FARMING TIPS Content

Planting onions: At planting time, you can mix in some nitrogen fertilizer, too, and side dress every few weeks until the bulbing process begins.

Arrange sunflowers in tall containers that provide good support for their heavy heads, and change the water every day to keep them fresh.

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

Planting onions: Select a location with full Sun where your onions would not be shaded by other plants.

Bacillus thuringiensis is applied as a foliar spray; after the targeted pest consumes the bacteria, it stops feeding and will die within a few days.

Bacterium Insecticide: The israelensis strain targets mosquito larvae and fungus gnats.

Planting peas: Make sure that you have well-drained, humus-rich soil.

Harvesting peas: Peas can be frozen or kept in the refrigerator for about 5 days. Place in paper bags, then wrap in plastic.

Apples: If space allows then choose two varieties that will pollinate one another. In smaller gardens try growing fruit trees in tubs.

Planting peas: To get the best head start, turn over your pea planting beds in the fall, add manure to the soil, and mulch well.

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

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

Insecticidal soap controls various common garden pests including mites, aphids, scales, whiteflies, thrips and leafhoppers.

Selecting the Perfect Apple: Check the apple firmness: Avoid apples that are noticeably soft, discolored, or indent easily after you press the skin.

Apples: Choose your apple carefully to suit your tastes and the size of your garden.

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

Visually examine the apple: As you check firmness, turn the apple completely in your hand to visually check for quality.

Rhubarb: Rhubarb can be planted from crowns in spring or in autumn. Choose a sunny or semi shaded spot on rich, fertile soil.

Planting Citrus: Citrus trees should be planted in a sunny and wind-protected area.

Plant onions as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring, usually late March or April. Make sure temperature does not go below 20 degrees F.