How to recycle your pumpkins after Halloween. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Once all the trick-or-treating is over you may be wondering what to do with all your Halloween pumpkins. According to the Energy Department, about 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins end up in landfills. When Jack-o’-lanterns may be looking a little shriveled and sunken but they can …
Carving Halloween Pumpkins is a Tradition
Why carving Halloween pumpkins is a tradition. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The history of Halloween as we know it is based on an ancient Celtic holiday known to honor the deceased. Celts believed that from dusk on October 31 until the dusk of November 1, souls of those who had died that year would pass on, …
Best Ways to Pick Your Halloween Pumpkin
The best ways to pick your Halloween pumpkin. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Pumpkins, which are members of the squash family, produce fruits in all shapes, sizes, and colors. You could pick a pumpkin from the grocery store, but you’ll get a fresher and more interesting selection at a pumpkin farm. Many farms grow different types of …
Growing and Harvesting Bell Peppers
Growing and harvesting your homegrown bell peppers. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Bell peppers need warm soil and warm temperatures to thrive. To encourage faster growth in cooler areas, consider laying black plastic over the soil. Just be careful not to let the soil get so hot that beneficial soil bacteria are killed. For improved fruit production, keep …
Transplanting Your Homegrown Bell Pepper Plants
How to transplant your homegrown bell pepper plants. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Once your seedlings have produced true leaves it’s time to harden them off. This is the process where plants are acclimated to new environment by slowly introducing them to outdoor weather. Start in the morning and bring them in later and later each day …
Get Started Growing Your Very Own Bell Peppers
How to get started growing your very own bell peppers. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Depending on the variety, growing bell peppers from seedlings can take up to 100 days to reach maturity. So it’s a good idea to start them indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date. Use a seed starting mix and …
The Many Varieties of a Crunchy and Tasty Fruit
The many varieties of a crunchy and tasty fruit you can grow in your own backyard. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Bell peppers are fairly easy to grow at home as long as the weather plays along. They are a perennial in tropical areas. But in colder climates, they are grown as annuals and they really have …
Planting the Best Nectar Plants for Pollinators
The best nectar plants for pollinators. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Create a pollinator-friendly garden by choosing at least three must-have plants and aiming for blooms throughout as many seasons as possible. Single-petal flowers are easiest for bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators to reach; double-petal varieties are showier but offer less nectar and accessible pollen. Torch Lily …
Things to Know When it’s Time to Transplant Plants
What you need to know when its time to transplant your plants. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The ideal time to transplant your seedlings outside is on a warm, overcast day in the early morning. This will give your plants a leg up, allowing them the chance to settle before being exposed to midday sunlight. Dig a hole …
Steps to Transplanting Your Plants for Survival
A beginners guide to transplanting your plants. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. After you start your seeds and sprout your seedlings, the next step is transplanting your plants into your garden. There are a few ways to prepare to do this so your plants survive and thrive. Timing is everything. First, make sure to check the first …