On this week's episode, Travis demonstrates how to quickly and easily turnover crops in the vegetable garden. In order for us to efficiently grow crops year-round in the vegetable garden, we have to maintain a quick and easy crop turnover time. In the garden, Travis has a couple of rows of romaine lettuce that he...
Posted on August 22, 2023
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On this week's episode, Travis explains the most effective trellis technique that he has come across so far in the vegetable garden. He currently has three rows of determinate tomatoes such as Bella Rosa, Brickyard, and Mountain Glory growing in the garden. When trellising tomatoes we recommend using the Florida...
Posted on August 22, 2023
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When it comes to trellising tomato plants there are many advantages that improve the overall health of these plants. The easiest Florida weave trellis technique is used for determinate tomatoes, while tomato cages are typically used for indeterminate tomatoes in the vegetable garden. We use the...
Posted on August 22, 2023
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On the week's episode, Travis explains the differences between monogerm and multigerm beet seeds. Beet seeds are naturally multigerm varieties which means that each seed contains more than one embryo. Multigerm seeds happen when flowers grow in clusters which in return produces multigerm seed balls...
Posted on August 22, 2023
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The best method when growing vegetables in the garden is by planting in rows. Row planting is when plants are grown in single rows that allow for more space and easier cultivating in the vegetable garden. Depending on how much room plants need for growing the rows can be adjusted between the plants and in...
Posted on August 22, 2023
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When looking at growing an early spring crop have you ever thought about green onions in the garden area? Green onions are immature little onions that are just starting the bulbing stage in the garden. Once they reach this stage they start to swell up a little bit and we will harvest a few of these small onions at this...
Posted on August 22, 2023
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To increase the productivity, growth, and healthier plants in the vegetable garden adding the best soil amendment will leave your soil structure with so many benefits for many growing seasons. Using great compost contains four key components -- organic matter, moisture, bacteria, and oxygen. The...
Posted on August 22, 2023
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There are several reasons for planting tomato plants the right way in the garden. To avoid tomato plant mistakes growing them in seed trays instead of individual pots is a major priority. We recommend transplanting tomatoes because it allows us to get a jumpstart on the growing season that are ready to go in the ground...
Posted on August 22, 2023
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If you struggle with a little amount of garden space to grow a variety of vegetables in the garden you have to find clever methods to improve your growing area. Using the straddle weeding technique allows for planting on tight row spacing. While the Floride weave technique or the...
Posted on August 22, 2023
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Although collards have been a staple in the South throughout several years, collards have become increasingly popular around the world. In the past, Travis has tried growing several different collard varieties such as the Top Bunch, Champion, and Vates. However, the most productive collard variety and his...
Posted on August 22, 2023
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n the South, due to our high pest and disease pressure environment growing heirloom tomatoes can be difficult to grow in the vegetable garden. When discussing between hybrid and heirloom varieties there are major differences to take into account when thinking about planting one or the other variety...
Posted on August 22, 2023
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Instead of buying the bland lettuce at the grocery store, you should try growing your own healthy lettuce in the vegetable garden. The perfect time to grow lettuce is between the fall and winter because weather conditions are just right. With cooler temperatures, these excellent varieties of lettuce are less likely...
Posted on August 22, 2023
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Unlike your traditional red or green cabbage that forms big heads and is used in soups and salads, an uncommon and different type of cabbage is Bok Choy. Also, known as Pak Choy or Pok Choy depending on what area of the world it is being grown. Bok Choy falls under the Chinese cabbage category but does...
Posted on August 22, 2023
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The Purple Vienna and White Vienna Kohlrabi are two varieties of Kohlrabi that have productive yields and are the most underrated cold weather staple crops to grow during the cooler seasons. During the Fall and Winter months, Kohlrabi takes 45 days to maturity which works great for succession planting because...
Posted on August 22, 2023
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Unlike the traditional garlic varieties, Elephant garlic is actually more related to a leek that has the look, taste, and easy to grow like garlic. Elephant garlic gets its name due to the large size it obtains that is twice the size of regular garlic. Containing a hardy bulb the elephant garlic typically has 5 to 6 individual...
Posted on August 22, 2023
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In order to ensure you have long-lasting garden tools, it is important to properly take care of them when not using them in the vegetable garden. To keep them from losing their effectiveness and sharpness over time we should spend a little time to properly maintain the conditioning of them by sharpening, removing...
Posted on August 22, 2023
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The overall reason for cultivating the garden area is to improve the soil for the next crop planting. Cultivating the garden allows you to break up the soil surface to enhance better penetration of water, air, and nutrients in the soil that plants need access to for all stages of growth. Penetrating air will improve the...
Posted on August 22, 2023
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It is a known fact that drip irrigation should be used in your garden because it reduces disease and weed pressures. Another advantage of having simple drip irrigation is it conserves water because you are not wasting water applying to the edges of the garden and in between rows of plants through overhead watering...
Posted on August 22, 2023
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Weeds are a commonly known issue for every homeowner, business property, and home garden. The are several important reasons for removing thick weeds in the vegetable garden. The major reason to remove pesky weeds from the garden is they steal nutrients and water from the soil and plants. The soil in the...
