Row By Row Garden Show

Garlic is one of the easiest crops to grow in the home garden. You can plant a large amount in a small space, it doesn’t have many pests or diseases, and it loves cold weather. In fact, it’s so simple to grow that you can plant it and basically forget about it until you harvest it nine months later. Let's discuss choosing the right garlic to grow! It's the perfect vegetable for beginning gardeners because it's so forgiving; start searching early as garlic tends to sell out rather quickly. Most of the world's garlic is grown in China, and most of the garlic grown in the United States is in California. There are over 700 cultivated varieties in the world. History On Garlic In ancient times Garlic was celebrated as a source of great strength. Greek Olympians ate before competitions, Roman soldiers ate before battle, and during WW2 when penicillin was a shortage, was used on soldiers' wounds to prevent infection. Today considered a superfood, stimulating the immune system and helping to fight disease.

Since it is almost onion planting time, we decided to take our top 10 onion growing questions that are usually asked by viewers, customers, or fellow gardeners. Why are onions a great crop for homesteaders and home gardeners? They're low maintenance, rarely have any pest or disease pressure, and they have great storage! One key tip is to know what type of onion you need to be growing for your zone, short, intermediate, or long-day onions. Don't know? Check out our onion map! Top 10 Onion Growing Questions 1. Can I Grow A Vidalia Onion? Vidalia onions can only be grown in Georgia. According to the Vidalia Onion Act of 1986, there are only 20 counties in the United States that are allowed to grow Vidalia onions and sell them under the trademarked name. All of those counties are in Georgia, centered around the small town of Vidalia, Ga. 2. How Do You Cure Onions? Spread the onions out in a single layer, taking care not to bump or bruise them. Leave them to spread out in a single layer. Warm (75-

Let's talk about Controlled Environment Agriculture and how it's shaping the future! So, why is CEA becoming so popular? What are the benefits of CEA? Our special guest, Tracy from Sakata Seeds joins us to discuss some insights on the topic of the indoor growing model. And we will also be doing a rapid-fire chat about which fall seeds you should be growing! It's a growing trend! It's a new way of gardening! A New Way Of Gardening - Controlled Environment Agriculture What is CEA? Simply put, it is bringing traditional field agriculture indoors and so, you are controlling as many of the elements as you can when you are growing indoors. More and more fruits and vegetables are being grown indoors, some examples are tomatoes (mainly cherry and grape tomato varieties), cucumbers, strawberries, etc. In a controlled environment, you can grow all year long! CEA productions help to increase plant productivity and expand growing areas. Some methods may not be easy for the home gardener, but they are definitely wor

Why grow cover crops? This is a topic many gardeners need help with. When growing any cover crop, even fall and winter cover crops is extremely important to know which you should be growing in your garden. Before planting a cover crop, identify which benefits or goals (weed suppression, fall grazing, taking up excess nutrients, reducing soil compaction, etc.) are most important. Since it is early September, it is time to start thinking about fall and winter cover crops; also, a good tip is to "broadcast" the seeds when planting your cover crops. Why Grow Cover Crops? Here are many reasons you should consider growing fall and winter cover crops (or just cover crops in general). Improving soil structure by increasing soil microbial activityWeed Suppression (by direct competition or allelopathy)Increases water filtration and reduces soil compactionIncreases organic matter and reduces soil erosion from wind and rain (crop residues/mulch)Activity against bacteria, fungi, insects, nematodes, and weedsNut

No, we don't mean you should be growing less, just think about other smaller uses to grow your own food. There is a lot more focus on the container and raised bed gardens lately. More and more people are starting to learn how to garden and become more sustainable. One of our favorite times to garden using containers and raised beds is in the fall. Container, vertical, and raised bed gardening is ideal for those with little to no in-ground garden space. Problems with soil-borne diseases, nematodes, or poor soil conditions can be easily overcome by switching to a container garden. Did you know that raised beds are one of the most popular ways to garden? Vertical gardening is also growing in popularity with people using new or existing structures in their homes. Think of the space you can save with vertical growing! Let's look at some reasons why you should be growing small in the fall! Container Gardening, Growing Small in the Fall Reason #1 you should be growing in containers: easy access! You can g

