How To Grow Ginger Plants: Simple Tips On Growing Ginger

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Judul : How To Grow Ginger Plants: Simple Tips On Growing Ginger
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Before starting our discussion about How to grow ginger plants First we need to understand the basics. When we talk about edible part of ginger, we generally refer to ginger root. But it is the rhizomes (modified stem) that we eat.

It is one of the plants which need very less amount of caring and maintenance. You just need to know the basics.

How to grow Ginger?

Ginger grows well in humid climates. People living in warmer climates generally do not have problems with growing ginger. In case you are living in a drier place a bit of spraying will definitely benefit the plant. Plant your ginger where you will receive enough sunlight. As mentioned in my article Sun or No-Sun, sunlight is very important for plants of these kinds.

Watering A Ginger Plant:

Water is also a crucial factor in growing ginger. Make sure the soil is moist while the active growing season of ginger is going on. To make the better use of the soil moisture and preventing it from evaporation use Mulch (Check out more about mulch and mulching by clicking the link). Adding different soil less mediawith the soil can also increase the water retention of the soil. Also try not to over-water. It will also drain out the nutrients from the soil.

Ginger is not a voracious eater. If you have added enough compost (you can find more about composting Ingredients by clicking the link) in the beginning you don’t need to add much. In case you leave in a place where the rain is plenty and your soil gets drenched many times your soil nutrition also fades away with the water. In these cases you need to add nutrients like seaweed, fish extractions or other organic manure from outside.

Harvesting Ginger Roots:

Ginger plant generally takes 8 months or more to mature. You can sense the maturity when you see the dying leaves. Many people pull out ginger earlier than this but the mature ginger always taste better.

While harvesting look out for rhizomes with buds in it, these are easier to use for replanting. While planting always put the eye side (the buds) upwards and just below the soil.

Ginger Flower:

Some varieties of Ginger flowers are exceptionally fragrant. So if you find flowers in your plant you can definitely snip them and use it in other decorative format (like bouquet). Do not worry this will not harm the health of the plant. Flowering needs at
least two years. So if you are thinking about flowers you have to harvest very carefully and should only extract a few from here and there.

Ginger As A Companion Plant:

Ginger is a very good companion plant. You can club this with other plants for pest control purposes. You can find more options on different combinations in my earlier article titled Companion Planting: A basic Know-how.

  

Are you also planting Ginger? Share your experiences with us.

Articles Related To Growing Ginger:

How to Grow Tomatoes
How to Grow Garlic

Before starting our discussion about How to grow ginger plants First we need to understand the basics. When we talk about edible part of ginger, we generally refer to ginger root. But it is the rhizomes (modified stem) that we eat.

It is one of the plants which need very less amount of caring and maintenance. You just need to know the basics.

How to grow Ginger?

Ginger grows well in humid climates. People living in warmer climates generally do not have problems with growing ginger. In case you are living in a drier place a bit of spraying will definitely benefit the plant. Plant your ginger where you will receive enough sunlight. As mentioned in my article Sun or No-Sun, sunlight is very important for plants of these kinds.

Watering A Ginger Plant:

Water is also a crucial factor in growing ginger. Make sure the soil is moist while the active growing season of ginger is going on. To make the better use of the soil moisture and preventing it from evaporation use Mulch (Check out more about mulch and mulching by clicking the link). Adding different soil less mediawith the soil can also increase the water retention of the soil. Also try not to over-water. It will also drain out the nutrients from the soil.

Ginger is not a voracious eater. If you have added enough compost (you can find more about composting Ingredients by clicking the link) in the beginning you don’t need to add much. In case you leave in a place where the rain is plenty and your soil gets drenched many times your soil nutrition also fades away with the water. In these cases you need to add nutrients like seaweed, fish extractions or other organic manure from outside.

Harvesting Ginger Roots:

Ginger plant generally takes 8 months or more to mature. You can sense the maturity when you see the dying leaves. Many people pull out ginger earlier than this but the mature ginger always taste better.

While harvesting look out for rhizomes with buds in it, these are easier to use for replanting. While planting always put the eye side (the buds) upwards and just below the soil.

Ginger Flower:

Some varieties of Ginger flowers are exceptionally fragrant. So if you find flowers in your plant you can definitely snip them and use it in other decorative format (like bouquet). Do not worry this will not harm the health of the plant. Flowering needs at
least two years. So if you are thinking about flowers you have to harvest very carefully and should only extract a few from here and there.

Ginger As A Companion Plant:

Ginger is a very good companion plant. You can club this with other plants for pest control purposes. You can find more options on different combinations in my earlier article titled Companion Planting: A basic Know-how.

  

Are you also planting Ginger? Share your experiences with us.

Articles Related To Growing Ginger:

How to Grow Tomatoes
How to Grow Garlic

FAQs about Growing Carrots

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Judul : FAQs about Growing Carrots
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This is our next article on FAQ series. Today's edition is CARROTS. Here are some of the questions generally asked about carrot growing.

Which variety should I plant?

If your soil does not have very good drainage capacity growing shorter varieties is best. For a deeper and loose soil you can always select the longer varieties. Read more about soil classification.

How much space is needed?

Though most of the time carrot seeds are planted very closely you need to thin them after germination. For normal loose soil two plants for every one inch of soil is ideal. If the soil is heavy and tight you need to give more space.

What are seed stalks?

Carrots are biennial. They grow from seed to flower-producing plants over two years. Carrots or many other biennial crops, such as cabbage, will produce seed stalks the first year if young plants are kept in cold weather. Carrots which produce seed stalks often lack flavour, are woody and have poor texture.

What is the best soil type?

A light sandy or loamy soil is ideal for growing carrots. For more details Read carrot growing tips.

What are baby carrots?

By definition these are small immature carrots that are pulled before reaching maturity. Now a days there are referred to several varieties of carrots which are smaller in size upon maturing.

What are the health benefit of eating carrots?

Carrots are good for skin. It helps in fighting infections, preventing wrinkles and delay the aging process. Due to the presence of beta carotine it helps in keeping good eye sight. Also it has been reported to fight against cancer.

Why my carrots taste bitter?

In a carrot there are both trepenoids and sugar. Presence of trepinoid makes the carrot bitter. During its growth trepenoid develops earlier than sugar. So if you harvest your carrots too early it will have bitter taste.

In some species the quantity of trepinoid is far greater than others.

Why do my carrots are bolting?

Carrots are binnual plant. That means they flower in the second year of planting. But if you see them flowering in the first year itself that is due to the fact that there might be a change of temperature or a change in day length. Also growing carrots through out summer can make them prone to bolting. There are several bolt resistant variety which you try growing if you want to grow them in summers.

Can I transplant carrots?

You can. But probably you should not. Carrots actually doesn't do too well in transplanting. They are much more erratic.

Why do carrots split or crack?

Inapproprite watering is the major cause of spliting carrots. If you don't like splitted carrots make sure the soil is moistured evenly. Adding coconut coir or peat moss with the soil can solve this problem.

Why there are galls and swelling in the roots of the plant?

It is called a disease caused by root knot nematodes. Click here to read more on this.

Have any more questions? Please post it in the comment box. We will be happy to answer those.

This is our next article on FAQ series. Today's edition is CARROTS. Here are some of the questions generally asked about carrot growing.

Which variety should I plant?

If your soil does not have very good drainage capacity growing shorter varieties is best. For a deeper and loose soil you can always select the longer varieties. Read more about soil classification.

How much space is needed?

Though most of the time carrot seeds are planted very closely you need to thin them after germination. For normal loose soil two plants for every one inch of soil is ideal. If the soil is heavy and tight you need to give more space.

What are seed stalks?

Carrots are biennial. They grow from seed to flower-producing plants over two years. Carrots or many other biennial crops, such as cabbage, will produce seed stalks the first year if young plants are kept in cold weather. Carrots which produce seed stalks often lack flavour, are woody and have poor texture.

What is the best soil type?

A light sandy or loamy soil is ideal for growing carrots. For more details Read carrot growing tips.

What are baby carrots?

By definition these are small immature carrots that are pulled before reaching maturity. Now a days there are referred to several varieties of carrots which are smaller in size upon maturing.

What are the health benefit of eating carrots?

Carrots are good for skin. It helps in fighting infections, preventing wrinkles and delay the aging process. Due to the presence of beta carotine it helps in keeping good eye sight. Also it has been reported to fight against cancer.

