FARMING TIPS Content

Planting Citrus: If the soil is not well-drained, plant the trees on a slight mound to prevent waterlogging.

Sunflowers grow best in locations with direct sunlight (6 to 8 hours per day); they prefer long, hot summers to flower well.

Fungicides: The copper fungicide disrupts the enzyme system of the pathogen and prevents the spores from germinating.

Planting onions: Till in aged manure or fertilizer the fall before planting. Onion plants need constant nourishment to produce big bulbs.

Harvesting peas: Pick peas in the morning after the dew has dried. They are crispiest then.

Harvesting Citrus: Harvest the fruit by cutting them off with pruning shears or by pulling the fruit stalk from the tree.

Storage Cucumbers: They will keep for a week to 10 days when stored properly in the refrigerator.

Planting peas: As with other legumes, pea roots will fix nitrogen in the soil, making it available for other plants.

A fresh, high-quality apple should have a pleasant aroma. This will vary by variety with some apples like Gala having a stronger fragrance than others.

Rhubarb: For really easy fruit try growing rhubarb. Incredibly hardy in even the coldest of gardens!

Fungicides: Apple scab, European canker, fire blight and brown rot are a few diseases attacking apple trees that copper fungicides can control.

Planting Cucumbers: A cucumber is of highest quality when it is uniformly green, firm, and crisp.

Growing Honeyberries: For the best yields on tasty Honeyberries grow them in pairs to increase pollination.

Harvesting Sunflowers: Handle sunflowers gently. The flowers should last at least a week in water at room temperature.

Harvesting Citrus: Depending on the climate, citrus fruits may take 6 to 8 months to ripen.

Planting onions: Practice crop rotation with onions.

Selecting the Perfect Apple: Check the apple firmness: Pick up the apple and gently press a small area of the fruit skin.

Insecticidal Soap: Insecticidal soaps contain long-chain fatty acids, which are less toxic than chemical insecticides.

Growing strawberries: Roots should not be longer than 8 inches when plants are set out. Trim them if necessary.

Dormant Oil: During the apple tree dormant stage, apply dormant oil to control overwintering pests.