Can you turn really bad soil into good soil? Today we talk about one of the most important aspects of growing healthy plants, getting good production, and harvesting the highest quality food you could possibly eat. You will need to know these tips for building and maintaining healthy soils for a successful vegetable garden! Below are the 4 tips for creating healthy garden soils. 4 Tips For Creating Healthy Garden Soils Soil Sample Getting a soil sample is very important, definitely the first thing that we suggest you do. You need to know what's in your soil! It provides useful information about the chemical and physical conditions of your soil (specifically in the area you are planting). There are variables to getting your sample, such as, what time of year it's done, who does the test, and how samples are collected. We always recommend getting a soil sample to your local extension office several weeks before planting. Click here to find your local extension office. Amend Your Soil Adding org

Fall is quickly approaching! Many of us have already started our seeds for our fall gardens, which means that we are thinking ahead about fertilizing, fall garden pests, and common diseases that happen in the fall. The fall is a great time to take a soil test and apply soil amendments to prepare the garden for spring planting.  Fall soil testing is preferred by many growers because it allows the entire winter to plan crop rotations and to budget for cover crops and soil amendments for the following season. It's a great time to clean up old debris, till areas that may be harboring pests and put our mulch to drive away overwintering adults. Natural Ways To Help With Fall Garden Pests Start with clean soilBuy disease and pest-resistant seedsSelectively and Aggressively thin out plantsControl WeedsKeep Garden CleanTrap CropsBeneficial InsectsCrop Rotation Top 6 Fall Garden Pests To Watch Out For Fall Garden Pests Aphids small, soft-bodied insects that feed by sucking the nutrient-rich liqui

Tonight, we are talking all about Microgreens and indoor growing. There are vegetables that are packed with nutrients, and typically only take a couple of weeks to maturity. With endless varieties to choose from that have different textures and tastes, Microgreens - you can grow this all year long! Some people mistake growing microgreens as the same process as growing sprouts, but that's not the case. Microgreens are grown in soil and are usually ready to eat within a few weeks of planting. Microgreens are more mature seedlings than sprouts. Study results on the nutritional benefits of microgreens have been published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Microgreens Broccoli Don't soak these seeds, blackout time for these seeds is around 2-4 days. It typically takes 10 days for growing time. The yield with our Broccoli microgreen seeds is 8-12 oz per 1020 Microgreen Tray. Of course, we recommend Waltham 29 broccoli. Black Oil Sunflower The Black Oil Sunflower has to be one

It's time to start thinking about your fall garden! Time is quickly approaching, you need to be planning your fall garden now! Be sure to check out the latest Row By Row Episode to get all the details. Planning Your Fall Garden Now By Zone Zone 9 - Here's What You Need To Be Planning In Your Fall Garden Now: Continue planting flowers and cover crops! You can plant fall corn until the end of August, you should also be getting ready for fall planting of Brassicas. Between September 15th - September 30th, start your "short day" onion seed. Zone 8 If you are in Zone 8, it's now time to plant fall sweet corn and start your first planting of Cabbage and Brussel Sprouts in trays. September 1st is a good time to plant your 2nd round of Brassicas. Zinnias, sunflowers, and cover crops (ex. Buckwheat, Sorghum Sudan Grass, Kodiak Brown Mustard) can also be planted again around September 1st. Planting your onion seed between September 1st - September 15th is your optimal time. Be sure to plant short-day on

Join Greg and Sheila for another great episode of gardening tips and tricks. This show is packed full of great information on growing fall corn and how fermenting vegetables is so easy, even you can do it! Greg does a deep dive into what corn varieties you should be planting for fall, when to plant and how to be successful. Sheila has an abundance of peppers and gives us a demonstration of the easiest way to ferment vegetables for preserving! Growing Fall Corn and Fermenting Vegetables Growing Fall Corn If you have not been growing corn for a long time or just beginning, fall corn can work great for your rotation planting. Corn is a monocot. Planting fall corn helps cleanse the soil and will get some of the diseases out. Planting behind beans and peas is best. Unlike other vegetables that can easily be planted in one long row, corn should be planted in blocks of at least 5 rows. Visit Hoss University and check out our Corn Growing Guide for more information on growing corn! Types of Sweet Cor