Why my carrots taste bitter?

In a carrot there are both trepenoids and sugar. Presence of trepinoid makes the carrot bitter. During its growth trepenoid develops earlier than sugar. So if you harvest your carrots too early it will have bitter taste.

In some species the quantity of trepinoid is far greater than others.

Why do my carrots are bolting?

Carrots are binnual plant. That means they flower in the second year of planting. But if you see them flowering in the first year itself that is due to the fact that there might be a change of temperature or a change in day length. Also growing carrots through out summer can make them prone to bolting. There are several bolt resistant variety which you try growing if you want to grow them in summers.

Can I transplant carrots?

You can. But probably you should not. Carrots actually doesn't do too well in transplanting. They are much more erratic.

Why do carrots split or crack?

Inapproprite watering is the major cause of spliting carrots. If you don't like splitted carrots make sure the soil is moistured evenly. Adding coconut coir or peat moss with the soil can solve this problem.

Why there are galls and swelling in the roots of the plant?

It is called a disease caused by root knot nematodes. Click here to read more on this.

Have any more questions? Please post it in the comment box. We will be happy to answer those.

Oregano growing tips

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Oregano is a very common ingredient of Italian dishes. It is a perennial herb and have many varieties. But not every variety is suitable for every purpose. Some varieties are good to taste whereas some are best for ornamental purposes. So consult your local nursery shop before deciding the variety you want to grow.

How to grow Oregano?

Oregano can grow in any type of soil which have good drainage system. If the
soil is absorbing too much moisture and not able to drain properly there might be some problem with growing oregano in this. You can add compost and other soil media to increase the drainage capacity of the soil. You can also grow them in containers.

Oregano can grow in slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil. Ideal pH range is 6.0 to 8.0.

Generally oregano plants do not require any additional fertilizer if you have provided compost at the time of planting. They are not that voracious eater like many of other vegetables. If you have plated in a container you would require to fertilize it from time to time.

Planting:

You can start planting Oregano in three ways:

Start with the seeds. Plant them 6 inches apart and letter thin the seedlings 12 inches apart.

Buy seedlings from nursery shops: buy from a shop which has good reputation and use transplants which are 3 inches in length.

Separate some branches from an existing bush and use it as a separate plant.First remove the bottom leaves from the separated branch and then plant them in moist sand after dipping in root growing solution. Once roots emerged from the plant you can now safely transplant them to a container or to your backyard.

Watering your plant:

Oregano is one of the plants that will prefer drier climate than a moist one. Too much moisture in the soil will cause root rotting.

Harvesting:

The leaf and the flowering top are the portion which are harvested for use.

You can harvest them any time during its growing time. It is most flavorous when flowers stat to bloom. Removing the flowers will add extra flavour in the leaves. Harvest the leaves from outside of the plant to inwards and from top to downwards. The leaves tastes stronger once dried than fresh.

Pest problem:

Some aphids and spider mites tend to disturb the growth of the plant. Try using organic pest control techniques to rid of those. It is not very good at competing with the weeds also. That is why it is important that you remove weeds prior to planting oregano. Here are some of the techniques that you can try. Also using mulch can prevent extra weeds as the plant starts growing.

Do you have any experience of growing oregano? Share it to us:

Oregano is a very common ingredient of Italian dishes. It is a perennial herb and have many varieties. But not every variety is suitable for every purpose. Some varieties are good to taste whereas some are best for ornamental purposes. So consult your local nursery shop before deciding the variety you want to grow.

How to grow Oregano?

Oregano can grow in any type of soil which have good drainage system. If the
soil is absorbing too much moisture and not able to drain properly there might be some problem with growing oregano in this. You can add compost and other soil media to increase the drainage capacity of the soil. You can also grow them in containers.

Oregano can grow in slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil. Ideal pH range is 6.0 to 8.0.

Generally oregano plants do not require any additional fertilizer if you have provided compost at the time of planting. They are not that voracious eater like many of other vegetables. If you have plated in a container you would require to fertilize it from time to time.

Planting:

You can start planting Oregano in three ways:

Start with the seeds. Plant them 6 inches apart and letter thin the seedlings 12 inches apart.

Buy seedlings from nursery shops: buy from a shop which has good reputation and use transplants which are 3 inches in length.

Separate some branches from an existing bush and use it as a separate plant.First remove the bottom leaves from the separated branch and then plant them in moist sand after dipping in root growing solution. Once roots emerged from the plant you can now safely transplant them to a container or to your backyard.

Watering your plant:

Oregano is one of the plants that will prefer drier climate than a moist one. Too much moisture in the soil will cause root rotting.

Harvesting:

The leaf and the flowering top are the portion which are harvested for use.

You can harvest them any time during its growing time. It is most flavorous when flowers stat to bloom. Removing the flowers will add extra flavour in the leaves. Harvest the leaves from outside of the plant to inwards and from top to downwards. The leaves tastes stronger once dried than fresh.

Pest problem:

Some aphids and spider mites tend to disturb the growth of the plant. Try using organic pest control techniques to rid of those. It is not very good at competing with the weeds also. That is why it is important that you remove weeds prior to planting oregano. Here are some of the techniques that you can try. Also using mulch can prevent extra weeds as the plant starts growing.

Do you have any experience of growing oregano? Share it to us:

Chillies: Really hot to Grow

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Judul : Chillies: Really hot to Grow
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Peppers are full of vitamin A, C, Iron and potassium. Follow the article to know important points about growing pepper.

There are two types of peppers sweet Bell peppers and hot chilli peppers.This article is all about growing Hot chillies. If you are interested in growing Bell peppers check out our earlier article.

How to grow chillies?

The Chillies are hot due to the presence of a chemical called capsaicin which is present mainly in the area of the wall and around the seeds. They are very popular among gardeners.

The chillies are actually very easy to grow. You can grow them both in the
backyard or in the containers.

It is a warm seasoned crop like tomatoes. Ideal temperature ranges from 70 to 80 deg F during daytime and 60 to 70 deg F in nights.

You can grow chillies both from seeds and seedlings. For seed germination you required a minimum temperature of 68 deg F. It require at least 6 hours of sun light daily so choose the place it wisely.

Chillies require a lot of potassium in the soil. If your fertilizer or compost contain a large chunk of nitrogen and a very less amount of potassium, you might get a lush green foliage but fruit bearing will be a problem. So choose your composting ingredients (or fertilizers) wisely.

Watering:

You need to provide a lot of water to your plant.It is true that chillies don't like to grow on swamps but they dislike dry soil even more. Use a proper potting mix if you are growing chillies in containers. For growing in backyard make sure you have proper drainage. You can also add a cover of mulch to preserve water.

It is for the betterment of the plant that you need to prune it a bit. Chilli plants have “not so strong” branches so it would be better to loosen some weight of the plant. You should also provide some sort of support for the plant. They are a self pollinating plant so you don't need to worry too much about the pollination of the flowers.

Pest problem:
Chillies are generally pest free; but in some cases you might encounter some like:

Aphids: These are generally a threat to the plants when it starts growing new leaves. Aphids leave a sticky substances called honeydew on the plant. The best way to get rid of this problem is to remove them manually. In most of the cases you won't require any sprays or mixtures.

Nematodes: It is a very common phenomena and can cause the plant to wilt. Read more about nematodesbefore trying any step.

White-fly: This problem can be handled by using some organic sprays to the plant.

Fungal disease: In case the humidity level goes very high (in close environment like greenhouses) the plant grows fungal disease and cause the fruit to rot. Make sure the place has enough light and air supply to prevent this problem.

Harvesting:

Peppers can be harvested by simply just plucking the fruit from the plant. Regular pickings ensures more fruits for the future. Select the green ones while they are still shiny and plump. You can also choose to pick them when they become red. If you have planned for flakes or powder leave them on the plant as it is till they dry.

Storing:

Use a sealed bag to preserve chillies. It will last up to one and half week if you store them properly in a refrigerator.

Do you like chillies? How is your experience? Share it with us:

Peppers are full of vitamin A, C, Iron and potassium. Follow the article to know important points about growing pepper.

There are two types of peppers sweet Bell peppers and hot chilli peppers.This article is all about growing Hot chillies. If you are interested in growing Bell peppers check out our earlier article.

How to grow chillies?

