Growing Watermelons For Size

May 14th, 2012

To succeed at growing watermelons, you will need to utilize the warmth of the summer months. Fertilize your soil to provide it with the right sort of nutrients and be prepared to provide your seedlings with lots of water. You will also need a fair amount of acreage, as the vine shoots of watermelon plants cover a large territory horizontally.

growing watermelon

Watermelons are believed to come from the Southern African region, but their use has spread across the globe. The excavation of Tutankhamen’s elaborate tomb in Egypt testifies to the presence of watermelon in Egypt for a minimum of three millennia. Watermelon seeds were identified within.   There is evidence of the watermelon being known to the Chinese in the 10th century AD. European records refer to it during the latter medieval period and it arrived in the Americas in the 16th century.    Watermelons are cultivated in various states of America, but most prolifically in Arizona, Florida, California, Texas and Georgia. Japanese watermelon farmers in the Zentsuji region have grown a new type of watermelon, which is square, for easy packaging.

Considering their bulk, you would not expect to be able to cultivate watermelons in containers, but, depending on the species, it can be done. You will need to select one of the more compact types of watermelon, though. The Golden Midget would be ideal, as it only weighs 3 pounds (1.36kg). Its flesh is golden yellow when ripe and it can be ready for harvest within two and a half months. The Solitaire watermelon is another great choice for growing watermelons within limited space. It is characterized by a hard rind, an interior without seeds and it will weigh somewhere between 3 and a half and 5 pounds (1.58kg and 2.26kg). Slightly bigger, but still manageable is the Sugar Baby watermelon. It features the familiar brown seeds and is known for its sweet taste. It hits the scale at 6 to 10 pounds (2.7kg and 4.5kg). The pot you use for growing watermelon will need to be a five-gallon size or larger.  Several drainage holes will be a basic requirement and you should add a good quality mix of potting soil. If you stay in the city, you could find yourself taking on pollination duties by hand.  

Some of the bigger varieties of watermelon include the Jubilee, which can weigh up to 45 pounds (20.4kg) and the Crimson Sweet, which hits the scale at between 15 and 20 pounds (6.8kg and 9kg). Distinguished by their yellow speckles, the Moon and Stars watermelons can also reach 40 pounds (18.1kg) but that is nothing compared to the Blue Rind, which could weigh four times as much.

One of the challenges of growing watermelon is knowing when they are ready to harvest. The best way, according to various sources, is to knock on its side. If there is a slightly hollow echo, you can consider it ready for the picking.

A certain family in Arizona has held the record for the largest watermelon for more than thirty years. They are the Brights, from Hope Farm. Their first write-up in the Guinness Book of Records came in 1979, which a watermelon that weighed well over 200 pounds (90.7kg). However they have since bettered their own record, not once, but twice, most recently in 2005 with a watermelon of 268.8 pounds (121.9kg). These are of the largest type of watermelon, the Carolina Cross, but growing watermelons as large as that, is not an occupation for amateurs.

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Growing Radishes Is Easy

April 29th, 2012

Growing radishes can easily be achieved during spring, fall or even during a mild winter. The plant develops best when the climate is cool and it is surprisingly undemanding in its needs. It also grows speedily. Within a five-week period, your first radishes should have ripened.

growing radishes

Preparing the soil ahead of the sowing stage might see you loosening a layer of topsoil and adding some compost for nutrition. About 6 inches would be ideal. Choose a section that sees light, but not too much heat and make sure the soil is well drained for the best results. When the seedlings emerge, thin them out to a density of about one plant per inch. Remove weeds, as these may steal the nutrients your radishes need and water frequently.

Little more than a calendar month after sowing you can ready yourself for the harvest. Radishes become bitter and lose that delightfully crisp texture if they remain in the ground for too long. For a continuous harvest, add more radish seed to your patch every two weeks.

