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Category: Tips & Guides

  • What Size Garden Hose for Pressure Washers: Best Sizes

    What Size Garden Hose for Pressure Washers: Best Sizes

    A garden hose pressure washer can serve as a great tool for cleaning different surfaces and objects in your garden. Whether you want to clean your aged deck, stained concrete, dirty fence, and so on, a pressure washer can get the job done easily. But what size garden hose for pressure washers?  Let’s find out.

    Rather than using your regular low-pressure hose to clean these surfaces, you can simply connect your regular garden hose to a pressure washer. However, you also need to get the ideal garden hose size that will fit the pressure washer for optimal results.

    A garden hose pressure washer will help you get rid of any dirt that may be deposited in any porous material. Hence, this makes the pressure washer an effective tool for cleaning brick, wood, mortar, and paving tiles. So, here is an informative guide about garden hose pressure washers and what size garden hose is for pressure washers. 

    Garden Hose Pressure Washer

    A garden hose pressure washer is an electric-powered tool that is designed to take in water from a regular garden hose and this toll generates an increased water pressure. This works with the help of the mechanical pump that forces the water flowing in to move up through a narrow hose and out through the nozzle by directing the flow of water.

    Garden Hose Pressure Washer

    5 Main parts of a pressure washer

    Before you begin to work on these tools, you should have some info about the various parts of a pressure washer. We have 5 main parts to a pressure washer and they are:

    1. Water pump: this is responsible for pumping water with enough force to bring about high-pressure output used for cleaning tough materials.
    2. Engine or motor: gas or electricity is what the engine or motor runs on. So, an electric pressure washer will require plugging into an electrical outlet. Then the one that runs on gas will require the gas tank to be filled before use.
    3. Water inlet: the water inlet needs to be connected to the garden hose to supply constant water to the pressure washer.
    4. High-pressure hose: once water can flow into the pressure washer, it is pumped out through the high-pressure hose. Now, this hose tends to vary in length but they are usually about 20 to 50 feet.
    5. Wand and nozzle attachments: you can find the wand at the end of the high-pressure hose which is installed with the nozzle attachment. The direction and water output of the pressure washer can be controlled by this wand. There is a trigger that needs to be squeezed on the wand for water to spray out of the nozzle at the end of the wand.

    What Size Garden Hose for Pressure Washers: Ideal Size

    The common garden hose size diameters include 5/8, 3/ 4, and half inches. However, when it comes to connecting your garden hose to a pressure washer, you might want to consider going for a bigger size such as one inch or 1 ¼ inch.

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    The reason is that once the water from the pressure washer enters the garden hose, more room is required to move or flow through. Therefore, to ensure there is adequate space for increased water flow, a wider end of the garden hose is required.

    • A garden hose with a diameter size of one and a quarter inches can take up to 2000 PSI. Hence, this can handle almost nearly all types of pressure washers you may find without allowing them to destroy your plant or flare up your area.
    • With a diameter size of one inch, it can handle up to 1500 PSI. This size is ideal for high-end pressure washers. However, if the pressure washer is more low-end, then it can still handle it.

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    What Size Garden Hose for the Pressure Washer? 

    The length of the hose may not really matter except the hose is extremely long. You can go for a length of 25 feet of hose for your balconies, patio, as well as small yards. However, when you’re dealing with bigger yards, you will need a longer length (as long as 50 feet) to get to corners that are hard to reach. But know that longer hose length filled with water will feel heavy to carry or drag around.

    You can have a decrease of about 4 PSI per 100 feet for an average 5/8 inch supply hose. What most manufacturers recommend is a pressure washer with a minimum of 20 PSI.

    Hose Length Needed

    Can a Longer Garden Hose Decrease Water Pressure?

    The length of the garden hose can truly affect the pressure of water as well as the rate of flow. If the length of the water hose is long, it can lower the flow of water and vice versa.

    Check Out:

    Garden Hose Pressure Washer: Precautions to Take

    Sometimes spraying your face with some water can feel refreshing, especially in hot weather outdoors. A regular garden hose stream is not so forceful, so if it touches your face, it may not cause any harm.

    However, you need to take care when using a garden hose pressure washer if it is releasing very high water pressure. If this high-pressure water sprays on your face, it may cause serious damage to some parts of your face.

    Your eyes may be seriously affected and it may cause serious bruising and abrasions on the skin. Therefore, ensure you learn how to handle this tool with proper care.

    You can further take some good steps by wearing protective eyewear, closed-toe shoes, and gloves just to keep yourself safe.

    Can You Use an Expandable Hose With a Pressure Washer?

    To put it simply, yes you can. However, the hose must be between your hose and the water inlet of the washer. If you’re unsure whether you can do this with your expandable hose, try referring to the manufacturer’s guide for more detailed information.

    DIY Garden Hose Pressure Washer

    If you’re wondering how to make your own pressure washer from the comfort of your home, then look no further. You’ll just need the following four supplies:

    • plastic pen
    • plastic cable ties
    • super glue
    • garden hose

    Now all you need to do is:

    1. Choose a pen. The pen should be easy to dismantle and have a similar width to your hose.
    2. Disassemble. Disassemble the pen completely so you’re left with singular components. The only parts you’ll need are the tip and the main plastic bulk of the pen. The rest can be recycled or reused for another project.
    3. Glue. Using your super glue, glue the tip and plastic back together again and leave it to dry.
    4. Insert pen. Place the dried pen into your hose so that it fits snugly (place it around halfway into the hose itself) – this is why the width of the pen must be similar to the width of the hose. Take two cable ties and tie both around the end to ensure the pen stays firmly in place.
    5. Test. Slowly turn on your tap and check that it isn’t too aggressive. Your DIY garden hose pressure washer is now ready to use!

    What if I Have Weak Water Pressure?

    You may notice that it’s not the pressure nozzle that’s the problem, but your water pressure itself. If this is the case, you can test this and fix the problem with ease. Let’s take a closer look.

    Grab a bucket and fill it with water and add around 1/4 cup of bleach. Coil your hose and place it into the bucket, completely covered in water. Leave for at least 8 hours and then move the hose to a second bucket. This should have clean water in and leave for another hour or two. Reattach the hose itself to your tap and turn on the water, allowing any excess badness to wash away.

    Where to Buy High-Pressure Hose Clamps?

    You can buy high-pressure hose clamps from many stores, online, and in person. However, I’ve found that the easiest place to find high-pressure hose clamps is Amazon. In terms of ease and price, it doesn’t get better than Amazon for high-pressure hose clamps. These are essential for any budding gardener. Just be sure to buy the correct size for your hose.

    diy garden hose pressure washe

    Final Word: What Size Garden Hose for Pressure Washers?

    A garden hose pressure washer can do a great job cleaning lots of surfaces and objects. And this article provides an informative guide on the things you need to know about this useful tool.

    If you’re looking for an average of the size you’re most likely to use for a garden hose pressure washer, the best size to use is around 1 1/4 inches. This allows good water flow and good power – both of which are imperative for an effective pressure washer. Do you have any tips or tricks when it comes to what size garden hose for the pressure washer to use? If so, please feel free to let us know in the comments below. And remember, sharing is caring!

    FAQs

    How do I make my garden hose high pressure?

    You can get more pressure on your garden hose by simply turning the bolt on the PRV clockwise on your main water supply near your water meter.

    Can you attach the pressure washer to the hose?

    Yes, it is possible to attach a pressure washer to your hose. Select a nozzle that fits and connect the pressure washer to the water supply line with the garden hose.

    Does the length of a hose affect water pressure?

    Yes, the length of the hose can have some effect on the water pressure. This implies that the longer the pipe of the hose, the more the water pressure will drop.

    Can you use a 100 ft water hose on a pressure washer?

    You can use a 100 feet water hose on a pressure washer. Just know that a longer hose tends to minimize the water pressure slowly.

  • Soak Beans Before Planting: Ultimate Guide for 2023

    Soak Beans Before Planting: Ultimate Guide for 2023

    You can soak beans before planting and make the germination process faster, which can sometimes be derailed by external factors.

    Why pay more for green beans when you can grow your own? It is one of the easiest ways to save money if you have a garden. If you saved some seeds from last year’s harvest, you don’t need to buy new seeds as you can use the same ones to plant a new crop.

    One of the easiest ways to guarantee germination for your green beans is to germinate them in water. When kept moist for several days, the outer shell cracks open and begins to sprout without having to push through any soil or planting matter in the process.

    Soaking seeds in water increases your germination rate and reduces potential diseases that prevent the seeds from proper germination.

