Preserving the food we grow at home or buy in bulk from a local farmer can seem daunting to the beginner. We know that food safety is important, but how do we achieve it? This food preservation site from K-State has the answers. Many resources have been combined into one convenient location. Learn more about:Continue reading “Food Preservation”
Tag Archives: Fruit
Veggie Wash
Homegrown vegetables are good for you, but they are frequently dirty. Veggie Wash is an all-natural cleaning spray that seems to do a good job getting the produce clean and ready to eat. For things like tomatoes, apples, and peaches, just spray the fruit and rub it clean under running water. For berries and lettuce,Continue reading “Veggie Wash”
Keeping a Garden Journal
Gardening season is finally upon us! If you’re like most gardeners, you are looking forward to planting seeds with the full expectation of making this the best gardening year yet. While much of gardening comes down to experience, diligence, and creativity, having the right tools makes a big difference. One handy tool is the gardenContinue reading “Keeping a Garden Journal”
Luster Leaf Rapitest Soil Test Kit
This pH and NPK test kit is simple and inexpensive—perfect for the budget-conscious gardener.
Family Garden Journal Introductory Price Ends January 2017
The new compact edition of The Family Garden Journal, published by Homestead on the Range, is currently available for $19.99 at Amazon. This offer will end at the beginning of the new year! This beautiful paperback journal can help you or a loved one develop a green thumb while creating a keepsake: Start by planningContinue reading “Family Garden Journal Introductory Price Ends January 2017”
Get Ready for December 2016
Christmas will be here before you know it! Prepare tasty treats and heartfelt gifts from your own homegrown offerings, and snuggle up on the couch for a little storytelling. Retell the story of Sod Corn Jones. Read Scripture passages about the meaning of Christmas. Make a sweet potato beetle. Encourage your child to start anContinue reading “Get Ready for December 2016”
Walnut Toxicity
To protect themselves from competition, black walnut trees exude a toxin called juglone. Gardens planted near black walnut trees or roostocks frequently fail to thrive due to this toxin. Many plants can be affected, but tomatoes and potatoes show the greatest susceptibility.
Top 10 Books for Beginning Farmers
Whatever stage you are in as a new farmer, one of the best things you can do is to read extensively. We have picked out 10 must-reads to get you going.
Verticillium Wilt
Verticillium wilt is caused by six different species of fungus, all of the genus Verticillium. These six fungi can attack most of the plants and trees that gardeners like to grow, including vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is caused by one of the most common and widely distributed fungi that plague gardens. The disease can attack a wide range of plants, as it is caused by several species of the order Erysiphales. A sampling of commonly affected plants includes: Cucumbers. Pumpkins. Squash. Melons. Grapes. Phlox. Peonies. Lilacs. Bluegrass. Fescue. TheContinue reading “Powdery Mildew”
