When And How To Harvest Cucumbers (2022)
Want to learn how to grow cucumbers? If you wish to make fresh cucumber salad or pickles, knowing when and how to harvest from your garden is vital – here’s everything you need to know!
Cucumber plants are one of the easiest-to-grow vegetables. Give them sun, water, and support, and they will do the rest to fill your harvest basket with fresh, tasty veggies. You may just be planning your garden or planting seeds now, but it’ll be time to pick those cucumbers to use in salads or make pickles before you know it.
Here is what you need to know about growing cucumbers to get them in their prime. Eating fresh vegetables from your garden is incredibly rewarding – Read on to learn how!
Two Types of Cucumber Plants
First, there are two different kinds of cucumber plants that you can grow in your gardens: bush cucumbers and vining cucumbers. They grow differently.
These plants are more bush-like, stay in one place, and are perfect for small gardens or growing in containers.
Vining varieties of cucumbers thrive and yield large numbers of crops. While they can grow along the ground, they do best when supported and trained to grow up a trellis.
Cucumber Varieties for Different Purposes
In addition to these differences, you’ll notice that ripe cucumbers are either small and bumpy or large, smooth slicing varieties.
The small varieties are best for pickling (although you can eat them raw), while the larger types have a higher water content, making them unsuitable for the pickling process. So instead, slice and eat them fresh or put them in your drinking water – they’re delicious!
How to Grow Cucumbers
Before we can cover when or how to harvest cucumbers, we need to know how to grow them! So here’s a quick rundown of how to successfully grow cucumbers in your garden.
Sow Your Cucumber Seeds
You can use two methods for planting cucumber seeds: direct sowing or starting them indoors.
Use a sterile seed starting mix and not potting soil for best results. You will also want to avoid using garden soil for your seed starts. Garden soil can contain larvae from harmful insects that you will not want to bring indoors.
Take Care of Seedlings by Providing Adequate Light, Water, Fertilizer and Fertile Soil
Cucumber plants started indoors will require care before they are ready to plant out. The seedlings require:
Cucumber seedlings grow incredibly fast, so do not be tempted to start them earlier than required.
It’s also essential to use a grow light to start seeds indoors. No matter how bright, windowsill light will not be adequate and will develop tall leggy cucumber seedlings.
Cucumbers need moist soil and consistent watering. The plants will require 1 inch of water a week during hot, dry weather. Do not let the soil dry out completely, and try to keep on top of a watering schedule.
Grow cucumbers in well-draining fertile soil. Cucumbers thrive in soils with lots of organic matter, so work in some compost during planting.
You can fertilize cucumber seedlings after the second set of leaves appears on the plant. Use 1/2 dose of general-purpose organic liquid fertilizer.
Plant Cucumber Seedlings 1-2 Weeks After Your Last Frost Date
Cucumber plants need a long growing season – most varieties are ready to harvest around 50-70 days after planting the seeds. The soil temperature should be above 70F before directly sowing or planting out. Cucumbers are tender plants that can succumb quickly, even to the lightest of frosts.
It’s best to wait two weeks after the last predicted spring frost before attempting to grow cucumbers outdoors.
Grow Cucumber seedlings in a location with full sun
Growing cucumbers in full sun will produce the best results. You can grow cucumbers in partial afternoon shade, but they do tend to produce more fruit in full sun.
Provide 1 inch of water per week
Your plants will need at least 1 inch of water per week, even more when hot. Using a soaker hose to water close to the ground will reduce evaporation and prevent water from getting on the leaves, which can cause leaf diseases.
Plan a watering routine that’s consistent, because inconsistent watering causes bitter-tasting cucumbers.
Consider Using a Trellis for Vining Cucumber Plants.
If you want to use trellises to train your cucumber vines to grow vertically, set them up before your plants need them, so you avoid damaging your seedlings or vines.
To grow cucumbers on a trellis, you will need fastening tape to keep the cucumbers fastened. We like to use velcro tape for this purpose. It holds up, but you can make it loose to enable the plant to move and grow as required.
Consider Adding Companion Plants to Help with Pollination and Pest Control.
Plant some companion plants around your cucumbers like sunflowers, marigolds, beans, etc.
Companion plants can help encourage pollinators and beneficial insects to the garden. They can also help deter harmful insects away from your cucumbers.
If You Lack Pollinators, You Can Try Hand Pollinating Your Cucumbers
Cucumber pollination can be time-consuming when done by hand, but it may be the only way to ensure a large harvest of mature fruit if your garden lacks pollinators. If you are growing cucumbers in a garden that lacks pollinators, consider growing a few flowers and herbs to attract bees and pollinators to your garden.
The key to hand pollination is to differentiate male flowers from female flowers.
The male flowers will have a long stamen in the center of the flower that is dusted with pollen. The male flowers will also bloom in clusters of 5-6 on one stem.
The female flower will have a small fruit at the base of her stem and bloom alone, singly on a stem. The female flowers also contain a small ovary in the center.
When hand-pollinating cucumbers, only use freshly opened male flowers. Remove the pollen with a small brush or q-tip, and gently roll the pollen onto the stigma in the center of the female flower.
You can use the same male flower to pollinate several female flowers.
Harvest Cucumbers Often
When your cukes are ready to harvest, you’ll likely have some to pick up almost every day, so check your vines frequently. Use these helpful tips to make sure you get the best harvest possible.
Check Plants Daily
Checking your plants every day is the key to having healthy plants and bountiful yields.
Keep a close eye on your plants and be on the lookout for:
- Stunted (not growing) cukes, or fruits with rotten ends
- Cucumbers that are past their prime
- Powdery mildew – occurs when leaves get wet (you will need to apply a fungicide to remove it)
- Watch for aphids, cucumber beetles, or other pests. Consider companion planting flowers such as nasturtiums or marigolds. Marigolds, for instance, will help deter cucumber beetles, and nasturtiums can confuse and deter aphids.
Pick and discard any stunted, rotten, or overripe cucumbers to help the plants dedicate their energy toward maturing fruit you’ll harvest.
Fun fact: the more cukes you pick, the more your plant will produce! The reverse is also true – if you don’t harvest your cucumbers, your plants will produce less.
I recommend checking your plants and harvesting your cukes in the morning before the vines get hot.
You’ll likely be picking multiple cucumbers almost every day during the peak season. Continue to check your plants daily, even during the off-peak season, to make sure you harvest before they get overripe.
When harvesting cucumbers for pickles, harvest when the cucumbers are 2 inches long for making sweet pickles and about 3-4 inches long for making dill pickles.
Tips to Properly Harvest Cucumbers
Instead of pulling or twisting cucumbers off the vine (this may damage your plants), use pruners or garden shears and cut the stem leaving about ½” of the stem still attached to the fruit. This method helps keep the end of the cucumber from rotting in case you don’t use it immediately.
Burpless and English cucumber varieties tend to bruise thanks easily to their thinner skins. When you harvest them, gently place them in your basket or container.
You may be surprised to learn that cucumbers can be prickly! Wear gloves when you harvest, and rub a soft cloth or vegetable brush on your cukes to remove the spines.
Pinch off the remaining flowers on your vines about 30 days before your expected first frost so that your plants can focus their energy on ripening the cucumbers that are currently growing.
Prepare Harvested Cucumbers For Long Term Storage
Once you harvest the cucumbers for the season, it’s time to enjoy them!
Your cucumbers won’t continue to ripen after you pick them, unlike many other vegetables and fruits.
Store your pickling cucumbers in a cool dark place for up to 5 days before making pickles.
Slicing cucumbers will taste best right off the vine, but you can store them in the crisper bin of your fridge for up to 7 days.
Growing Cucumbers From Seed to Harvest
Growing a cucumber plant is an easy adventure so long as you provide them with the items we listed above.
If you planted cucumber plants this year and you have a bumper crop and you’re wondering what to do with all these cucumbers we have help for you!
You can start by making these wonderful garlic pickles (we make 4 dozen quarts every single year and eat every single one of them). Or you could check out this list we put together for dealing with excess cucumbers!
More Garden Inspiration:
Editorial Note: This post was originally published on February 3, 2021, and was updated on April 15, 2022.