    Which Seeds Are Appropriate for Soaking?

    Seeds with hard coats are the best for soaking. They include beans, peas, pumpkins, squash, corn, etc. Smaller seeds like carrots, lettuce, radishes, and the like are hard to soak and don’t need it at all.

    But do you know you can soak your flower seeds before sowing? For example, sunflower, sweetpea, lupine, and nasturtium take to soaking very well.

    Which Seeds Are Appropriate For Soaking

    How to Soak Beans Before Planting

    This is an easy process. However, the three ways you can do it are as follows: 

    1. Option 1. Put the seeds in a shallow bowl and cover them with water. Leave them for several days, observing them daily until you see them sprouting. Once they are fully sprouted they are all ready for planting.
    2. Option 2. Soak in an acidic environment by adding a tablespoon of coffee or a few drops of kitchen vinegar. The idea is to create conditions where the seeds first get warm and dump to germinate. The acidic environment creates the warmth that the seeds need to germinate quickly.
    3. Option 3. Use a wet paper towel or napkin for germinating your green bean seeds. Wet your paper towel with water but don’t make it too wet. Lay the paper towel on a clean surface and spread a single layer of seeds, leaving enough room between them and around the edges. Fold the other half of the towel over or lay another towel on top of the seeds. Secure the borders to ensure no seed falls out and set them aside. Place the wrapped seeds into a Ziploc bag or a jar and tightly shut them to hold in moisture and keep them in a warm area out of direct sunlight. Check for sprouting after five days by opening the paper towels likely and peeking in without unwrapping all of the seeds. If they haven’t germinated yet, reseal the bag and leave them for a few more days.

    How Long to Soak Bean Seeds Before Planting?

    Soak your seeds long enough for them to swell but not too long before they begin to turn sour and rot. Overnight is a reasonable amount of time, although many sources recommend 8 to 12 hours and no more than 24 hours.

    Too much soaking will cause the seeds to start decomposing. If you use boiling water, the soaking time decreases. Most people swear by using warm water and soaking at bedtime and removing them first thing in the morning. Hard seeds like beans benefit from scarification before soaking, but be careful not to puncture the seed completely.

    Other Considerations: Soak Beans Before Planting

    Don’t soak your seeds the night before rain is expected but wait until the forecast promises a good planting season. This helps you be able to get into the garden and not compact the soil too much. You don’t want to hold onto seeds you already germinated; instead, you want to immediately get them in the ground.

    Remember, just because you soaked your seeds doesn’t mean you will not need to water them as soon as you plant them. Your seeds will only hold the right amount of moisture around the seed, not around the soil. They will need more water around the soil to necessitate their growth.

    For those who use damp paper towels for germinating the seeds, be delicate with the seeds when moving them to the garden or the pot to avoid breaking the stem or root. Don’t worry if the shoot is on its side; gravity will help it find its way down or up.

    Saving Green Bean Seeds – Step by Step

    So to be able to plant your seeds, you will need to have saved them from the previous harvest. Saving green bean seeds is easy; all you have to do is follow a few steps.

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    Step 1: Choose the best green beans

    Select a few healthy plants you would want to save the seeds from until the final harvest. Select the first plants to produce mature beans, tall and robust with dark green leaves with a high number of pods.

    Step 2: Mark the seed-grown plants and wait

    To ensure you don’t destroy your harvest early, you can try tying something around them. Let the pods grow to maturity before you harvest them.

    Step 3: Pick the dried-out pods

    Please wait until the pods turn completely brown before you harvest them. There should be no green on them at all. You will know the seeds are ripe when you shake the pods and hear the rattle of beans moving around inside. Squeeze the pods, and they should be crunchy to the touch, then you know they are ready to pick.

    Step 4: Remove the seeds from the pods

    Once you harvest the dry beans, remove them from the pods safely without damaging the seeds. Examine every seed, saving only the perfect ones. Throw away any seed eaten by insects, wrinkled, or has a different color from the rest of them.

    Place the seeds on a paper towel to air dry for several days and finally, store them in a clean, dry container that is labeled waiting for the next season to plant them.

    Remove The Seeds From The Pods

    How to Germinate Beans Fast

    You may be wondering what the quickest way to germinate beans is. While many beans can be germinated both indoors and outdoors, I find it best to do it inside, where you have control over all factors. When they’re ready to grow outdoors, they can be transplanted outside with ease.

    Some quick germination methods for beans are:

    • Method #1. Place seeds in a bowl and cover with water. Leave in a warm, dry place and check daily. After a few days, your beans should begin to sprout.
    • Method #2. Grab a seed and try to fill each hole with potting soil. Add seeds to the soil and keep on a heat mat.
    • Method #3. Grab a paper towel and soak it in water. Rinse the towel until it’s moist, but not dripping. On one side of the towel, add the seeds and then fold the other half of the paper towel over the top. Add the towel to a plastic bag and keep it at room temperature, out of direct sunlight.

    It’s important to keep the conditions as ideal as possible during germination, as this is the most important time of a plant’s life. Some key factors you should consider are:

    • Warm environment. Germination is sped up by a warm environment, so using grow lights, a heat mat, or even the use of a greenhouse will aid your germination.
    • Weather. It’s best to plant seeds when the soil is at its warmest, which is often during the day. Some say that it’s best to soak your seeds in warm water, and then place them in warm soil, around late morning.

    What Do Green Beans Look Like When They Sprout?

    You may be curious as to what green beans look like when they sprout. Green beans go through four stages in their life, and they look different in each one. Let’s take a closer look.

    • The first stage is the seed. This is what it starts as, and what needs to be planted for your seed to grow.
    • The second stage is germination. This stage is sometimes also known as sprouting. This means that the roots of the plant are beginning to form. At this point, they’ll be loops start to form in the soil. They’re usually firm and thick.
    • The third stage is growth. This is the stage where your beans will really start to take shape. You’ll often notice that the leaves at the bottom are the largest; this is to ensure the plant can absorb everything it needs to thrive. At this point, you should also see the beginnings of a small plant.
    • The final stage is flowering. With plants such as green beans, you can expect them to flower after around two months. At this time, you may notice that wildlife such as insects and birds are interested in your plants.

    Green Bean Seeds

    Can I Plant Fresh Green Bean Seeds?

    It’s not recommended to use fresh green bean seeds for your planting, but instead, it’s best to leave them on the plant until they start to change in color and rattle when shaken. This is likely to take a few extra weeks, but it’s the best way to do this. Once you’ve harvested them, take them out from the pods and leave them inside for a few weeks. Once ready to plant, shell them.

    Final Thoughts: Soak Beans Before Planting 

    To soak green beans before planting couldn’t be easier! You can also save yourself some good-quality seeds from your green beans. Don’t shy away from keeping your seeds, especially if you notice the variety you’re growing is excellent.

    Do you have any tips or tricks when it comes to soaking beans before planting? If so, please feel free to let us know in the comments below. And remember, sharing is caring! 

    FAQs

    Do green beans need to be soaked before planting?

    Green beans are one of the easiest vegetables to grow, but they do have a few quirks. They require a long growing season, but if you have a greenhouse, or can plant them early in your garden, they will produce well.

    Yes. Green beans must be soaked in a solution of water and potassium nitrate for at least 6 hours, up to 24 hours. Potassium nitrate is available at your local garden center. This step will help the bean seeds to germinate more quickly, as well as make them more resistant to disease. 

    If the instructions say to soak them for 24 hours, then they are probably just referring to an old-fashioned method of planting.

    Newer methods call for rinsing the beans to get rid of any excess dirt and sand, and then planting them right away. I don’t think soaking for 24 hours is necessary. If you soak beans in a solution of water and salt, it helps prevent bean disease. There are two diseases that can affect beans. The most common is Fusarium wilt, which occurs when the soil is too wet and cool and the roots have no air circulation. Soaking the beans in a solution of water and salt is supposed to kill off any spores that might be on the beans when they are planted. The other type of bean disease is Phythophthora root rot. This occurs when the soil is too dry and hot, with no air circulation. Soaking beans in a solution of water and salt also kills off any spores that might be on the beans when they are planted.

    How do you soak green beans?

    Soaking beans is very easy. Just place the seeds in a bowl and cover them with water. Let the seeds soak for at least 8 hours or up to 12 hours depending on your beans. After they are soaked, drain the seeds and place them in a mesh bag (or paper towel) in a warm place where they will germinate. You want the temperature to be around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature for germination is between 70-80 degrees.