There's more to growing sunflowers than just gazing upon their beauty. Did you know they're also good for weed suppression, they're good for livestock, and more! Let's talk about the top 6 reasons you should be growing sunflowers. 6 Reasons You Should Be Growing Sunflowers Pollinators They attract many beneficial insects. At the center of the sunflowers are hundreds and thousands of tiny florets that can contain nectar and pollen, a food source for different types of beneficial insects. By attracting these types of insects, you will help pollinate other vegetable plants that you have growing in your garden. Beautiful Cut Flowers Sunflowers are probably one of the most popular cut flowers and are extremely popular among flower farmers who sell them at farmers' markets. They are truly a garden focal point. They can also provide shade when planting around your vegetables that don't need or require full sun throughout the day. Tip: Once you cut your stems, immediately put them in the water. Attr

Each type of cover crop (whether it be warm or cool season) has different benefits, so choosing the right type or blend of cover crop(s) is very important for your garden! We're here to give you the tips on how to choose the right cover crop. What Are Cover Crops? Cover crops have many benefits for your soil. They provide a natural means to improve soil health, suppress weeds, slow erosion, help control pests and disease. While each cover crop variety has one or two main purposes, it is also beneficial to mix cover crops. Generally, cover crops are sown in your garden space after your growing season. So let's go through them so you know how to choose the right cover crop. Types Of Cover Crops Brown Top Millet Brown Top Millet provides excellent ground cover for weed suppression during warmer months. It also makes a great livestock forage and green manure for adding organic matter to soils. Millet is a tall, bunching grass that can get up to 12 feet high. Because it is a bunching grass, it fo

Do many people think there is a difference between cowpeas, field peas, and Crowder peas but is there? Did you know- field peas are great for soil conditioning since they are high in Nitrogen. Is There A Difference? Cowpeas are grown in the South since they are adaptable, heat-tolerant, and drought-resistant. Southern peas prefer warm to hot weather, with air temperatures between 70° and 95°F (21-32°C)–most days exceeding 85°F (29°C). Southern peas require 60 to 90 frost-free days to reach harvest. Field Peas and Cowpeas are pretty much the same! Zone 7 - fall planting July 1st-July30th. Zone 8 -fall planting July 15-Aug 15 Zone 9 - fall planting Aug 1st- Aug 30th Different Types - What Are Field Peas? These peas have been grouped into the following market classes based on seed type and color: Black eye and purple eye—The immature pods shell easily because the hull (pod wall) is pliable and the seeds come out of the pod clean and free. The shelled peas are attractive, mild-flavored, an

It's HOT down here in SW Georgia. We've been harvesting a lot lately and fighting the high temperatures but we are thinking about our Fall gardens and what we should be doing in the garden now! Garden Chores While chore lists may not be everyone's favorite, this is one chore list that every gardener needs! Stay on top of weeds/pestsHarvest/PreservePruning of Spring-Flowering ShrubsContinue fertilization schedule Mulch your garden bedsWater plants deeply and regularlyReplenish/Amend SoilRemove Plant DebrisPlant uncovered spaces with cover crops/tarpsBuy seeds for fall - at Hoss Tools (of course)Succession planting Zone 9 - What You Should Be Doing Your first frost date of when it will really start to cool down is typically around December 10th on average. If you are planting fall tomatoes and peppers you should start them in the seed trays in mid-August and you can then put them in the ground in mid-September. Tomatoes and peppers have a 75-day maturity and you should be able to harvest in Nov

It's that time of year again! We're smack in the middle of June, it's HOT and we've got lots of tomatoes growing in the garden. The best gardening tips to grow lots of tomatoes...right here! Blossom End Rot Blossom End Rot is one of the most common diseases when it comes to growing tomatoes. It is a physiological disorder of a tomato. Symptoms are water-soaked spots on the blossom end of the fruit. These spots can become enlarged and black in color. Secondary infection by decay-causing organisms usually follows. The cause of this disorder is a calcium deficiency in the developing fruit. Extreme fluctuations in moisture, rainy or cloudy weather with high humidity, cool temperatures, insufficient soil calcium, root pruning from nearby cultivation, and excessive ammoniacal nitrogen, potassium, or magnesium fertilization can also increase the chances of blossom end rot. The "Wilt" Issue Southern Bacterial Wilt and Tomato Spotted Wilt are two issues when it comes to growing tomatoes. Southern Bacteria