The Chillies are hot due to the presence of a chemical called capsaicin which is present mainly in the area of the wall and around the seeds. They are very popular among gardeners.

The chillies are actually very easy to grow. You can grow them both in the
backyard or in the containers.

It is a warm seasoned crop like tomatoes. Ideal temperature ranges from 70 to 80 deg F during daytime and 60 to 70 deg F in nights.

You can grow chillies both from seeds and seedlings. For seed germination you required a minimum temperature of 68 deg F. It require at least 6 hours of sun light daily so choose the place it wisely.

Chillies require a lot of potassium in the soil. If your fertilizer or compost contain a large chunk of nitrogen and a very less amount of potassium, you might get a lush green foliage but fruit bearing will be a problem. So choose your composting ingredients (or fertilizers) wisely.

Watering:

You need to provide a lot of water to your plant.It is true that chillies don't like to grow on swamps but they dislike dry soil even more. Use a proper potting mix if you are growing chillies in containers. For growing in backyard make sure you have proper drainage. You can also add a cover of mulch to preserve water.

It is for the betterment of the plant that you need to prune it a bit. Chilli plants have “not so strong” branches so it would be better to loosen some weight of the plant. You should also provide some sort of support for the plant. They are a self pollinating plant so you don't need to worry too much about the pollination of the flowers.

Pest problem:
Chillies are generally pest free; but in some cases you might encounter some like:

Aphids: These are generally a threat to the plants when it starts growing new leaves. Aphids leave a sticky substances called honeydew on the plant. The best way to get rid of this problem is to remove them manually. In most of the cases you won't require any sprays or mixtures.

Nematodes: It is a very common phenomena and can cause the plant to wilt. Read more about nematodesbefore trying any step.

White-fly: This problem can be handled by using some organic sprays to the plant.

Fungal disease: In case the humidity level goes very high (in close environment like greenhouses) the plant grows fungal disease and cause the fruit to rot. Make sure the place has enough light and air supply to prevent this problem.

Harvesting:

Peppers can be harvested by simply just plucking the fruit from the plant. Regular pickings ensures more fruits for the future. Select the green ones while they are still shiny and plump. You can also choose to pick them when they become red. If you have planned for flakes or powder leave them on the plant as it is till they dry.

Storing:

Use a sealed bag to preserve chillies. It will last up to one and half week if you store them properly in a refrigerator.

Do you like chillies? How is your experience? Share it with us:

How to Grow Bitter Gourd

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Judul : How to Grow Bitter Gourd
link : How to Grow Bitter Gourd

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The name of this plant is such due to its bitter taste of the fruit. Though many people found this very disgusting, many people around the world like this plant for its unique flavour. Below are some of the important facts about growing Bitter Gourd:

Soil: Though it can grow in any type of soil from sandy loam to clay loam, a fertile, well drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 is ideal. Add a bit of compost at the time of soil preparation to feed the plant.

Once the plant starts bearing flowers you need to add fertilizers to tackle its voracious appetite. Bone meal, blood meal or some fish emulsion can be very good choices for this.

Environment: It is a plant of the humid weather condition, with day time temperature ranging between 70 to 80 degree F. 6 hours of direct sunlight is very much necessary for optimum growth of the fruit.

Planting: Sow 1 or 2 seeds at 2 cm depth. Though you can also use trays to germinate them, they generally don't transplant very well. They are very fast growing vines. So give them something to climb on to. It is best to plant them near the fence.

Bitter gourd requires lots of water. Regularly water the plant and you will get flowering very soon (within 5-6 weeks). As a matter of fact with some of the varieties you can get mature fruits within 3 months of planting.

Care: Little bit of pruning in the form of removing the growing tip of some lateral branches is required. Doing so will stimulate the higher branches and will produce higher yield.

Fruits are susceptible to various rots. One of the main ways to reduce the problem is to use trellis. Trellis the veins, and it will definitely reduce the rotting problem. You will get hanging fruits and harvesting would be much easier. In case you are not using them, cover the soil with mulch of dry leaves to protect the fruits from getting moist.

Harvesting: Bitter gourd is a member of the Cucurbita family and like all other members of the family it also bears male and female flowers. It is the male one which blooms first, followed by the female ones.

The degree of bitterness varies as per the maturity of the fruit. Smaller and immature fruits are more bitter than the matured ones. Harvest them when they are 4 to 6 inches long and are green.
You have to pick the fruit when they are still green and firm. Fruits which become spongy or yellow are over ripen.

Store them in a plastic bag inside a refrigerator. For more tips on storing of vegetables use this link.

What do you think about the article. Share your thoughts:

The name of this plant is such due to its bitter taste of the fruit. Though many people found this very disgusting, many people around the world like this plant for its unique flavour. Below are some of the important facts about growing Bitter Gourd:

Soil: Though it can grow in any type of soil from sandy loam to clay loam, a fertile, well drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 is ideal. Add a bit of compost at the time of soil preparation to feed the plant.

Once the plant starts bearing flowers you need to add fertilizers to tackle its voracious appetite. Bone meal, blood meal or some fish emulsion can be very good choices for this.

Environment: It is a plant of the humid weather condition, with day time temperature ranging between 70 to 80 degree F. 6 hours of direct sunlight is very much necessary for optimum growth of the fruit.

Planting: Sow 1 or 2 seeds at 2 cm depth. Though you can also use trays to germinate them, they generally don't transplant very well. They are very fast growing vines. So give them something to climb on to. It is best to plant them near the fence.

Bitter gourd requires lots of water. Regularly water the plant and you will get flowering very soon (within 5-6 weeks). As a matter of fact with some of the varieties you can get mature fruits within 3 months of planting.

Care: Little bit of pruning in the form of removing the growing tip of some lateral branches is required. Doing so will stimulate the higher branches and will produce higher yield.

Fruits are susceptible to various rots. One of the main ways to reduce the problem is to use trellis. Trellis the veins, and it will definitely reduce the rotting problem. You will get hanging fruits and harvesting would be much easier. In case you are not using them, cover the soil with mulch of dry leaves to protect the fruits from getting moist.

Harvesting: Bitter gourd is a member of the Cucurbita family and like all other members of the family it also bears male and female flowers. It is the male one which blooms first, followed by the female ones.

The degree of bitterness varies as per the maturity of the fruit. Smaller and immature fruits are more bitter than the matured ones. Harvest them when they are 4 to 6 inches long and are green.
You have to pick the fruit when they are still green and firm. Fruits which become spongy or yellow are over ripen.

Store them in a plastic bag inside a refrigerator. For more tips on storing of vegetables use this link.

What do you think about the article. Share your thoughts:

FAQs About Tomato Growing

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Judul : FAQs About Tomato Growing
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There are several questions that bother many tomato growers. I have tried to compile some of these in this article. Here is a list of all the frequently asked questions about growing tomatoes.

Staking/caging or no support?

Generally determinate types are the ones that are given no support. If you are using indeterminate type then you need to stake them or provide some sort of cage.

Do you need to prune tomatoes?

Pruning is not mandatory for tomatoes. It depends on the surrounding weather as well as your preference. If the weather is too dry and hot, removing leaves can really damage your plant.

Indeterminate varieties are generally pruned, but you can prune the determinate ones also. Modest pruning will lead to early fruiting and will increase the fruit-size (but you will get fewer fruits). More on Tomato Pruning here in this article.

Does mulching help?

Mulchinghelps in maintaining the moisture of the soil and thus reduces the frequency of watering the plant. It also keeps the soil cooler.

What causes poor fruit sets?

A poor set of fruits can be a result of many things. It can be environmental (like too cold or too hot), age of the plant, unfavourable ratio of NPK etc. The best way to avoid these problems is to give the plant its proper growing environment. Check this article to know more.

How to save tomato seeds?

Extracting seed from a fully grown tomato is very easy. I have written an article on this. Please click here if you want to know about the techniques.

What causes leaf roll?

This is a very common phenomena in tomato plants. This is due to the pressure of water which moves through the roots and causes the older leaves to move inwards. If you look closely you will find the leaves are green and healthy. It is not a disease.

What causes blossom-end rot?

Insufficient water is the main cause of this problem. Sometimes lack of calcium can also cause this. Make sure your plants get adequate water. Follow these techniques of watering. The good news is that the fruits are still edible and you can have it just by removing the affected portion.

What is determinate and indeterminate type?

