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Floods can strike without warning, leaving behind chaos and damage. Proper recovery after the Texas floods isn't just about cleaning up—it's about doing it safely and strategically. From avoiding polluted water after Texas floods to knowing how to compost properly, here are seven emergency tips to help guide you through recovery.
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.
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.
Specific varieties like Granny Smith, Fuji, McIntosh, and Cosmic Crisp often hold up well for 2 to 3 months when conditions are ideal.
On the countertop, apples typically remain fresh for about 1–2 weeks before becoming soft or mealy.
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.
| Apple Type / Condition | Countertop | Fridge Crisper Drawer | Long-Term Storage (Cool, Dark) | Cut Apples (Fridge) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard varieties (Gala, Fuji) | 5–7 days | 6–8 weeks | 3–6 months | 3–5 days |
| Crisp/thick-skinned (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Rome) | 5–7 days | 8–12 weeks | 6–9 months | 3–5 days |
| Thin-skinned (Golden Delicious) | 3–5 days | 4–6 weeks | 2–4 months | 2–4 days |
| Bruised or damaged apples | 2–3 days | 1–2 weeks | ❌ | ❌ |
| Type of Apple | Storage Recommendation | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh, whole apples | Room temperature is safe, but can also store in the refrigerator to last longer | Apples are safe at room temperature, but their higher ethylene content contributes to faster ripening. Apples stored in the refrigerator can last for several weeks. |
| Cut apples or apples in a modified form, such as applesauce | Refrigerator | Cut produce is more susceptible to pathogens, so storing in the refrigerator can limit pathogen growth. |
| Baked apple pie | Room temperature for up to two days; Refrigerator for up to four days | Fruit pies are made with sugar and the combination of sugar and acid in the fruit is sufficient to retard bacterial growth at room temperature. You can extend this shelf life a little by storing in the refrigerator. Keep in mind though, any pies made with custard, cream, eggs or sugar substitutes, or contain fresh fruit (like a strawberry pie that was not baked) always require refrigeration. |
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! 🌿
| Plant Type | Planting Time | Sunlight Needs | Watering | Soil Type | Fertilising | Common Problems |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Spring | 6-8 hours | Deeply, 1-2x/week | Well-draining, rich | Every 2-3 weeks | Blight, pests |
| Lettuce | Spring/Fall | 4-6 hours | Regularly, daily | Moist, well-drained | Every 3-4 weeks | Slugs, aphids |
| Herbs (Basil) | Spring | 6+ hours | Regularly, daily | Well-drained | Monthly | Pests, mildew |
| Carrots | Spring/Fall | 6+ hours | Regularly, daily | Loose, sandy | Not usually needed | Pests, forking |
| Zucchini | Spring | 6-8 hours | Deeply, 1-2x/week | Well-draining, rich | Every 2-3 weeks | Powdery mildew |
| Strawberries | Spring/Fall | 6+ hours | Regularly, daily | Well-drained, acidic | ||
| Monthly | Birds, rot | |||||
| Sunflowers | Spring | 6-8 hours | Deeply, 1x/week | Well-draining | Not usually needed | Pests, diseases |
| Lavender | Spring | 6+ hours | Sparingly | Well-drained, sandy | Not usually needed | Root rot |
| Roses | Spring | 6+ hours | Deeply, 1x/week | Well-draining, rich | Every 4-6 weeks | Black spot, aphids |
| Blueberries | Spring | 6+ hours | Regularly, daily | Well-drained, acidic | Every 4-6 weeks | Birds, nutrient deficiency |
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!
Often, gardeners find themselves pondering the age-old question: garden soil vs compost? Choosing the right medium for your plants is crucial for a flourishing garden. While both play vital roles, they possess distinct characteristics, benefits, and drawbacks.
This comprehensive guide will delve into the intricacies of each, equipping you with the knowledge to make informed decisions for your specific gardening needs. We'll explore their composition, advantages, disadvantages, ideal applications, and how to use them effectively to cultivate a thriving and vibrant garden.
When you first receive your compost from your GEME composter, you're holding a concentrated source of plant nutrition and soil life. But like any powerful tool, knowing how to prepare and apply it makes all the difference in achieving the best results.
Imagine stepping into your home filled with vibrant, lush greenery, or harvesting crisp vegetables straight from a thriving garden patch. The secret to this kind of natural abundance often lies hidden right beneath the surface – in the richness of the soil. And the key to rich soil? Often, it's "Black Gold".