    The seeds need light but not direct sunlight. If you put the seeds in direct sunlight, they may get scorched. Keep the seeds out of the fridge or freezer because this can stop the germination process.

    How do you dry green bean seeds for planting?

    Depends on how much seed and the climate you live in. It is not necessary to dry them completely. They will germinate more easily if they are moist, but not soaking wet. If your seeds are damp or wet, you can place them on a cookie sheet and put it in an oven on the lowest setting, about 200 degrees F for an hour or two. This will dry them out just enough so they will sprout.

  • Disease Resistant Tomatoes: Top List of Varieties

    Disease Resistant Tomatoes: Top List of Varieties

    Tomato plants can be prone to a bunch of unimaginable problems or diseases capable of taking a toll on the entire crop. The good news is that you can avoid the various problems or diseases that tomato plants tend to be susceptible to. This is why we will be looking into disease resistant tomatoes.

    There are over 60 different diseases tomato plants are inclined to catch. With so many unpleasant diseases tomatoes tend to be prone to, it is only right you select the best varieties that can be resistant to most of these various tomato-related diseases.

    Diseases-resistant tomatoes have been selected and bred for years to resist some common diseases they tend to be vulnerable to. So, let’s look into the list of disease-resistant tomatoes we can go for when planning on growing our juicy tomatoes.

    Selecting Disease Resistant Tomatoes

    Even though you can take some measures to manage these diseases such as crop rotations, drip irrigation, sterilization of garden tools, and so on, all these will only control these issues to a limited range. The key to decreasing the issue of tomato disease relies mainly on choosing disease-resistant tomatoes. 

    The selection of disease-resistant tomatoes has helped a lot in reducing the risk of tomatoes being vulnerable to different diseases. However, this does not guarantee the total immunity of tomatoes to all kinds of diseases. Of all these diseases resistant varieties, no single tomato variety resistant to all diseases has been developed yet. For this reason, when choosing tomato disease-resistant varieties, we recommend you select the ones applicable to your garden.

    Selecting Disease Resistant Tomatoes

    For instance, a particular tomato breed may thrive or flourish in your garden. On the other hand, this same tomato variety may end up catching a tomato-related disease from another gardener two states away. Therefore, if verticillium wilt or tobacco mosaic virus was once a problem in your garden region in the past years, it is only ideal to choose the tomato variety resistant to this disease.

    Disease Resistant Tomatoes 

    Each variety of tomato resistance is mainly resistant to some or most tomato diseases. However, they aren’t resistant to all types of tomato-related diseases.

    When you purchase your disease-resistant tomato seeds varieties, the seed packets or seed labeling often has some abbreviations. These abbreviations or letters mark the disease-resistant variety for that specific tomato breed. Therefore, it’s important to read these abbreviations right so you can know which varieties you are purchasing.

    Understanding codes for disease resistant tomatoes 

    Here is a list of some of the most common disease-resistant tomato variety codes you may find and their meaning:

    1. AB – Alternarium Blight
    2. EB – Early Blight
    3. F – Fusarium wilt
    4. FF – Fusarium races 1 and 2
    5. FFF – Fusarium races 1, 2, and 3
    6. N – Nematode
    7. PM – Powdery Mildew
    8. T or TMV –Tobacco Mosaic Virus
    9. TSWV – Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus
    10. V – Verticillium wilt

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    Apart from these codes, other codes such as HR or IR may as well be written next to the codes. HR means High Resistance and IR means Intermediate Resistance.

    Multiple letters seen in a tomato disease-resistant variety name means the tomato is resistant to more than one disease.

    • So now that we have an idea of some codes you may come across, let’s look at an example. If you come across a seed labeled VFNT, it simply means that the seed has been bred to resist verticillium wilt, fusarium wilt, nematode, and tobacco mosaic virus.

    In all this, keep in mind that the label you find on the seed package is simply an indicator. The performance of a specific tomato variety will depend on various factors such as rainfall, soil content, environment, and plant care.

    Choosing the Right Tomato Breed for Your Garden

    A type of tomato variety may thrive well in your garden and this same variety may not do well for someone else in another state.

    This is majorly due to different climates and different soil that produce different patterns for the same tomato variety. Even those regions with slight variations in climate (temperature, rainfall, and air quality) can still cause the same tomato variety to flourish differently for different regions.

    For instance, Septoria leaf spot and early blight are tomato-related diseases that tend to progress or thrive in humid regions such as the eastern United States. Therefore, if you live in these regions, it would be wise to select tomato varieties that are resistant to early blight and Septoria leaf spots.

    Guidelines for Choosing Tomato Breed

    The guidelines below will assist you further on how to find out and select which tomato variety best suits your region:

    1. Recognize the vulnerability your region tends to face – The first important step is to discern which tomato diseases are common in your region. You can do some findings by asking your local nursery owner or having a chat with your local gardeners. You can also put a call through to your local extension office to know which tomato diseases are frequently recorded by local gardeners.

    1. Understand resistant code on the seed package – It’s also important you learn what codes are written on the seed package. We’ve given you some tips above to understand codes you may find on the seed package.

    2. Choose the best that suits your region – At the end of it all, ensure you choose the best tomato variety that suits your region.

    Which Tomato Breed is the Hardiest?

    Here is a list of some of the best tomato varieties resistant you can go for:

    • Bush big boy
    • Bush early girl
    • Sweet tangerine
    • Fourth of July
    • Big beef
    • Celebrity
    • Umamin
    • Super tasty
    • Big daddy
    • Summer girl
    Choose The Best That Suits Your Region

    All of these varieties will resist the most common tomato diseases. That includes nematode, verticillium, fusarium, and tobacco mosaic virus.

    Additional Say on Disease Resistant Tomatoes

    Knowing a great list of tomato-resistant varieties isn’t just enough. Even after you’ve purchased a hardy tomato breed that can sufficiently avoid these diseases, you need to also imbibe some measures so your plant can flourish.

    Here are some preventive measures to take:

    • Crop rotation.
    • If you’ve worked on any diseased plant, ensure you disinfect your gardening tools.
    • Water at the base of the plant.
    • Maintain moisture conditions and avoid wet and humid conditions that may entertain diseases.
    • Mulch your soil.

    Tomato Seeds Resistant to Blight

    Before we look at varieties that are resistant to blight, we must first identify what blight is. You may know blight better as late blight, tomato blight, or potato blight. It unfortunately can cause catastrophic problems for your tomatoes. It’s a fungal disease that will quickly lead tomatoes to rot and die. The more humid the environment, the more likely this is to happen.

    Some of the most common seeds resistant to blight are as follows:

    • Blush beefsteak F1. It’s sweet and juicy, which is unusual for a beefsteak tomato. This tomato usually fruits between July and October, and the best thing about it is that it’s incredibly resistant to blight.
    • Crimson cherry F1. A sweet but tangy tomato that’s small in size. It’s best at preventing late and early blight. It has an outstanding yield and will continue to fruit until the first frost begins.
    • Crimson plum F1. If you’re looking to make an incredible Bolognese or ragu, this is the tomato choice for you. It doesn’t contain many seeds and has a rich flavor. This tomato usually fruits between July and October.
    • Crimson crush F1. Flavorful and fantastic tasting. Even if other plants have blight, the Crimson Crush is hardy enough to not be affected.

    Fusarium Wilt Resistant Tomato Varieties

    If you’re looking for tomato varieties that are resistant to fusarium wilt, then look no further! You should try one of the following options:

    • Porterhouse
    • Sungold
    • Yellow Pear
    • Big Daddy
    • Rutgers
    • Summer Girl
    • Super Sauce

    Bacterial Wilt Resistant Tomato Varieties

    If you’re looking for tomato varieties that are resistant to bacterial wilt, then look no further! You should try one of the following options:

    • Tropic Bay
    • Venus
    • Neptune
    • Saturn
    • Kewalo

    Tomato varieties

    Disease Resistant Heirloom Tomatoes

    If you’re looking for heirloom tomato varieties that are disease resistant, there are many to choose from. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best.