Watnall community raises £700 for prostate cancer at allotments fun day
Dozens of visitors flocked to an allotment site in Watnall to admire vegetables, plants and scarecrows as part of a special fundraising open day.
The summer event, held by the Watnall Allotments and Gardens Association, saw members of the local community come together for an afternoon of fun and competitions amid more than 100 well-kept vegetable patches.
The allotment site on Main Road was open all afternoon on August 30 to members of the public, friends and families of allotment holders, and featured food stalls, a raffle and scarecrow and vegetable competitions.
A popular plant and produce stall sold a range of allotment grown fruit, vegetables, flowers and plants.
And the resident beekeeper also sold honey from his hives, which are situated on site.
The scarecrow competition on the theme of ‘heroes’ resulted in some creative interpretations.
Children also entered a competition to produce the best scary and funny ‘veggie monster’ from allotment-grown produce.
Kayleigh Draper, aged nine, beat off stiff competition to win both categories.
Each year, the association holds competitions to determine the best allotments in a number of categories.
This year’s winners and runners up were presented with their trophies and awards at the finale of the open day.
Norman Pyart won the best allotment category, with Robert Booth winning the intermediate allotment category.
Joint winners of the best half plot were Teresa Smith and James Newton, while Gaynor Doherty and Martin Smith jointly won the competition for ‘new members making the most progress’.
The event was sponsored by The Fernwood Group, and raffle prizes were provided by Gillotts Funeral Directors, The Queen’s Head, Watnall, and several other local businesses.
The community helped to raise more than £700 on the day, the majority of which will be donated to Prostate Cancer UK. The rest will go back into the allotment association’s funds.
Association secretary Lynda Gibbins said: “The event was a great success.”
Watnall Allotments is a private allotment site, run by the members themselves with an elected committee.
It has been the site of allotment gardens since around 1844.
For more information about the allotments, visit watnallallotments.co.uk


All human beings have some love for nature. It is human nature to be surrounded by various plants and trees. Therefore most people prefer to have trees and plants installed in their houses. It is naturally truth that trees are good for both physical and mental health. Doctors also refer to having flowering plants in their homes. The management of these plants and the flowers is mostly done in the presence of the gardener’s north shore professionals they know which type of plants bloom in which season. Gardeners North Shore are the professionals who are hired so proper gardening processes can take place. The gardening process includes all the criteria for the good growth of the plants, the gardener’s north shore performs all the processes like seeding, watering, digging and fertilizing the soul that help in the best development of any plants.
Gardeners North Shore understand that sometimes the soil requires specific fertilizers for growth, therefore their duty to arrange the required fertilizers in the soil. After providing important components to the soil and plantation of plants, the further steps taken by the gardeners are concerning the garden maintenance north shore. In the garden maintenance north shore process, all you need is the keep the balance of the atmosphere, water, and soil of the plant. Surrounding plants and trees must be maintained by Garden Maintenance North Shore professionals. They are accountable for keeping everything in place. Garden maintenance North Shore professionals make sure that each thing must be in place and there is no litter on the pavement or on the grassy plot. The garden maintenance north shore organization compromises the various groups and sub groups that are responsible for managing the tasks regarding the cleanliness and arrangements of the plants. Most schools hire garden maintenance North Shore employees so that they can manage and arrange flower pots in a specific manner during seminars and functions.
The garden maintenance north shore does not only work with the management task but also compromises with other tasks regarding gardening. Gardening Roseville helps you in the gardening field in Roseville as well as in the surroundings. They consist of professionals that can easily perform the given task and the activity within given time intervals. Gardening Roseville involves tasks commercially and industrially as well as on domestic cases. Most of the time the trees exceed in their growth and due which require a fine trimming process. The tree removal ST IVES consist of their professional team with advanced technology. Previously, tree removal strives employees to perform tasks manually that because fatigue or work may slow down. But now tree removal ST IVES adopt the advanced machinery and techniques that make the effort and speed quicker.


Today (10th) the Legislative Yuan passed the third reading of the "Farmer Health Insurance Act". Council of Agriculture Minister Chen Chi-Chung expressed his gratitude to ruling and opposition legislators and all sectors for their support of farmers and improving their occupational safety and security during the legislative process.
This revision is based on the Executive Yuan version of the bill, doubling the monthly insured amount of agricultural insurance and occupational accident insurance for farmers from the current NT$10,200 to NT$20,400, while also increasing the maternity benefits and funeral allowances of agricultural insurance. In addition, new applicants for agricultural insurance must also participate in farmers' occupational accident insurance to strengthen farmers' occupational accident protections. After the increase in the monthly insurance amount for farmers, the increased agricultural insurance premium will be borne by the government. The agricultural insurance premium for farmers will remain at NT$78 per month, and the funeral allowance for agricultural insurance will be doubled, from NT$153,000 to NT$306,000, to reduce the burden of funeral expenses on family members. In addition, in order to encourage farmers to give have more children, the maternity benefits of agricultural insurance have been increased from the 2 to 3 months, and the amount tripled from NT$20,400 to NT$61,200. These measures encourage young people to invest in agricultural production and older farmers to retire and stop farming, while revitalizing the use of farm land.
(Source: Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan)


As a developing country, India is working towards a brighter future through sustainable development. In the past few years, the Centre for Sustainable Fashion worked on a project to introduce sustainable textiles in India. Partnering with the Department for Environmental Food and Rural Affiars (Defra), the project worked to introduce ecological textiles in India, position India into the sustainable textiles market and enable India to trade eco-friendly textiles to retailers in the United Kingdom.
A second project was initiated to revamp the Indian dye houses in order to make them more eco-friendly. From 2009 through 2011, Color Connections Ltd. worked with the Indian dye houses that supply the UK market to reduce the environmental impact of the houses.
Women in a village in India pick the cotton crops. PC: CNN
These projects are examples of the progress India is making in sustainable development and agriculture. India’s production of textiles accounts for 14% of its production and 17% of the country’s exports. India exports its textiles worldwide, and according to Defra’s Sustainable Clothing Roadmap, while India’s textile export industry is an economic success story that grosses over $500 billion, the industry has a serious environmental and social footprint associated with its supply chain.
An assessment was done to find out exactly what India’s environmental impact was before it moved towards sustainable development. Researchers assessed its use of water, its greenhouse gas emissions and its chemical pollution. It was determined that Indian cotton was the worst offender of all the textiles.
Indian cotton accounts for 16% of the world’s production and provides jobs for 40 to 50 million people (Hussain, 2010). However, the cotton industry is known to use large quantities of water and chemicals during the process.
An organic cotton farmer carries a bale of cotton. PC: Greta Blue
India is now offering fair trade, organic cotton and has emerged as the second least expensive producer of organic cotton behind Tanzania. The fair trade and organic combination appeals to retailers abroad because it is good for marketing.
The Maikaal Project worked to transform the way cotton was being produced in India. It helped to lessen the agricultural impact on the environment as well as yield higher profits for the farmers by substituting synthetic fertilizers and pesticides with organic farming techniques. In 2005, Maikaal bioRe® was established in central India and the initiative set up 1500 small farms and produced 1,000 tons of cotton.
An organic farm from the Maikaal Project in central India. Photo Credit: ETH
Though there are still several issues to overcome, the future for sustainable development in India is promising. By switching to eco-friendly agriculture, the farmers are likely to yield more profit from the crops while reducing their impact on the environment.
Department for Environmental Food and Rural Affairs, (2009). Sustainable clothing roadmap: Summary of Defra commissioned projects under the sustainable clothing action plan. Retrieved from: http://archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/business/products/roadmaps/documents/summary-projects-sustain-clothing-ap.pdf
Hussain, A. (2010). Sustainable textiles for fashion from India. Department for Environmental Food and Rural Affairs. Retrieved from: http://sd.defra.gov.uk/2010/09/sustainable-textiles-for-fashion-from-india/
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, (2011). The impact of organic cotton cultivation on the livelihood of Indian smallholders. Research Fellowship Partnership Programme. Retrieved from: http://www.rfpp.ethz.ch/fellowships/concluded_fellowships/organiccotton


Founded in 1944, Urban Stanislaus & Co., was initially one of the world’s leading cashew nut exporters. Our first milestone was when we emerged as the pioneers in manufacturing roasted and salted cashews in India with exports to the Middle East, Far East, Bulgaria and European Block Countries. We believe in doing our best to provide the best – maintaining strict vigil on standards of quality and efficiency.
Our state-of-the-art plant was ISO 9001-2000 and HACCP certified for the years 2007-2010. We were also the only cashew canning plant to hold the IFS certification during 2009-2010 in Asia. We look forward to a future of being able to continue providing the market with our premium cashew products.


Bare Knuckle Farm, founded in 2009, is a small farm owned and lovingly tended by Jess Piskor and Abra Berens. We are dedicated to small-scale agriculture that supplies a healthful, delicious, beautiful, and diverse array of vegetables to our friends and neighbors.
Bare Knuckle Farm Dinner, started in 2013, is our second business and your dinner table on the farm. Abra is transitioning from days in the garden to time in the kitchen, creating a new way to experience our land-- private farm dinners using only the finest Leelanau County ingredients.
Saturday, July 26, 2014 Idyll Farm Dinner --- (SOLD OUT)
We are very excited to announce a collaborative dinner with our neighbors, Idyll Farm. For the past couple of years, Mark and Amy Spitznagel have been restoring an old farmstead with a state of the art creamery—breathing new life into a beautiful piece of agricultural land. With the work of cheese maker, Madeline Vedel, they are producing some of the finest farmhouse goat cheese that we’ve ever tasted. And they are just over the hill from our farm! So we thought we’d celebrate the Northport culinary synergy with a special dinner.
The evening will begin at Idyll Farm, with a tour of their beautiful farm and a tasting of their myriad of handmade goat cheeses. Dinner guests will then travel to Bare Knuckle Farm to enjoy a 5-course meal featuring Idyll Farm products in each and every course.
Please contact Abra at email@example.com for more information.