The original Greek term for radish is Raphanus, which can translate to ‘quick appearing’.  It describes them rather well. A crop of radishes will not keep you waiting too long. In essence a root, radishes have been cultivated in Europe since before the heyday of the mighty Roman era. They come in a variety of colors, which include red, white, pink, yellow or grey-black.

Among the types of radish to choose from, you will find the giant white April Cross, the fuchsia colored Plum Purple radish with its lingering crispness and the Dutch favorites Gala and Roodbol. The Cherry Belle and the Snow Belle are similar in shape, but whereas the former features a bright red skin, the latter is all white. A radish with a unique appearance is the Bunnytail, which is red and oblong but marked by a white tip at the end. Another recognizable type is the French Breakfast, which features a white splash near the end of its elongated red body. An old variety of radish is the White Icicle. Shaped like a carrot, it dates back four centuries.  The Red King is known to be naturally resistant to clubroot.  Other radishes include the mild Champion and the Sicily Giant.   .

A distinctive winter radish with a black skin, the Spanish Black dates back to the 1500s. It can be round or elongated and its flesh is white. Another type of winter radish that is slowly gaining notice is the Japanese Daikon radish.

When you consider growing radishes, you will have a large variety to make your selection from.

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An Introduction To Growing Eggplants

April 14th, 2012

When you set yourself up to include growing eggplant in your vegetable garden, you may not realize that you already know several of its distant cousins, such as peppers, tomatoes and potatoes. Even the nightshade, a poisonous plant, is related to it. It is believed to have been cultivated originally on the Indian subcontinent, from whence it spread to influence the palates of the Arabians, the Turks and the Persians. It also reached China, where local farmers excelled at breeding new forms and colors. The Moors brought it to Europe, via Spain, where it was first regarded as a powerful aphrodisiac. The Italians were similarly fond of it, but the people of the north of Europe called eggplants ‘mad apples’, believing that it could struck anyone who ate it with insanity.

growing eggplant

Other names for eggplant include brinjal and aubergine. At the seed shop, you are sure to find a variety of different eggplant subspecies to choose from. The one known as Black Beauty is generally believed to be the original form of the eggplant and it is at least a century old, making it an heirloom seed by all definitions. It needs about 74 days to develop from seed to harvest. Not as old, but dating back to the 1940s, is the purplish Florida High Bush. A variety that only needs two thirds of the time of the Black Beauty to reach harvest, is the Fairy Tale eggplant, which is a vividly marbled purple. As you may have guessed, the Green Goddess bears light green fruit. Its other redeeming features are a mild taste and a bountiful crop potential.  The Antigua eggplant features white flesh and its rind is also white, but marked with streaks of lavender and violet.

The eggplant grows best during the balmy hot days of summer and cannot be exposed to frost. Even cool summer nights can negatively impact on its development. One solution to this is to protect your crop with a stone or brick boundary. It will also limit the potential damage your eggplants may suffer due to wind. Eggplants need an abundance of compost in their soil. There is a strategy you can adopt, if the summer in your area is fairly short. Start your eggplant seeds off in a protected environment indoors and then replant them two months later. One gardening writer recommends burying pockets of fertilizer a little below your eggplant seedlings as hidden power packs to supercharge their growth. Water and weed carefully, as the roots are delicate.

By paying attention to the detailed instructions available at a number of resources, you could easily succeed at growing eggplants for fun or profit.

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A Look At Growing Rhubarb

March 30th, 2012

Growing rhubarb is nothing novel to the Chinese. They have engaged in it for as long as five millennia.

growing rhubarb

It has been treasured throughout the ages for its healing properties. For more than a thousand years it has been used as a laxating agent. When the rulers of China sought to control its availability, wars and battles resulted. The rhizomes have now been proven to include a compound that lowers blood glucose.  The only downside is the toxic quality of its leaves.  