Determinate type: These are also called the bush tomatoes. They don't grow very tall and reach an average height of 4 feet. These are ideal for growing in containers.

Indeterminate type: These are generally called vining tomatoes and can reach up to a height of 10 feet. They require substantial support in the form of stake or cage. Most of the heirloom tomatoes are indeterminate types.

What are the different tomato cultivar?

These can be of several types. Here is a list of all the cultivars from Wikipedia

What is Heirloom tomato? This is the non-hybrid version of tomatoes and lacks any form of genetic mutation. These are mainly maintained by gardeners or farmers in isolated areas and is considered to be a variety that has been passed down through several generations of family because of its valued characteristics.

Why my tomatoes are cracking?

This is also a problem related to water. Too much of water makes the fruit overflown with juice and to release this pressure it cracks. Mulching and proper watering techniques generally solve the problem.

How to prevent cross-pollinating?
The success of this depends on the seriousness of your efforts. Here are some suggestions.

1. Plant different varieties of tomatoes far enough so that the pollen don't reach one another.
2. Use screened cages to grow different varieties.
3. Cover individual flowers with bags.
4. And finally, time the planting properly so that you can avoid same time flowering for different varieties.

There are several questions that bother many tomato growers. I have tried to compile some of these in this article. Here is a list of all the frequently asked questions about growing tomatoes.

Staking/caging or no support?

Generally determinate types are the ones that are given no support. If you are using indeterminate type then you need to stake them or provide some sort of cage.

Do you need to prune tomatoes?

Pruning is not mandatory for tomatoes. It depends on the surrounding weather as well as your preference. If the weather is too dry and hot, removing leaves can really damage your plant.

Indeterminate varieties are generally pruned, but you can prune the determinate ones also. Modest pruning will lead to early fruiting and will increase the fruit-size (but you will get fewer fruits). More on Tomato Pruning here in this article.

Does mulching help?

Mulchinghelps in maintaining the moisture of the soil and thus reduces the frequency of watering the plant. It also keeps the soil cooler.

What causes poor fruit sets?

A poor set of fruits can be a result of many things. It can be environmental (like too cold or too hot), age of the plant, unfavourable ratio of NPK etc. The best way to avoid these problems is to give the plant its proper growing environment. Check this article to know more.

How to save tomato seeds?

Extracting seed from a fully grown tomato is very easy. I have written an article on this. Please click here if you want to know about the techniques.

What causes leaf roll?

This is a very common phenomena in tomato plants. This is due to the pressure of water which moves through the roots and causes the older leaves to move inwards. If you look closely you will find the leaves are green and healthy. It is not a disease.

What causes blossom-end rot?

Insufficient water is the main cause of this problem. Sometimes lack of calcium can also cause this. Make sure your plants get adequate water. Follow these techniques of watering. The good news is that the fruits are still edible and you can have it just by removing the affected portion.

What is determinate and indeterminate type?

Determinate type: These are also called the bush tomatoes. They don't grow very tall and reach an average height of 4 feet. These are ideal for growing in containers.

Indeterminate type: These are generally called vining tomatoes and can reach up to a height of 10 feet. They require substantial support in the form of stake or cage. Most of the heirloom tomatoes are indeterminate types.

What are the different tomato cultivar?

These can be of several types. Here is a list of all the cultivars from Wikipedia

What is Heirloom tomato? This is the non-hybrid version of tomatoes and lacks any form of genetic mutation. These are mainly maintained by gardeners or farmers in isolated areas and is considered to be a variety that has been passed down through several generations of family because of its valued characteristics.

Why my tomatoes are cracking?

This is also a problem related to water. Too much of water makes the fruit overflown with juice and to release this pressure it cracks. Mulching and proper watering techniques generally solve the problem.

How to prevent cross-pollinating?
The success of this depends on the seriousness of your efforts. Here are some suggestions.

1. Plant different varieties of tomatoes far enough so that the pollen don't reach one another.
2. Use screened cages to grow different varieties.
3. Cover individual flowers with bags.
4. And finally, time the planting properly so that you can avoid same time flowering for different varieties.

FAQs on Cabbage Growing

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Judul : FAQs on Cabbage Growing
link : FAQs on Cabbage Growing

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This is a follow up article from how to grow cabbage. If you have not read that already please click here to go to that article. Here is a list of frequently asked questions about cabbage growing.

1. Why cabbage heads split? 
   
   
   The main cause of head splitting is that more water is entering into the head than necessary. A healthy root system though is necessary for the survival of the plant sometime too much growth of the root system can cause huge amount of water supply to the head. 
   
   
   To prevent the split you can pull the plant little bit to break some of its roots once the head becomes moderately firm. This will limit the water supply. If your plant roots are getting uneven water mulching might be a great way to solve this.
   
   
2. Can you get second crop from early cabbage plant? 
     
   Yes, getting a second head is possible. Once you got the primary solid one, cut carefully just beneath the head but leave the older leaves as it is. After sometime, you will get one or more smaller lateral heads (developed from axial buds of older leaves). 
    
3. What are different cabbage cutivars? 
   
   
   There are many cultivars but these three are the most common.
   White Cabbage: These are by far the most common types. They have pale green smooth leaves and are also called Dutch cabbage. 
   Savoy Cabbage: these have softer heads, crumpled leaves and a very rich flavor. 
   Red Cabbage: These have purple coloured small to medium size heads.
   
   
4. Why do butterfly fly around cabbage plant? 
   
   
   Cabbage worm lay eggs on the plants which hatches into worms and after sometimes turned into butterflies. So to prevent it you need to control the worms. Try different organic pest controlling techniques discussed in this article.
   
   
5. Why there are holes in my cabbage leaves? 
   
   
   This is also a pest attack. Worms chew the leaves of the cabbage plant leaving those occurred holes in the leaves. Try organic pest controlling to prevent this.
   
   
6. What causes cabbage to develop seed stalks rather than solid heads? 
   
   
   Generally, cabbage will either head up or go to seed at some point in time. If the temperature falls below 45 degrees it will start growing seeds instead of forming heads. 55 to 65 degrees are the ideal temperature slab for growing heads.
   
   
7. Why there are swelling in my cabbage roots? 
   
   
   This is a disease caused by a fungus that remains in the soil. It is spread by moving infested soil and by infected transplants. To discourage the disease, add lime to raise the soil pH to 6.8.

Hope you have enjoyed the article. If you have any other questions please add in the comment box.

This is a follow up article from how to grow cabbage. If you have not read that already please click here to go to that article. Here is a list of frequently asked questions about cabbage growing.

1. Why cabbage heads split? 
   
   
   The main cause of head splitting is that more water is entering into the head than necessary. A healthy root system though is necessary for the survival of the plant sometime too much growth of the root system can cause huge amount of water supply to the head. 
   
   
   To prevent the split you can pull the plant little bit to break some of its roots once the head becomes moderately firm. This will limit the water supply. If your plant roots are getting uneven water mulching might be a great way to solve this.
   
   
2. Can you get second crop from early cabbage plant? 
     
   Yes, getting a second head is possible. Once you got the primary solid one, cut carefully just beneath the head but leave the older leaves as it is. After sometime, you will get one or more smaller lateral heads (developed from axial buds of older leaves). 
    
3. What are different cabbage cutivars? 
   
   
   There are many cultivars but these three are the most common.
   White Cabbage: These are by far the most common types. They have pale green smooth leaves and are also called Dutch cabbage. 
   Savoy Cabbage: these have softer heads, crumpled leaves and a very rich flavor. 
   Red Cabbage: These have purple coloured small to medium size heads.
   
   
4. Why do butterfly fly around cabbage plant? 
   
   
   Cabbage worm lay eggs on the plants which hatches into worms and after sometimes turned into butterflies. So to prevent it you need to control the worms. Try different organic pest controlling techniques discussed in this article.
   
   
5. Why there are holes in my cabbage leaves? 
   
   
   This is also a pest attack. Worms chew the leaves of the cabbage plant leaving those occurred holes in the leaves. Try organic pest controlling to prevent this.
   
   
6. What causes cabbage to develop seed stalks rather than solid heads? 
   
   
   Generally, cabbage will either head up or go to seed at some point in time. If the temperature falls below 45 degrees it will start growing seeds instead of forming heads. 55 to 65 degrees are the ideal temperature slab for growing heads.
   