    • Cherokee Purple: resistant to bacterial speck, fusarium wilt 1, 2, and 3, tomato spotted wilt virus, verticillium wilt, and root-knot nematode
    • Black Velvet F1: disorder resistant
    • Caiman F1: resistant to fusarium wilt 1 and 2, tobacco mosaic virus, verticillium wilt, tomato spotted wilt virus, tomato leaf mold, and root-knot nematode
    • Fargo Yellow Pear: disorder resistant
    • Delicious: disorder resistant
    • Damsel F1: resistant to root-knot nematode, late blight, and verticillium wilt
    • Aosta Valley: resistant to early and late blight
    • Green Zebra: resistant to Septoria leaf spot and late blight
    • Legend: resistant to late blight
    • Chocolate Sprinkles: resistant to fusarium wilt 1, fusarium crown rot, tobacco mosaic virus, and root-knot nematode
    • Garden Peach: resistant to late blight
    • Cauralina F1: resistant to fusarium wilt, fusarium crown root, and tomato mosaic virus
    • Italian Heirloom: resistant to late blight
    • Marglobe: resistant to fusarium wilt 1 and 2
    • Chiapas: resistant to early and late blight, and Septoria leaf spot
    • Mt. Gold: resistant to fusarium wilt 1 and 2
    • Grandma’s Pick F1: resistant to verticillium wilt, root-knot nematode, and fusarium wilt 1
    • New Yorker: resistant to verticillium wilt
    • Mt. Rouge: resistant to root-knot nematode and late blight
    • Marbonne F1: resistant to tomato mosaic virus and fusarium wilt

    Conclusion

    I hope this post has helped you to identify the best disease-resistant tomatoes, as well as how best to find the right variety for you. It’s getting easier and easier to grow disease-resistant tomatoes; just be sure to check the abbreviations on any tomato seeds that you buy. Do you have any tips or tricks when it comes to disease-resistant tomatoes? If so, please feel free to let us know in the comments below. And remember, sharing is caring!

    FAQs

    Which tomato variety is resistant to blight?

    Mountain Magic F1 (Medium) is resistant to blight.

    If you see symptoms of bacterial blight on your tomato plants, remove them by cutting the stems at the base of the plant. Make sure to wash your hands after removing the infected parts so you don’t spread the bacteria around. If you see the bacteria on the leaves, you can spray them with a mixture of water and bleach to kill the bacteria.

    Which tomato variety is resistant to bacterial wilt?

    The best known varieties are “Green Zebras” and “Roma”. There are also a number of hybrids that have been bred for this resistance.

    If you see any signs of Verticillium wilt, you should remove the plants from the soil as soon as possible to prevent further damage. If you are unable to remove the plants from the ground, you can treat the soil with a fungicide such as copper or sulfur to prevent the disease from spreading.

    Are cherry tomatoes disease resistant?

    Cherry tomatoes are a great choice for any gardener looking to add a little variety to their vegetable garden. Liike most other types of tomatoes, cherry tomatoes are susceptible to various diseases.

    However, they are resistant to a wide variety of diseases, and in some cases the resistance is due to the plant’s own immune system.

    Are heirloom tomatoes disease-resistant?

    Heirloom tomatoes are not resistant to the major diseases that affect tomato crops, but they can be used as a food source when combined with other plants and insects that provide natural pest control. The best way to prevent diseases is by growing tomatoes in a healthy garden environment that includes annuals and perennials, mulching, regular watering and harvesting regularly.

    How do you know if bacteria is wilting of tomatoes?

    The first thing to check is whether or not the plant has any signs of disease.
    There are a number of ways to tell. One of the most reliable is the color of the tomato. If it’s dark green, it’s probably ok. If it’s light green, it may be starting to decay. If it’s yellow or brown, it’s most likely too far gone. Another way is to press your thumb on the stem of the tomato and see how it feels. If it’s waxy, it’s ok. If it’s dry and hard, it’s dead.
    You can look at the underside of the leaves. If the leaves have turned yellow, this is a sign of bacterial wilt.

    What is the hardiest tomato plant?

    A tomato plant can be grown in almost any location, but it’s important to choose a site that offers the proper amount of sunlight. Tomatoes are a warm-weather crop, so they need lots of sun. They also like plenty of water, so make sure that you water regularly and give the leaves a good soaking once or twice a week. If you have a big enough garden space, tomatoes are the perfect addition to any vegetable garden.
    There are many varieties of tomatoes, and many are very different in hardiness. We have found that the most hardy tomato is

  • Do Tomato Hornworms Bite: Best Ways to Control

    Do Tomato Hornworms Bite: Best Ways to Control

    Tomato worms are one common pest that bothers tomato plants and they can ruin your plants. They may look fierce and dangerous, but do tomato hornworms bite?

    The huge green tomato worm can grow up to 4 or 5 inches long and they are one of the longest types of caterpillar. There is nothing more devastating than finding tomato worms in your garden feeding on your sweet tomato fruits.

    The fact that the tomato worm has a stinger-like horn shape, some may be scared of them. So, if you’ve got tomato worms in your garden and you’re wondering if they bite then you should read on to know the answer to this. We will also discuss what you can do to get rid of these troubling worms.

    What Are Tomato Worms?

    Tomato worms, also known as hornworms are huge caterpillars that have a tail that looks like a horn. They love to chew on tomatoes, meaning tomato is their favorite food. They not only enjoy fruits, but they can also feed on plant leaves as well as their stems. These worms will eat plant leaves and can render your plant leafless.

    Tomato worms will as well feast on other plant’s fruits such as eggplant, pepper, potato, and tobacco plants.

    Do Tomato Hornworms Bite?

    Even though these worms may look scary and savage, they are not stingers. Therefore tomato worms do not bite. They are harmless to humans and you can even pick them up off your plants anytime you sight them.

    What Are Tomato Worms

    Where Do Tomato Worms Come From?

    Tomato worms come from eggs laid by the adult moth. These moths are huge heavy-bodied insects that have narrow front wings. They are gray-brown and can have yellow spots on their abdomen.

    Life cycle

    The tomato worm life cycle begins as eggs are laid by the adult moths. These eggs are laid by the female after mating around summer and the eggs are laid on the host such as tomato, pepper, eggplant, etc. The eggs are oval and smooth with a light green color.

    Next, the eggs hatch into caterpillars and the caterpillars are the worms that begin to feed and grow. The caterpillars can feed up until late summer or early fall.

    Once they begin to feed and grow, in about 3 to 4 weeks, they become matured green caterpillars. This matured caterpillar will drop from the plants they are feeding into the soil and burrow into the soil. In the soil, they will change or transform into pupae. The pupae will stay in the soil and thrive through winter.

    After surviving through winter, the pupae will emerge as adult moths during spring. Then the moths start another generation around mid-summer by depositing their eggs on their host plant.

    Identifying Caterpillar on Tomato Plant

    The tomato worm caterpillars may be hard to notice because they are green and can blend with your green plants. But once you notice any caterpillar of about 4 to 5 inches of green color and horn-like shape on your plant, then that’s a sign of tomato worm infestation. You need to act fast. If you delay any longer, they will continue to spread causing even bigger problems.

    They are capable of devouring your plant leaves and causing serious damage a night. Once they grow bigger and older, they consume more and more. Those fully matured tomato caterpillars can consume a lot at that stage.

    So, because of their green camouflaging color, you may not notice them on time. However, you should look closely and also look for droppings and follow the trail.

    You can as well identify these worms with black lights. Once it gets dark, scrutinize your plant with the black lights. Tomato worms usually come out in the dark to feed and they will glow in the dark.

    Let’s take a look at some control measures we can take to mitigate the situation.

    Controlling Tomato Worms

    There are various methods of getting rid of tomato worms and they include:

    • Handpicking

    Tomato worms will not bite you so you can simply handpick them when you notice them in your garden. This process may take a while, but it’s totally worth it as you will be saving your plants.

    After handpicking them, you can simply drop them in hot soapy water to kill them. You can as well feed them to your chicken or any birds if you raise them.

    • Spray the plant with soap and water

    Another natural way to get rid of these worms is to spray them with liquid dish soap mixed with water. Spray your entire plant and worms until they are all covered. Doing this should eliminate them without causing any havoc to your plants.

    • Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT)

    If the two natural methods we mentioned above don’t work, you can go for natural pesticides. It is safe to use on your plant and also safe for humans. Bacillus thuringiensis is a natural bacteria found in soil. The worm consumes these bacteria and its digestive system becomes paralyzed and it will eventually die.

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    • Beneficial insects

    Beneficial insects can as well be used to control tomato worms. However, they can only work for a small population. Examples of these beneficial insects are ladybugs, lacewings, paper wasps, and so on. You can obtain these beneficial insects online or from your local garden stores.

    • Chemical insecticides

    Chemical insecticides can be used to control these worms. However, they may not be safe for your organic garden. Notwithstanding, there are good options such as sevin insecticides which are non-systematic. This means they will not penetrate plant tissues and you can simply wash them off after their job is done.

