FAQ

Temperate climates offer a balance that many find appealing: not too hot or cold, with distinct seasons that mark the passage of time. Understanding what defines a temperate climate and its characteristics is essential for appreciating the diversity of our planet’s ecosystems. Characteristics of temperate climates: Temperate climates are marked by moderate temperatures throughout the […]

If you’re still scratching your head about the differences between sustainable and regenerative agriculture, this guide’s for you. They’re both eco-friendly options, but they function in distinct ways. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty details. Sustainable Agriculture What It Is Sustainability is about maintaining equilibrium. You’re keeping the existing soil, water quality, and ecosystems stable for

The growing season is a cornerstone concept in agriculture, essentially dictating what can be planted and when. It varies dramatically across the globe due to factors like climate and latitude. Let’s explore this concept, incorporating the months during which these growing seasons typically occur. What Is a Growing Season? Simply put, the growing season is

Agriculture is intrinsically linked with the climate. The success of crops and the yields they produce depend largely on weather patterns, temperature, rainfall, and other climatic factors. But beyond the general climate of a region, there are smaller, localized climate variations known as microclimates. These can have a profound impact on agricultural practices, crop choices,

Gardening blends science and nature, both of which hinge on impeccable timing. A frequently posed question is, “What month do you grow vegetables?” The answer depends on various elements: geography, local climate, and each vegetable’s peculiar needs. The Concept of Growing Seasons Before discussing the specifics, it’s essential to grasp hardiness zones, a system that

Succession planting refers to the strategic planning and planting of crops in a way that maximizes the use of available space, prolongs the harvest season, and improves overall garden health. This article will provide an overview of succession planting, its benefits, its different types, and some practical examples. By the end of this article, you’ll

Neem oil is a naturally occurring pesticide derived from the seeds of the neem tree. This versatile oil has been utilized for centuries due to its various properties, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antifungal effects. The yellow to brown oil has a distinct bitter taste and a garlic/sulfur smell. Extracted primarily through cold-pressing the neem

Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves planting different crops in close proximity to each other to create a mutually beneficial relationship. It is a natural and sustainable way to improve soil health, increase crop yields, and reduce pest problems. For example, planting marigolds alongside tomato plants can help repel harmful insects and improve

Potatoes can be grown in containers, which is a great option for those with limited space or who want to grow them on a balcony, patio, or deck. Getting the potatoes to grow well is one challenge, but knowing when to harvest them is another if you haven’t grown potatoes before. Read on to find

Small potatoes are pretty annoying to prepare for a potato-based meal – unless you cook them as baby potatoes with their skins on. Large potatoes on the other hand are great, they can be used for many different potato dishes – it can be useful to know the average weight of a large potato though,

Adding fertiliser to potatoes is an important step in the process of growing a great crop. However, there are many questions about the best type of potato fertiliser to use and how much is required. This article looks at using chemical and organic fertilisers and how much you should add at different stages of the

It always seems a waste to throw food of any sort into the bin, especially vegetables if you have pets or animals around the home. One of the questions I am often asked is if it is okay to feed potato skins to your pets/animals. In this article, we look at whether we can feed

Growing your own potatoes in the home garden and storing them for winter use is a great way to provide your family with healthy, nutritious food. Knowing when to harvest them and get them ready for storage is important too. Find out what the experts have to say about harvesting, washing, and storing potatoes for

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) are an annual vegetable in the Solanaceae or nightshade family. While the tubers are a healthy and nutritious addition to the diet, not all parts of the potato plant are edible. Like other plants in the nightshade family, some parts of the potato plant are poisonous. What are nightshade vegetables? Nightshades are

I assume by the search for the title of this article that you have found a plant growing somewhere that you have not intentionally planted. I will show you a list of images of potato plants at various stages of their lifecycle to hopefully help you identify the plant as a potato plant or not.

How many times have you forgotten about that bag of potatoes in your pantry only to find them covered in strange, bumpy growth? These growths are buds or sprouts which grow from the potato eyes, and they look rather unappetizing. Some people toss the entire potato thinking it’s no good, while others cut the small buds off before

Potatoes are a popular vegetable in the home garden as many people routinely eat potatoes with meat and poultry dishes. According to Statista, the average American consumed 29.3 pounds of fresh potatoes in 2021. While many were purchased, many were also grown in the home garden. Growing potatoes involves planting either whole or cut sections

Aphids are a common insect pest found in both flower and vegetable gardens. Nearly every yard or garden has aphids, which typically isn’t a problem. However, a severe aphid infestation can wreak havoc on your vegetables and flowers. Knowing how to identify and control them is essential to your gardening success. Aphids damage plants, but

If you own a property, you probably have one or more areas that seem to stay soggy or damp. While this may seem like nothing more than an annoyance, it can quickly become a serious problem. Overly saturated soil could spell disaster for your home’s foundation, basement, and garden. The good news is, however, that you

All plants need moisture to grow, but too much water can do more harm than good. If your plant’s soil remains wet and soggy for an extended period, the plant will suffer and eventually die. Drying out the soil quickly isn’t always easy, but there are several techniques below to help you find a way

Potatoes are a popular vegetable. They are relatively easy to grow and produce well in average soil. How many potatoes each plant produces depends on how well their growing needs are met, the type of potato you are growing, and the weather conditions in your area. How many potatoes grow from one seed potato? In

Many readers have contacted me about a recurring query- can you grow potatoes in clay soil? We all know the ideal soil to grow potatoes in is a free-draining loam, high in organic matter with a pH of 5.5 to 6.0 – but not everyone has this perfect soil for growing potatoes in. To get

Many articles revolve around getting our potatoes to grow to the best of our ability, but once we have got our crop to grow well and have harvested them if we don’t provide them with the correct environment during storage they will quickly go bad. I will provide a checklist of points along with a

So you live in an apartment and you want to know the best way to store your potatoes. Let’s take a look at the options. What are the ideal conditions to store potatoes? Let’s set out the rules for good potato storage: Storing potatoes in an apartment So what unique situations could apartment living pose

How long it takes for a tree to grow depends entirely on the type of tree, the specific variety, and their growing conditions. Each tree will take its own time and generally takes a couple of decades.However, there are general guidelines that will help you determine how many years until your tree has reached maturity.

