Some helpful tips for growing great strawberries. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Aside from good soil, steady water, and six-plus hours of sun a day, there are a couple of things that can help strawberry plants yield more and continue to thrive. One recommendation is to get rid of the first blossoms of the plant so that it’ll …
Estimating Crop Yield With Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
A researcher at the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA) in Greece is using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to estimate crop yield. “Crop yield is the most important piece of information for crop management in precision agriculture. Early crop yield estimations allow farmers to optimize farm operation scheduling, field management and product marketing decisions,” said AUA associate professor Spyros Fountas. Fountas …
Tomato Plant Disease that Can Stick Around for Years
A tomato plant disease that has the capability of sticking around for years. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Early blight is caused by the soil-borne pathogen Alternaria solani, and this fungus can stick around for years because it overwinters in the soil, even in cold climates. Most early blight cases won’t kill your plants, but it causes bulls-eye-shaped …
Most Destructive and Deadly Tomato Diseases Not Very Common
One of the most destructive and deadly tomato diseases gardeners face that is not very common. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Without a doubt, late blight strikes fear in the heart of all gardeners. It’s one of the most destructive and deadly tomato diseases you could face, but it’s not that common, especially for northern gardeners. It …
Common Tomato Plant Disease to Watch for in the Garden
A common Tomato Plant Disease to watch for in your garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Tomato plants are known for being vulnerable to a number of tomato diseases. Fungal, viral, and bacterial issues can wipe out entire crops and gardens in a short period if left unchecked, so you need to know how to spot these …
Florida Right to Farm Bill Awaits Governor’s Signature
Just hours after the Florida House gave final approval Thursday, a bill that would expand legal protections for farmers was sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis. According to the News Service of Florida, the House voted 110-7 to support expanding the state’s “Right to Farm” law, a top priority of Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby. The Senate passed the bill (SB …
Fertilizer Costs Shape Crop Production Expenses
The Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service reports production costs for corn and other major commodities are shaped by fertilizer cost. From 2010 to 2019, fertilizer was a major expense in U.S. corn production, accounting for 33 to 44 percent of operating costs-a category that includes other variable expenses like seed, chemicals, fuel, and repairs. Fertilizer also comprised 16 to …
Produce Union Unhappy with USDA’s Cancellation of Food Box Program
A trade group in the fruit and vegetable industry is unhappy with the USDA’s decision to cancel the Farmers to Families Food Box Distribution Program. United Fresh says millions of Americans gained access to healthy, fresh produce throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, calling the decision by Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack “shortsighted.” The group says comments disparaging the program were a slap …
Best Starter Veggies for the Beginner Home Gardener
The best starter veggies for the beginner home gardener. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. If you’ve never gardened before, but want to give it a try this year, a great place to start is by choosing the appropriate veggies and fruits to grow that match your abilities. This means taking stock of your outdoor, or indoor, space, the …
What to Plant and More Importantly What Not to Plant Right Now
What to plant now, and more importantly what not to plant. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Seeds germinate based on the soil temperature at the seed level. If your area is still experiencing cooler weather, the seeds that can germinate right now are beets, radishes, spinach, Swiss chard, leaf lettuce, peas, collards greens, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, onions, parsley, …