    Signs of Tomato Worms Infestation

    When you begin to notice your plant leaves having holes or becoming wilted, then you need to have a close inspection of your plant.

    You may also notice droppings of these worms on your tomato leaves or the ground. Also, if there are any green caterpillars around your plants, that may be a sign of tomato worm infestation.

    Signs Of Tomato Worms Infestation

    Are Tomato Worms Poisonous?

    Now that we know that tomato worms do not bite humans, you may be wondering if they are poisonous. You can safely touch tomato hornworms without being concerned about them biting, stinging, or being poisonous. However, you should never ingest these worms. If they are ingested, they may be toxic as tomatoes are part of the nightshade family and these worms remove the toxins from the plant. It’s important to seek medical advice if this happens.

    What is the Best Tomato Worm Killer?

    When killing tomato hornworms, it’s best to use a low-risk pesticide. There are many low-risk pesticides you can use. But some of my personal favorites are Spinosad, insecticidal soap, or Bacillus thuringiensis. Let’s take a closer look at all three.

    • Spinosad. It’s derived from a natural microorganism. Can kill tomato hornworms through contact, or ingestion. However, ingestion is the most effective. You’ll notice the effects within one to two weeks. Be sure you keep a watchful eye on it until it’s dried, as it can be harmful to bees.
    • Insecticidal soap. This doesn’t need to be ingested; contact is enough, but it must be direct. It’s effective against hornworms and what’s great about this is that it isn’t harmful to good insects.
    • Bacillus Thuringiensis. A bacteria that derive from the soil. Contact is not enough for this pesticide, it must be consumed by the tomato hornworms. The younger the caterpillars, the more effective this method will be. This method is ideal if you’re looking to protect bees and insects.

    Can a Tomato Hornworm Sting?

    If you take a close look at the tomato hornworm, they are quite terrifying. They look as though they could be dangerous, but as well as not being poisonous, and not being able to bite, they also can not sting you. Apart from being harmful to your garden, they can’t cause any damage to humans whatsoever! They’re nowhere near as scary as they first appear.

    Can Bearded Dragons Eat Hornworms?

    Bearded dragons have a very versatile diet, and you may be wondering if you can feed them hornworms. And the answer is, absolutely. However, it’s best to buy the hornworms from a reputable store. Hornworms are used as food for many reptiles besides bearded dragons, such as geckos and chameleons.

    Hornworms are easy for your bearded dragons to digest, as well as being a great source of calcium and hydration.Where Do Tomato Worms Come From

    Are Tomato Hornworms Poisonous to Dogs?

    We’ve mentioned that tomato hornworms can cause problems if ingested by humans, and the same can be said if ingested by your pets. Tomato hornworms can be poisonous to your dogs, so it’s important to seek veterinary advice if you think your dog has swallowed any.

    Conclusion: Do Tomato Hornworms Bite?

    Tomato worms may look fierce and dangerous but they do not bite humans. However, the damage they will do to your plants can be very serious. Ensure you monitor your plants closely, especially their favorite plants which are tomato, pepper, eggplants, and tobacco plants.

    I hope this post has helped to answer the question: “do tomato hornworms bite?” and given you an idea of how to prevent and control them if you do manage to get an infestation. While they can be a nuisance to your garden, it’s a super easy problem to resolve. Do you have any tips and tricks when it comes to removing hornworms? If so, please feel free to let us know in the comments below. And remember, sharing is caring!

    FAQs

    Do hornworms bite humans?

    Hornworms are not harmful to humans. However, they can cause damage to plants. The eggs and larvae are very destructive. They eat grass, soil, and roots. They can also kill plants.

    A hornworm may bite if it feels threatened or cornered. They also may bite if they are hungry. If they are hungry, they may be trying to feed on the roots of a plant.

    The most common cause of a hornworm bite is in the spring. The adults are out looking for food and the young ones are out looking for mates.

    Are green hornworms poisonous?

    Some people think that the green hornworm is poisonous because it tastes bad, and they won’t eat it. Others think that the green hornworm is poisonous because it has a very hard exoskeleton which doesn’t easily break down in the stomach.
    But, they are not.

    Where do tomato hornworms go during the day?

    Tomato hornworm caterpillars are active during the day, and they may be feeding on leaves or other parts of plants. If you find a large number of them, try to see where they are hiding. Look for places where they might have access to foliage and leaves. You can also check under shrubs and trees for signs of feeding. Hornworms will leave a silken web on their food source. You can also look for frass, or insect droppings.

    Tomato hornworms (Manduca sexta) are large, dark-colored caterpillars with a horn on their head and antennae. They feed on the leaves of tomatoes and other nightshade plants like eggplant and peppers. Hornworm larvae chew holes in plant leaves to feed on sap and then pupate. When they emerge as adults, they’ll feed on foliage until they reach maturity.

    How do you prevent tomato worms?

    Tomato worms are not a problem for everyone. I can’t say that I have ever had problems with them, but when I did, I didn’t know what to do about it. So I want to share some tips on how to get rid of tomato worms in your garden. Tomato Worms – What are they? A common pest for tomatoes, the tomato worm is a small insect, which can be up to 2 inches long.
    They are most often seen in the garden when the temperatures are warm and humid. You may see them crawling around the base of plants, or laying eggs in the soil. How do you get rid of them? The best way to prevent tomato worm damage is to pick off any infested leaves, and destroy the eggs in the soil. Another good method is to grow plants in containers, so that you can take them out of the garden if they begin to appear. If you do need to control these pests, the easiest solution is to use a systemic pesticide. These products work by killing the pest from the roots down, which will help reduce any future problems. This is one of the best ways to prevent tomato worms, and many other plant pests.

  • Tomatoes High or Low Humidity: How Best to Store

    Tomatoes High or Low Humidity: How Best to Store

    Should you store tomatoes in high or low humidity in the refrigerator to extend their shelf life, or where is the right place to keep them?

    There is no joy like going to the farmers market or the grocery store and shopping for your week or months-long groceries. However, before you spend a ton of money on these expensive fruits and vegetables, be sure you know how to them fresh for the longest.

    Let’s learn the proper humidity of vegetables that will enable us to store our fresh produce in the right place in the refrigerator.

    The Refrigerator

    A refrigerator has many compartments to store different kinds of foods. The two drawers in the bottom of your refrigerator are called crisper drawers, and they preserve your vegetables. If you want your vegetables and fruits to last long, it matters where you put them.

    Most vegetables should go into the high humidity drawer, while most fruits should go into the low humidity.  Of course, there are some exceptions to this, so let’s look into it.

    The Refrigerator

    Some crisper drawers are labeled fruit and vegetable making it easy to know where to keep your supplies. You can adjust the humidity level of the drawer by moving the slider. The high setting allows the slider to close the window and hold more air and moisture inside. At the same time, a low humidity setting allows the slider to open the window, letting in more air out of the drawer.

    So Why Does it Matter: Vegetables Low or High Humidity?

    It matters because of ethylene. Ethylene is a plant hormone available in fruits and vegetables. Lots of fruits and vegetables release this hormone as a sign for fruit vegetables to ripen.

    Not all vegetables respond to Ethylene the same. For susceptible vegetables, this gas makes them get over-ripe and go bad very fast. For example, suppose you trap an ethylene-sensitive vegetable like lettuce inside a high-humidity drawer when it’s closed with an ethylene-producing fruit like an apple; in that case, the lettuce will go bad fast.

    Now you know why your veggies have been going bad too fast. It’s because you mixed them with the wrong vegetables and fruits, and kept the drawer closed.

    However, opening the little window in the drawer to make it a low-humidity drawer is enough to let the Ethylene out. The rest of the refrigerator is big enough to dilute this gas for a limited effect on the rest of the produce in the refrigerator. Ethylene is a plant hormone and does not affect people at all.

    So Do You Store Tomatoes in High or Low Humidity?

    That said, what should you store in a low-humidity-open window drawer? Fruits and vegetables that produce Ethylene should be stored there. These include apples, tomatoes, avocadoes, citrus fruit, kiwi fruit, blueberries, green onions, melons, okra, peaches, mushrooms, nectarines, plums, grapes, and pears.

    What about the high-humidity closed window drawer? In this drawer, you should store fruits and vegetables that are sensitive to the effects of ethylene. They include – zucchini, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus, cucumbers, leafy greens, green beans, lettuce, peppers, peas, spinach, and summer squash.