   
7. Why there are swelling in my cabbage roots? 
   
   
   This is a disease caused by a fungus that remains in the soil. It is spread by moving infested soil and by infected transplants. To discourage the disease, add lime to raise the soil pH to 6.8.

Hope you have enjoyed the article. If you have any other questions please add in the comment box.

Some useful tips for Growing Mushrooms

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Judul : Some useful tips for Growing Mushrooms
link : Some useful tips for Growing Mushrooms

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Mushrooms are full of vitamins, antioxidants and other nutrients; they are low in calories and very good for health. Growing mushrooms is not as difficult as you might think. In this article we will provide you with some useful information which will definitely resolve most of your queries regarding Mushroom growing.

Unlike most of the other plants mushrooms don’t grow from seeds rather they grow from the spores.
Dark, cool and moist environment is ideal for mushrooms. Depending on the variety the ideal temperature ranges from 45 to 60 deg F. little bit light won’t do a lot of harm to the plant but make sure most of the time the light is absent.

One of the easiest ways to start growing mushrooms in your home is to buy Mushroom kits. The best part of a kit is it is already packed with the growing medium and the spawn. You can grow them in trays, bags or boxes. You can also use garden beds to grow them.

How to prepare your own compost:

Choose your composting ingredients. You will find a variety of composting ingredients in this article. After choosing the ingredients mix them and let them decompose. For better understanding of composting process check out our earlier articles:5 tips to faster decomposition.

Once your compost is ready take the mixture in a shady place for providing the ideal condition for mushroom growing.

Once you make sure that the temperature of the compost is bellow 30 deg C start the process of spawning. Add grains of spawns and mixed them properly with the compost. If done properly within two weeks mycelia will grow in compost. You need to provide good ventilation or install a cooling system because those mycelia will increase the heat in the compost.

The edible part of the mushroom is the fruiting stage of the plant. You can quicken the process by covering (generally done by using organic material such as compost, peat moss, cow dung etc.) the top surface of the compost. This is called casing.

Harvesting:

Harvesting of mushrooms are done in three stages:
1.    Buttons: this type is not that good in tastes and primarily for their appearances only.
2.    Cups: have a rounded cap and is next best to Flat mushrooms for eating.
3.    Flat: the caps are flattened and the gills are fully exposed. They are the best in taste.
Pick the mushrooms in an upward twisting motion. After picking the mushrooms, brush off the compost or dirt and use them as food.



Do you grow Mushrooms? Share your experiences with us:

Mushrooms are full of vitamins, antioxidants and other nutrients; they are low in calories and very good for health. Growing mushrooms is not as difficult as you might think. In this article we will provide you with some useful information which will definitely resolve most of your queries regarding Mushroom growing.

Unlike most of the other plants mushrooms don’t grow from seeds rather they grow from the spores.
Dark, cool and moist environment is ideal for mushrooms. Depending on the variety the ideal temperature ranges from 45 to 60 deg F. little bit light won’t do a lot of harm to the plant but make sure most of the time the light is absent.

One of the easiest ways to start growing mushrooms in your home is to buy Mushroom kits. The best part of a kit is it is already packed with the growing medium and the spawn. You can grow them in trays, bags or boxes. You can also use garden beds to grow them.

How to prepare your own compost:

Choose your composting ingredients. You will find a variety of composting ingredients in this article. After choosing the ingredients mix them and let them decompose. For better understanding of composting process check out our earlier articles:5 tips to faster decomposition.

Once your compost is ready take the mixture in a shady place for providing the ideal condition for mushroom growing.

Once you make sure that the temperature of the compost is bellow 30 deg C start the process of spawning. Add grains of spawns and mixed them properly with the compost. If done properly within two weeks mycelia will grow in compost. You need to provide good ventilation or install a cooling system because those mycelia will increase the heat in the compost.

The edible part of the mushroom is the fruiting stage of the plant. You can quicken the process by covering (generally done by using organic material such as compost, peat moss, cow dung etc.) the top surface of the compost. This is called casing.

Harvesting:

Harvesting of mushrooms are done in three stages:
1.    Buttons: this type is not that good in tastes and primarily for their appearances only.
2.    Cups: have a rounded cap and is next best to Flat mushrooms for eating.
3.    Flat: the caps are flattened and the gills are fully exposed. They are the best in taste.
Pick the mushrooms in an upward twisting motion. After picking the mushrooms, brush off the compost or dirt and use them as food.



Do you grow Mushrooms? Share your experiences with us:

Carrots Growing Tips

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Judul : Carrots Growing Tips
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Today is third edition of the easiest growing crops series. Today's focus is carrots. You can also check the prior two crops Tomato and Cucumber. 

Carrots are actually taproots which have enlarged. They have a very wide and deep root system. It is a cool climate crop and need to be sown in the winter specially in the sub-tropical areas. The optimum temperature for carrots is 60 to 70 deg F. Though we are used to experience carrots as orange in colour, there are other varieties which can be white, crimson or even purple in colour. But rather than focusing on colour your main concern should be on the root size to suit your soil.

Try to find the uniform blend of soil, it should be without any lumps and stones. These can cause the roots to fork. The depth of the soil should be at least twice that of the mature size of the carrot. The pH of the soil ideally is between 5.5 to 7.0. put sufficient amount of compost or rotten organic matter. They require nutrient enriched soil. Adding of nitrogen can be very crucial to the growth and aesthetics of your carrots. Organic sources such as blood, alfalfa meal, horn meal etc can be used. Also think about using companion planting and crop rotation techniques. Growing carrots after legumes can eliminate the need of adding extra nitrogen. Avoid hot nitrogen source like fresh manure and fish fertilizer. They can cause roots to fork.

Carrots also do well with most plants. Rosemary and sage can deter carrot flies. Check companion planting for more details. If you are planning to grow the carrots till it gives you seed, it is necessary that you avoid planting Dill, Coriander or other plants of Umbelliferae family. These plants cause cross pollination and thus chances of getting the seeds are greatly reduced. Though if you have only planting for the roots and not concerned about getting the seeds, this might not much of an importance to you.

Good news for the urban gardeners, you can grow carrots in the containers also. Just choose the pot which are at least 12 inches deep(container should be twice as deep as the size of the mature carrot) and with good drainage facility. In case you need more information about container gardening check out my earlier blog. In this case try to plant the seeds 1 to 3 inches apart. Cover the seeds with soil and water frequently(More on watering techniques here). It is always better to try for the smaller varieties.

It generally takes 12 to 15 days to germinate. Once they have emerged cover them with a fine mesh netting. It will help to get air, water and sunlight but keeps pest at bay. Applying mulch can retain the moisture level and also reduce the weed problem. The growth of the carrot seedling is always slower than the weeds. Nematodes can be prevented from harming the plant by applying plenty of compost. These are rich in predatory microorganism and can prey on nematodes. 

Carrots can be harvested in less than three months for most of the varieties. You can judge the size of the carrot by looking at the top. Usually the largest carrots have the darkest and greenest top. Most are at their prime when about 2.5 cm in diameter at the crown. It is crucial that you don’t leave your carrots for too long in the ground. It can make them too long, tough and some times distasteful. Do some watering before harvesting. It will soften the soil and will be easier to take out the carrot.

Cut off the leaves as soon as they are out with some sharp knife. Do not just break the top as it tend to sprout and will shorten their storage life. Leaving them for too long in the ground can attract the carrot fly. Gently wash them with cold water to remove all the dirt and it will also cool them down.

If you follow these above mentioned processes.You will be pleasantly surprised by the flavor of home grown carrots. They have a flavor that many modern mass market carrots seem to have lost. 

Related video: Five Useful tips for transplanting a plant

Today is third edition of the easiest growing crops series. Today's focus is carrots. You can also check the prior two crops Tomato and Cucumber. 

Carrots are actually taproots which have enlarged. They have a very wide and deep root system. It is a cool climate crop and need to be sown in the winter specially in the sub-tropical areas. The optimum temperature for carrots is 60 to 70 deg F. Though we are used to experience carrots as orange in colour, there are other varieties which can be white, crimson or even purple in colour. But rather than focusing on colour your main concern should be on the root size to suit your soil.

