Wheel Hoe Blog

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On this week’s episode, we discuss growing summer squash and cucumbers. Summer squash and cucumbers are in the cucurbit family. These plants have a relatively fast maturity date, but can be susceptible to fungal diseases as temperatures increase. Diseases like powdery mildew and downy mildew can cause problems on squash plants once humidity levels increase in early summer. Drip irrigation drastically helps to alleviate those pressures by reducing leaf moisture. Summer squash and cucumbers are also susceptible to insect pressure from cucumber beetles, squash bugs and more. These insects are easily controlled in the larval stage, but can be difficult to manage once adult populations bloom. Using B.t. early can help to prevent large adult populations. Crop rotation and proper removal of crop debris are also extremely important when growing cucurbits. Fungal spores and insect eggs can overwinter in the garden soil and cause problems in future years. Therefore, it’s important to move these plants from year to year to prevent recurring issues. Some of our favorite varieties of summer squash include Sunburst, Golden Delight and Goldprize. Some of our favorite cucumber varieties include Calypso and Stonewall. Both of these varieties are gynoecious, which means they only produce female flowers and are extremely productive.

On the Show & Tell segment, we taste a sample of yellow carrots that have recently been harvested from Travis’ garden. This variety is called Yellowstone and has always performed well in fall and spring. It produces very large, bright yellow carrots that are sweet and delicious. Greg also has some asparagus that he enjoys raw or cooked on the grill.

On the Q & A segment, we answer questions about tomato cross pollination and “topping” peppers. Tomatoes are self-pollinating, but natural cross pollination can occur, although rare. Most people, including us, have had no problems with planting multiple varieties of tomatoes in the same row. Greg mentions that he’s never heard of “topping”, or removing the apical meristem, on peppers. He says that he doesn’t see any benefit to doing that.

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Yellowstone Carrot

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On this week’s episode, we discuss techniques for growing peppers and pepper varieties to plant in the vegetable garden. Pepper seed germination can take a while and will require some patience. Some varieties will take up to 2 weeks for germination. Hot pepper varieties usually take longer to germinate than sweet pepper varieties. Pepper transplants grow well in our heavy-duty seed starting trays when placed on a heated germination mat. Because pepper seedlings can be quite fragile, we recommend replanting them in 4″ pots before transplanting into the ground. This will allow the stem to become stronger and more durable. Large pepper plants will need some form of support to keep them upright and keep fruits off the ground. For just a few plants, we recommend using our smaller Tomato Cages. For many plants or an entire row of peppers, the Florida Weave trellising technique works great. You can use cotton twine or commercial-grade, poly twine for this technique. Our current pepper varieties include Bayonet Bell Pepper, Gold Rush Banana Pepper, Tiburon Poblano Pepper, Beaver Dam Hot Pepper and many others. Bayonet Bell Pepper is a hybrid variety that produces blocky, consistently-sized fruits. The Tiburon Poblano Pepper and Beaver Dam Hot Pepper, although not very hot at all, are some of our favorites for grilling and stuffing.

On the Show & Tell segment, we talk about green onions or spring onions. Greg has some green onions from his garden that are just starting the bulbing process. At this stage, it is important to provide the onion plants with plenty of water, but not to fertilize them anymore. Once the vegetative stage has ended, the plants will require no more fertilizer and just need ample amounts of water to produce large, sweet onions.

On the Q & A segment, we answer questions about heat-tolerant lettuce varieties and storing seed potatoes that have been cut. Cherokee and Muir lettuce are varieties that have been highly-acclaimed by many market farmers, and are known to be very heat-resistant. We hope to carry both of these varieties in the near future in pelleted form. When cutting seed potatoes, we simply put them in a bucket and leave them in a dry, cool place. They could be spread on a table or other surface, but we haven’t found that to be necessary.

