Growers looking for a crop to round out their roadside market offerings or sell to commercial buyers should look at summer and winter squash as possible revenue sources. The Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (AgMRC) reported that in 2013, the United States grew close to 6.3 million cwt of squash for markets around the country. Producers … Read more
People who don’t have a green thumb often turn to grow succulents in their homes thinking that they don’t need much attention or special conditions. Some don’t, but many do. Not every succulent plant is cactus that can survive the harshest temperatures and is drought-resistant; the kind of plant that just won’t die. Whether you’re … Read more
Black rot and blackleg can devastate cruciferous vegetables Cruciferous vegetables—including broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, and kale excel in nutrition and versatility. Due to their popularity, many growers have increased their acreage. But various diseases can limit their production. Two of the most troublesome, black leg and black rot, can be seed-borne. The fungus, … Read more
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