Posted on August 22, 2023
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Transplants offer bountiful benefits when it comes to growing vegetables in the garden. Not only do you get to control when you plant seedlings but you also get healthier growing plants. If you have warmer weather vegetables that you would like to get a headstart on growing this allows you to prepare those vegetables...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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Many gardeners know that the controversial topic of seed starting trays and soil blocks is all based on personal preference. The major difference in the two is all about time efficiency whether you are planting in a seed starting tray or you have all day to make soil blocks. It is no secret that making soil blocks are a...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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Known as the greatest threat for sweet corn production, earworms are an insect that can be hard to control and kill in the garden area. Corn earworms have various different color combinations including green or brown. The problem with not effectively removing earworms is they can overwinter in the soil which will...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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There are several different green varieties that can be grown in the vegetable garden. Leafy green vegetable varieties like lettuce, kale, beans, collards, or peas all add a variation to the garden area. When growing greens they should be planted during early spring or late summer. Not only are they easy to grow...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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Root-knot nematodes are microscopic parasitic roundworms that like to feed on the roots of the vegetable plants. Some crops such as okra, squash, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, or eggplants tend to be highly-susceptible to root-knot nematode problems more than other any other crops in the garden...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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Why is growing vegetable transplants better than direct seeding? There are a number of reasons why vegetable transplants sometimes are better than direct seeding. These benefits include more control, increase production, reduce pest problems, and improve healthier plants. Transplants give you a jumpstart...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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Traditionally grown in the South, okra thrives well due to its love for warmer weather. So planting okra in the summer growing seasons is perfect because many other vegetable crops cannot grow due to the harsh climate conditions. Okra plants tend to grow tall and need plenty of spacing to grow...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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When producing vegetables in the garden you are prone to have many issues with critters eating away at your freshly growing plants. There a couple of methods to help control these rabbits, squirrels, or deer from destroying your garden. Once you identify which critter is nibbling in the garden you can...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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The best method to effectively provide enough water to the garden is using a drip tape irrigation system. Drip tape systems allow you to conserve water and supply the plant with all the water it needs for all growing stages. Another benefit is drip tape irrigations reduces disease and weed pressures in the vegetable...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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There are countless benefits when it comes to why drip tape is important in the garden area. Not only is it better for the vegetable plants in the garden, but it will conserve water, reduce disease and pest pressures, and improve plant growth. Other alternatives like overhead irrigation or soaker hoses will leave you...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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When choosing to grow your own vegetable transplants there are many benefits that can improve your vegetable garden. The first benefit is it can be cheaper to buy than paying around three to five dollars a plant from big-box stores. Another benefit is choosing your own varieties that you would like to personally...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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To ensure that crops are getting accurate supplements of nutrients that are required for plant growth, fertilizing plays a key role. Most fertilizers contain three major macronutrients: nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Without these nutrients, the plant cannot obtain its needs and the plant growth will contain...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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The purpose of using a paneled trellis in the garden is to help ensure climbing plants are getting support. The trellis method helps crops like tomatoes, beans, peas, or squash grow vertically and keep them off the ground in the garden. Removing them from the ground will help reduce critters and soil-borne...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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Most crops like tomatoes, potatoes, or squash are highly susceptible to disease and insect pressure. When removing tomato plants is very important to remove them in a proper way because if they are not cleaned out of the garden insect eggs and fungal spores can overwinter and begin to cause major issues...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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In the South, the most common and destructive insects in the garden are anasa tristis also known as squash bugs. These leaf-footed squash bugs have a life expectancy of 75 to 130 days. Within that life period, they can lay anywhere from two to three batches of eggs with 18 to 20 eggs per batch. Once laid it...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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When choosing between overhead and drip tape irrigation, drip tape outweighs the overhead with many benefits. Drip tape is perfect for efficiently conserving water, reduce disease pressures, and leads to better plant health. This drip irrigation system conserves water because the water pressure is going directly...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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There are several benefits and advantages to fertilizing your vegetable garden. The major benefit of applying fertilizers to your vegetable garden is they contain nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Most plants in the garden require a certain amount of these key macronutrients to develop strong...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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Maintaining pollinators in the vegetable garden is important for the production of seeds and plant growth. Attracting pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds can allow for an optimal increase in benefits for the crops growing in the garden. In order for the movement of pollen to take place, the pollinators...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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As part of the cabbage family, Kale is a more hardy, cool weather crop that typically grows best in the spring and the fall growing months. Which means growing kale in the summer is a benefit because most other vegetables cannot be planted during these months due to the harsh hot and dry...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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When growing your own food in the vegetable garden one of the most important tasks is keeping the garden clear of any harsh chemicals and never spraying too many pesticides or fertilizers. The more organic products that we use will allow for a healthier garden and better quality produce. The great thing...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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Taking control of weeds is important because they are unwanted plant growth that will cause many issues in the vegetable garden. These weeds can cause restricts on plant growth due to them competing for nutrients, soil, water, and space that the plants you are trying to get growing need more than the...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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A problem that can mostly cause issues surrounding the edges of our garden is grass. When grass begins to sneak in and around the edges of the garden it starts out by just a few runners here and there. Then if these grass runners are not controlled they will establish themselves and basically become weeds...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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The start of many videos to come from our new garden series known as Two-Minute Tips. These videos will be shorter videos that are posted weekly, every Thursday at 10 am eastern time. These videos will take place in and around Travis's garden and barn that will mainly focus on discussing tips that will...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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Depending on the size of your personal garden and the accurate water amounts a certain crop needs can all vary drastically from each vegetable garden. Other factors such as soil type and weather conditions can play in a key role in how frequent and when you should be watering or fertilizing the crops...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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The benefits of growing your own vegetable plants in the garden will always hold an advantage over buying plants from big box stores. Some benefits include the ability to control what type of pesticide or fertilizer chemicals are being sprayed on your crop which will in return produce healthier plants and provide maximum production of crops when growing from your own vegetable garden...
Posted on August 21, 2023
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