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Bayonet Bell Pepper

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On this week’s episode, the guys talk about growing vegetable seedlings in a greenhouse. Greg explains how this can be tough for someone who is at work all day, because the greenhouse and the plants inside it will need repeated supervision. Unless some automated systems are used, it’s not very realistic for those who are away from home during the day. They discuss how vegetable seedlings need a constant environment and to avoid sudden changes in temperatures. In their greenhouse this is done by opening the windows based on the outside temperature. They talk about grow lights and how they should be put directly on top of the seed tray initially and slowly elevated as the plants grow. This will prevent plants from becoming leggy as they attempt to climb to the lights. Travis explains that they don’t use an automatic watering system, but that those are extremely handy if you’re going to be away for a prolonged period of time. He also suggests having a spigot at the greenhouse to better utilize a fertilizer injection tool like their Brass Siphon Mixer. This tool allows you to easily water and fertilize vegetable seedlings simultaneously.

On the Show & Tell segment, Greg has some English peas that are maturing in his garden. He mentions that the plants are loaded with blooms and he’s been harvesting the pods as they are ready. They explain that English peas from the home garden taste so much better than those bought at the store, and that they are also great to eat raw. Travis brought a few Bolero carrots from his garden. They are not as large as he would like yet, but they are slowly getting there. They also discuss the taste difference between homegrown carrots and those purchased at the grocery store.

On the Q & A segment, they answer questions about corn ear worms and suggested crops for a first year vegetable garden. Greg explains that planting early is one of the first keys to success against corn ear worms. Travis also mentions that applying Spinosad Garden Insect Spray to the silks and tassels a couple times a week will also take care of the problem. For a first year vegetable garden, Travis recommends using the KISS principle — Keep It Simple Stupid. He explains that one should strive to do 3-5 crops really well versus doing 10 crops unsuccessfully. He suggests growing potatoes, beans and squash — crops that are relatively easy to grow.

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Short Single Tine Cultivator

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On this week’s episode, the guys talk about corn varieties for sweet and field corn. They begin by discussing the different types of sweet corn which are indicated by the genes present. There are three main sweet corn categories based on the genes they have — su (standard), se (sugary extender) and sh2 (supersweet). There are also varieties with combinations of these genes, which is the case with the Honey Select variety. The su, or standard, varieties include those older cultivars such as Silver Queen, Silver King and Stowell’s Evergreen. These varieties have more starch and less sugar as compared to the se and sh2 varieties. The se, or sugary extender, varieties include cultivars such as Ambrosia, Peaches and Cream and Incredible. The sh2, or supersweet, varieties have the highest sugar content and store the longest, but are the most finicky when it comes to germination and planting depth. Greg recommends that beginner gardeners go with one of the su varieties, but that he has grown many of the se varieties in the last few years with great success. They also talk about their field corn varieties which include Jimmy Red, Blue Hopi, Truckers Favorite and Hickory King — all of which are great for grinding into corn meal and grits.

On the Show & Tell segment, they sample a couple beets from Travis’ garden. Travis mentions that a customer recently asked him about the taste difference between red and golden beets. To help answer the question, he brought a Merlin beet and a Touchstone Gold beet from his garden. After sampling, they both agree that the Merlin beet has a sweeter flavor and higher sugar content, but that they are both delicious and fun to grow.

On the Q & A segment, they answer questions about pickling okra and planting asparagus or strawberries. Greg brought a book called “The Pickled Pantry” and agrees to send it to the guest who asked the question. He mentions that the book contains several great pickled okra recipes that he’s tried with great success. Travis explains that they have several beds of asparagus growing behind the warehouse, and that they also have a couple asparagus growing videos on their YouTube Channel.

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Premium Corn Seed

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On this week’s episode, the guys talk about vegetable garden design and what they’re planting in their spring gardens. Travis has a sketch of his new 1/4 acre garden plot that they prepared using a tractor harrow and chisel plow last weekend. He mentioned that he will still need to till the area once, but it should be ready to plant after that. They discuss how they prefer a garden design with subplots, as opposed to having one large continuous garden. The subplot design makes it easier to compartmentalize certain crops and makes it easier to practice proper crop rotation. Travis mentions that his new garden area consists of six subplots that are each 30′ x 35′. Greg shows a sketch of his garden area where there are 7 subplots that vary in size slightly. They both talk about the importance of having walkways between the plots, and they prefer grass walkways over wood chips.