Have you ever noticed that your vegetables seem to be growing slowly? Plants don’t grow overnight but you should be able to notice growth from week to week. If you aren’t noticing much growth and development from one week to the next, something might be wrong. There are lots of reasons why your vegetables are

Perennial vegetables are those that come back year after year without replanting. Their long lifecycles make them well worth the initial effort and patience. Asparagus patches, for example, can last up to one hundred years. The permanent nature of perennial vegetables allows me to enjoy harvests almost year-round, build up soil structure, and adds an

To get that perfectly formed carrot, it’s important to grow them in sandy soil. While sandy soil is best for growing carrots, it’s not a very common soil type in gardens. This means that to get a perfectly shaped carrot, you’ll want to invest in preparing a garden bed for this specific purpose. In this

Soil pH affects plants’ ability to grow by making certain nutrients available or unavailable. This makes it in the best interest of gardeners to test their soil pH and modify it if necessary. If you’re curious about how to lower the pH of the soil with vinegar, read along to learn why you might want

When you’ve been gardening for a little bit and have gotten a handle on the basics of seeds starting, transplanting, etc. it’s time to delve a little bit deeper. Increasing your knowledge about the soil is the most important thing you can do. Soil Ph is important – in this article, we’ll discuss the question,

Compost is sometimes referred to as ‘black gold’. Why? Because it is the best thing you can add to your soil. While other amendments only solve one or two issues, compost has enormous benefits that build the soil, increase water retention, and feeds the plants. Knowing how to mix compost into soil is a massive

French fries are one of my favourite foods and something I’ve come to make regularly at home. Restaurant portion sizes sometimes just don’t cut it and not everyone feels comfortable asking for six sides of fries with nothing else. Before you try making your own, make sure you have the best potatoes for French fries

Did you know that there are whole grading systems to classify potatoes by quality and size? These classification systems vary around the world but have been introduced to standardize the sale of potatoes. But how can you tell visually how much does a medium potato weigh? In general, all potatoes will be categorized by quality and

Often you’ll come across recipes that don’t state how many potatoes you need, but the weight. This can be frustrating if you don’t know the weight of a potato without using scales. It is really handy to know how many potatoes in a pound. By the end of this article, you’ll know this answer just

Homeowners and gardeners spend countless hours caring for their property and ensuring it appears its best at all times. It’s plain to see that nothing accessorizes your home and garden better than a lush and green lawn. Fertilizing your lawn is one of the most important ways you can care for and protect it –

Eaten by cultures the world over, potatoes are a staple in most diets. They provide a plethora of important nutrients. Fiber, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins such as C and B6 with a relatively low caloric content. Their complex carbohydrates provide plenty of slow-burning fuel for your body. But are potatoes as beneficial to our canine

They are one of the most versatile and widely used root vegetables in the world. Because they are inexpensive and fairly easy to grow in rich soils worldwide, potatoes have long been a staple food for many cultures. In fact, in the mid-19th century, most farmers in western Ireland and parts of the Scottish Highlands

The length of time potatoes last is mostly dependent on the temperature they are stored at. In normal home cupboard conditions the temperature will be roughly 60 fahrenheit / 15 degrees centigrade. At this temperature the potatoes will remain firm for up to two weeks. After this time they will start to soften or begin

Potatoes grow best when they have a steady supply of 2-3 inches of water per week without fully drying out. Potato plants should be watered deeply, especially if it gets very hot and dry. The soil should be moist 8 to 10 inches underground. Make sure not to overwater the potatoes for 2 weeks after

To feed a family of four, start off by planting 40 potato plants. This will provide you with a potato based meal 2 to 3 times a week. The 40 plants will provide up to 6 months worth of meals. If you find 40 plants provides you with too many potatoes you can plant less

Can you grow potatoes indoors? Well in a word – YES! Read on to discover how to grow potatoes indoors- it’s not as difficult as you might think! Everyone waits with bated breath as the months draw away from winter and towards the coming spring. We all want to get out there and plant our

In this article, we will discover how to plant potatoes from sprouts which emerge from the eye of the potato. A potato plant will grow again from a potato, and a sprout will emerge from one of the “eyes” – a small dimple on the potato’s surface. When the conditions are right a full new

In this article i will walk you through the steps and list the materials required to show you how to grow potatoes in a bucket- a great way to introduce yourself to the wonderful experience of growing your own potatoes. There are few vegetables more versatile than potatoes. They can be baked, boiled, fried or

Learning how to properly store your potatoes once they have been dug from the garden is an important part of your potato growing season. Potatoes should be stored in a cool dark room with good ventilation. The potatoes should be harvested dry or dried before entering the store- this will help to prevent rot and

In this article, I will describe how to hang a field gate from start to finish. How to hang a field gate Measure the length of the gate you want to hang. Add 6 inches 150mm to the gate length (4″ 100mm for the gate hanger brackets and 2″ 50mm clearance at the bar closer

One of the most common issues faced by gardeners – hobbyists and professionals alike – is powdery mildew. This disease is easily recognized by its namesake powdery residue. Most commonly found on young leaves and shoots, powdery mildew is not usually fatal to the plant though it is a nuisance. There are multiple causes that