Finding the truth about pesticides in produce. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Each year, an anti-conventional farming organization puts out a list of fresh produce products that they claim are contaminated with harmful pesticide residues. However, there is no scientific evidence to support their claims, and they’re simply false. Another organization works to fight that misinformation. Teresa Thorn …
Vidalia Onions Ready for Grocery Store Shelves
It’s a favorite time of year for those who love a certain type of onion. That’s coming up on this land of ours. One of America’s favorite types of sweet onion is set to ship this month. Vidalia onions are only available for a limited time each year, so Vidalia onions hitting grocery store shelves often signals spring has sprung. …
Rising Chocolate Demand Means More Plant Health Research
As demand for chocolate rises, so does the need for agricultural research. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. When was the last time you had a bite of chocolate? USDA researcher Doctor Alina Puig says people around the world are wanting it more, and that means a higher demand for cacao beans. As much as 40 percent of …
Protect Chocolate Supply by Not Transporting Plants
Following rules about plant transportation can help the world’s chocolate supply. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. There are rules in place about not transporting soil and plants from one country to another, and USDA researcher Dr. Alina Puig says those are important to follow. She is studying diseases in the cacao plant, which provides the main ingredient …
Combating Viruses in Cacao Plants
Researchers are working to battle a virus that affects the world’s chocolate supply. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Up to 40 percent of the world’s cacao beans, which are used to make chocolate, are lost to cacao plant diseases. Researcher Doctor Alina Puig is finding ways to fight those issues. One issue she’s working on is cacao …
Research into Diseases that Threaten Chocolate
As the saying goes, not all heroes wear capes. Meet the researcher protecting the world’s chocolate supply. Chocolate is made from cacao beans, and research shows that up to 40 percent of the world’s cacao beans are lost to cacao plant diseases. Researcher Doctor Alina Puig says black pod rot causes the most losses in cacao, primarily because it’s found in …
When to Harvest the Tastiest Strawberries You’ve Ever Grown Before
When to harvest the tastiest strawberries you’ve ever grown before. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. When to harvest strawberries depends on the variety you’re growing. June-bearing strawberries will start to ripen all at once, usually over a period of about three weeks. Everbearing strawberries will produce a few different crops; usually, one large harvest in spring, a few …
Tips for Planting the Tastiest Strawberries You’ve Ever Grown
More tips for planting the tastiest strawberries you’ve ever grown and are better than store bought. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Another strawberry variety option to plant is the alpine strawberry, which produces smaller fruits than other types of strawberries, but their flavor is more intense. These plants do best in Zones 3-9, even in part shade. …
Plant Delicious Strawberries That Will Be Better Than Store Bought
How to plant delicious Strawberries that will be way better than store bought. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. No matter what type of strawberry you grow, make sure to put them in a spot that will get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight along with moist, well-drained soil. Spade soil to a depth of 8-10 inches, …
Strawberry Varieties to Grow so They’ll Taste Better Than Store Bought
The best strawberry varieties to grow so that they’ll taste better than store bought. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The three main types of strawberries are June-bearing, everbearing, and day-neutral. June-bearing strawberries, such as ‘Shuksan’, grow well in USDA Agriculture Zones 6-10, but some varieties are better for your local conditions than others. Keep in mind that …