Farm Supplies and Products
Red Hill Garden and Farm Supplies is your one-stop destination for all your farming and gardening needs. With a rich heritage and a deep understanding of the local landscape, we pride ourselves on offering a comprehensive range of high-quality farm supplies and products tailored to support the thriving agricultural community in our region.
At Red Hill Garden and Farm Supplies, we are committed to supporting our community’s passion for agriculture and gardening. Whether you’re a seasoned farmer, a vineyard owner, or a gardening enthusiast, our knowledgeable team is here to provide expert advice and quality products to help your projects flourish.
Explore our website to discover more about our products and services, or visit us at our store on the Mornington Peninsula. Let Red Hill Garden and Farm Supplies be your partner in cultivating success.


Autumn plays host to so many wonderful vegetables that it’s difficult for me to pick just one to focus on and truth be told the pumpkin only barely won out against beetroot and pak choi.
I say ‘pumpkin’ but the correct term is actually Winter Squash, which grow in a variety of different shapes, sizes, colours and textures. The term pumpkin is generally used to describe the specific variety known as ‘Curcubita Peto’ that is grown commercially for its rounded shape and smooth orange skin. Admittedly, while this variety is ideal for carving at Halloween, it is not the most flavoursome of the varieties in its family, However tastier varieties such as ‘Crown Prince’ , ‘Queenland Blue’ or ‘Zucca da Marmellata' which are used in Italy to produce chutneys and jams are harder to come by, unless you happen to know an adventurous gardener.
In order to maximise the taste of which ever squash you can lay your hands my recommendation is to cut it open, clean out the centre and rub it with some spice before roasting. Arguably the Winter Squash family deserve more than the recognition it receives for serving as a decorative ‘Jack o Lattern’ . It is thought to be one of the oldest domesticated vegetables in the world, and is extremely versatile given that the leaves, seeds and flowers are also edible. In the US and Canada it might appear on the table as a pumpkin pie, in Japan the flowers stuffed and deep fried as tempura, in Italy as ravioli tossed in sage butter. So get creative and remember that Pumpkins belong to Autumn not just Halloween.
Ready in 60 minutes
Serves 4 -6 people
The roasted chickpeas and crispy kale topping also make for an excellent accompaniment to pan fried chicken which has been marinated in olive oil and lemon juice.
For the Soup
1 squash or pumpkin
1 tbsp melted butter
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
pinch chilli flakes
1 tbsp olive oil
2-3 cloves garlic
2 eating apples
1lt vegetable stock
For the Chickpea & Kale Topping
I tin chickpeas, drained
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp olive oil
sea salt & pepper
2 handfuls kale leaves, washed and dried
3 tbsps pumpkin seeds
1. To prepare the roasted squash: Cut the pumpkin/squash in half. Remove the stalk, using a spoon scrape out the seeds and pulp from the centre. Cut the squash into quarter pieces and score the flesh with a knife.
2. Drizzle the flesh with the melted butter, sprinkle with the spices and rub them well into the flesh of the squash.
3. Place the pieces onto an oven tray and bake for approx. 35 minutes @ 190￮C, until almost tender.
4. To prepare the base for the soup: While the squash is roasting chop the onion and apple. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan and saute the onion and apple over a low to medium heat until just beginning to caramelise. Add the chopped garlic and cook for a further minute. Pour in ¾ of the vegetable stock and add the bayleaf.
5. Remove squash from the oven, allow to cool slightly, using a spoon scrape away the flesh from the skin and add flesh to the soup. Allow the soup to simmer for 10 - 15 minutes until the squash has softened through.
6. To prepare the Chickpea & Kale Topping: Place the drained chickpeas, pieces of kale leaves and pumpkin seeds onto the oven tray. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with smoked paprika and rub in well.
7. Place the tray in the oven and roast for 10 minutes @ 180￮C until chickpeas begin to brown and the kale leaves are crispy.
8. Take the soup from the heat and remove the bayleaf. Using a blender process the soup until smooth. If the soup is too thick add some of the remaining vegetable stock to thin it out.
9. Spoon the soup out into bowls and scatter over the chickpea kale topping.


Pacific money | Business
The Asian Development Bank’s plan aims to improve long-term food security by strengthening agriculture and food supplies to cope with climate change and biodiversity loss.
The Asian Development Bank announced on Tuesday that it will provide at least $14 billion through 2025 to help alleviate a deepening food crisis in Asia-Pacific.
The development lender said it was planning a comprehensive assistance program to help the region’s 1.1 billion people who are left without healthy diets due to poverty and rising food prices.
The Manila, Philippines-based ADB made the announcement during its annual meeting.
“This is a timely and much-needed response to a crisis that is starving too many poor families in Asia and plunging them into deeper poverty,” said ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa.
The plan calls for improving long-term food security by strengthening agriculture and food supplies to cope with climate change and biodiversity loss. The ADB said the funds would go to both existing and new projects that include agriculture, food production and distribution, water resource management and social support.
Asakawa said that in the short term, support will target and be targeted at the most vulnerable, particularly women.
Opening the ADB meeting, Asakawa noted that the economic outlook has worsened for many developing countries with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, rising prices for many commodities and a tougher economic environment thanks to rising interest rates and weaker currencies.
In a recent update, the bank lowered its forecast for growth in the region to 4.3 percent from an earlier estimate of 5.2 percent. The outlook for next year is 4.9 percent annual growth.
Food insecurity threatens to erode decades of gains and has worsened with the dispute in Ukraine, a major supplier of grain and oil. and fertilizer to many countries in the region.
The situation will worsen as climate change amplifies extreme weather, impacts crops and triggers migration, Asakawa noted.
Last week, the UN food chief warned the world of “a perfect storm upon a perfect storm,” urging donors, particularly Gulf states and billionaires, to give a few days of profit to deal with a fertilizer supply crisis, a widespread one Nutrition to prevent deficiency next year.
Just one example: Massive flooding in Pakistan this summer wiped out large crops, raising concerns about food shortages.
Even before the floods, about 38 million Pakistanis, more than 16 percent of the population, were moderately or severely food insecure, unsure whether they could obtain food or temporarily without food, according to the World Health Organization. Almost 18 percent of the children were acutely malnourished.
The Pakistani economy was already suffering from increasing debt problems and rising prices. The hit to food supplies and income will push this population even deeper into hunger, UN agencies have warned.
The ADB estimates that the coronavirus pandemic has already driven 100 million more people to starvation. A 10 percent rise in food price inflation could push another 64 million into poverty, it says.


Many people spend a fortune setting up and maintaining lawns only for weeds to destroy them. By competing for nutrients with beneficial plants such as grasses and flowers, they stunt the growth of lawns. Their ugly broad-leafed nature, on the other hands, compromises the outlook of lawns, which frustrates most people. If you have a few hardy ones that you are having problems killing, here are three effective strategies that you should consider.
Manual Weed Control
For many years, people have depended on manual weed care to clear their lawns and garden. Its principle is simple. Because most weeds have shallow tap and fibrous root systems, for instance, pulling them off the ground means instant death. This system, albeit frustrating, delivers permanent results. It also protects beneficial plants from damage because of the manual selection process that people used to pull weeds. Buy one of the best weed pullers to ease this process.
Natural Weed Control
Many people are conscious of the environment. They abhor the dangerous chemicals used to make some brands of herbicides. If you are one of them, natural weed control is a good option for you. Like pulling weeds, it involves using safe and naturally occurring materials to kill troublesome weeds. Here are a few effective ones that you should use:
Most people enjoy eating vinegar. We also use to unclog blocked drains and or to remove stains from kitchen counter tops. However, did you know that vinegar is also one of the best weed killers? At full strength, apple or white vinegar kills most types of weeds without polluting the environment. It is also safe for beneficial plants such as flowers.
The tiny weeds that pop up in cracks of patios and walkways are hard to control. Pulling them manually, for instance, is impractical. Furthermore, because the best lawn mowers in homes cannot reach such areas, you cannot chop them down as well. Fortunately, salt works well. You can spread it directly on the weeds. To treat a large area, on the other hand, boil one cup of salt in two cups of water and spray on the affected area. You will see weeds wither in days.
Baking soda is a sodium-rich ingredient that people have used for cooking for decades. It is safe for the environment. It is also one of the best natural remedies for weed-care in confined spaces such as walkways and driveways. If dandelions and broad-leafed weeds have taken over your driveway, sprinkle baking powder on affected areas. By increasing the sodium level in the ground, it creates an inhospitable environment for weeds.
Manual and natural weed control is effective in small areas. If you have a large lawn with many troublesome weeds, consider using a weed killer. Even though controversial in some states, they have become safe, cheaper, and better over the years. Some of the best brands use environment-friendly ingredients to kill weeds. They are also easy to apply and have residual/waterproof formulae that kill weeds for long.
Conclusion: Weed killing is a challenge for many people. This should not be the case. Many effective remedies are available on the Internet for people of all cadre. Weed pullers and natural remedies such a salt and vinegar are effective in small areas. For faster and effective weed management, however, look for one of the best weed killers online.