On the Show & Tell segment, they share a bulb of raw kohlrabi from Travis’ garden. Travis mentions how he prefers to eat the kohlrabi raw, but that it also tastes great when cooked. They discuss how they’ve recently started pepper, tomato and eggplant seedlings for spring. Greg also talks about a new product in their seed line, Wynne Peanut. He explains that this is an improved variety with excellent disease resistance, high oleic acid content and great storage potential.

On the Q & A segment, they answer questions about tomatoes splitting and tomato trellising stakes. Greg mentions that tomatoes will split as a result of excess moisture or irregular watering. He suggests that drip irrigation allows for more consistent watering. But if the excess water is a result of rainfall, there’s not much you can do. He does explain that the hybrid, round varieties are less susceptible to splitting as compared to the heirloom varieties. Travis states that he prefers t-posts and wooden stakes for his Florida Weave tomato trellising. While the t-posts are a bit of an upfront investment, the wooden stakes can be easily found and will last for several years before needing replacement.

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Hoss Gardening Gloves

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On this week’s episode, the guys talk about growing tomatoes in the vegetable garden. They mention that tomatoes are one of the most popular crops in vegetable gardens across the world, but that they can also be one of the most challenging to grow. They first discuss the different varieties that are available, including heirloom and hybrid variations. Heirlooms, while beautiful and delicious, can be highly susceptible to diseases. Meanwhile, the hybrids provide a more consistent appearance and are resistant to troublesome diseases like tomato spotted wilt virus. They suggest growing tomatoes like Bella Rosa, Mountain Glory and Brickyard for disease-resistance and improved yields. They explain why growing your own plants is a much better option than purchasing them at a store. They also explain that the size of the transplant has nothing to do with how well the plant will do once planted in the ground. They discuss trellising techniques including cages and using twine to do the Florida Weave. Travis suggests using cages for indeterminate varieties and the Florida Weave for determinate varieties. Finally, they explain the importance of adequate calcium when growing tomatoes. Supplementing calcium by adding Pelletized Gypsum will help to prevent blossom end rot, which is caused by a calcium deficiency.

On the Show & Tell segment, Greg has a Watermelon Radish that he grew. They cut into the radish and observe the bright pink to purple coloration on the inside of the radish root. Travis mentions that watermelon radish, also called red meat radish, tends to be less spicy than traditional radishes. They also take longer to grow but are less susceptible to splitting as they get larger.

On the Q & A segment, they answer questions about lunar planting and the difference between ammonium nitrate and Chilean Nitrate. Travis explains that the concept of lunar planting is a myth or “old wives’ tale,” and that potatoes will grow regardless of the moon phase. He suggests planting potatoes as soon as your climate or soil conditions will allow, and not to wait on the moon for planting. Greg explains that Chilean Nitrate is an organic product that is naturally mined in Chile, while ammonium nitrate is a chemically produced fertilizer. While they have a very similar action in the soil, one is naturally-derived and the other isn’t.

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Watermelon Radish

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On this week’s episode, the guys discuss their favorite tips and practices for growing a huge potato harvest. They walk through the four varieties of seed potatoes that they now carry, which include Yukon Gold, Red Norland, Adirondack Blue and German Butterball. They mention how some varieties are early-maturing and others are late-maturing, and that this should be taken into consideration when planting. They suggest planting potatoes 3-4 weeks before the last frost date in spring. For their planting zone, which is zone 8, the ideal planting time is Valentines Day throughout the end of February. They talk about cutting potatoes to get more from the seed potatoes purchased. They suggest cutting the seed potatoes so that there are 2-3 eyes on each piece. Seed potatoes should be cut several days before the intended planting date, because they need time to suberize or heal. This will prevent the potatoes from rotting in the ground, make them less susceptible to fungal disease in the soil and provide a better potato harvest in the end. They mention that the Hoss Double or High Arch Wheel Hoe with the Plow Set attachment is the perfect tool for planting potatoes. The Plow Set allows you to make a planting furrow and cover the potatoes easily, just by pushing the wheel hoe along the row. Hilling, or covering the plants with soil, will also ensure a large potato harvest. This should be done every 2-3 weeks as the plants grow, leaving just a few leaves uncovered.

