23 posts tagged with "Plant Growth"

Growing Blueberries: Introduction​

Blueberries are a rewarding fruit for home gardeners and beginners. These shrubs (often called berry “trees” in landscaping) produce nutritious, antioxidant-rich berries each summer.

To grow blueberries successfully, you need to meet their basic needs: full sun, acidic fertile soil, and consistent moisture. With patience, blueberries can bear fruit within 2–3 years and continue producing for decades.

We’ll explain where and how to plant blueberry bushes, how to prepare the soil (including blueberry soil pH), the best fertilizer (organic compost), and essential care steps (watering, mulching, pruning) to keep your blueberry plants thriving.

Growing your tomatoes can be one of the most rewarding gardening experiences. But did you know that your juicy tomatoes could carry harmful bacteria like Salmonella if not done carefully? With reports like the Salmonella outbreak tomatoes in the US and the UK, understanding how to grow tomatoes safely is more important than ever.

Whether you're a novice or a seasoned green thumb, this guide walks you through every step, from choosing seeds to harvesting and storing to ensure your tomatoes are delicious and safe to eat.

Introduction to Compost​

What is Compost?​

Compost is decomposed organic matter from kitchen scraps, garden clippings, leaves, and other biodegradable materials. It's often called “black gold” because it can enrich soil, promote plant growth, and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers.

Through natural decomposition processes involving microbes, heat, and moisture, compost turns waste into nutrient-rich humus that's ready to nurture plants.

Benefits of Using Compost​

Using compost can significantly improve your garden in multiple ways:

• Improves soil structure – making it looser and better for root development.

• Enhances moisture retention – reducing the need for frequent watering.

• Boosts soil nutrients – releasing them slowly to support steady plant growth.

• Reduces waste – keeping organic materials out of landfills.

• Supports beneficial microbes – which help break down nutrients and fight diseases.

7 Urgent Emergency Tips for Safe & Smart Home Recovery After Floods​

Floods can strike without warning, leaving behind chaos and damage. Proper recovery after the floods isn't just about cleaning up—it's about doing it safely and strategically. From avoiding polluted water after floods to knowing how to compost properly, here are seven emergency tips to help guide you through recovery.

Introduction to Full Moon July 2025​

The full moon in July 2025, often called the Buck Moon, appears on July 21, 2025. This celestial event not only dazzles the night sky but also offers a unique opportunity for gardeners: plants rooted just before the full moon may thrive more robustly and yield stronger harvests.

Imagine a captivating blend of floral sweetness and tropical tang, like a cross between a grape and a rose, with hints of strawberry and watermelon. Mouthwatering! And this is what lychee tastes like. Today, we're going to learn about -- Lychee!

A fresh, whole apple is safe to store at room temperature for about one week, but once you cut it, it must be refrigerated, unless it is cooked into a pie. Then you can store it at room temperature for up to two days.

These varying storage conditions for fresh produce are dependent on several things, including:

• Pathogens. Some produce is more likely to harbour pathogens, so it is recommended that it be refrigerated to limit their growth. Apple, for example, should be stored in the refrigerator because it is more likely to allow pathogens to grow than many other types of produce.

• Humidity. Some types of apples lose water quickly and need a low-humidity level to help them retain their water, such as in the produce drawer of the refrigerator.

• Ethylene content. Ethylene causes apples to ripen fast, and cold storage decreases the release of ethylene. Storing apples in the refrigerator, therefore, will just extend their shelf life.

• Cool temperatures. This can prevent some apples from achieving a good flavour or texture. For example, apples can lose their flavour when refrigerated or bananas turn black and do not ripen properly.

🧊 How Long Do Apples Last in the Fridge?​

1. Whole apples stored in a refrigerator's crisper drawer (around 30–35°F) generally stay crisp and tasty for 6 to 8 weeks, and some hardier varieties may last even longer.

2. Specific varieties like Granny Smith, Fuji, McIntosh, and Cosmic Crisp often hold up well for 2 to 3 months when conditions are ideal.

3. On the countertop, apples typically remain fresh for about 1–2 weeks before becoming soft or mealy.

4. Cut apples should go into an airtight container, be lightly coated with lemon juice to prevent browning, and be consumed within 3–5 days with optimal freshness.

🍏 Overview Table: Storage Life by Apple Type & Situation​

Check the Overview of Apple Storage Recommendations​

Gardening might feel a bit overwhelming at first—there's soil to prep, plants to choose, and care routines to learn. But don't worry! With a little encouragement and the right guidance, anyone can create a flourishing garden.

In this guide, you'll discover easy-to-follow gardening tips for beginners, learn how to plant a garden from scratch, and nurture a variety of stunning garden plants. Ready to grow? Let's dig in! 🌿

Overview: How to Plant and Take Care of Different Types of Plants​

While composting is generally a good practice for reducing waste and enriching soil, it's important to be cautious when dealing with potentially contaminated materials. The FDA Tomato Recall Salmonella outbreak highlights the need to take extra precautions to protect your health and prevent the spread of salmonella.

Image Credit: FDA|Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Cucumbers(May 2025)

A multistate outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo infections is under investigation by the FDA and CDC. The source is traced to cucumbers from Bedner Growers, Inc., in Boynton Beach, Florida, distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc.

In the last few days, an outbreak of Food Safety Corcern has been spreading across the United States, affecting hundreds of millions of residents and agricultural industries, over 200 infection cases reported in 15 states.

Image Credit: FDA|Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Cucumbers(May 2025)

As a gardening enthusiast, I’m really concerned about how salmonella intrudes into our vegetable garden and how we can get rid of it, whether from soil, compost, water, fertiliser, plants, or grown fruits and vegetables. And I do hope that those who have been infected by salmonella in the US get the best treatment and recover soon. No more infection cases increased!