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Vermicomposting Definition “Vermicomposting is a process in which the earthworms convert the organic waste into manure rich in high nutritional content.” Read on to explore what is vermicomposting and the process involved in vermicomposting. Top dress your houseplants or add a few handfuls when you are potting them up. Introduction to Gardening:- Most of... Brahma Chicken Information Guide: Cocoons can lay dormant for as long as two years if conditions are not conducive for hatching. They can survive at 10 °C (50 °F). Vermicomposting also works nicely for houseplants. Containing water-soluble nutrients, vermicompost is a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer and soil conditioner in a form that is relatively easy for plants to absorb. Varieties: there are... Introduction to Sheep weight chart and Sheep feed chart In this process, earthworms play the main role. Eliminating the use of meat or dairy product in a worm bin decreases the possibility of pests. , Additionally, the mucous layer created by worms which surrounds their castings allows for a "time release" effect, meaning not all nutrients are released at once. , Product of the composting process using various species of worms. Pick a spot in your house to place the worm bin. The following information is all about Terrace Gardening. Vermicompost can be mixed directly into the soil, or mixed with water to make a liquid fertilizer known as worm tea. Vermicomposting Nepal Vermicompost (vermi-compost, vermiculture). Researchers from the Pondicherry University discovered that worm composts can also be used to clean up heavy metals. NPK testing may be helpful before the vermicompost or tea is applied to the garden. Vermicompost is a great alternative that allows for an indoor composting operation with minimal space considerations. You’ll create a worm bin where you’ll throw your food scraps for the worms to feed off and create rich soil. There may be differences in vermicomposting method depending on the climate. Vermicomposting technology is known throughout the world, albeit in limited areas. When harvesting the compost, it is possible to separate eggs and cocoons and return them to the bin, thereby ensuring new worms are hatched. Vermicompost (vermi-compost) is the product of the decomposition process using various species of worms, usually red wigglers, white worms, and other earthworms, to create a mixture of decomposing vegetable or food waste, bedding materials, and vermicast. Details / edit. Kiko's vermicomposting toilet is located in a solar barn pictured here: The barn's interior is finished with a lime wash, pigmented with our local ochre. Worms, such as red wigglers, process the waste into nutrient-dense worm casts for the soil. Vermicomposting” can be defined as the biological breakdown (decomposition) of organic wastes, via the joint action of (specialized) earthworms and microorganisms. Metal containers often conduct heat too readily, are prone to rusting, and may release heavy metals into the vermicompost. Vermiculite is a hydrous phyllosilicate mineral which undergoes significant expansion when heated. Cocoons are small, lemon-shaped yellowish objects that can usually be seen with the naked eye. "Effects of stocking density and feeding rate on vermicomposting of biosolids", "Pilot studies for vermifiltration of 1000m3day of sewage wastewater", "Comparison of the effectiveness of composting and vermicomposting for the biological stabilization of cattle manure", "Vermicomposting: A Better Option for Organic Solid Waste Management", "Windrow composting systems can be feasable [, "Worm Compost Bins - What To Look For and What To Avoid", "The Worm Dictionary and Vermiculture Reference Center", "High Heat And Worm Bins – Tips For Vermicomposting When It's Hot", "The impact of organophosphate pesticides in orchards on earthworms in the Western Cape, South Africa", Latest Developments In Mid-To-Large-Scale Vermicomposting, "Very Large Scale Vermiculture in Sludge Stabilisation", "Harvesting - MMSB - Multi-Materials Stewardship Board", "Earthworm Castings as Plant Growth Media", "Comparative Study on Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Sludge Vermicomposted by Eisenia Fetida", "Microbial biodegradation of waste materials for nutrients enrichment and heavy metals removal: An integrated composting-vermicomposting process", "How are Worm Tea and Worm Leachate Different? Greenhouse growing has a wide range of benefits over open field... Agriculture Borewell Drilling Cost, Pump Price, and Pipe Cost, and Setup Guide This process is called vermicomposting, while the rearing of worms for this purpose is called vermiculture. It is a term that can be used interchangeably with worm composting. Vermicompost is the product of the composting process.  The vermicompost may be used for farming, landscaping, to create compost tea, or for sale. The following information is about Drumstick Farming Project Report (Moringa). Red worms may live up to 4.5 years in the Worm Wigwam (compared to 1 year in the wild), and will grow to a length of up to 3 inches. Other worms like Perionyx excavatus are suitable for warmer climates. to digest organic wastes, such as kitchen scraps". present participle of [i]vermicompost [/i] Automatic translation: vermicomposting. Mushroom... Biofloc fish farming Pulverized limestone, or calcium carbonate can be added to the system to raise the pH.  If a worm bin is kept outside, it should be placed in a sheltered position away from direct sunlight and insulated against frost in winter.  The smell may also depend on the type of composted material added to the bin. Then, don’t worry friends, today I am going to Inform you about How to Start a Profitable Vermiculture Business In India or anywhere all over the world. Moisture must be maintained above 50%, as lower moisture content will not support worm respiration and can increase worm mortality. Breed Profile: Worms generally stay in the bin, but may try to leave the bin when first introduced, or often after a rainstorm when outside humidity is high. to create a mixture of decomposing vegetable or food waste and bedding materials and vermicast. Can you do vermicomposting in an apartment? Sanitised definition: British → another name for sanitized | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples agrovoc. Common earthworms such as Lumbricus terrestris are anecic (deep burrowing) species and hence unsuitable for use in a closed system. Introduction To Tissue Culture Plants: Today, let us discuss Government Schemes For Goat Farming Loan, Subsidy in India... Gir Cow Milk Per Day, Breed Profile And Characteristics: Composting worms which are detritivorous (eaters of trash), such as the red wiggler Eisenia fetida, are epigeic (surface dwellers) and together with symbiotic associated microbes are the ideal vectors for decomposing food waste. INTRODUCTION TO MUSHROOM FARMING PROJECT REPORT: Vermicompost horbours certain microbial populations that help in Nitrogen fixation in the soil and ‘P’ solubilization. Sheep is species of domesticated ruminant or cud-chewing mammal, raised for... Kadaknath Farming Guide, Business Plan/Kadaknath Murgi Farming Vermiculture definition is - the cultivation of annelid worms (such as earthworms or bloodworms) especially for use as bait or in composting. Vermicompost contains water-soluble nutrients and is an excellent, nutrient-rich organic fertilizer and soil conditioner. The windrow method and compost windrow turners were developed by Fletcher Sims Jr. of the Compost Corporation in Canyon, Texas. This includes: Such vermicomposting systems need reliable sources of large quantities of food.  Worm castings are sometimes used as an organic fertilizer.  The reduction in the bioavailability of heavy metals has been observed in a number of studies.. vermicompost meaning: compost (= material that is added to soil to improve its quality) that is made using earthworms: . The earthworm species (or composting worms) most often used are red wigglers (Eisenia fetida or Eisenia andrei), though European nightcrawlers (Eisenia hortensis, synonym Dendrobaena veneta) and red earthworm (Lumbricus rubellus) could also be used. There are few food wastes that vermicomposting cannot compost, although meat waste and dairy products are likely to putrefy, and in outdoor bins can attract vermin. Passion Fruit Farming Guide: Large-scale vermicomposting is practiced in Canada, Italy, Japan, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and the United States. 1. It is rich in microbial life which converts nutrients already present in the soil into plant-available forms. Worms can decompose organic matter without the additional human physical effort (turning the bin) that bin composting requires. Nancarrow, Loren; Taylor, Janet Hogan (1998). केंचुआ खाद जिसे Vermicompost के नाम से भी जाना चाहता है | जानिये इस खाद को कैसे बनाते हैं, किन चीजों की जरूरत पड़ती है, फायदे, usesऔर कैसे यह खेती में सहायक होता है | Systems presently operating use: Vermicompost is ready for harvest when it contains few-to-no scraps of uneaten food or bedding.  Other soil species that contribute include insects, other worms and molds.. Today, we discuss the most profitable crops in India, high-profit cash... Introduction of Drumstick Farming Project Report:  It has also outperformed a commercial plant medium with nutrients added, but levels of magnesium required adjustment, as did pH. What is Vermicomposting? Vermicompost Production Guide: Introduction of Vermicompost:- What is vermicomposting? Biogro - A power packed organic plant food for every plant. Unlike other compost, worm castings also contain worm mucus which helps prevent nutrients from washing away with the first watering and holds moisture better than plain soil. Tag - Vermicomposting In Marathi. It is an uncomposted byproduct from when water-rich foods break down and may contain pathogens and toxins. A quick DIY build with plastic bins makes this possible for more people. stem ming. In warm weather, fruit and vinegar flies breed in the bins if fruit and vegetable waste is not thoroughly covered with bedding. Some of these operations produce worms for bait and/or home vermicomposting. Vermicomposting is widely used in North America for on-site institutional processing of food scraps, such as in hospitals, universities, shopping malls, and correctional facilities. The following information is about Types of Mulching and Its advanatges.  The fraction of soil which has gone through the digestive tract of earthworms is called the drilosphere.. June 7, 2020 October 27, 2020 businessfacts 1 Comment vermicompost in hindi meaning, how to make vermicompost at home in hindi, vermi compost price, vermicompost business in hindi, vermicompost ke fayde, vermicompost ppt in hindi, vermicomposting method in hindi pdf, what is vermiculture in hind vermicompost translate: lombricompost. Organic Phosphorus in the Environment, Turner. , Pests such as rodents and flies are attracted by certain materials and odors, usually from large amounts of kitchen waste, particularly meat. The worms' digestive systems create environments that allow certain species of microbes to thrive to help create a "living" soil environment for plants. However, wooden bins will eventually decay and need to be replaced. One can get excellent profits... Chow Chow Vegetable Farming Guide: This problem can be avoided by thoroughly covering the waste by at least 5 centimetres (2.0 in) of bedding. Exfoliation occurs when the mineral is heated sufficiently, and commercial furnaces can routinely produce this effect. Well, it is essentially the decomposition of organic material (plant and/or animal origin) by earthworms. The design of a small bin usually depends on where an individual wishes to store the bin and how they wish to feed the worms. Mango is a tropical flowering tree cultivated for its fruit. Users refer to European nightcrawlers by a variety of other names, including dendrobaenas, dendras, Dutch nightcrawlers, and Belgian nightcrawlers. List of organic gardening and farming topics, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vermicompost&oldid=998639851, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2009, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Grains such as bread, cracker and cereal (including moldy and stale), Leaves and grass clippings (not sprayed with, Newspapers (most inks used in newspapers are not toxic), Paper toweling (which has not been used with cleaners or chemicals), Enriches soil with micro-organisms (adding, Microbial activity in worm castings is 10 to 20 times higher than in the soil and organic matter that the worm ingests, Attracts deep-burrowing earthworms already present in the soil, Enhances germination, plant growth, and crop yield, Biowastes conversion reduces waste flow to, Elimination of biowastes from the waste stream reduces contamination of other recyclables collected in a single bin (a common problem in communities practicing, Low capital investment and relatively simple technologies make vermicomposting practical for less-developed agricultural regions, Large systems often use temperature control and mechanized harvesting, however other equipment is relatively simple and does not wear out quickly, This page was last edited on 6 January 2021, at 09:59. Mushrooms are a type of fungi, which are consumed as food. It is the worms droppings created after consuming the organic waste. vermicompost preparation, vermicompost project, advantages of vermicomposting, vermicomposting pdf, vermicompost price, vermicompost fertilizer, how to make vermicompost at home, types of vermicomposting, What is the use of vermicompost?, How do you make vermicompost?, What is vermiculture and what do they do?, How do you harvest a vermicompost?, What are the benefits of vermicomposting … Species most often used for composting include: These species commonly are found in organic-rich soils throughout Europe and North America and live in rotting vegetation, compost, and manure piles. Lettuce is indeterminate... Greenhouse Growing Problems: Vermicompost is the end product of a process called vermicomposting, which uses earthworms to increase the speed of the composting process and ensure higher-quality compost. This repeats until the mound is composed mostly of worms. Small-scale vermicomposting is well-suited to turn kitchen waste into high-quality soil amendments, where space is limited.  If decomposition has become anaerobic, to restore healthy conditions and prevent the worms from dying, excess waste water must be reduced and the bin returned to a normal moisture level. Although the windrow has no physical barriers to prevent worms from escaping, in theory they should not, due to an abundance of organic matter for them to feed on. Vermicompost Preparation Process and Profit guide 2018. Name: Brahma, Brahma Pootra, Burnham, Gray Chittagong and Shanghai. Canadian nightcrawlers (US) or common earthworm (UK)) are not recommended, since they burrow deeper than most compost bins can accommodate.. Learn more in the Cambridge English-French Dictionary. Today, let us talk about Gir Cow Cost, Gir Cow Milk Per... Vermicompost Production Information Guide, Tissue Culture Plants Techniques For Beginners, Mango Farming Project Report, Cost and Profit Analysis, Seed Subsidy Schemes (Government) for Farmers in India, Egg Fruit Farming (Canistel) Information Guide, Types Of Mulching, Advantages of Mulching In Farming, Organic Tamarind Production -Cultivation, Farming In India, Terrace Gardening (Rooftop Gardening) Information, Brahma Chicken Breed Profile, Characteristics, Kadaknath Farming Guide, Loan, Subsidy, Contract Farming, Dairy Farming In Karnataka, Loans, Subsidies, Schemes, Dairy Farming In Gujarat, Loans, Subsidies, Schemes, Tomato Cultivation; Farming Techniques – A Complete Guide, Integrated Pest Management Strategies (IPM), Coriander Farming in Polyhouse (Dhaniya) for Profit, Organic Lettuce Farming, Cultivation, Growing Process, Greenhouse Growing Problems For Beginners, Borewell Drilling Cost, Pump Price, and Pipe Cost, Polyhouse Subsidy, Cost, Profit, Project Report, Tractor Subsidy, Bank Loan, Eligibility, Schemes, Process, Malabar Neem Project Report Details Guide, Cold Storage Project Report, Cost and Subsidy, Mushroom Farming Project Report, Cost and Profit Analysis, Biofloc Fish Farming Advantages; Training in India, Teak Wood Farming (Sagwan), Planting, Care, Harvesting, Most Profitable Crops; High Profit Cash Crops In India, Drumstick Farming Project Report (Moringa), Cost and Profit, Government Schemes for Goat Farming Loan, Subsidy, Gir Cow Milk Per Day, Gir Cow Price, Gir Cow Facts. 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Vegetable growers in the Region of Murcia grow their produce under low rainfall and many hours of sunshine. These climatic characteristics, beneficial for crops, are the main reason for the use of padding. The Biodegradable Padding Task Force was created to address these issues. To do this, the Task Force is carrying out the ACBD+ innovation project, which aims to formulate biodegradable padding that meets the particularities of this Region and which degrades naturally as soon as possible after use. “We plan to use indigenous microorganisms to achieve this,” said Abelardo Hernandez, technical director of Proexport and coordinator of ACBD+.
The ACBD+ innovation project is made up of the companies Verdimed, Grupo CFM, Bonduelle, Kernel Export, Campo de Lorca, Primaflor, Grupo G’s and Florette under the coordination of the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Producers and Exporters of the Region of Murcia (PROEXPORT). The European Union, through EAFRD funds and the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia, is financing the initiative with 191,000 euros.
ACBD+ works with the innovation centers CETEC (Footwear and Plastic Technology Center of the Region of Murcia) and CEBAS-CSIC (Center of Edaphology and Applied Biology of Segura).
“At CETEC we are working on obtaining two formulations of biodegradable padding in the soil, adapted to the agroclimatic conditions of the region of Murcia and which are prepared in our pilot plant”, said Lupe Leon Sanchez, doctor of sciences of l environment at the R+D+i department.
To do this, several tests are carried out in the laboratory of the plastic materials created, which analyze the mechanical resistance of the formulations, carry out accelerated aging tests in sunlight in a UV chamber, and tests of disintegration and biodegradability in the soil. , simulating the conditions of crop fields, with and without the inoculum of microorganisms prepared by CEBAS.
“The objective of these tests is to evaluate the rate of biodegradation of the formulations created, comparing them to commercial biodegradable fillings usually used, and if necessary, to modify them to adapt them to the agroclimatic conditions of the south-east of the Spain,” she said.
For its part, the CEBAS-CSIC Soil Enzymology and Bioremediation team is studying the use of micro-organisms to accelerate the degradation of biodegradable plastics in end-of-life soils. “This will benefit us in two ways. On the one hand, it will reduce the time biodegradable plastics stay in the soil, and on the other hand, it will improve the quality of the soil and the crop,” said Margarita Ros, research scientist.