On the Show & Tell segment, Greg brought some Daikon radishes that he grew as a cover crop in his garden. Although these were grown as a cover crop, they are also great to eat and are considered a high-demand crop in some markets. Travis explains why Tillage Radish works so well as a cover crop. The long roots penetrate deeply into the soil, providing aeration and reducing soil compaction. The roots also sequester nutrients from deep and store them so that they are available to the upper soil layer when they are incorporated or tilled into the soil.

On the Q & A segment, they answer questions about harvesting peppers and growing onions from seed. Travis suggests growing peppers in cages to provide more airflow and allow leaves to spread. This will help to prevent fruit from being stuck in the middle of the plant and being inaccessible for harvest. Greg explains that onion plants can be grown from seed in the greenhouse, but that it is much easier to just purchase plants from companies like Dixondale.

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Tillage Radish

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On this week’s episode, the guys talk about succession planting crops in the vegetable garden for continual harvests throughout the respective growing season for a particular crop. Succession planting is an effective strategy for one-time harvest crops or crops that are continually harvested throughout the growing season. They first discuss succession planting with cool-season crops like lettuce, kohlrabi, beets, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. Travis mentions that he likes to succession plant these on 1 month intervals. This means that he will start seeds for these crops every 4 weeks and always have them in the garden throughout the fall and winter growing seasons. In the cooler seasons, crops are less likely to bolt and will hold better in the field. This allows one to harvest vegetables as they need them, instead of having to harvest the entire crop at one time. They also talk about succession planting warm-season crops that decline in production as the plants age. They specifically mention okra and squash, which tend to be less productive once the plants reach a certain age. To keep that continual high-productivity in their gardens, they will succession plant okra and squash every couple of months to ensure that they have those crops producing throughout the warm growing season.

On the Show & Tell segment, Greg has a head of Skyphos lettuce from his garden. Skyphos is a variety of red butterhead lettuce that does really well for them. They have it available in a pelleted seed form which makes it easy to singulate when planting in seed trays. They also show some seed potatoes that they are now carrying on their website. They have four different varieties which include Yukon Gold, Red Norland, Adirondack Blue and German Butterball. They also are now carrying their favorite gardening gloves which offer comfort, durability and flexibility.

On the Q & A segment, they talk about some upcoming seed varieties that will be posted on the website soon. These include a couple new varieties of beets. One of the beet varieties called Solo and it is a monogerm variety, which means it does not require thinning like the multigerm varieties. They also have a new beet variety named Kestrel which offers superior disease-resistance and uniformity.

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Skyphos Butterhead Lettuce

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On this week’s episode, the guys talk about vegetable seed and the differences between hybrid, heirloom and GMO seed. They first define heirloom seed as those that have been passed from generation to generation back in the early 1900s. Heirloom plants are open-pollinated, which means that seed can be saved and used for the next year’s crop. Some heirlooms are locally adapted to handle certain disease or pest pressures, which is certainly an advantage. One misconception about heirloom seed is that they have better taste or flavor than hybrid varieties. While the heirlooms may have a more unique shape, many of the modern-day hybrid seeds offer superb flavor comparable to that of heirlooms. They talk about hybrid seeds being the result of a cross-breeding between two related varieties. With hybrids, all of the first generation (F1) plants are the same. However, hybrid seeds cannot be reliably saved because the F2 individuals will not be true to variety. Hybrid seeds are great because they usually offer increased disease or pest-resistance and increased productivity. Finally, they discuss how GMO seeds are manufactured and address the ecological ramifications of seeds that allow the widespread use of non-selective herbicides.

On the Show & Tell segment, Travis has a head of Butter Crunch Lettuce that he harvested earlier that day. He mentions the butterhead lettuce is his favorite because it has such a smooth texture and rich flavor. Butterhead lettuce is great for making wraps with shrimp, chicken or pork.