The earliest rhubarb cultivation in the USA occurred in the state of Massachusetts near the beginning of the 1800s. Due to its popularity, it is nowadays also farmed in special hothouses for year round production. Some people referred to these unseasonal rhubarbs as ‘forced’ rhubarbs. They are usually pink in color and have a delicate taste. Free ranging rhubarb is normally darker in color.

Most people visualize a crimson colored stalk, when thinking of rhubarb, but it can also be pink or even a light shade of green. There are various types of rhubarb to choose from. The German Wine variety is easy to recognize, as its stalk is green, but features distinctive pink blotches. Some of the other types are Riverside Giant, MacDonald, Valentine, Victoria, Cherry Red, Strawberry, Crimson Red and Mammoth Red.

Rhubarb tends to be a heavy consumer of the organic nutrients in the soil and watering helps it to draw this in through its roots.  Adopt a regimen of early morning watering and let the water pool at the base of the plant, rather than wetting its leaves. The latter may encourage a proliferation of pests.

Rhubarb should not be exposed to frost, but its growth cycle is activated by seasonal chill.

The rhubarb plant survives and prospers in a fairly cool climate. The soil composition that best promotes its growth is slightly acidic. Even a PH reading of 5.0 could still put you in the market for successfully growing rhubarb, although the ideal lies somewhere in the vicinity of 6.0 to 6.8. Your rhubarb should be planted fairly early in the season of spring, to maximize its harvesting potential. Outdoor rhubarb is grown in the USA between April and September. As the plants can grow to be enormous, spacing is important. They should be at least 24 to 48 inches (60 to 120cm) apart.

Rhubarb has a life expectancy of 7 to 10 years, during which time it can spread out to cover up to 16.4ft (5 m) across, a fact that should be born in mind when planning the layout of a vegetable garden. This is why rhubarb does not really do well in pots in the long run.

With the potential of several years of crops, growing rhubarb makes great economic sense.

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Growing Watermelons

March 15th, 2012

Growing watermelons requires a sunny season of at least three months when the temperature settles at between 70 and 80 Fahrenheit (or 20 to 25 degrees Celsius). Watermelons need abundant water, nutritious soil and plenty of space to accommodate the tendency of the vine like plants to spread out.

growing watermelon

Said to originate from Southern Africa, it was known in the Nile region at least 3000 years ago. Watermelon seeds were discovered in the tomb of the Pharaoh Tutankhamen. It had made its way to China by the 10th century AD, Europe by the late Middle Ages and America by the 16th century. Most of the United States watermelons are grown in Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and Georgia. In Zentsuji, Japan, watermelon farmers have found a way to cultivate a square variant of the species, but these sell at a much more expensive rate. Although usually eaten rind less, the Chinese stir-fry the rind and incorporate it into certain dishes.

Despite their size, you can grow watermelons in containers, but for the best results, these will need to be one of the more compact species. The solitaire watermelon is seedless, round and weighs between 3 and a half and 5 pounds (1.58kg and 2.26kg). The rind is hard enough to withstand transportation. Firm and sweet with the distinctive brown seeds, the Sugar Baby watermelon usually weighs between 6 and 10 pounds (2.7kg and 4.5kg). As its name implies, the Golden Midget is a miniature watermelon, weighing around 3 pounds (1.36kg). It is distinguished by a golden yellow color when ripe and matures quickly, being ready to harvest in about 70 days. You will need a container with a five-gallon capacity or larger, equipped with plenty of drainage holes. It should be filled with potting soil. If growing watermelons in an urbanized area, you may need to pollinate them by hand.

When considering larger types of watermelon, you could look to the Jubilee, which weighs between 20 and 45 pounds (9kg and 20.4kg) and the Crimson Sweet, which is a little lighter at between 15 and 20 pounds (6.8kg and 9kg). The Moon and Stars watermelons are named for the yellow speckles that mark their skin and also the leaves. They can grow up to 40 pounds (18.1kg). A watermelon variant that can be expected to reach 160 pounds (72.5kg) is the Blue Rind.