By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV
Avery Hodges-McGuffin is going into the fifth grade at Lewisburg Elementary. After winning an essay contest with the Department of Agriculture, she was selected to serve as Agriculture Commissioner for the day at the State Fair of West Virginia. It wasn’t something her parents saw coming until recently.
“We moved here from Huntington just before the pandemic,” her mom, Eden, tells RealWV. “Avery came from being a city girl to learning all about farming here. She started her own garden and began composting, and she goes to the farmer’s market most every week.”
Avery says she looks forward to the market every week. Not only because she enjoys finding fresh produce and locally-farmed groceries, but mostly because she loves the people.
“I’ve made friends with the farmers,” she says.
Mary Surbaugh, Manager of the Courthouse Farmer’s Market, noticed Avery’s growing interest in farming. She suggested that Avery enter the Department of Agriculture’s annual essay contest. This year the topic was: What will agriculture look like in the next 50 years?
“I asked all my farmer friends at the market what they thought agriculture would look like in the future,” Avery recalls. “They said it would probably be more automated with robots, but they hoped there would be more small, family farms.”
Avery put pen to paper and entered the essay, relying on the advice of her new farming friends. She won, submitting a clear and clever essay which is printed below.
As a result of her win, Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt invited Avery to join him at the State Fair of WV on Monday as “Agriculture Commissioner for the Day.”
Avery spent the entire day on the fairgrounds, more than ten hours total. “I got to meet a lot of people at the country market and the West Virginia building,” Avery says. “I got to go to the State Fair board meeting. I got to see all of the animals. I got to see a new baby calf. I got to see all the awards for the animals. It was an exciting day!”
Her favorite part? “Going to the board meeting. It was really interesting.”
Kelly Collins, CEO of the State Fair, said the board was pleased to welcome Avery. “Not only is it a great opportunity for her, but it’s encouraging to see our future leaders at work!”
Avery isn’t sure exactly how agriculture will be part of her future. She’s also passionate about art–sculpting and painting. But agriculture will now always be part of her life as her future unfolds.
“All the farmers have really taken Avery under their wing,” Eden reflects.
“I want to thank Mary and my parents for making this possible,” Avery adds.
(See below for Avery’s winning essay.)
The Future of Agriculture In West Virginia
By Avery Hodges-McGuffin
On several different Saturday mornings in April and May of 2023 I asked approximately 15 farming vendors at my local farmer’s market in Lewisburg, West Virginia, “What do you think is the future of agriculture in West Virginia?” A summary of their responses is below.
I found that most of their responses regarding the future involved the use of automated farming equipment such as automatic planters, harvesters, milkers, and much more. Automated means using robots who are programmed to do one specific job such as planting, harvesting, watering, milking, and mashing. This may mean that some farmers may no longer have a job.
However, just like humans, robots can make mistakes and or malfunction. Thus, while the robots may seem to save time and money, if they break frequently or do not work properly it may not be worth it in the long run. Also, who is going to fix the equipment if it breaks? Farmers may have to wait several days to get someone to come and fix it.
Some responses were a mix of hope and reality, such as that they hoped there would be more small family farms and more people growing their own food, although they seemed to think that that was more hope than reality.
Over the past few years I have created a special bond with the farmers, more like a special connection, so I feel like I am writing this essay more for them than for me. They are the locals that work very hard to bring this great healthy food to my local farmer’s market. It matters to me that I know where my food comes from and that it is fresh.
So I don’t think they will ever change their way of work but the real question is will West Virginia?
Above, Avery Hodges-McGuffin shows WV Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt a scarf she made at Carnegie Kids College, which won first prize. Avery served as Agriculture Commissioner for the day after winning on essay contest on the future of agriculture.