    The humidity settings on both of these drawers work best when the drawers are 2/3 full. Ensure that you do not stock up on these drawers too full.

    Now to answer the question, should you store tomatoes in high or low humidity? If you have to keep them in the refrigerator, store them in low humidity with an open window. However, the best way to store them is out at the counter.

    The Best Way to Store Your Produce 

    It is best to store your produce in the packaging you bought them in. If you need to change it, loosely wrap it in paper or perforated plastic bags. Allow your produce to breathe. This allows the ethylene gas to escape, keeping away any extra moisture from getting trapped inside. Extra moisture is a breeding ground for bacteria and can make your produce go bad fast.

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    There are plastic vented containers that you can buy to help you store your produce in better condition. They help keep your fruits and vegetables in a healthy state, away from any danger of rot. They have a tray that collects the water sitting in a puddle of water, and the lid is invented to let the Ethylene out. These two qualities keep your produce fresh.

    Is Everything Else Stored in the Refrigerator?

    Please note, not everything belongs in the refrigerator! Some fruits and veggies will do best when left on the counter. And the best thing is the more you see them, the much you are bound to eat them.

    Bananas and tomatoes are some of the food that should never go into the refrigerator. The refrigeration temperatures keep bananas from getting any riper and sweeter. Tomatoes will get a mealy texture and lose their natural flavor when refrigerated. Keeping your tomatoes out of the compressed humidity helps them last longer.

    Citrus fruits can also be stored at room temperature on the counter for 7-10 days. If they are refrigerated, they pick up some odors from the refrigerator.

    Melons, summer squash, cucumber, eggplant, and zucchini all do better on the counter at room temperature. Once melons ripen, consume them within 7 days. The vegetables can only last a couple of days on the counter, so use them as soon as you can.

    Is Everything Else Stored In The Refrigerator

    Some fruits and vegetables even ripen better if you leave them on the counter. If you are not ready to eat them when they get ripe, you can now put them in the refrigerator to extend them a few days. Fruits like avocados, apples, kiwis, peaches, nectarines, pears, and plums all fall into this category.

    Once you cut your fruit and vegetables, all the remaining pieces should be refrigerated and used within 2 to 4 days.

    Best Humidity for Vegetable Drawer

    You may be wondering what the humidity should be for your vegetable dray. Well, the truth is, the refrigerator vegetable drawer humidity setting all depends on which fruit and vegetables you’re storing. For example, some prefer high humidity, while others prefer low.

    Generally, it’s best to keep your drawer at low humidity. This is to stop the food from perishing too quickly. If your food is prone to rotting quickly, opt for low humidity. If your food is prone to wilting quickly, opt for high humidity. Let’s take a closer look at some examples.

    Some foods that should be kept in a high-humidity drawer are as follows:

    • strawberries
    • watermelon
    • asparagus
    • eggplant
    • green beans
    • okra
    • peas
    • cucumber
    • lettuce (and other leafy greens)
    • peppers
    • cauliflower
    • broccoli
    • carrots
    • Brussels
    • herbs

    Some foods that should be kept in a low-humidity drawer are as follows:

    • peaches
    • pears
    • plums
    • avocado
    • bananas
    • figs
    • mangoes
    • melons
    • apples
    • papayas
    • kiwis

    What Should the Humidity of Refrigerator Be?

    You may be curious as to what the humidity of your refrigerator should be. It may surprise you that many factors can affect the humidity of your fridge, which is why you should be careful where you store certain foods. For example, foods that are prone to wilting should be kept in a high-humidity drawer. Whereas foods that are prone to rotting quickly should be kept in a low-humidity drawer.

    The humidity can change when:

    • You open your fridge. If you leave your fridge open for more than a few seconds, warm air will enter the fridge and even when closed, the humidity will have risen dramatically.
    • Contents. This is why it’s recommended to allow food to come to room temperature before you place it in the fridge. If you place hot food into the fridge, the humidity will rise dramatically.

    All you need to know is the best places to store certain foods; at either high or low humidity. The temperature of your refrigerator often changes slightly throughout the day, so there is no set humidity in your fridge should be.

    tomatoes stored in the refrigerator

    Humidity Control in Fridge for Vegetables

    You may be curious about how to control the humidity in your fridge for foods like fruits and vegetables. The best way is to use the zones in your fridge correctly. For example, foods prone to perishing quickly such as plums and pears should be kept in low humidity. Whereas foods prone to wilting, such as asparagus, need to keep in high humidity.

    You should also only leave your fridge open for very short bursts of time, and never place hot food directly into the fridge. Both of these will help to control the humidity in the fridge.

    Should Tomatoes Be Stored in the Refrigerator?

    It is not recommended to store tomatoes in the refrigerator, but that’s not to say you can’t if you want to. It’s not recommended because it can alter both the flavor and texture – and not for the better! However, if you opened your tomatoes, or chopped them pre-emptively, you should keep them in the fridge, in an airtight container, for best results.

    Conclusion: Tomatoes High or Low Humidity?

    It is essential to learn the nitty-gritty of every sector of life, and learning about high or low humidity for veggies is part of our daily life. The last thing we want is for you to spend all the money shopping only to lose half of the stuff you bought because you stored them in the wrong place.

    Remember always to keep your refrigerator clean and well-stocked for that quick dinner when you are running late from work. Besides, appreciate your counter and pantry where you also store other types of foods. Keep your potatoes in the pantry in a cool, dry place away from moisture.

    I hope this post has helped to answer the question of whether it’s best to keep tomatoes in high or low humidity. If you have any tips or tricks when it comes to storing tomatoes, please feel free to let us know in the comments below. And remember, sharing is caring!

    FAQs

    What is the best way to store tomatoes?

    The best way to store tomatoes is in a cool, dark place. Tomatoes are sensitive to light and heat. So what you should do is store them in an open window drawer that has low humidity.

    However, the answer to this question depends on your needs and goals. If you just want to store tomatoes for a few days, there are several ways that can work. I have found the easiest way is to simply put them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. This will keep them safe and preserve their flavor. If you want to store tomatoes for longer periods of time, then you will need to use something different.

    Generally speaking, a refrigerator is not a very good place for storing tomatoes. They will shrivel and lose flavor if left at room temperature.

    The first thing I do with any produce is cut it into slices.

    Then I place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. I then cover the whole thing with a plastic wrap and put it in the fridge. This helps keep the produce from drying out and keeps it fresh for longer.

    How does the ripening process work?

    When the tomato is ripe it releases a chemical into the pod. This chemical causes the pod to ripen. It also allows the fruit to be eaten. This process is called “ripening” or “de-greening.” The skin of the tomato is made up of two layers, the exocarp and the endocarp. The exocarp is the outermost layer of the fruit. The endocarp is the innermost layer. The exocarp is what you see when you pick up the tomato. It is the part that has been cut off from the stem. The endocarp is the part that is left on the stem. It is the part that is used in canning. It is important to note that both layers are edible.

    This is the best way I’ve found to keep my tomatoes from turning green. The idea is to keep them in the refrigerator. As long as they are kept cool and out of direct sunlight, they should remain fresh for a week or two.

    What’s a good alternative to canning them?

    If you don’t want to can them, your best bet is to freeze them.

    You’ll want to let them thaw out first, then place them in the fridge. This should keep them from getting moldy.

  • What Do Bluegill Eat: Best Diet to Follow & Facts

    What Do Bluegill Eat: Best Diet to Follow & Facts

    Do you have bluegill in your aquarium and you’re wondering what do bluegill eat? We will let you know in this post.

    Generally, various fish needs special care no matter the type of fish you choose to raise. It is pretty easy to care for various fish, especially the bluegill, as they require you to provide them basic care such as clean water, good space, as well as fish feed.

    Bluegill fish will feed on a whole lot of things, so read on to discover what do bluegill eat. 

    Facts About Bluegill Fish

    Bluegill fish are long-bodied freshwater sunfish. They are native to North America and they dwell mostly in lakes, rivers, and ponds. Bluegill fish are one common loving fish raised among aquarium hobbyists.

    They are quite friendly fish to have in your home aquarium and they possess some fascinating habits you would love to witness. Habits like doing hide and seek from predators by taking cover at the back of any covering or shield in your aquarium.

    Info About Bluegill Fish: What To Feed Bluegill In An Aquarium

    They can grow up to 2kg to 2.5 kg in weight. Bluegill can also grow as long as 12 inches or more. They can live up to 4 or 6 years.

    Read more about How to Raise Catfish in A Tank

    What Do Bluegill Eat?