Try to find the uniform blend of soil, it should be without any lumps and stones. These can cause the roots to fork. The depth of the soil should be at least twice that of the mature size of the carrot. The pH of the soil ideally is between 5.5 to 7.0. put sufficient amount of compost or rotten organic matter. They require nutrient enriched soil. Adding of nitrogen can be very crucial to the growth and aesthetics of your carrots. Organic sources such as blood, alfalfa meal, horn meal etc can be used. Also think about using companion planting and crop rotation techniques. Growing carrots after legumes can eliminate the need of adding extra nitrogen. Avoid hot nitrogen source like fresh manure and fish fertilizer. They can cause roots to fork.

Carrots also do well with most plants. Rosemary and sage can deter carrot flies. Check companion planting for more details. If you are planning to grow the carrots till it gives you seed, it is necessary that you avoid planting Dill, Coriander or other plants of Umbelliferae family. These plants cause cross pollination and thus chances of getting the seeds are greatly reduced. Though if you have only planting for the roots and not concerned about getting the seeds, this might not much of an importance to you.

Good news for the urban gardeners, you can grow carrots in the containers also. Just choose the pot which are at least 12 inches deep(container should be twice as deep as the size of the mature carrot) and with good drainage facility. In case you need more information about container gardening check out my earlier blog. In this case try to plant the seeds 1 to 3 inches apart. Cover the seeds with soil and water frequently(More on watering techniques here). It is always better to try for the smaller varieties.

It generally takes 12 to 15 days to germinate. Once they have emerged cover them with a fine mesh netting. It will help to get air, water and sunlight but keeps pest at bay. Applying mulch can retain the moisture level and also reduce the weed problem. The growth of the carrot seedling is always slower than the weeds. Nematodes can be prevented from harming the plant by applying plenty of compost. These are rich in predatory microorganism and can prey on nematodes. 

Carrots can be harvested in less than three months for most of the varieties. You can judge the size of the carrot by looking at the top. Usually the largest carrots have the darkest and greenest top. Most are at their prime when about 2.5 cm in diameter at the crown. It is crucial that you don’t leave your carrots for too long in the ground. It can make them too long, tough and some times distasteful. Do some watering before harvesting. It will soften the soil and will be easier to take out the carrot.

Cut off the leaves as soon as they are out with some sharp knife. Do not just break the top as it tend to sprout and will shorten their storage life. Leaving them for too long in the ground can attract the carrot fly. Gently wash them with cold water to remove all the dirt and it will also cool them down.

If you follow these above mentioned processes.You will be pleasantly surprised by the flavor of home grown carrots. They have a flavor that many modern mass market carrots seem to have lost. 

Related video: Five Useful tips for transplanting a plant

Beans Growing: An Ideal Vegetable For The Starters

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Judul : Beans Growing: An Ideal Vegetable For The Starters
link : Beans Growing: An Ideal Vegetable For The Starters

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It’s never late to start gardening. And if you are a starter growing beans is a very good option. Beans belong to the legume family. They are one of the few easiest vegetables to grow (Check out the entire list here). Some of the beans are grown for the seeds whereas some of them are grown for their pods (green beans) which can be served as vegetables. Here we will use the term beans to mean green beans in general.

Ideal temperature of growing beans lies around 70 to 80 deg F. Put them in a place where you will receive at
least 6 hours of sunlight. Mix some coconut coir or perlite along with the soil to increase its water retention and drainage capacity. Add a generous amount of compost with the soil before sowing the seeds. Being a member of the legume family, they will produce their own nitrogen. So while deciding on the composting ingredient you don’t need to add much of the ingredients which are very rich in nitrogen. You can find the list of minerals or plant nutrients in this article.

The seeds are generally bigger in size than many vegetables. Ensure the seed is entirely covered (sow them one inch deep in the soil) by the soil. The best way is to keep at least 3 to 6 inch gap between two plants, to ensure proper growth.

They are very fast growing plant. You can choose either the pole or the bush variety. Though the earlier one takes more time to mature it produce much more yield than the later. Bush variety is also self sufficient i.e. they don’t require any outside support. But in case the area is too windy, it is always recommended that you give them something to hold on to. If you are planning to grow pole variety then you have no choice but to give them trellis.

Depending on your variety of the beans germination time will differ. Generally the bush type will germinate within a week whereas for a pole variety it might take couple of weeks. Water deeply, at least once in a week (to know more about how to water a plant click here). You can also use mulch to reduce the water loss from the soil.

Harvesting of beans can be done everyday to encourage further fruit formation. The best time to pick them is when they are tender and before seeds become prominent. Pluck using your finger nails or scissors. You can eat them fresh or can incorporate in other dishes. You can also store them in refrigerators.


Are you growing Beans? Share your experience with us.

It’s never late to start gardening. And if you are a starter growing beans is a very good option. Beans belong to the legume family. They are one of the few easiest vegetables to grow (Check out the entire list here). Some of the beans are grown for the seeds whereas some of them are grown for their pods (green beans) which can be served as vegetables. Here we will use the term beans to mean green beans in general.

Ideal temperature of growing beans lies around 70 to 80 deg F. Put them in a place where you will receive at
least 6 hours of sunlight. Mix some coconut coir or perlite along with the soil to increase its water retention and drainage capacity. Add a generous amount of compost with the soil before sowing the seeds. Being a member of the legume family, they will produce their own nitrogen. So while deciding on the composting ingredient you don’t need to add much of the ingredients which are very rich in nitrogen. You can find the list of minerals or plant nutrients in this article.

The seeds are generally bigger in size than many vegetables. Ensure the seed is entirely covered (sow them one inch deep in the soil) by the soil. The best way is to keep at least 3 to 6 inch gap between two plants, to ensure proper growth.

They are very fast growing plant. You can choose either the pole or the bush variety. Though the earlier one takes more time to mature it produce much more yield than the later. Bush variety is also self sufficient i.e. they don’t require any outside support. But in case the area is too windy, it is always recommended that you give them something to hold on to. If you are planning to grow pole variety then you have no choice but to give them trellis.

Depending on your variety of the beans germination time will differ. Generally the bush type will germinate within a week whereas for a pole variety it might take couple of weeks. Water deeply, at least once in a week (to know more about how to water a plant click here). You can also use mulch to reduce the water loss from the soil.

Harvesting of beans can be done everyday to encourage further fruit formation. The best time to pick them is when they are tender and before seeds become prominent. Pluck using your finger nails or scissors. You can eat them fresh or can incorporate in other dishes. You can also store them in refrigerators.


Are you growing Beans? Share your experience with us.

Growing Papaya: Some Tips to Remember

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Judul : Growing Papaya: Some Tips to Remember
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Papayas are easy to grow. It is one of the plants you should consider growing in your backyard if you live in predominantly warmer climate. You can grow them pretty easily from the seeds.

First cut the papaya in half and then take out all the seeds. The seeds are covered with some jelly like substance. Squeeze the seed out of that coating. Use clean water to wash the seeds and then let them dry out. Once they are totally dry, use them for plantation.

Select the place where you want to grow papaya. They are very sensitive to root shock so it is advisable to plant the seed where you want to grow. Transplantation process can really hurt the plant. Before planting the seeds make sure you have mixed enough compost with the soil. They are very voracious feeder so make sure you have provided them enough to eat.

The spacing required for each plant is minimum 1.5 meter.

If you read our blogs regularly you would have known by now that papaya plants require full sun; More the better. Though papayas also grow in partial shade; the fruit growing is delayed and the tastes are also not so good.

Papaya plants are very susceptible to root rotting. So watering becomes very crucial. Much more water than required and you end up harming the plant. Also, considering the fact that they generally grow in warmer condition and have large leaves (they transpire a lot of water) you can not provide too little water either.  The best soil type is loamy type for growing papayas.

Papaya plants can be male female or bisexual. It is important that your garden have at least some female or bisexual plants. The male plant will not bear the fruits. It is recommended to have 1: 10 ratio about male and female plants to have a healthy yield. Generally it will start flowering once it become more than one meter in height. Expect to harvest the ripe papayas within a year.

The best part of growing papaya is that unlike most of the plants, you will get the fruits all year long. The only problem is with time they become taller (it will become difficult to pluck the fruits) and much more prone to diseases. Also, older plants tend to flower much less than the younger ones.

Papayas are very nutritious fruit. They are rich in vitamin C. You can have them ripe or raw.

If you liked the article share with your friends and share the knowledge:

Papayas are easy to grow. It is one of the plants you should consider growing in your backyard if you live in predominantly warmer climate. You can grow them pretty easily from the seeds.