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Dramm Corporation Celebrates 75 Years
By jlew1977, Jul 12 2016 12:49PM
Manitowoc, WI – June 2, 2016 – The Dramm Corporation, a leading manufacturer and distributor of professional greenhouse tools and equipment, is celebrating its milestone 75th anniversary.
In 1941, Manitowoc florist John G. Dramm designed a product that was to become the cornerstone of the Dramm Corporation.
A watering nozzle with 400 tiny holes that turns high velocity water into a
soft-flowing shower that is gentle on plants. He called it the 400 Water Breaker® Nozzle and it has become the standard in hand watering tools across the world.
“There’s excitement in the dynamics of seeing a company move from a basement operation to a multimillion dollar global corporation,” said Chairman Kurt Dramm. “We are very excited to be celebrating the 75th anniversary of Dramm Corporation with the company entering its third generation of family leadership.”
Today the company has expanded into four business segments: Retail, Fertilizer, Commercial, and DRAMMwater. The spirit of innovation and commitment to a solution continues today and throughout Dramm’s history. Dramm Corporation revolutionized the horticulture industry by introducing the Pulsfog™ and Autofog™ for chemical applications.
Dramm improved the automatic irrigation systems of dribble tube and compensated irrigation systems to promote even watering and reducing overall water use. Most recently, Dramm provides an innovated approach to design and development of water
treatment systems for greenhouses with DRAMMwater.
With every product Dramm produces, the intent is to provide the best solution to our customers.
“We are proud to be celebrating 75 years of providing the highest quality products and exemplary service to professional growers and consumer gardeners alike,” said CEO Hans Dramm.
Family involvement has been an integral part of the growth and success of the company and is still a vital ingredient today. The Dramm Corporation is honored to reach the 75th anniversary milestone.
“My father’s vision, conservativeness, and wherewithal are the formula that has enabled the business to be where it is today. His role paired with a group of really good, dedicated employees is what has contributed to the success of The Dramm Corporation,” said Heidi Dramm Becker, Director of Corporate Relations. “Our family sincerely thanks all of our customers, supporters, and employees.”
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Ready for pick up may 1st
Heirloom vegetable plants grown organically in Charlotte, North Carolina.
How it works
Do you know where your food comes from? Do you know how to grow your own food?
At the beginning of April, I sowed over 1,000 seeds. Each one will grow into a flourishing plant to feed and nourish the lucky local that picks out the plants(s) that speak to them. You can meet me at the NoDa market on May 4th, or the plant pick up day on May 11th. If you’re interested and you want to stay updated, sign up below.
May 11th is plant pick up day!
Join my mailing list or send me an email to get notified. You’ll receive my address and the plants will be set up in the backyard. I will set aside the plants you would like, and any extras will be first come first serve.
I will be at the Noda craft fair may 4th
Come to NoDa May 4th and pick up some plants! I will be fully stocked that day. Come by the Grayt Plants stand early to get the best selection.
Summer 2019 plants
All of the beans this year are the bush variety. What does that mean for you? You don’t need to trellis the beans, and they are perfect for balcony gardens.
-Yellow Wax Bean
-Round Zucchini (pictured)
Grow your own popcorn! 12 packs of corn available for 10 dollars. Includes strawberry popcorn, blue corn, and two different types of heritage heirloom breeds.
Limited quantities of strawberry popcorn 6 pack available. $5
A watermelon is one of the home grown foods that will forever ruin their store bought counterpart. A home grown watermelon tastes like summer.
-Orange watermelon (pictured)
It’s not too early to start thinking about pumpkins. Plant them now for a Halloween harvest.
Want to grow a winning pumpkin? Atlantic Giants will be available in limited quantities for $8 each. The pumpkins grow to over 200lbs.
-Jack Be Little (pictured)
-Armenian (Snake melon)
In advertising, Luffas are shown in the sea, but they are actually a gourd and grown on a vine! They are really easy to grow. They take off and prefer a surface to trail over. You could easily get 20+ Luffas just from one plant.
One plant in larger pot for $5 or 3 pack for $6.
Gourds are so fun to grow. Each one takes on a different shape and has its own personality. I have many different types available.
-Nest Egg Gourd: Perfectly round. Used as art in ancient China.
-Dipper Gourd: Used as a long handle to scoop water out of wells.
-Snake Gourd: Used to create instruments.
-Bird Nest Gourd: Create a bird house with these gourds!


A Letter from Plant With Purpose
Below is part of a letter sent to us from one of our long-time ministry partners, Plant With Purpose.
We have exciting news to share with you!
We are expanding our work to impact nearly 95,000 more people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by launching operations in five additional watershed areas.
Some of you may be familiar with the story of our work in the DRC. When we started working in the country, we started in the Kakumba watershed. We compared our results there to a neighboring watershed, Kambekulu, which was similar in most ways, in order to better track the impact of our work.
In just two years, we found participants cut their poverty scores by 68%. Nonparticipants in the area saw their poverty levels drop by 44%, meaning that our environmental efforts were helping even more families benefit. Kakumba saw more girls enrolled in school, families more engaged in helping each other, and 30x the amount of savings in Kambekulu.
We’ve since started working in Kambekulu and are seeing promising results as well. Nevertheless, the needs in DRC are still significant. 43% of children face malnourishment, approximately 80% of the country lives in extreme poverty, and the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative named it the fifth most climate vulnerable country.
Thanks to a generous grant from the Kingdom Giving Fund, Plant With Purpose will be able to launch projects in five additional watersheds, and build the fundraising infrastructure to sustain programming in seven watersheds and to add an additional four in 2024.
Long Term Economic Impact – Plant With Purpose partners experienced a 63% reduction in poverty, improving their quality of life by nearly 2/3. Savings groups helped clients save 2.1 months of expenses, which helps the economically vulnerable better handle uneven cash flow.
Creation Care – Plant With Purpose seeks to eradicate rural poverty by addressing rural poverty’s root cause: land degradation. By training people to incorporate trees in their farming techniques, Plant With Purpose farmers achieved 44% better crop yields and are financially incentivized to keep the trees and continue caring for their environment.


