Pumpkins are a versatile fruit native to the Americas. They have been a valuable part of the human diet for thousands of years. These meaty fruits are great for making sweet and savory dishes. Many people also love carving and painting pumpkins as part of Halloween decorations. Sadly, pumpkins tend to rot on the vine…
Calcium is one of the crucial minerals for tomato plants. It plays a key role in improving fruit quality. In most cases, plants obtain calcium from the soil but experts recommend spraying tomato plants with a calcium solution two to three times a week, beginning when the first blooms appear. Adequate calcium helps prevent several…
By starting seedlings indoors, you can bypass the limitations that come with the outdoor growing season. Indoor tomato growing benefits from a controlled environment where you can manage factors like temperature, light, and moisture. As a result, you can harvest tomatoes sooner. One morning when I was inspecting my tomato seedlings I realized they were…
Aphids are common pests in vegetable gardens, more so on tomato plants. They are usually found in large colonies on new growth and on the undersides of leaves. Aphids feed by sucking sap from the plant and this may result in the deformation of leaves, buds, and flowers. Feeding aphids also secrete honeydew, a sugary…
Tomato hornworms are very large caterpillars, measuring up to 4 inches long. They are the most destructive pests of tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and eggplants. Hornworms eat leaves, stems and sometimes chew holes in fruits. The damage is completely defoliating and often easy to notice. Despite their large size, tomato hornworms are not easy to spot….
Epsom Salt, also known as Magnesium Sulfate is not just beneficial for bathing, it can spruce up your gardens. As with many other plants, tomatoes are prone to magnesium deficiency especially later in the growing season, resulting in yellowing leaves and generally diminished yields.. Magnesium, one of the components of Epsom salt is a micronutrient…
Spider mites are an unending problem in gardening. I came to know about them when I found what appeared to be cobwebs covering some of my tomato plants. In a few days, the entire bed was infested. This scared me to the core and I had to seek help from a pest specialist. Understandably, spider…
Tomato plants appreciate consistently moist soils, but not waterlogged. When soil holds more water than roots can take up, plants wilt, similar to when the soil gets excessively dry. So, watering tomato plants is such a delicate balance. Both overwatering and underwatering lead to serious root issues and even death of the plant. Too much…
Squirrels are known to eat pumpkins in farms or yards. The fruit becomes a regular treat to rodents during the fall when most plants are bowing out. Knowing that winter is around the corner, squirrels can ravage your pumpkins to store enough fat and energy for the harsh season. Various animals also enjoy eating pumpkins,…
The shelf life of uncarved pumpkins can vary depending on the pumpkin’s variety, harvest time, storage conditions, and overall handling. On average, uncarved whole pumpkins can last between 8 to 12 weeks or even longer under the right storage conditions. To make your pumpkin last longer, store it in a cool dry place. The area…