Fruit trees often set more fruit than they can support or develop adequately, especially if the trees were not properly pruned during the previous season. Excessive fruit competes with each other for carbohydrates (stored energy) and remains small. This carbohydrate drain, or “sink,” can also weaken the tree and make it more susceptible to pests … Read more
Horned melons, jicama, purple sweet potato, starfruit – visit a local supermarket or specialty food store in even a small city today and you will find an array of fruits and vegetables such as these that would have bewildered many a shopper of just a generation ago. While many of the unusual products were originally … Read more
Have you ever really thought about the seed? Beyond poring over your seed catalogs and getting excited about new varieties or the return of tried-and-true selections, many farmers may not be thinking about all the factors that contribute to a quality seed experience. When seeds don’t work as expected due to poor germination, plants with … Read more
Have you ever thought about the ideal ways to boost your creativity, get rid of social anxiety, and improve your mood? Yes, this is all possible and no, it does not involve alcohol but something far healthier and better. Today we are going to talk about the Durban poison. Durban is a popular plant and … Read more
On warm spring days in many parts of the country, two species of cucumber beetles lurk near vegetable fields or feast on an available crop until their favorite meal, a cucurbit, emerges. Adult beetles overwinter in protected areas near buildings, fences, and woodlots. They rapidly find host plants. In more northern areas, the striped cucumber … Read more