Urban agriculture is gaining prominence as a sustainable solution to meet the growing food demands of cities while reducing the environmental footprint associated with traditional agriculture. To establish and expand sustainable urban agriculture projects, businesses and community initiatives often require significant financial support. Easy loan application play a crucial role in empowering urban farmers and organizations to grow food locally and sustainably, ultimately contributing to healthier and more resilient cities.
Sustainable urban agriculture involves the cultivation of crops, vegetables, and even livestock within urban environments. It prioritizes environmentally friendly practices, efficient land use, and the reduction of food miles. Urban agriculture projects encompass various aspects, such as rooftop gardens, vertical farms, community gardens, and aquaponic systems. Developing and scaling up these initiatives typically require funding for land or space acquisition, infrastructure development, and operational expenses.
Business loans tailored to sustainable urban agriculture provide urban farmers and organizations with the capital needed to invest in land, equipment, irrigation systems, and sustainable farming practices. These loans can cover expenses such as the construction of greenhouses, rainwater harvesting systems, composting facilities, and community outreach efforts.
One of the primary advantages of investing in sustainable urban agriculture is the ability to provide fresh, locally grown produce to urban populations. By reducing the need for long-distance transportation of food, urban agriculture contributes to fresher and more nutritious produce while minimizing carbon emissions associated with food distribution.
Moreover, urban agriculture projects often have positive social impacts, fostering community engagement, education, and empowerment. Community gardens, in particular, bring people together, promote healthy eating habits, and provide opportunities for skill development and social interaction.
Furthermore, businesses and organizations engaged in sustainable urban agriculture may benefit from partnerships with local governments, non-profit organizations, and environmental initiatives. These collaborations can lead to increased visibility, funding opportunities, and access to resources aimed at promoting food security and sustainable urban development.
To secure business loans for sustainable urban agriculture projects, organizations must present comprehensive business plans that outline the environmental and social benefits, market demand, and profitability projections of their initiatives. Lenders are more inclined to support projects that demonstrate a clear return on investment and a commitment to improving urban food systems and community well-being.
In conclusion, business loans are instrumental in advancing sustainable urban agriculture, allowing urban farmers and organizations to feed cities while minimizing the environmental impact of food production. These loans empower businesses to invest in eco-friendly farming practices that contribute to food security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create vibrant and resilient urban communities. With the right financing and a strong commitment to sustainability, urban agriculture can play a vital role in shaping the future of food production in cities worldwide.


Xedavir, launched by?Xeda Italia, is a natural fungicide based on Trichoderma asperellum, a micro-organism that lives in the soil and is used to control many soil-borne pathogens, such as Pythium spp., Phytophthora capsici, Rhizoctonia spp. and Verticillium spp.
What distinguishes the TV1 strain is that, once applied, it shows rapid growth and diffusion in the surrounding environment, even in conditions of highly variable pH, salinity and temperature. Conidia and chlamydospores are also widely produced, due to their ability to quickly colonize substrates.
Therefore, Xedavir is highly effective against pathogens, defending not only the root systems of crops, but also combating other soil organisms.
Xedavir does not require a safety interval or re-application on the field and is, therefore, an environmentally-friendly solution that can be used in organic farming and integrated pest management. It is not only effective against pathogens, but also crop selective. The product can be applied on different types of soils and crops, including sports fields, making it a valid tool for horticulturists.
The chemical pesticides are still widely used on many crops, especially in the early stages of plant growth. But the usefulness of products, such as Xedavir, in guaranteeing protection over subsequent plant growth stages and their residual advantages are also recognized. For this reason and due to the shortness of the crop cycle, the product is effective on all high-value horticultural crops, especially products packaged and ready for consumption.
It is possible to use Xedavir on all horticultural, floral, officinal and ornamental crops without any risk of phytotoxicity. The application of the product is preventive during pre-sowing or pre-transplanting, or in sowing and transplanting. In consideration of climate conditions and the term of the culture (eg whether medium-long), it is possible to repeat treatment to improve the colonizing action obtained after the first application.
Xedavir can be used in organic agriculture and integrated defense programs. Its TV1 strain is 100% non-genetically modified.


Shop in person for native plants, perennials, fairy garden plants and herbs, tropical houseplants, a variety of rare heirloom tomatoes, annuals planted from seed, gardening items, and more!
Cranbrook House & Gardens Auxiliary Master Gardeners and other experienced volunteers will be available to answer questions and provide tips to help you plant your best garden.
The Plant Sale is open to the pubic and free to attend.
Purchase Plants for Preservation
Cranbrook House & Gardens Auxiliary volunteers have grown the Annual Spring Plant Sale into one of the largest fundraisers supporting the preservation of Cranbrook House & Gardens, part of Cranbrook Educational Community’s National Historic Landmark campus.
Your plant purchases help make caring for garden beds, cultural properties, and more possible.
Location & Parking
Cranbrook House & Gardens
380 Lone Pine Road
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304
Please park in marked spaces in our main parking lot or on Lone Pine Road and walk over to the Plant Sale located in the Cranbrook House & Gardens Conservatory Greenhouse parking lot.


|Pentland Plants Garden Centre Pentland Park, Loanhead EH20 9QA|
|Pentland Plants Website|
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|Facebook information can be found here|
Passion, experience and an understanding of growing plants have earned our family-run business a reputation for quality, experience and innovation.
We have our own 9 acre high tech bedding plant nursery supplying young plants and finished plants to growers and local authorities all over the UK so we are indeed plant experts! Premium quality plants and excellent garden advice remain at the heart of our business although the gift shop and café Panola have made us a year round destination!
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact. We take every opportunity to ensure the details for Pentland Plants are accurate, please contact us at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk if any of the above information is incorrect.


My mom has decided she wants a garden. No, not radishes and snap beans — the kind of garden where you have an ornate metal bench and a water feature and (hopefully) a little bit of shade to sit and read and watch the birdies chirp, etc. So we ordered some tall black metal fence panels from Menard’s and borrowed a tiller from one of the brothers in our church. It was his dad who actually handed over the tiller — from his truck tailgate to mine — and he looked worried when he did it. He took quite a long time explaining to me how the tiller worked and trying to impress on me just how hard it was going to pull . . . but words can’t convey a thing like that.
I managed to go over the proposed 12′ x 18′ garden plot three times, lowering the tiller blades each time, but my muscles turned into noodles after that. So I quit for the day. When evening rolled around and I still couldn’t lift my hands (okay, that’s a teensy exaggeration), I called my brother and let him know he’d be tilling Mom’s garden in the morning. Hey, at least he didn’t have to do the hard part, cutting through all that million year old sod!
So for all of you who’ve always wondered what it looks like to till a garden plot with a rear tine tiller, this is your lucky day. I remember seeing ads in the Mother Earth News for tillers where a beautiful, slightly built lady is walking along beside the tiller, guiding it with one hand. It wasn’t quite like that . . .
It’s a good thing we didn’t decide to make a huge vegetable garden. I think if I ever do that, I’ll rent a tractor! Only the growing season up here on the mountain is too short to grow much of anything besides thistles and pine cones. Now for the fun part — figuring out the garden layout. I’ll keep you posted.


Living in the Environment
A food desert is an urban area where people have little or no easy access to nutritious food without traveling long distances. In the United States, an estimated 23.5 million people, including 6.5 million children, live in such areas, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People living in these urban neighborhoods tend to rely on convenience stores and fast food restaurants that mainly offer high-calorie, highly processed foods that can lead to higher risks of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Will Allen (Figure 12-1), one of six children of a sharecropper, grew up on a farm in Maryland, but left the farming life for college and a professional basketball career, followed by a successful corporate marketing career. In 1993, Allen had decided to return to his roots, and he bought the last working farm within the city limits of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was to become a food oasis in a food desert.
On this small urban plot, Allen developed Growing Power, Inc., an ecologically based farm and a showcase for forms of agriculture that apply all three scientific principles of sustainability. It is powered partly by solar electric and solar hot water systems and makes use of several greenhouses to capture solar energy for growing food throughout the year. The farm produces an amazing diversity of crops—150 varieties of vegetables along with organic herbs and sunflowers. It also produces chickens, turkeys, goats, fish such as tilapia and perch, and honey- bees. And the farm’s nutrients are recycled in creative ways. For example, wastes from the farmed fish are used as nutrients to raise some of the crops.
The farm’s products are sold locally at Growing Power farm stands throughout the region and to various restaurants. Allen also worked with the city to establish the Farm-to-City Market Basket program through which people can sign up for weekly deliveries of organic produce at modest prices.
In addition, Growing Power runs an education program for school children who visit the farm to learn about where their food comes from. Allen also runs a training program for about 1,000 people every year who want to learn organic farming methods. In 2011, the farm partnered with the city of Milwaukee to create 150 new green jobs for unemployed, low-income workers, building greenhouses and growing food organically. Growing Power has expanded, locating another urban farm in a neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, and setting up satellite training sites in five other states.
For his creative and energetic efforts, Allen has won several prestigious awards, including a MacArthur Fellowship. However, he is most proud of the fact that his urban farm helps to feed more than 10,000 people every year and puts people to work raising good food.
In this chapter we look at different ways to produce food, the environmental effects of food production, and how to produce food more sustainably.


Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) assistant director-general, Abebe Haile-Gabriel and the deputy director of the office of emergencies and resilience, Shukri Ahmed are visiting Nigeria today over the food security agenda.
The high-level mission is slated to last until October 1, 2022 and is expected to strengthen solidarity and amplify the voice of humanitarian actors in advocating for support to stem food insecurity in the country.
A statement by the FAO office, Nigeria said that the delegation will also reiterate the organisation’s commitment towards building resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods to multiple shocks and FAO’s corporate strategic direction in agrifood systems transformation globally and specifically in Africa.
The delegation will meet with selected senior government officials in the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Humanitarian Affairs, UN Heads of Mission and development partners in Abuja.
They will also make a field visit to Maiduguri, Borno State, where they are expected to interact with FAO project participants and government officials in the state.


