Tag: Vegetables

Cover Crop Decision Tool
The Farm

Cover Crop Decision Tool

Looking for the right cover crop? Give this Cover Crop Decision Tool from the Midwest Cover Crop Council a try. First select from one of the following states: Iowa. Illinois. Indiana. Kansas. Michigan. Minnesota. Missouri. Ohio. Ontario. Wisconsin. Then choose options that take into account your growing conditions: County (for frost/freeze date estimate). Planting and harvest dates. Drainage situation. Finally, fine-tune your choices by noting … Continue reading Cover Crop Decision Tool

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Onion Disease Guide
The Garden

Onion Disease Guide

In some years, onion harvest time is troubleshooting time. There are many things that can go wrong when growing onions, especially when growing them in irregular weather patterns. Identifying the various problems can be quite difficult, as they tend to manifest themselves in the same way—rot. This onion disease guide offers a thorough and well-photographed look at the many problems that plague onions. However, it … Continue reading Onion Disease Guide

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Food Preservation
The Lifestyle

Food Preservation

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: Canning. Curing and smoking. Dehydrating. Food business. Freezing. Jams and … Continue reading Food Preservation

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Veggie Wash
The Lifestyle

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, fill the sink with cold water, add the produce, and … Continue reading Veggie Wash

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King Tut's Seeds
The Garden

Seeds From the Tombs

Many gardeners know that cool, dry, dark places are ideal for long-term seed storage. Many gardeners cite the seeds found in ancient Egyptian pyramids as evidence. According to the popular story, these seeds, after lying dormant for thousands of years, sprouted when planted. While most scientists would agree on the perfect conditions for storing seeds, most deny that seeds found in Egyptian tombs have ever … Continue reading Seeds From the Tombs

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Keeping a Garden Journal
The Garden

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 garden journal.   Advantages of Keeping a Garden Journal Permanent record. … Continue reading Keeping a Garden Journal

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Luster Leaf Rapitest Soil Test Kit
The Garden

Luster Leaf Rapitest Soil Test Kit

Knowing the state of your garden soil is handy, but if your garden is for personal family use only, you probably don’t feel justified in ordering a professional lab analysis. Fortunately, inexpensive test kits are available online. This kit by Luster Leaf seems to do a fair job. It tests: pH. Nitrogen. Phosphorus. Potassium. As you can see, only the bare basics are included. The … Continue reading Luster Leaf Rapitest Soil Test Kit

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Get Ready for January 2017
The Lifestyle

Get Ready for January 2017

January is a great time to plan for a new year! Take some time to shape your philosophy and develop a farming or gardening approach. Plan a garden. Discover community-supported agriculture. Learn the pros and cons of gardening in Kansas. Study the farming practices of the Plains Indians. Define sustainable agriculture. Preserve Kansas heritage. Evaluate the interstate highway system. Find out how compost gardening works. … Continue reading Get Ready for January 2017

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The Family Garden Journal
The Garden

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 planning for success with our Step-by-Step Gardening Guide. Check items off … Continue reading Family Garden Journal Introductory Price Ends January 2017

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Get Ready for December 2016
The Lifestyle

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 an EcoJournal. Give a weather diary this Christmas. Create homemade gifts … Continue reading Get Ready for December 2016

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