Watering Greens Crops
You can't beat greens that are crisp and succulent. One of the most important things for highest-quality greens is a steady supply of moisture. Greens thrive in moist, but not wet, soil. They require about an inch of rain or irrigation water per ... [... more]
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Potato Essentials
In the North, plant seed potatoes of later varieties from mid-May to early mid-June, 4 to 5 weeks after planting early varieties. In the South, plant seed potatoes of late varieties 1 to 2 weeks after early varieties. Cut seed potatoes into small ... [... more]
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Corn History and How it Grows
Corn is authentically American. A member of the grass family, it was first domesticated from a wild grain several thousand years ago by Aztec and Mayan Indians in Mexico and Central America. The first corn was a loose-podded variety that looked ... [... more]
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Feeding Cole Crops
Although they're heavy feeders, cole crops don't have special fertilizer needs; a moderate dose of a basic commercial fertilizer is fine. Work it into the transplant hole for seedlings or, for seeds, the top 3- to 4-inches of soil on planting ... [... more]
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Fertilizing Potatoes
For a rewarding potato crop, the plants must make a rapid, healthy start. There are a couple of good ways to add the extra nutrients at planting time to supplement the natural fertility of your soil. Choose a balanced commercial fertilizer, such ... [... more]
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Stretching the Pepper and Eggplant Season
The best way to get the most out of your garden is to extend the harvest. There are a few ways to do this. You can start harvesting as soon as there's something to eat. This tricks the plant into producing more. If your growing season is long ... [... more]
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Planting Sweet Potatoes
The roots of sweet potatoes need to swell and expand easily; therefore, the slips are usually planted in raised rows ranging from 6 to 10 inches high and from 2 to 3 feet wide. Raising the soil in hills or "ridges" is especially important with . [... more]
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Soil Preparation for Potatoes
Potatoes will grow in just about any well-drained soil, but they dislike soggy soil. Because they do all their growing underground, they can expand more easily in loose, loamy soil than in heavy, compacted, clay soil that keeps plant roots from ... [... more]
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Corn: Planting Basics
There's an old farmer's rhyme about planting corn seed: "One for the blackbird, one for the crow, one for the soil and one to grow." Although it's not necessary to plant four times the amount of seed that you actually want to grow, a little [... more]
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Cabbage Essentials
Cabbage is grows best when the heads mature in cool weather, so plan to harvest before the onset of hot weather in summer or in the fall. Plant them in early summer in the North, mid- to late summer in central and southern areas. Chinese cabbages ... [... more]
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Beets and Turnips
Beets and turnips are special greens because their roots are also edible. Beet greens are most nutritious and taste best when they're harvested young and tender. Fortunately, there's an easy way to have a lot of young greens and still keep plants ... [... more]
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Beetle Pests.
It's high summer, your tomato vines are flourishing, and you're eager to pluck the first juicy, ripe orb. But chances are you aren't the only one interested in America's favorite vegetable -- you no doubt have competition in the form of pests! ... [... more]
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