Watermelons are the epitome of summer—sweet, juicy, and refreshing. But if you’re tending a watermelon patch and notice that your female flowers are stubbornly staying closed, it can feel like a wrench in the gears of your garden. Fear not! This isn’t an uncommon issue, and with a little detective work and some hands-on care,…
Ever stood in your backyard, eyeing that promising pumpkin patch, and wondered, “Are pumpkins self pollinating and aware of how to take care of business themselves?” Well, you’re not alone. As a fellow enthusiast of all things orange and squashy, I’ve delved deep into the mysteries of pumpkin reproduction to unearth the truth. We’re about…
Tamarillos, sometimes called “tree tomatoes,” bring a pop of bold flavor to any dish. But timing matters with tamarillos, and picking them too early can lead to an entirely different taste and texture experience. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a tree of not-quite-ripe tamarillos and wondered if it’s worth picking them early—or if…
When it comes to unusual fruits, the tamarillo—a colorful, tangy delight also known as the “tree tomato”—is a real showstopper. With its unique flavor and bright colors, tamarillos are favorites in jams, salsas, and fresh fruit salads. But what about the green ones? If you’ve spotted green tamarillos on your tree or at the market,…
Like many plants, potatoes need sunlight for their growth. Not every farm or yard is blessed with full sunlight all year long. It depends on many factors like zone location, latitude, and surrounding trees. Do potatoes need full sun or shaded sunlight to grow? What is the best condition to grow potatoes? Areas with direct…
Mulching has always been one of those tasks I didn’t realize could make such a big difference in my garden until I really dove into it. If you’re like me, always hunting for eco-friendly, low-maintenance solutions, coconut coir mulch might be the hidden gem you didn’t know you needed. I’ve experimented with different types of…
When discussing potato seeds, the vocabulary can be confusing. There are “seed” potatoes, which aren’t seeds at all, and true potato seeds, which are the real seeds of the potato plant. Potatoes do have seeds but are rarely grown from seed, as almost everybody, farmers and gardeners alike, grow their potatoes from “seed potatoes”. Some…
Ever wondered if 50 acres is a lot when it comes to farming? I’ve asked myself this question a lot, especially when dreaming about that perfect slice of countryside life. The idea of wide-open spaces, a little flock of sheep, and rows of crops dancing in the wind sure does have its appeal. But let’s…