Species to Consider Tapping for a More Unique Spin on an Old Classic

Dan Forestry, Specialty Crops, Sugar, This Land of Ours

The many trees you can tap for syrup to sweeten your favorite breakfast treats.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Although you definitely won’t get the traditional maple syrup taste from these trees, there are at least 15 other species you can consider tapping for a more unique spin on the old classic. The sugar maple is the …

Soak or Not Soak Seeds Before Planting is the Question

Dan Seeds, This Land of Ours

Whether you should or shouldn’t soak your seeds before planting them.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Should you soak seeds before putting them in the ground.  Gardening experts say it may be a matter of preference. The idea behind soaking is to speed up the germination rate. When seeds are in nature, they’re designed to be tough …

Common Diseases that Pose a Threat to Your Strawberry Crop

Dan Fruits, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours

Some common diseases that pose a threat to your Strawberry crop.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. There are 5 common diseases that can cause big problems for your Strawberry plants, and if they become infected, the plants could die. One bacterial disease that’s tough to get rid of is Angular Leaf Spot. It’s smart only to plant …

Common Pests that Pose a Threat to Your Strawberry Crop

Dan Fruits, Pest/Pest Control, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours, Vegetables

Some common pests that pose a threat to your Strawberry crop.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Strawberry plants are one of the easiest fruit plants to add to your garden, but that doesn’t mean you won’t encounter common strawberry pests and diseases. The pests that love to feast on your berries are aphids, army worms, Japanese Beetles, …

Getting Rid of Little Pests that Cause Big Problems Naturally

Dan Pest/Pest Control, This Land of Ours

Some natural ways to get rid of some little pests that can cause big problems in the garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. If you’ve ever encountered snails and slugs in your garden, you know they are trouble.  Garden snails can chew through leaves on plants, reducing productivity.  Slugs can consume an entire plant in just one …

Bitter Melon is a Prolific Vining Plant in Many Varieties

Dan Fruits, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours, Vegetables

Some of the best bitter melon varieties.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Bitter melon is often called bitter gourd or balsam pear. White Pearl is a hybrid variety and a slightly bitter type.  It’s great for salad, stir fry, stuffing, and soups. Beauty Winner is another hybrid that is almost completely white. It has a mellower taste compared …

Small Amount of Black Beans adds Multiple Health Benefits

Dan Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours, Vegetables

How a small amount of black beans can add multiple health benefits.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. A recent USDA Research study involving obese mice revealed that adding cooked black beans to a high fat diet improved sensitivity to insulin and other measures often related to diabetes. The researchers found that as little as the mouse-size equivalent …

Interesting Edible Way to Recycle that Holiday Tree

Dan This Land of Ours

An interesting and edible way to recycle your holiday tree. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. We have covered several ways to recycle your holiday tree on this program. Such as turning the tree into mulch.  But one alternative we haven’t talked about is turning parts of your tree into something you can eat.  As long as its …