Growing the Unusual and Delicious Pink Lemonade Blueberry

Dan Fruits, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours

Growing an unusual and delicious fruit in your garden.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. In 1970, the USDA developed Blueberry ‘Pink Lemonade’. But when researchers brought it to blueberry growers, they were convinced because of its distinctive yellowish-pink fruit that gardeners wouldn’t buy it, thinking it was an unripe blueberry. Fast-forward to the 2000s: Growing research into …

Turning This Year’s Apple Harvest into a Tasty Beverage

Dan Fruits, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours

How to turn this year’s apple harvest into a tasty, refreshing beverage.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.  Using all of the apples from your harvest can be challenging. Of course, there’s apple sauce, chopped salads, apple pies. But, there’s a tasty beverage that’s also really easy to make:  Hard Apple Cider. It’s one of the most readily …

Producers Urged to Respond to USDA Hemp Survey

Dan Hemp, Specialty Crops, USDA-NASS

USDA officials are urging hemp producers to respond to a survey, saying it is not too late be a part of the 2021 Hemp Acreage and Production Survey. The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is collecting information. Bill Richmond with USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service explains some of the data being sought in the current survey. The survey will set the benchmark …

Surprising Health Benefits to Know About Pumpkins

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

The health benefits that may surprise you about pumpkins. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.  Pumpkins offer a lot more than one night of carving fun and scary faces. Consuming pumpkin regularly can improve your immunity, give your digestion a boost, and even protect you against many chronic diseases.  Pumpkin is also a good source of vitamin C, vitamin E, …

Need to Know Points About Growing Winter Squash

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

All you need to know about growing your own winter squash. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.  Winter squash are all known for the hard skins that protect them through the fall, winter, and sometimes even spring, depending on the variety. If you love roasted squash or pumpkin pie, then Pumpkins, Butternut and Spaghetti Squash are the plants for …

Plan Ahead for Bountiful Pumpkin Harvest Next Year

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

How to plan for bountiful pumpkin harvest next year.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.  While some areas in the United States may be experiencing a pumpkin shortage due to weather and shipping issues, why not plan ahead for next year and grow your own pumpkins. These members of the squash family are easy to grow in your …

Recycle Those Halloween Pumpkins After the Holiday

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

What to do with your Halloween pumpkins after the holiday is over.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.  Every year, thousands of pumpkins get tossed in the trash – adding up to about 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins ending up in landfills.  That’s according to the U.S. Department of Energy. But there are plenty of ways to recycle …

Tricks for Picking the Best Pumpkin This Year

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

Some tricks for picking the best pumpkin this year. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.  With so many pumpkin varieties and characteristics, it’s hard to tell which pumpkin is the best bang for your buck. You could just grab whatever’s at the grocery store, but you’ll get a fresher and more interesting selection at a pumpkin farm. Just like when buying …