to different yards in Florida. The small bodies colorful creature has this distinctive physical appearance that cannot be missed.

    Many people may often wonder what this unique and intriguing spider is. You may even wonder if they are poisonous or not; or if they can bite? We will answer all that and more in this article. So, dive in further for more information on this.

    Quick  Facts About Spiny Backed Orb Weaver

    So here are some facts about the spiny backed orb weaver.

    What types of animals and class of animals are they? Spiny backed orb weavers are easily categorized as spiders due to their colorful physical features and red-colored spine. They belong to the family of arthropods and the class of Arachnida.

    Appearance And Characteristics

    • Size – The size of this spiny backed orb weaver is around one inch and another half inch in length.
    • Appearance – The spiny backed orb weaver looks like a crab and takes the shape of a crab. However, they are not closely related to the true crab spiders. They are also referred to as the Crablike Spiny Orbweaver. The body of this spider can be seen to have spines protruding from its abdomen.
    • Color – One of the most unique and distinctive features about this spider is the color. It has this radiant color which makes them easy to identify or spot. This spider usually has a hard abdomen. This abdomen can come in white with red markings and black spines that emerge from the edges of the abdomen.
    • Behavior – This spiny backed orb weaver tends to web in trees, shrubs. They can also web in the corner of windows as well as similar outdoor areas of buildings. Spiny backed orb weaver can’t harm you and if not for their radiant and distinctive color, you may not even notice them. Also, these spiders aren’t invaders unless you mistakenly carry them indoors from a potted plant they may be living in.

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    Male And Female Spiny Backed Orb Weaver – Typical Lifestyle

    • Male Spiny Backed Orb Weaver: The male spiny backed orb weavers are smaller in size compared to the females. They also lack point spines. Normally, the male spiny backed orb weavers are eaten by the female spiny backed orb weaver after the mating process.
    Quick  Facts About Spiny Backed Orb Weaver
    • Female Spiny Backed Orb Weaver: The female spiny backed orb weavers are bigger in size than the male. They also tend to be longer. The females can be about 5 or even 9 mm in length and 10 to 13 mm in width. When the female and male spiny backed orb weavers have mated, the female feeds on the male. Then she keeps on living for a couple of weeks and produces eggs. Then the female will hang the egg sac she produces on the web under leave. This is to indicate she is done with her egg laying and that she has completed her breeding process. Then the female will look after her offspring for a couple of days and then she dies.

    So, the above shows the typical lifecycle of the spiny backed orb weaver. And generally, their life span is around one year.

    Read more about The Differences Between Greensand Vs Azomite

    Habitats Or Location Spiny Backed Orb Weavers Can Be Found

    You can find spiny backed orb weaver across the world then you can particularly find them in some parts of the United States. The spider can be widely distributed and can range anywhere in the southern state and can range from southern California to Florida. Spiny backed orb weaver is a common inhabitant in the yards of Florida.

    They are usually found on the trees or woodland, citrus groves, and shrubs or shrubby gardens. You can also find them around houses or nurseries especially in citrus groves.

    Spiny Backed Orb Weaver Bite: Is Their Bite Poisonous?

    It is true that the spiny backed orb weaver can bite. But they aren’t aggressive creatures and they won’t just bite you for no reason. Usually, they tend to bite when they are picked up or when they are provoked.

    Their bite isn’t even a serious issue as the bite doesn’t really cause a serious symptom. So, spiny backed orb weaver isn’t a dangerous or poisonous creature.

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    Matter of fact, they can be beneficial creatures as they are known to feed on flying and even crawling insects. So, they can help you clean up any unwanted flying or crawling insects around your yard. They usually prey on insects such as mosquitoes, beetles, moths, and the likes.

    They often create or make their web in their preferred location such as leaves of trees, shrubs, citrus groves, and so on. They make their webs in these locations and wait until any small insects become trapped and they feed on them.

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

    Spiny’s backed orb weaver life span is approximately one year. The male spiny orb weaver dies just after they’ve mated with the female. However, then the female tends to live longer and this is mainly because they need to lay eggs and feed their offspring.

    The female after laying eggs and feeding their offspring for a couple of days dies off and this indicates that her breeding session is over.

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

    Conclusion

    There are so many interesting facts about the spiny backed orb weaver and we have listed some things you need to know about them. so, if you’ve ever found yourself wondering about what the spiny baked orb weaver is all about, then you should look through our guide for a quick knowledge about them.

    FAQ’s

    What ecosystem do spiny backed orb weaver live in?

    Spiny backed orb weavers are mainly found on trees or in woodland areas. They can also be found in the citrus grove, shrubs or shrubby gardens.

    Spiny backed orb weaver what do they eat?

    They capture flying and even crawling insects and feed on them.

    Is the spiny-backed orb weaver venomous?

    No. Spiny backed orb weavers aren’t venomous or dangerous.

  • A Guide on Saving and Growing Persian Cucumber Seeds

    A Guide on Saving and Growing Persian Cucumber Seeds

    Persian cucumber seeds are easily available in garden centers and online stores making them accessible to gardeners across America.

    Persian cucumbers are classified as a single crop, also known as Cucumis melo var. flexuosus, belonging to the family of Cucurbitaceae. They are native to India but nowadays they are cultivated in many regions worldwide including Europe and North America. Persian cucumbers are also known as Beit Alpha, Middle Eastern cucumber, or Lebanese cucumbers.

    The fruit length is between five to six inches. The fruits are cylindrically shaped with wrinkled skin covering firm flesh which can be white or green colored.

    The plant growth habit is a bush type that has good resistance to pests, diseases, and drought conditions. One of the benefits of the Persian cucumber is that it requires very little space for growth since the plant size is small compared to others.