First cut the papaya in half and then take out all the seeds. The seeds are covered with some jelly like substance. Squeeze the seed out of that coating. Use clean water to wash the seeds and then let them dry out. Once they are totally dry, use them for plantation.

Select the place where you want to grow papaya. They are very sensitive to root shock so it is advisable to plant the seed where you want to grow. Transplantation process can really hurt the plant. Before planting the seeds make sure you have mixed enough compost with the soil. They are very voracious feeder so make sure you have provided them enough to eat.

The spacing required for each plant is minimum 1.5 meter.

If you read our blogs regularly you would have known by now that papaya plants require full sun; More the better. Though papayas also grow in partial shade; the fruit growing is delayed and the tastes are also not so good.

Papaya plants are very susceptible to root rotting. So watering becomes very crucial. Much more water than required and you end up harming the plant. Also, considering the fact that they generally grow in warmer condition and have large leaves (they transpire a lot of water) you can not provide too little water either.  The best soil type is loamy type for growing papayas.

Papaya plants can be male female or bisexual. It is important that your garden have at least some female or bisexual plants. The male plant will not bear the fruits. It is recommended to have 1: 10 ratio about male and female plants to have a healthy yield. Generally it will start flowering once it become more than one meter in height. Expect to harvest the ripe papayas within a year.

The best part of growing papaya is that unlike most of the plants, you will get the fruits all year long. The only problem is with time they become taller (it will become difficult to pluck the fruits) and much more prone to diseases. Also, older plants tend to flower much less than the younger ones.

Papayas are very nutritious fruit. They are rich in vitamin C. You can have them ripe or raw.

If you liked the article share with your friends and share the knowledge:

How To Grow Lettuce | Lettuce Growing Tips

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Judul : How To Grow Lettuce | Lettuce Growing Tips
link : How To Grow Lettuce | Lettuce Growing Tips

growing foods

Today’s article is about one of the favorite and easiest vegetable. We have discussed spinach growing. Now today we will discuss about its cousin the Lettuce. It will focus on how to grow lettuce and useful tips about growing lettuce.

How To Grow Lettuce

Lettuce is very easy to grow and probably the most favorite vegetable after tomatoes. You can also use container gardening methods to grow them. As discussed in our earlier article lettuce being a leafy vegetable, Lettuce grows pretty well in shade (click here to know about shade gardening) also. 
Like almost all other vegetables lettuce also prefer nutrient enriched well drained soil. A pH of 6 to 7 is ideal for lettuce. It is not a plant of the summers. Too much heat will result in faster bolting and will make the leaves taste bitter. An ideal temperature ranges from 45 to 75 degree F.

Lettuce Planting:

The best part of lettuce planting is that you do not need to bother much about the spacing. You can space them wide or you can plant them very close they will adapt to the spacing.
Sow the seeds only ½ cm deep in to the soil. You can also use coconut coir or Perlite to grow the seedlings.

To make the soil more fertile add compost to the soil before planting. You can also add bone meal, cotton seed meal etc. Choose the manure which has nitrogen in high quantity. Leafy greens like lettuce flourish in nitrogen.

Lettuces do not have deep root system; most of the water it absorbs is from surface and near by. So it is very important that you keep you soil moist. A thick layer of mulch will save them from weed infestation and also retain the water inside the soil.

>>>How to grow Spinach<<<

Normally your lettuce plant can handle little bit of slug and aphid problems. But if you feel the need to make your plants pest free use organic pest control techniques.

The best time to harvest lettuces is in the morning; that is the time when they are crispiest. Harvest with a knife. If the variety forms head; cut it right below the head and separate it from the stem. Some varieties do not form the head. Well in that case harvest the leaves from the outer side of the plant and leave the central core intact. This process will give you continuous supply of lettuce. You can choose any type of leaf be it mature or tender. The immature leaves taste best with the salads.



Share your experiences on lettuce growing with us. Use the comment box below:

Today’s article is about one of the favorite and easiest vegetable. We have discussed spinach growing. Now today we will discuss about its cousin the Lettuce. It will focus on how to grow lettuce and useful tips about growing lettuce.

How To Grow Lettuce

Lettuce is very easy to grow and probably the most favorite vegetable after tomatoes. You can also use container gardening methods to grow them. As discussed in our earlier article lettuce being a leafy vegetable, Lettuce grows pretty well in shade (click here to know about shade gardening) also. 
Like almost all other vegetables lettuce also prefer nutrient enriched well drained soil. A pH of 6 to 7 is ideal for lettuce. It is not a plant of the summers. Too much heat will result in faster bolting and will make the leaves taste bitter. An ideal temperature ranges from 45 to 75 degree F.

Lettuce Planting:

The best part of lettuce planting is that you do not need to bother much about the spacing. You can space them wide or you can plant them very close they will adapt to the spacing.
Sow the seeds only ½ cm deep in to the soil. You can also use coconut coir or Perlite to grow the seedlings.

To make the soil more fertile add compost to the soil before planting. You can also add bone meal, cotton seed meal etc. Choose the manure which has nitrogen in high quantity. Leafy greens like lettuce flourish in nitrogen.

Lettuces do not have deep root system; most of the water it absorbs is from surface and near by. So it is very important that you keep you soil moist. A thick layer of mulch will save them from weed infestation and also retain the water inside the soil.

>>>How to grow Spinach<<<

Normally your lettuce plant can handle little bit of slug and aphid problems. But if you feel the need to make your plants pest free use organic pest control techniques.

The best time to harvest lettuces is in the morning; that is the time when they are crispiest. Harvest with a knife. If the variety forms head; cut it right below the head and separate it from the stem. Some varieties do not form the head. Well in that case harvest the leaves from the outer side of the plant and leave the central core intact. This process will give you continuous supply of lettuce. You can choose any type of leaf be it mature or tender. The immature leaves taste best with the salads.



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Growing Bell Peppers: Some Useful tips

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Judul : Growing Bell Peppers: Some Useful tips
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Back to growing tips. Today’s edition Bell Peppers. You can check rest of the vegetables by exploring the site.

Peppers grow very quickly. Depending on their variety they can become within 60 to 150 days (after transplanting). For the beginners we suggest you use the early varieties for growing. You can use your backyard or growbags to grow pepper. Just make sure receives 6 hours of sunlight in a day.

Though you can directly put the seeds in the garden, we strongly recommend that you first grow the seedlings indoor. It takes 2-8 weeks for the seeds to grow into a proper transplant. Now plant them into the garden where you intended to grow pepper. Give 12 to 15 inches gap between two plants.

Prior to transplant mix a good amount of compost with the soil. They are not a very hungry plant. That much of compost is enough for the plant. While using compost ingredients, make sure you don’t use a high amount of Nitrogen in the pile. This can result in lush foliage and lesser fruits. For more on C/N ratio read out earlier article.

Watering is very important in plants like pepper. They require a good amount of water but make sure the soil have proper drainage and the roots don’t get water logged. One of the solutions you can use is to add Perlite with the soil.

Pepper is a very good companion plant which goes well with plants like Tomatoes, Carrots and Basils. It is important that you provide some form of support to the plant. Once the plant stars growing fruits it becomes tough for the plant to strive without support.

Pepper is usually pest free. In rare cases spider mites or aphids attacks peppers. You can easily hand pick and remove them.


Harvesting:

Don’t wait for the peppers to fully mature before picking. Most of the peppers taste best when picked little early. Also it increases the yield. Use a sharp knife to cut the fruit from the plant.

It is best to eat them the same day you have harvested. You can also use a refrigerator to store them. You can get more on vegetable storing in our earlier article.






We want to know about your feedback regarding the articles. Please feel free to use the comment box below to express your views.

Back to growing tips. Today’s edition Bell Peppers. You can check rest of the vegetables by exploring the site.

Peppers grow very quickly. Depending on their variety they can become within 60 to 150 days (after transplanting). For the beginners we suggest you use the early varieties for growing. You can use your backyard or growbags to grow pepper. Just make sure receives 6 hours of sunlight in a day.

Though you can directly put the seeds in the garden, we strongly recommend that you first grow the seedlings indoor. It takes 2-8 weeks for the seeds to grow into a proper transplant. Now plant them into the garden where you intended to grow pepper. Give 12 to 15 inches gap between two plants.