Air Plant Care
Use rain water or spring water when misting and watering.
Once a week mist your plant thoroughly so that the entire surface of the plant is moistened (but not so much that there is water dripping down into the plant).
Every three to four weeks soak you air plant in room temperature water for 20-30 minutes.
After Soaking gently shake excess water from your plant, turn it upside down, and place it on a towel in a bright space to dry.
From the time soaking ends the plant should be able to dry fully in no more than 4 hours.
The hotter and dryer the air (summer, early fall) the more you need to water.
The cooler and more humid the air (winter and Spring) the less water your air plant will need.
Do all watering in the morning. Evening soaking or misting disrupts the plants ability to respire overnight, and extends drying time.


Farm to Table movements are gaining visibility. In addition to supporting sustainable agriculture and food justice, the production and consumption of food on a local level is increasingly recognized as an opportunity for experiential education. One such garden learning lab can be found at Canyon Crest Academy (CCA) in the San Dieguito Union High School District. Under the guidance of CCA teacher and garden leader, Jeannie Chufo, over 20 students and community members gathered at the school garden, tasked with its reinvigoration. They were assisted by Sustainable Solutions partners (and graduates of Solana Center’s Master Composter course) Jamie Accetta and Jeff Bishop, who proposed turning the school’s raised beds into lasagna gardens. Jamie and Jeff were extremely helpful, bringing compost, tools, and expertise. Volunteers enjoyed a sunny, November Saturday building lasagna gardens in the eight raised beds on site.
So, just what is a lasagna garden? For the plants and the decomposers living in one, it’s just as tasty as the name suggests. Lasagna gardening (also known as lasagna composting) is a process that involves neither digging nor tilling, but layering carbon-rich ‘brown’ organic material and nitrogen rich ‘green’ organic material to build a sort of layer-cake of growing media. And a long-lasting treat it is: because of the sustained interaction of layers of greens and browns the garden produces its own compost, providing a continual supply of nutrients to both its’ rooted and wriggly inhabitants (not to mention providing a little break for the busy gardener). In addition to being nutritionally self-sustaining, lasagna gardens are fun and accessible projects, especially if you have a group of friends helping out!
The CCA lasagna gardens were compiled using cardboard, juice pulp, alfalfa, straw, seaweed, and stale bread source from the school cafeteria. (Although any compostable materials do the trick, the greater the variety of materials used, the greater variety of nutrients released in the decomposition process). Using tools provided by Solana Center’s Tool Lending Library, the volunteers were able to breathe new life into these materials and into the CCA school garden beds. An “overwhelmed and inspired” Chufo reached out to volunteers following the event:
“Perhaps the most inspirational part of the day was that there were parents, community members, teachers, teacher’s children and students working side by side to make it happen. I feel certain you made a lot of folks excited about playing in their own yards… you were teaching all of us how to live better.”
And it’s true. Numerous studies have demonstrated that young people, especially, experience psychological, emotional and academic growth from engaging in outdoor learning experiences. Edible gardening, specifically, has been shown to improve and sustain healthy dietary habitats in youth. Young people who have worked in community gardens report (among other benefits) increased self-confidence and environmental stewardship, as well as greater camaraderie with community members of all ages. Gardening brings people together; learning about and growing food cultivates benefits for the mind, body, and community at large.
The school is already incorporating food into applied studies programs, and with great success. CCA’s ROP Business Management program builds a mutually beneficial partnership between students and food services, using the school café as a laboratory. Chufo describes the program as a “transformative” experience for students and school food alike. With Chufo at the helm, CCA is poised to develop an even more extensive educational program that delves holistically into the multi-faceted relationships between food and business (make that local food and local business). The larger vision, which blends “nature, science, technology and business,” includes a gardening program for ROP Environmental Horticulture students and a farm-to-table program that unites both ROP disciplines in a ‘demonstration-style class’ that would take place right inside the school’s industrial kitchen. Ultimately, Chufo’s mission for the program is “to reconnect students with their food using a 21st century model of food studies and distribution,” and CCA is on track to make this vision a reality.
Has all this talk of lasagna gardening made you hungry for some community building in your area? Gather family, friends, colleagues, and other interested folks to build some self-sustaining raised beds for your home, school, or business. Invite them to bring all their compostable materials, both the classic (yum, moldy food scraps) and the unconventional (dryer lint, anyone?)- the more material, the better. Don’t forget to add your plants at the end!
Send photos of your lasagna garden party to email@example.com or post them on our facebook page!
Happy (lasagna) composting!


This is one of a series of brieding papers to help USAID missions and their implementing patners in sub-Saharan Africa use information and communications technologies (ICT) more successfully to improve the impact of their agriculture projects, including Feed the Future (FTF) initatives. The focus of this paper is specifically on weather information. While farmers need multiple types of information to help them improve agricultural output and access market, weather is one of the most highly requested services
Accurate weather forecasts not only help farmers protect themselves against natural factors but they can also benefit significantly as long as they are aware of the actions they can take to leverage good weather patterns. Weather information is also an input for developing risk mitigation tools such as index insurance products for farmer.


Frequently Asked Questions
How long will my seed take to arrive?
We aim to ship your order as soon as possible after it has been received. Delivery of international orders can take up to six weeks, though typically a two to three week delivery time should be expected.
What time of year is best to buy seed?
It depends which varieties you are growing and what for. Generally speaking, the widest range of seed will be available in mid autumn, shortly after harvesting. Often by March/April, some varieties will be out of stock. To achieve the highest quality blooms, most growers who are producing cut flowers or plants for exhibition sow in the late autumn and buy seed around that time. Our early flowering Winter Sunshine and Spring Sunshine varieties also require an autumn sowing for best results. However many customers buy in early spring, from January through to April, and sow as the days are getting lighter.
How should I store my seed?
We keep all our seed refrigerated and recommend customers do the same, or at least find a cool, dark, dry place for storage. Seed retains its quality for many months when stored correctly.
I want to produce cut flower sweet pea blooms for May/June. What varieties are best and when should they be sown?
If you have precise date that you need flowers by, for example for a spring wedding, sowing an early flowering variety such as Winter Sunshine will be the surest way to achieve blooms for this season. The Spring Sunshine series will work very well for an early June harvest, starting to flower in early to mid-May, while Winter Sunshine will yield blooms from April.
To be safe we would recommend sowing some seeds in late October and a second sowing in late January as soon as the light levels improve.
The plants sown in October can be kept in deep plugs in tunnel or under glass and planted as soon as they have reasonable root systems. The January sowing will be ready for planting in early March.
It is good practice to keep soil covered during the cold months with a black plastic mulch or a similar type of material to keep the soil warm as temperatures outside drop.
Where can I find tips about growing and cultivation of the seed you offer?
To start with, visit our Resources page, where you will find useful links to informative websites that can hopefully point you in the right direction. Information will also be available at our blog as this grows over time.


About the Process
Region: Sabanilla De Alajuela
Farm: Los Pinitos
Process: Double Diamond (Natural Anaerobic)
We taste berry sweetness, citrus acidity, and floral nuances.
The “Double Diamond” process was developed by Las Lajas over the course of four years. It is one of the most intentional and complex processes we have yet to come across. This process starts at the farm, selecting cherries from the healthiest coffee plants and delivering them soon after to the mill. Here the cherries are meticulously sorted and after selecting the most uniform and ripest ones, these cherries are placed in sealed tanks for an average period of 72 hours to undergo an anaerobic fermentation process. This process is deemed “complete” once the Brix and pH levels measure to desire. After this, the cherries are moved to raised beds inside a covered drying space. The entire goal with this curing process is to extend this process for as long as possible, without “stalling” the gradual drying of these cherries. This is truly a passive “curing” process that results in a sweeter, clean and bright cup.


At Organics Unlimited, we are dedicated to serving those in need and providing the means for a better life for the workers on our banana farms and the surrounding communities. Social responsibility is the backbone of our company.
When we founded Organics Unlimited in 2000, part of our mission was to not forget our responsibility to care for the workers and communities who help grow our high-quality organic fruit. That is why, in 2005, we founded GROW, a program that provides funding for various social responsibility programs. The mission of GROW is to create a better quality of life for not only the workers on our farms, but entire growing communities. The agricultural areas of Mexico and Ecuador are typically filled with families living in poverty, and we feel a responsibility to help provide a better lifestyle for them – regardless of their employment.
Our social responsibility program GROW helps provide educational, dental and vision support, clean drinking water, milk for growing children and other necessities to those who need it the most. We do this by partnering with nonprofit organizations such as Project Amigo in Mexico and Children International in Ecuador to provide these needed services.
As organic banana growers, we also consider environmental stewardship as part of our social responsibility. We are dedicated to farming using organic, sustainable methods, not only for the health of our environment, but for the health of our workers and the consumer. We also provide funding for organizations and initiatives that share our desire to preserve natural resources and create healthy environments for our future generations.