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.

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

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

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

Harvesting Citrus: The best indicator of ripeness is taste.

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

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.

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

Apples with full color have absorbed lots of sunlight which leads to great flavors.

Planting peas: Water sparsely unless the plants are wilting. Do not let plants dry out, or no pods will be produced.

Planting peas: Peas are best grown in temperatures below 70 degrees F.

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.

Get to know your apple varieties: You will want to get to know the characteristics of your favorites, including their color, size and shape.

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

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

Growing strawberries: Planting site must be well-drained. Raised beds are a particularly good option for strawberry plants.

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

Planting Sunflowers: Find a well-drained location and prepare your soil by digging an area of about 3 feet in circumference to a depth of about 2 feet.

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

Bacterium Insecticide: The kurstaki strain controls larval stages of butterflies and moths that feed on apple tree fruits and leaves.