On the Q & A segment, they answer questions about knife sharpening and the cost of hybrid seeds. Greg mentions that a leather strop is his favorite device for sharpening a knife. As long as the blade isn’t extremely dull, it can worked to shape fairly easily with a leather strop and sharpening compound. Travis mentions that hybrids seeds are usually more expensive because they are more costly to produce. They are also usually better quality seed because they have been bred for disease-resistance or high productivity.

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Butter Crunch Lettuce

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On this week’s episode, the guys talk about the best knives for gardening and general use around the homestead. They each chose five of their favorite knives that they use frequently around their garden and farm. They first talk about the different types of metal present on modern day knives and discuss the differences between high-carbon steel and stainless steel. They mention that high-carbon steel is easier to sharpen, but requires more maintenance and care. The high-performance stainless steels, which have become increasingly popular as of late, are great but can take longer to sharpen because the metal is harder. Travis’ favorite knives include the ESEE-3, the Morakniv Craftline, the Kershaw Leek and his newly acquired Benchmade 940. Greg’s favorite knives include Buck folders and several made by Bark River Knives. They conclude that the Kershaw Leek and the Bushlore Knife are the best two knives for the money.

On the Show & Tell segment, Travis has a head of Parris Island Romaine Lettuce that he grew in his garden. They give the lettuce a taste test and talk about the flavor compared to traditional iceberg lettuce. Greg mentions that romaine is his favorite type of lettuce to grow. They discuss how romaine is great for making caesar salads or using for lettuce wraps with chicken, pork or shrimp.

On the Q & A segment, they answer questions about starting spring crops in seed trays and the frequency at which soil samples should be taken. They explain that they usually start spring transplants around early February, and these would include tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, okra and watermelons. Greg explains soil sampling and suggests that the potassium, or “potash”, levels shouldn’t change much between winter and spring. He recommends not sampling the soil again as those nutrients should still be there for spring planting.

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Bushlore Garden Knife

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On this week’s episode, the guys talk about the different ways to prepare a garden plot for planting. They first discuss how to determine the appropriate size of the garden. They explain how they prefer small subplots versus one large garden plot. The subplots make the garden easier to manage and are more friendly to proper crop rotation. They talk about different ways to prepare the soil on a new garden plot. These would include using a bottom plow, harrow, tiller or tarping. They suggest starting a couple months before you intend to plant, as this will allow enough time to break up the grass clumps and get the tilth to a working state.

On the Show & Tell segment, Travis has a jar of pickled okra that his father-in-law made. The guys try it on the show and talk about their favorite ways to make pickled okra. Travis brought a head of white cauliflower that he harvested from the demonstration garden at the Sunbelt Ag Expo. Although it can take a while to produce, cauliflower is one of the best-tasting treats from the cool-weather vegetable garden. He also has a head of purple cauliflower called Graffiti. This is a great variety that is rich in antioxidants and holds it color when cooked.

On the Q & A segment, they answer questions about planting the Premium Greens Mix and how to manage squash borers. Travis explains that the Asian greens mixes are pretty cold-hardy and can be planted anytime throughout the fall and winter growing seasons. Succession planting these beds of greens is a great strategy to ensure continuous harvests throughout the cooler months. They mention that squash vine borers are more easily controlled in the larval stage, but can be difficult to manage once adult populations begin to thrive. They suggest using rotations of B.t. and spinosad to eliminate larval individuals and prevent adult populations from flourishing and doing maximal damage.

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Graffiti Cauliflower

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On this week’s episode, the guys discuss their New Years Resolutions for their own personal gardens. Some of their New Years Resolutions include expanding their garden size, growing more cover crops, growing more winter squash in spring, doing more pickling and fermenting, and growing more okra. Travis mentions that he has plans to expand his garden area by 1/4 acre after the removal of trees and preparation of the soil. This will add at least six more subplots to his current garden production. He also mentions that he would like to incorporate more summer cover crops into the rotation, especially in the months of August and September when many things won’t grow due to the extreme heat. Greg explains that one of his New Years Resolutions is to increase his soil health by nurturing the earthworm and microbial populations in it.