    Bluegill fish are carnivores. This implies they are capable of feeding on other little types of fish or small animals. So, here is what you can feed your bluegill fish in your aquarium:

    1.    Minnows

    One common little fish to feed your bluefish is a minnow. Minnows are normally dropped around feeding time in the aquarium and the bluegill fish goes hunting them. You can trim the minnow’s tail and not worry about shedding blood in your aquarium. Trimming is done so they won’t be able to swim and it will be easier for your bluegill fish to catch and feed on them.

    2.    Shiner fish

    Shiner fishes are little fish you can feed your bluegill with. Their size is about 2 to 3 inches which makes them perfect for feeding matured bluegill fish. You can purchase them from bait shops and they are also used as bait for capturing bluegill fish in the wild.

    3.    Shad fish

    Shad fish are tiny and they can be fed to bluegill fish. Although they might be scarce to find, they can be added to the list of food to feed bluegill.

    4.    Baitfish

    The baitfish are primarily used in the wild for catching bluegill fish from their natural habitat. Bluegill enjoys feeding on baitfish; especially the bigger-sized bluegill fish. Most bluegill keepers prefer feeding them with baitfish because they are readily available in pet shops. They are also not so pricey.

    5.    Suckerfish

    Little fish like the sucker is also included in the food for your bluegill fish. This slender cylindrical-bodied fish is one of the bluegill favorites and they will enjoy feeding on these little fishes.

    6.    Larvae & insects

    Larvae and insects are not left out of the various kinds of food you can feed your bluegill. As we mentioned earlier, bluegill fish feast on little animals such as larvae and insects. Examples are crickets, grasshoppers, and mealworms. If you wish to lure bluegill to the surface in their wild natural habitat, insects are best used as bait.

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    7.    Water insects

    Another food you can feed your bluegill is water insects they are rich in nutrients for your fish. They will feed on insect larvae, mosquito larvae, any eggs laid in water, and even water bugs.

    8.    Crustacean

    Crustaceans such as small freshwater shrimps and small crayfish are not left out of food to feed your bluegill fish. They can be purchased easily from fish or feed shops.

    9.    Zooplankton

    It is the young bluegill fish that mostly feed on zooplankton and this also supplies them with adequate nutrients to grow.

    10. Fish pellets & dried worms

    Bluegill fish will also feed on dried worms and fish pellets. They are cheap and available in fish or feed shops.

    Other bluegill foods you can also add to your fish feed are terrestrial insects and water insects.

    Stocking Density for Bluegill in an Aquarium

    Bluegill fish requires adequate spacing. Therefore, they can take up to 50 to 70 gallons of water. The required pH should fall around 6.8 to 7.2. Bluegill fish can also live along with tank mates of other species of fish. 

    Stocking Density For Bluegill In An Aquarium

    Additional Note: What to Feed Bluegill in an Aquarium

    When feeding your aquarium bluegill, you will need to monitor them. You should feed them during the day and the feeding session should be short (about 15 seconds). Also. try not to overfeed them as this could lead to your tank being polluted. Remove any leftover food and readjust the feeding portion the next time.

    What to Feed Baby Bluegill?

    You may be wondering what the best food is to feed your baby bluegills. Let’s take a closer look at what you should include in their diet. Bluegills eat both other animals and plants. You can expect them to enjoy foods such as plants, insects, and other small fish or insects.

    You may want to consider adding the following to your tank for your bluegills: bloodworms and baby brine shrimp. They’ll also enjoy fish flakes, pellets, or even frozen food such as krill. If you’re looking for a less expensive option, fish flakes are a great starting point. However, you must offer other foods to ensure they’re getting a balanced diet.

    When Do Bluegill Spawn?

    You may be curious as to when bluegill spawns. This usually takes place in June, but it can happen anytime from May to August. You should ensure that have you your gravel in the tank so that the bluegills can make a nest. It’s also important to keep the temperature of the aquarium between 68-80F.

    How Fast Does Bluegill Grow?

    How quickly bluegills grow depends on a variety of aspects. Such as the type of bluegill, how healthy and active they are, and also the size of the area they’re kept in. However, some estimations can be made. Bluegills can take up to five years before they’ve fully matured. However, if they’re in a large area of water, they may not stop growing!

    After around a year, it should be around 4-6 inches in length. After two years of age, it should be around 6-8 inches in length. After three years of age, it should be around 8-8.8 inches in length. After four years of age, it should be around 8.8-9.4 inches in length. After five years of age, it should be around 10 inches in length.

    Typically, in the wild, bluegill lives for around 5-6 years. However, their lifespan can double if they’re kept in captivity. It’s also worth noting that where the growing season is longer, due to warmer weather, bluegill will grow more quickly.

    Bluegill Temperature Range

    Bluegill fish are tolerant to many temperatures, which is why they’re a great fish to have. They can tolerate temperatures as high as 95F! However, for your bluegills to thrive and grow to a good, healthy size, the tank should be kept between 68-80F, for best results.

    blugill fish

    Do Hybrid Bluegill Reproduce?

    You may have heard that the hybrid bluegill can not reproduce. However, this is not the case! While it’s more often for them to be sterile than not, they can sometimes still reproduce. What’s most interesting about when hybrid bluegills reproduce is that the offspring will be one of two species: the bluegill, or green sunfish.

    Conclusion: What Do Bluegill Eat?

    I hope this post has helped to answer the question “what do bluegill eat?” and given you an idea of what diet is best to ensure your bluegill fish are thriving. Do you have any tips and tricks when it comes to supplying your bluegill with the best diet? If so, please feel free to let us know in the comments below. And remember, sharing is caring!

    FAQs

    What do Bluegill fish eat?

    The diet of a fish can be a very important part of its life. Some fish are carnivores; others are omnivores; and some are herbivores. In addition to the food they eat, the diet of each fish species is affected by the type of water it lives in and its size. The food in a fish’s diet may change throughout its life. For example, when a fish reaches sexual maturity, it may begin eating a different diet than it did before that time.

    A bluegill’s diet is based on the foods that are found in a natural environment.

    The food of choice for bluegills in an aquarium is a mix of pellets and live foods, according to the University of Michigan. Pellets are made up of ground fish meal, fish oil, corn and other ingredients that help grow the fish, while live foods include small invertebrates like shrimp, mosquito larvae and daphnia. Live foods may also be available as frozen or canned items.

    They will eat any pellet food available, and they are not picky about what kind of food they eat. Pellets are also easier to handle for the fish than flakes. Flake food is more expensive than pellets and has a longer shelf life. You can get the same nutrients in a smaller amount from pellets.

    Do they eat a lot?

    Yes they do, and you should definitely consider feeding them a pretty broad diet so the they may get all the nutrients that they need.

    They are a bit like a catfish in that they have a very strong, aggressive bite.

    If you don’t want them to die, try feeding them meat chunks (cat, dog, rabbit, etc). A popular food for them in tanks are frozen bloodworms.

    What are the best kind of pellets for them?

    The most commonly recommended food for bluegills in an aquarium is the algae-based “semi-pellet” diet, which contains protein, vitamins and minerals. Other foods include small pieces of shrimp or other crustaceans and live plants. Bluegills are bottom-feeding fish that eat primarily algae, insects and other plant material.

    Can they feed alongside other fish?

    They can be kept with other types of fish such as catfish and sunfish. Diet Bluegills feed on microalgae (sometimes called “semi-pellets”) and small organisms such as worms, insect larvae, mollusks, and detritus. These organisms are found in the water column. Bluegills also eat zooplankton, the microscopic animals that drift through the water. Bluegills are omnivorous. They will eat both plant and animal matter. The preferred food is a diet of live algae and detritus (decaying plant and animal matter) found in the bottom of an aquarium.

  • Round Cucumber: 4 Top Reasons Why This is Happening

    Round Cucumber: 4 Top Reasons Why This is Happening

    Unusual things may occur with your cucumber plants such as them turning round. Then you begin to wonder: Why do I have a round cucumber? 

    This is due to them noticing an unusual growth pattern of cucumbers. Instead of the familiar long protruding shape of a cucumber, the cucumbers turn out to be deformed and round in shape.

    Most times, it could be due to external influences such as water, light, heat, nutrients, pests, and diseases, as well as pollination. And sometimes, it might be the type of variety that was planted.

    Although, cucumbers are a very fast-growing plant, such that, they can start producing fruits and can be harvested within six weeks after planting, with all things being equal. If you put the right things into practice, getting a successful result of long green juicy cucumbers is possible.

