The 2021 Citrus, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo will be held this Wednesday and Thursday at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers, Florida. The big two-day in-person event will feature a citrus session on Wednesday, Aug. 18, where growers can learn about all things related to citrus. This includes management of black spot, arthropod pests, soil health, irrigation …
Fennel Has a Long Growing History, a Multitude of Uses
What you need to know about growing your own fennel. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The herb fennel has a long growing history and a multitude of uses including culinary and medicinal ones. Fennel might be best known for its role in Italian cooking. It’s high in fiber, low in calories, and full of healthy nutrients like vitamin …
Growing a Tasty Treat Known to Resist Many Pests and Diseases
Growing a peculiar and tasty treat that’s known to resist many pests and diseases. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Kiwanos have horned skin and look more like a cucumber on the inside than a melon. They have a wonderfully unique flavor, kind of like banana mixed with lime. Horned melons are known to resist many of the common …
Useful Herb Good in the Kitchen, Good for the Garden
The super useful herb that’s good in the kitchen and good for your garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Stinging Nettle is known to attract tons of beneficial insects, such as butterflies, is tasty in the kitchen, and has several proven medicinal uses. It’s a relative of mint plants, so it shares the same invasive quality. If …
Vilsack and Tai to Meet with USDA Ag Policy Committee
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai will meet with the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee Friday. Topics include current and new trade deals, trade agreement implementation and concerns within the agreements. The committee, managed by the Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative’s office, offers advice on U.S. trade policy. The committee consists of six technical …
Best Companion Plants When Planting Broccoli
The best companion plants when planting broccoli in your home garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. As delectable as garden-grown broccoli can be, battling caterpillars, harlequin bugs, aphids, flea beetles and myriad other pests can take the fun out of growing broccoli. Try companion planting to spend less time fighting bugs and more time enjoying the garden and …
Delicious and Nutritious Leafy Greens to Grow
Some of most delicious and nutritious leafy greens to grow at home. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Leafy greens bring so much flavor to your table, why not grow your own favorites right at home. Start by choosing your a type, whether its iceberg, butterhead, loose-leaf or romaine. There are hundreds of hybrids you can toss into salads, cut …
Companion Planting Improves Flavor, Yield, and Health of Onions
The best companion plants for onions. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Experiment with companion planting for onions to improve the flavor, yield, and health of your garden-grown onions. Plant fenugreek with onion for larger, more flavorful bulbs. Grow onion with marigold, fennel, carrots, tomato, potato, peppers, or okra to increase yields and to limit Thrips damage by either …
Things to Do Now to Get a Head Start on the Fall Garden
The things you can do now to get a head start on the Fall garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. With another month of hot temps upon us there’s still much work to do in the garden. Including, getting it ready for fall crops. Take some time to remove spent vegetables such as summer squash and bean plants. …
Before You Spray
We often think about pesticide safety and best management practices when we are in the field spraying. You’re outside, you’re potentially exposed to the pesticide, and a gust of wind in the wrong direction could send it flying back into your face. However, your first interaction with pesticides on spray day takes place well before you step foot in the …