It is sometimes difficult to tell when a watermelon is ready to harvest. Knocking its bulk is considered one of the surest ways. When it sounds hollow, it is ripe.

The record for the largest watermelon ever grown has been held by members of the Bright family of Hope Farm in Arizona since 1979, with three successive heavy-weights, the latest being a specimen introduced in 2005 which struck the scale at 268.8 pounds (121.9kg). The largest species is known as the Carolina Cross, but growing watermelons of this type, which can get over 200 pounds (90.7kg), is not for beginners.

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Growing Radishes Makes Sense

February 29th, 2012

You would probably have no trouble growing radishes in the cooler temperatures of spring, fall or even winter, if the climate is moderate. Simple to cultivate, a crop of radishes can be ready for harvesting in little more than a month.

growing radishes

If you want to help your seedlings along, you could ready the soil a few weeks to a month in advance by digging loose a layer of about 6 inches (15.2cm) and adding compost. Radish plants love plenty of light and well-drained soil, but should be protected from excessive heat. Expect your seedlings to appear a few weeks after sowing. To encourage the growth of decent sized radish bulbs, thin the seedlings to about one per square inch. Water and weed your radish beds regularly, as these plants battle to compete for nutrients in the soil.

Your radish crop should be ready for harvesting in five weeks. If your radishes are not gathered soon enough, they may lose their crispness and acquire a slightly bitter taste. You can sow more radish seed every fortnight for a new crop, but you may want to rest your efforts during the height of summer, when radish plants are less likely to thrive.

The Greek name for radish, Raphanus, which means ‘quick appearing’, hints at one of the best features of radishes. They grow quickly. An edible root, it has been cultivated in Europe since pre-Roman times. Radishes occur in many shapes and colors. They can be red, pink, white, grey-black or yellow.

The April Cross is a gigantic white hybrid. Bunnytail, an heirloom cultivar from Italy has a distinctive red oblong shape with a white tip. The Cherry Belle is brightly red-skinned with white flesh inside. The Champion radish resembles the Cherry Belle in appearance, but the roots are larger, 2 inches (5cm) in diameter and the taste is milder. The Red King radish likewise has a mild taste and vegetable growers may appreciate its natural resistance to club root. A larger variety of radish is the heirloom cultivar Sicily Giant. The Snow Belle radish matches the shape of the Cherry Belle, but it is all white. One variant that has been around for at least 400 years is the hardy White Icicle radish. Shaped like a carrot and white in color, it measures 4 to 5 inches (or 10 to 12cm) long. The French Breakfast radish is another distinctively marked specimen. Red-skinned and elongated, it features a white splash near the root end. Its taste is milder than most summer varieties. The Plum Purple radish, which is fuchsia-purple as the name suggests, stays crispy longer than most types of radish. Gala and Roodbol are popular in the Netherlands.

The Spanish Black is a winter radish that has been around since 1548. Round or elongated, its rough black skin is contrasted by the white flesh. The Daikon radish, another winter radish, originated in Japan.

There are plenty of types to choose from, for anyone with ambitions towards growing radishes.

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A Look At Growing Eggplant

February 14th, 2012

Not everybody who undertakes the chore of growing eggplant realizes its relation to the pepper, the potato, the tomato and last but not least, its deadly cousin, the nightshade. The eggplant has an interesting and rather colorful history since its charms first spread from its native India to flavour the cuisine of Arabia, Turkey and Persia. In China it became a favorite and inspired farmers to cultivate new shapes and colors. The Moors introduced it to Spain and from there, its use spread across Europe. The Spanish were so enamoured with it that they considered it an aphrodisiac. In Italy, too, it proved a hit. Northern Europeans, however, were at first extremely suspicious of it, believing that it could induce insanity. For years, the common name of ‘mad apples’ stuck, until the English coined the phrase ‘eggplant’ which alluded to its shape.

growing eggplant

Also known as the aubergine or brinjal, you may encounter various types of eggplant at your local nursery. The Black Beauty is regarded as the original eggplant and it has been around for over 100 years. It takes about 74 days to mature. The purple-black Florida High Bush was bred in the 1940s and can reach 10 inches (25cm) in length. The Fairy Tale eggplant, a bright purple variant matures within 50 days. As its name implies, the Green Goddess eggplant is light green. Enjoyed for its mild taste and appreciated for a rich crop yield, this type of eggplant is mature in little over two months. The Antigua eggplant can be recognized by its skin, which is white streaked with violet and lavender. Its flesh is also white and it is ready to harvest in 75 days.