Prior to transplant mix a good amount of compost with the soil. They are not a very hungry plant. That much of compost is enough for the plant. While using compost ingredients, make sure you don’t use a high amount of Nitrogen in the pile. This can result in lush foliage and lesser fruits. For more on C/N ratio read out earlier article.

Watering is very important in plants like pepper. They require a good amount of water but make sure the soil have proper drainage and the roots don’t get water logged. One of the solutions you can use is to add Perlite with the soil.

Pepper is a very good companion plant which goes well with plants like Tomatoes, Carrots and Basils. It is important that you provide some form of support to the plant. Once the plant stars growing fruits it becomes tough for the plant to strive without support.

Pepper is usually pest free. In rare cases spider mites or aphids attacks peppers. You can easily hand pick and remove them.


Harvesting:

Don’t wait for the peppers to fully mature before picking. Most of the peppers taste best when picked little early. Also it increases the yield. Use a sharp knife to cut the fruit from the plant.

It is best to eat them the same day you have harvested. You can also use a refrigerator to store them. You can get more on vegetable storing in our earlier article.






We want to know about your feedback regarding the articles. Please feel free to use the comment box below to express your views.

Growing Tips For Banana

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Judul : Growing Tips For Banana
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Growing Banana is not very tough. Anybody can use their backyard to grow them. This article will give you some insight into banana growing.

Ideal pH for growing good quality banana is 6.5. As like most of the fruit bearing plants, Banana also requires a good amount of water and full sunlight. Experts suggest a place where 12 hours of sunlight is available. Please make note of this while planting the plant.

Most people use tissue cultured banana transplant for planting. This is not a plant which you consider growing from the seeds.

One of the most important parts of growing quality banana is to prepare the soil with good drainage. Best way to make sure that your soil will retain water and will not get water logged is to add Coconut coir or Perlite with the soil. While planting make sure that the roots of the plant get covered with the soil with at least ½ inch depth.

Banana plants are very voracious eaters. Adding compost from time to time can really help the plant to grow. To prevent them from competition with other weeds, use a thick layer of mulch to cover the base.

A little bit of trimming is essential for banana plants. Remove all the leaves which are diseased or became yellow. It will help the water and other nutrients to reach the healthy parts of the plant resulting in good quality yield.

Banana plant also release many sucker from the base. It is better to remove them in early stages. Once the main plant become taller (close to 2 meter) you can let the suckers to grow into other banana plants.

Bananas taste best when they have ripened in the plant. Remove them once they become yellow. It is also possible to remove the whole bunch in a single time. In this case they will ripe inside your house. But be careful, a whole bunch of banana can weigh close to 45 kilos. Take somebody’s help in removing them from the plant.

Banana is a great source for nutrition. It is filled with vitamin A, B6, C, minerals such as Potassium and lots of fiber.


Share your experience with us. Use the comment box to post your remarks.

Growing Banana is not very tough. Anybody can use their backyard to grow them. This article will give you some insight into banana growing.

Ideal pH for growing good quality banana is 6.5. As like most of the fruit bearing plants, Banana also requires a good amount of water and full sunlight. Experts suggest a place where 12 hours of sunlight is available. Please make note of this while planting the plant.

Most people use tissue cultured banana transplant for planting. This is not a plant which you consider growing from the seeds.

One of the most important parts of growing quality banana is to prepare the soil with good drainage. Best way to make sure that your soil will retain water and will not get water logged is to add Coconut coir or Perlite with the soil. While planting make sure that the roots of the plant get covered with the soil with at least ½ inch depth.

Banana plants are very voracious eaters. Adding compost from time to time can really help the plant to grow. To prevent them from competition with other weeds, use a thick layer of mulch to cover the base.

A little bit of trimming is essential for banana plants. Remove all the leaves which are diseased or became yellow. It will help the water and other nutrients to reach the healthy parts of the plant resulting in good quality yield.

Banana plant also release many sucker from the base. It is better to remove them in early stages. Once the main plant become taller (close to 2 meter) you can let the suckers to grow into other banana plants.

Bananas taste best when they have ripened in the plant. Remove them once they become yellow. It is also possible to remove the whole bunch in a single time. In this case they will ripe inside your house. But be careful, a whole bunch of banana can weigh close to 45 kilos. Take somebody’s help in removing them from the plant.

Banana is a great source for nutrition. It is filled with vitamin A, B6, C, minerals such as Potassium and lots of fiber.


Share your experience with us. Use the comment box to post your remarks.

Growing Okra: Some useful tips

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Judul : Growing Okra: Some useful tips
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Okra is also known as ladies finger and Bhindi (in India). The edible part of the plan is the pointed seed pods. The flower of an okra plant resembles hibiscus and can be used as an ornamental plant.

Pods in the plant

Okra is a warm weather crop. A full sunny spot is ideal for the plant. If you are from the cooler region wait till the weather warms up before planting okra. Cold weather can really kill your plant.

While growing okra from the seeds, the first thing you will notice is that the seeds are much bigger than some of the other vegetables and it is easy to handle. Before planting the seed soak them in warm water. You can either sow them directly in the garden soil or you can choose to first grow the seedling indoor and then transplant them into the garden. If you are planning for the second option, use some seedling tray available in the market and use coir or peat moss as the growing medium. Mix a generous amount of compost along with the soil before planting.

The plant can resist drought and heat very well. But inch deep water weekly is ideal for best pod production.

Okra plants generally get large and it also spread its branches. So you need to do some thinning once the plans reach a height of 6”. It is recommended to leave at least 18” to 24” gap between two okra plants. In case the plant don’t get enough space to grow, the production of the pods will greatly suffer.

If you have used compost you don’t need to add any more fertilizer. Okra plants grow very quickly especially once the pods starts coming. The pods can grow with in 3 to 4 days. It appears first on the bases of the plant and goes upwards. A standard sized plant can grow up to 6 to 8 feet.

Freshly harvested Okra

Okra plants have spines. It is not wise to harvest the pods bare hand. They can be scratchy and irritating. Use gloves while harvesting the pods. The best time to harvest is when the pods are 2”-4”. At this time they the tender and tasty. Though sometimes larger sized pods are also tender and can be used as food. The best way to check its tenderness is by snapping off the end tip of the pod. It will not snap in case the pods have become fibrous. Keep picking the pods and there will be a new one in its place.

Like many other vegetables, okra is also best when eaten fresh. You can also store them in refrigerator for a week. Check out vegetable storing tips in this article.

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Okra is also known as ladies finger and Bhindi (in India). The edible part of the plan is the pointed seed pods. The flower of an okra plant resembles hibiscus and can be used as an ornamental plant.

Pods in the plant

Okra is a warm weather crop. A full sunny spot is ideal for the plant. If you are from the cooler region wait till the weather warms up before planting okra. Cold weather can really kill your plant.

While growing okra from the seeds, the first thing you will notice is that the seeds are much bigger than some of the other vegetables and it is easy to handle. Before planting the seed soak them in warm water. You can either sow them directly in the garden soil or you can choose to first grow the seedling indoor and then transplant them into the garden. If you are planning for the second option, use some seedling tray available in the market and use coir or peat moss as the growing medium. Mix a generous amount of compost along with the soil before planting.

The plant can resist drought and heat very well. But inch deep water weekly is ideal for best pod production.

Okra plants generally get large and it also spread its branches. So you need to do some thinning once the plans reach a height of 6”. It is recommended to leave at least 18” to 24” gap between two okra plants. In case the plant don’t get enough space to grow, the production of the pods will greatly suffer.

If you have used compost you don’t need to add any more fertilizer. Okra plants grow very quickly especially once the pods starts coming. The pods can grow with in 3 to 4 days. It appears first on the bases of the plant and goes upwards. A standard sized plant can grow up to 6 to 8 feet.

Freshly harvested Okra

Okra plants have spines. It is not wise to harvest the pods bare hand. They can be scratchy and irritating. Use gloves while harvesting the pods. The best time to harvest is when the pods are 2”-4”. At this time they the tender and tasty. Though sometimes larger sized pods are also tender and can be used as food. The best way to check its tenderness is by snapping off the end tip of the pod. It will not snap in case the pods have become fibrous. Keep picking the pods and there will be a new one in its place.

Like many other vegetables, okra is also best when eaten fresh. You can also store them in refrigerator for a week. Check out vegetable storing tips in this article.

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