Tonight we talk sweet corn and field corn, what is the difference? When should you plant and harvest? How much should you plant for your family? Sheila gives us tips on the best way to preserve your corn harvest! Sweet Corn Vs. Field Corn Field Corn has been around the longest (for hundreds of years), originating in Mexico and South America. It is used for grits and corn meal; it is typically dried on the stalk to around a 23-25% moisture level. Animal feed is also made up of field corn. Sweet corn is typically harvested and eaten in the immature stage (milk stage) on the stalk, they have a relatively high moisture content. Sweet corn is bred for its sweet taste. Stowells Evergreen is the oldest heirloom sweet corn that we carry, it was developed in the mid-1800s. It is standard sweet corn (su) and with it being an heirloom, you can save the seeds. Our most popular is the Silver Queen, which was developed in the 1960s, Silver Queen is a standard (su) sweet corn variety that is a hybrid. This year w

What is a sweet potato? Even though sweet potatoes originated from Central and South America (the same as potatoes), they are not related to potatoes. Sweet potatoes belong to the bindweed or morning glory family. Let's do a deep dive into all things about how to grow sweet potatoes. How To Grow Sweet Potatoes - Fun Facts This tropical crop needs at least four months of warm weather and warm soil, but they are drought- and heat-tolerant and have few pests or diseases. Compare a sweet potato vine’s foliage and flowers to those of morning glory and you’ll see the family resemblance. Sweet potatoes are not yams, which are related to grasses and lilies. They’re also not related to regular white potatoes, which belong to the nightshade family, versus the morning glory family. As mentioned above, potatoes’ edible portion is a true tuber, while sweet potatoes produce tuberous roots.They were used in folk remedies to treat asthma, night blindness, and diarrhea. Recommended Varieties The fastest-growing

What is drip irrigation? What are the advantages of using drip irrigation, if any? Are there disadvantages to using drip irrigation? Do you bury or not? Let's discuss all things drip irrigation! What is Drip Irrigation? A method of nourishment to crops that involves controlling the amount of water and fertilizer applied across a specific space. In order to improve the efficiency of the irrigation system, water and fertilizers are supplied directly to the crop root zone. This helps to reduce the loss of resources through evaporation, drift, and runoff. Advantages Of Using Drip Irrigation Fewer weeds between rows, putting water only underneath or beside the plantsPrevents disease by minimizing water contact with the leaves, stems, and fruit of plantsWater conservation uses 30-50% less waterWater applications are more frequent which provides a more favorable moisture level for the plants to thrivePrevents overwateringSaves time, money, and water.Decreases labor. Eliminates hours of hand-wateringFe

What should you be doing in the garden now? Let's talk about Zones 6-9 and the tips you should be applying to your garden now to reap the harvests this season. Don't forget to check out Hoss University for many growing guides on our most popular vegetables! More to come! What You Should Be Doing In Your Garden Now ZONE 9 Succession planting, Cover CropsHeat-loving favorites to plant now are okra, southern peas, and sweet potatoesWatch for disease and nutritional disorders in tomato plants.Pest Control (squash bugs, Aphids, Corn Worms) Watch for thrips, scale, and mites on plants because they become more active in warm weather.Manage Pollinators ZONE 8 ScoutingSweet Potatoes, Succession planting, Cover Crops, SoybeansPest Control (squash Bugs, Aphids, Corn Worms)Manage PollinatorsTomatoes – Stay the course, have a trellis system in place for your tomato patch before the plants begin to sprawl.Take care of the Garden, Stay on top of weeds ZONE 7 Planting should be safe to plant transplant

Food is essential for survival. Could you survive if there was a food shortage, rising prices, and supply-chain issues? What can you do to be ready? Sheila and Greg discuss how you can prepare for a family, ways to preserve, why you should preserve, and what the latest is on the food shortage. Is There A Food Shortage? Price of wheat up 51%, Price of corn up 20% Supply chain still not recovered from Pandemic, US only imports 20% of its overall food supply from other countries, but due to the import of pesticides and fertilizers that help us produce these crops, a shortage could occur. Considering the rising price of groceries, the slowdown of production in meat packaging, failing farms, labor shortages, and political upheavals lead one to entertain the idea that food storage could possibly be on the horizon. The food shortage is centered around future crop production. You should always plan for the future. How Can We Prepare? Having a 3-month food supply is a great place to start. Start a garden,