Eggplants are a summer crop and they do not tolerate frost at all. Even cooler night temperatures can retard their growth, meaning that you may need to insulate the patch where your eggplants are growing. A stone or brick enclosure could conveniently take care of this and also protect your eggplants from the wind. They grow best in the glare of the full sun with richly composted soil. Your eggplant crop can take up to 4 months to mature. If your region does not enjoy a lengthy summer, you could help the process by germinating the seeds indoors and then transplanting them after about 8 weeks. Another strategy to help your crop along is to bury some fertilizer a few inches below the seeds, to provide a nutrient boost at a later stage. Weed with care, so as not to disturb the root system of your developing eggplants and water gently.

If you follow the guidelines for growing eggplant, you could be rewarded with a rich harvest at the end of the summer season.  

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The Rewards Of Growing Rhubarb

January 30th, 2012

There is nothing new about the process of growing rhubarb.

The cultivation of rhubarb may date back as far as 5000 years in China. It had various medicinal uses throughout the ages. It was known to be a laxative for thousands of years. At different times, access to rhubarb has been used for diplomatic leverage or even served as a possible cause for war. The rhizomes or roots of the plant contain a compound that has been proven to lower blood glucose levels. In various European countries, rhubarb was dipped in sugar to make an affordable sweet for children. The only problem of rhubarb lies in the fact that its leaves contain oxalic acid, a poisonous substance.

growing rhubarb

The first rhubarb was grown in the United States in Massachusetts in the early 1800s. For the consumer market, rhubarb is now grown in hothouses as well, to extend its commercial production. This type of rhubarb, sometimes referred to as ‘forced rhubarb’ is usually pink in color and distinguished by a delicate flavor. Naturally grown rhubarb has a darker shade.

Rhubarb stalks are generally taken to be crimson red, although they could be pink or light green. There is a great selection of different types of rhubarb. The German Wine rhubarb is fairly distinctive in appearance. Its stalk is green with pink splotches. Other variants include Cherry Red, Crimson Red, Mammoth Red, Strawberry, MacDonald, Riverside Giant, Sunrise, Valentine and Victoria.

Rhubarb requires soil rich in nutrients to grow lush, and frequent watering aids the plant in absorbing this. Water early in the day and concentrate your efforts at the base of the plant. Wet foliage may attract pests or encourage disease.

Rhubarb does not tolerate frost, although it may be cultivated year round in temperate regions. However, it does need a period of cold to start off its growth cycle.

Rhubarb is a hardy plant that thrives in cool weather. It prefers soil that is slightly acidic. It can grow in ground with a PH balance as low as 5.0, but will do better in soil between 6.0 and 6.8. To start your crop off, plant rhubarb early in the spring. In the United States, the outdoor rhubarb season is from April to September. You should plant your rhubarb about 24 to 48 inches (60 to 120cm) apart to avoid overcrowding. Flower stalks should be removed.  

The rhubarb plant has a life span of up to ten years, and may grow fairly large, reaching about 13.1 to 16.4ft (4 to 5m) in diameter. For this reason, it is not really recommended for container gardening and its placement should be considered carefully.  

With its relative longevity, growing rhubarb can result in several years of harvesting its delicious stalks.

