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 …
Canada to Resume Exporting Potatoes into the U.S.
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) says Canada will soon resume exporting table stock potatoes from Prince Edward Island into the contiguous United States. The Hagstrom Report says the National Potato Council is unhappy with the news and worried about potato wart disease spreading from the island into the U.S., where it currently doesn’t exist. An APHIS …
Make Your Next Strawberry Crop Taste Better than Store Bought
How to make your next strawberry crop taste better than store-bought. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Biting into sun-ripened strawberries, still warm from the garden, is one of the best summer treats you can enjoy. Just a few rows of plants will fill the fruit bowl and freezer, even after you subtract the samples you sneak while …
Perennial Herb You Might Want to Consider Growing this Year
A perennial herb known for its multiple uses that you might want to consider growing this year. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Years ago, Pennyroyal was a common perennial herb grown in many gardens, but its popularity has since decreased. It’s slowly making a comeback as people realize that growing pennyroyal is totally worth it. Not only …
Wheatgrass, the Nutritional Powerhouse that is Easy to Grow
A nutritional powerhouse that is easy to grow. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Wheatgrass has earned a reputation around the world as one of the healthiest foods you can eat. It contains a number of vitamins including Vitamins A, C, and E. It’s also rich in iron and calcium. So it’s a good thing growing wheatgrass is …
Thank a Farmer for Food, Fiber, Fuel, and Our Future
By Deborah Tannenbaum, State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency; Juan Hernandez, State Conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service; and Davina Lee, Regional Office Director for USDA’s Risk Management Agency March 22 is National Ag Day, a time for us to thank farmers and ranchers for feeding, sheltering and powering our nation. We also want to celebrate and …