    Let’s get more answers to your question: why do I have a round cucumber? 

    Round Cucumber Varieties

    Different varieties of cucumbers come in different shapes and sizes. Apart from the regular long thin green cucumbers, which can be up to 8 inches in length and 2 inches in diameter, there are other types.

    There is the fat and dwarf type of cucumbers. Their lengths are usually about 5 to 6 inches. And there are also round types of cucumbers too. So it happens that cucumbers can take different types of forms due to their variety.

    Round Cucumber Varieties

    Why Are Your Cucumbers Round?

    Sometimes, you get to your garden or even at the grocery store and you see cucumbers with unusual shapes, unlike the regular long thin ones.

    This keeps you bothered because you’ve put in the work to grow your cucumber plants. You are also in the expectation of harvesting the type of cucumbers you want.

    Let’s take a look at the reasons why cucumbers become round and deformed.

    1.    Shortage of nutrients

    A situation whereby there’s a shortage of nutrients available to cucumbers can be unpleasant to the plants. This can lead to the cucumber becoming round, stout, or short. And then you keep wondering and asking; why do I have a round cucumber? 

    Cucumbers require lots of nutrients while growing. Before planting your cucumber, prepare the soil first by mixing compost and organic mulch in the soil. Do this a few weeks ahead of planting your cucumbers.

    This will help in making the necessary nutrients available for the plants. However, you can first add little or no fertilizer to the soil if it’s fertile. Once you notice a kind of abnormal growth or unusual changes in your cucumbers, like yellowing, get a fertilizer with an NPK of 5-5-10.

    The plants need lots of phosphorus, potassium, and even more, nitrogen to be healthy again.

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    2.    Lack of water 

    Water in the right proportion is a necessity for cucumber plants for healthy growth. This means not watering your cucumber plants well can affect the growth of the cucumbers. This will result in a low harvest and deformed cucumbers.

    Lack of water also leads to wilting of the plants in the sun due to dehydration. The solution is for you to water your plants once or twice every week, depending on the condition of the soil, if it’s wet or not.

    Make sure you always check for soil dryness to know when it needs watering.

    Water the plants more if it is dry. This way, they get to have enough water for themselves but endeavor not to over-water the plants.

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    3.    The environment of the plants

    Another factor that can affect the looks of cucumbers is the environment where they are being planted. The soil for growing cucumbers must be well-draining. This helps to foster the aeration, draining, and circulation of water in the soil.

    Another factor to look out for is the temperature. If the temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit and no form of light is available to the plants, their growth will be stunted. Furthermore, a high temperature of around 95 degrees Fahrenheit and above is a no-no for these plants. This will reduce pollination, thereby resulting in lower plant yield, fruit size, shape, and quality.

    The Environment Of The Plants

    4.    Poor pollination – Why are my cucumbers round?

    The main cause that can be attributed to underdeveloped or deformed cucumbers is pollination. The cucumbers won’t develop well or will have stunted growth if the flowers are not pollinated fully. On the same plant, there are cucumber cultivars with male and female flowers.

    To transfer the pollen in them, they need pollinators. Hence, the lack of pollinators like bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, in the garden, may lead to the ineffectiveness of the pollination process. To have more pollinators come to your cucumber garden, grow plants that have much pollen and nectar.

    Furthermore, adopt more natural and eco-friendly methods of preventing the rampaging of pests in your garden. Like handpicking, shielding, and setting traps. Do this instead of the use of pesticides. This is because pesticides will kill the pollinating insects also.

    Tips for Growing Better and Healthy Cucumbers

    The following cucumber growing tips will help you in growing healthy cucumbers and harvesting quality cucumbers in your garden:

    • You can start your cucumbers with seeds indoors. Start them indoors three to four weeks ahead of the time you will be transplanting them into the ground.
    • Make sure the temperature of the soil is above 70 degrees Fahrenheit before you transplant the seedlings directly or plant the seeds in the ground.
    • If you’re planting the seeds directly, plant the seeds with a space of at least 36 inches apart.
    • Cucumber plants prefer loose well-draining soil. Hence, don’t choose a location with hard soil and small planting space.

    • The best soil to plant your cucumbers in is light and lovely sandy soil.
    • For clay soil, mix peat or compost in the soil for better soil.
    • Add more compost to the soil once you notice the appearance of new shoots. This helps the buds to grow more.
    • The habitat where your cucumber plants are grown must have good drainage. This will help the plants not to get rotten because the surrounding won’t get waterlogged. Hence, water gets to drain quickly.

    Types of Round Cucumber

    Many cucumbers actually grow round, so if you’re growing these varieties and notice that they’re growing round in shape – it simply means you’re looking after them as they should be, and they’re thriving! Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular varieties.

    Lemon cucumber

    You may be wondering what does a lemon cucumber look like? And these cucumbers get their name because they simply look like lemons! Their scientific name is Cucumis sativus and they’re a fast-growing cucumber. When full-sized, they’re around 2-3 inches in length. While they are small, they are absolutely delicious! They are mild in taste and work well in a salad. What’s great about lemon cucumbers is that not only are they lemon shaped, but they’re also yellow too!

    It’s important to plant your lemon cucumbers in a place where they have full sun. They need full sun to thrive. They do best in temperatures between 60-90F. As well as this, they’ll need around an inch of water per week to keep the soil moist. It’s important to keep the routine of watering your plants, so as not to stress your cucumbers.

    The pH of the soil should be between 6.5-7.0 and if cared for, will reach maturity in around 60 days.

    Apple crystal cucumber 

    The scientific name for this cucumber is Cucumis sativus and they’re a fast-growing cucumber. When full-sized, they’re around 3 inches in length. It gets its name because once grown, it looks just like a green apple; in shape and color. It’s a sweet variety that works well in dishes such as salads.

    This cucumber needs around 6-8 hours of sunlight per day to thrive. They do best in temperatures above 60F. They’ll need watering 2-3 times a week.

    The pH of the soil should be around 6.5-7.0, and if cared for, will reach maturity in around 60-70 days.

    Mandurian round cucumber

    The scientific name for this cucumber is Cucumis melo and they’re a fast-growing cucumber. When full-sized, they’re around 2 inches in length. It is often mistaken for a small watermelon! And this variety is another great addition to salad dishes.

    This cucumber needs around 6-8 hours of sunlight per day to thrive. They do best in temperatures around 85F. They’ll need watering around once a week. However, you’ll need to increase this in hotter months.

    The pH of the soil should be around 5.6-7, and if cared for, will reach maturity in around 65-80 days.

    Mandurian round cucumber

    Maroon cucumber

    The scientific name for this cucumber is Cucumis anguria and they’re a fast-growing cucumber. When full-sized, they’re around 2 inches in length. It’s usually pale green, is mild in flavor, and works well in dishes such as salad.

    This cucumber needs full sun to thrive and soil should be kept moist at all times. The temperature should be kept between 60-90F.

    The pH of the soil should be slightly acidic, and if cared for, will reach maturity in around 60-65 days.

    Cucamelon

    The scientific name for this cucumber is Melothria scabra and they’re a fast-growing cucumber. When full-sized, they’re around an inch in length. They’re quite bitter, which is quite unusual for a cucumber!

    This cucumber needs full sun to thrive and be sure to give at least one inch of water per week. The temperature should be around 78F.

    The pH of the soil should be slightly acidic, and if cared for, will reach maturity in 65-75 days.

    Conclusion: Round Cucumbers

    At this point, it is certain that you already have an answer to the question: why do I have a round cucumber? 

    With the tips mentioned above on how to improve the unpleasant state of cucumbers, you should now be able to get the best results out of your quest of planting cucumbers. Do you have any of your tips and tricks when it comes to round cucumbers? If so, please feel free to let us know in the comments below. And remember, sharing is caring! 

    FAQs

    Are round cucumber edible

    If the cucumber is not the variety that is round in shape, then it is not edible. When cucumbers grow into a round deformed shape, it means they are not healthy and they are low in quality. Hence may not be a good idea to eat them.

    What causes curved cucumber

    Deformity in the development of cucumbers is a result of factors like ineffective pollination process, shortage of nutrients, lack of water, and many others.

    Why are my cucumbers yellow and round

    A number of factors can lead to your cucumbers being yellow and round but the main cause for it is poor pollination. This is when there are not many pollinators in your cucumber garden. Pollinators help to affect the process of pollination and fertilization of the pollen in the male and female flowers. Other factors like overwatering, lack of nutrients available to the plants, and others can lead to cucumbers becoming yellow and round.