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Start Growing Rhubarb For A Healthy Lifestyle

December 26th, 2011

A healthy lifestyle begins with growing rhubarb. Rhubarb is a basically a vegetable that comes from a family of Rheum. Rhubarb is a perennial plant with large leaves, small flowers. They are usually known to have a large compound with different colors. Rhubarb is a wonderful vegetable to grown in your garden and this is relatively one of the most rewarding experiences.

growing rhubarb

Growing rhubarb in the backyard garden: Rhubarb is quite popular in many parts of the world and many people who have taken to gardening find growing rhubarb fruitful in specific seasons. Unlike many other vegetables, this plant can be eaten as soon as it is harvested. The best time of the year to grow Rhubarb is between April and June. growing rhubarb is economical and does not consume too much maintenance like other vegetables may. The first step to growing rhubarb is to soak the seeds of the plant in water for some hours. Once that is addressed, the soil needs to be looked into. The soil must be rich for cultivation and also rich in compost and manures. Only fertile soil results in great Rhubarb plants. You can sow the seeds into the soil which are about one inch deep because it generally takes about two weeks or more to germinate.

Benefits of growing rhubarb: The benefits of growing rhubarb are excellent. Rhubarb is considered to have oxalic acid which is potentially toxic for human and animals. It is also used in the preserving wines. Rhubarb is a unique vegetable with low calories, no cholesterol at all and fats. With over ninety percent water content and acidic in nature, Rhubarb contains vitamin A and calcium. It has all the qualities that have been proven to cure cancer, digestion and blood pressure. Rhubarb is excellent for women who are pregnant and those who are nursing colitis or any other intestinal issues. However, long term use of Rhubarb isn’t much recommended by medical experts. The dependency on this vegetable is known to cause chronic constipation.

Rhubarb in the daily use: While it is okay to use Rhubarb on a periodical basis, growing rhubarb on a daily use is not of too much good. Growing rhubarb is not very popular so if you are looking to grow a vegetable that is unique and rare then this is the answer.

 

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Tips On Growing Watermelon

December 12th, 2011

A watermelon is one unique fruit that runs throughout the year, it is relished by millions around the world and growing watermelon is a boon. Watermelons are known to have huge water content in them and are a source of useful supplements for a human body. Watermelons are extremely rich in many vitamins. This priceless fruit originally comes from an African country but is more popular everywhere else than in Africa itself.

growing watermelon

Growing watermelon in the garden: One of the best fruits to have in your home garden is a watermelon. Nothing beats having a healthy fruit grow in your backyard. A lot of people consider growing watermelons to be a relatively easy task. Exposure to sun, adequate water supply and enough space are pre requisites to growing watermelons. Watermelons thrive in hot dry climate (takes a point from the place they originated) and require about three months to ripe. Now, that is the lengthiest time span to grow any plant in your garden. All great things require time and growing watermelons is not an exception. Besides moisture and water content, watermelons also need enough sunlight to grow well. In terms of soil, it needs to be rich with manure and fertilizers. The shallow roots of watermelon plants need heaps of water content.

In order to grow watermelons, you may first need to sow the seeds in the soil. The soil is an important component of the entire process as its temperature needs to be around 25 degrees Celsius. With about an inch into the soil, the seeds must be planted about five feet away from one another. This helps create adequate room for the plants to grow well. Fertilizing the soil with manure and compost only adds to growing watermelons with ease and plants getting the required nutrition. This also helps in keeping the bugs at bay. Many experts believe that use of nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizers is extremely beneficial besides plants being watered every day without fail. One could make use of a plastic mulch to cover the plants from getting spoilt at early stages.

When do I harvest the watermelon plant? Now, that is not a new question at all. First, tapping the watermelon should give you a hollow sound. This is a starter of indications that the time to harvest has arrived. Usually, watermelons tend to grow yellowish from the bottom when they are ripe enough. Of course, if you observe the stem, the base of the watermelon begins to die. Now, the hard work has paid and it’s time to enjoy the fruit.

Growing watermelon consumes time but the end result always beats the patience.

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