    Growing Persian Cucumber Seeds

    Growing Persian cucumber seeds is not difficult but their germination time is considered long. Persian cucumber planting requirements are different compared to other vegetable crops. These requirements include:

    Planting depth

    The seeding depth of Persian cucumbers is not recommended to be less than 1/2″ or more than 3/4″.

    Seeding rate

    The seeding rate for Persian cucumber seeds should be around four to eight lbs per acre depending on soil fertility.

    Sowing time

    The best time to sow Persian cucumber seeds is early spring after the frost danger period is over. These cucumbers are best suited to warmer areas with long summers. When sowing the soil temperature should be between 65 F to 70F for the best germination rate.

    Seed spacing

    Persian cucumbers are planted in rows with 60 cm between each row and from plant to plant should be at least 30 cm.

    Health Benefits Of Persian Cucumber Seeds

    Persian cucumbers are considered healthy, here are several health benefits they provide:

    • Good Source of Antioxidants. Persian cucumbers are a good source of antioxidants which is necessary to keep the intracellular environment healthy and free from damage by free radicals.
    • Rich in Vitamin C. Persian cucumbers is a significant source of Vitamin C which helps strengthen our immune system, improving skin health and reducing the risk for urinary tract infections.
    • Rich in Dietary Fiber. Persian cucumber seeds contain a high amount of dietary fiber that is beneficial for the digestion system by regulating bowel movements and helping control blood sugar levels.
    • Good for Skin. Persian cucumber seeds have been shown as a powerful weapon against acne, eczema, psoriasis, and sun damage due to their antibacterial properties.
    • Anti-inflammatory Properties. According to a recent Persian cucumber study, these cucumbers have been found to carry a powerful anti-inflammatory food that can fight against arthritis and heart disease by preventing the development of inflammatory compounds in the body.
    • Aids Weight Loss. Persian cucumbers are very low in calories making them ideal for weight loss diets. Many studies have shown that Persian cucumber seeds help to improve blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.

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    How To Save Persian Cucumber Seeds?

    When growing Persian cucumbers, you can save your own seeds from overgrown fruits. The best time to collect Persian cucumber seeds is when the fruits become yellowish or after they fall on the ground.

    The Persian seeds should be allowed to dry at room temperature before storing them in a cool dark place. Both dried and fresh Persian cucumber seeds can be stored for a long time without losing their germinating ability.

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    Here are the steps to follow when saving Persian cucumber seeds:

    • Step 1: Pick fruits when they are overgrown or have fallen on the ground.
    • Step 2: Cut them open to reveal the seeds inside.
    • Step 3: Scoop out the seeds and discard the fleshy part of the cucumber.
    • Step 4: Spread the seeds in a dry place for several days until they are fully dried.
    • Step 5: Store them in an air-tight container and place them in a cool dark room or cupboard.

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    How To Grow Persian Cucumbers From Home Seeds

    Once you have saved your Persian cucumber seeds, it’s time to grow them again in the next season. Here are a few things to consider when growing Persian cucumbers from home seeds.

    Ensure your soil is rich. When growing Persian cucumbers, you need to start with farm soil that is rich enough with organic matter, liming materials, and well-drained. The pH level should be between 6.5 to 7.5 which can be achieved by adding limestone on-farm soil before planting your home seeds.

    Water them regularly. Persian cucumbers require a lot of water to grow healthy and produce a high yield. They should be watered regularly during the growing season every day until fruits are harvested to keep the soil moist.

    Protect them from plant enemies. Persian cucurbit seeds are vulnerable to fungal infections such as Downy mildew, powdery mildew, and bacterial wilt.

    It’s important to take preventive measures against these fungi during the growing periods by using disease-free planting material. In addition, Persian cucumber seeds can be treated with fungicides for better results.

    How To Grow Persian Cucumbers From Home Seeds

    Conclusion

    Persian cucumber seeds as described in this article are a little difficult to germinate and therefore require the best growing conditions.

    The best growing conditions for this plant include rich soil that is well-drained, enough water, protection from plant enemies, and good air circulation.

    If you choose to save your own seeds, remember to dry them completely and store them in a cool dark space. You can store your seeds long enough but you need to check them from time to time for any fungal infections that may lead to rot.

    You can incorporate these scrumptious vegetables in several recipes like salads, dips, stews, and curries.

    FAQ’s

    What variety are Persian cucumbers?

    The most common variety of Persian cucumbers is burpless. There are several other varieties including lemon, San Diego market, long green etc. The largest variety is the burpless cucumber which has a mild, sweet flavor.

    Are Persian cucumbers easy to grow?

    When compared to other cucumber types, Persian cucumbers are a little trickier to grow. They prefer warmer climates and should be planted after the soil temperature has reached at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Persian cucumbers require a moderate amount of water during the growing season so they may not survive in locations where summer rainfall is very scarce.

    How can I save Persian cucumber seeds?

    If you wish to save Persian cucumber seeds, separate the seeds from Persian cucumber flesh after harvesting them. Rinse the cucumber pulp in water to remove any dirt or debris left behind.

    Spread the Persian cucumber seeds out on a paper towel to dry for about two weeks before storing them in an airtight container placed in a cool dark room or cupboard. Persian cucumber seeds can be stored for many years without losing germination ability if properly dried and stored for future use.

    Can I grow Persian cucumber from home seeds?

    When growing Persian cucumbers from home seeds, the process is very simple and straightforward. The Persian cucumber plant needs full sun exposure in order to produce fruits. They are known as warm-season crops that prefer soil temperature of at least 65 F or higher for the best germination rate.

    Sowing Persian cucumber seeds directly into garden beds or containers should give you the same great results since both methods work well if you provide proper care to your plants.