On the Show & Tell segment, Travis has some Purple Vienna Kohlrabi and Premium Greens Mix that he grew in his garden. The Purple Vienna Kohlrabi is a great fall/winter vegetable that is cold-hardy, fast-growing and great to eat. The leaves are edible, but most people grow them for the bulb which sits at the bottom of the plant. The bulb has a flavor that resembles a cross between cabbage and a cucumber.

The Premium Greens Mix is a combination of several different mustard-like greens, and is a great fast-growing, productive crop to grow in the cooler months. It is a “cut and come again” crop that may be harvested 3-4 times throughout the cool growing season. It’s great when prepared raw for a salad, but also can be sautéed with other cool weather vegetables.

On the Q & A segment, they answer questions about pelleted seed and how to plant mustard as a cover crop. They explain that pelleted seed will definitely be something they carry in the future, but the varieties may be limited initially. They contrast growing a large cover crop of mustard versus a small one, and explain that broadcasting is more feasible on a larger plot while a walk-behind seeder works well for smaller plots.

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Farmer’s File

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On this week’s episode, the guys discuss using biofumigation as a sustainable technique for controlling harmful soil pests like nematodes. Broadleaf mustard is a great cover crop to use for biofumigation. Travis talks about a plot that he has grown throughout the fall in an attempt to remove nematodes that he found on an okra crop. When certain crops (like mustard) are chopped and incorporated into the soil, they release chemical compounds that fumigate the soil and kill harmful soil pests.

They talk about best practices for incorporating the biofumigant crop into the soil, including what equipment to use and when to do it. They mention that the plant leaves must be adequately chopped for the biofumigant chemicals to be released. This is best done with a tiller or a harrow. The chopping and incorporation of the biomass is also best done when the soil is somewhat moist. Due to the release of the biofumigant gases, it is important to not plant anything in that area until the cover crop is completely decomposed. This will ensure any of the biofumigant effects do not affect the following crop.

On the Show & Tell segment, the guys talk about the large amounts of rain they’ve been having and how it has impeded their ability to cultivate the garden. They mention that they have been unable to inject fertilizer through the drip system, but have been side dressing using Chilean Nitrate. Travis talks about his onions and how he’s been fertilizing them regularly lately.

On the Q & A segment, they read a letter from a 16 year old boy who raises chickens for egg production. The boy grows his own corn for feed and was having trouble with weeds hampering his corn production. The guys were glad to grant his Christmas wish and send him a new High Arch Wheel Hoe to help him grow more corn.

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Broadleaf Mustard

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On this week’s episode, the guys talk about the best gardening gifts under $20 for the holiday season. The first one they show is the Carrot and Potato Washing Brush, which is an excellent vegetable brush for harder-skinned gardening harvests. This brush is made in the USA and very high-quality. The second stocking stuffer is the Hoss Garden Planner, which provides planting dates, plant spacing, row spacing and even companion planting suggestions for a wide variety of vegetable crops. The next gardening gifts include Wooden Garden Labels and the Farmers File, which is great for keeping hoes and other hand tools sharp. Greg then shows the Corn Silking Brush, which is hard to find but very useful for removing the silks on fresh sweet corn. Travis shows one of his favorite tools for pickling vegetables, which is the Pickle Packer vegetable tamper. The last gardening gifts under $20 include Cotton Butcher String, the California Knife and the Handy Twine Knife, which are all especially handy to have around the farm and garden. They also discuss some of their favorite gardening gifts that are not available on the Hoss Tools site. These would include Muck Boots, Foxgloves, a Buck pocket knife, Row Cover and a Filson wax canvas hat.

On the Show & Tell segment, Greg has a head of broccoli that came from Travis’ garden. Travis mentions that this is the Green Magic variety, which is especially heat-tolerant compared to other standard broccoli varieties. He mentions that they will soon carry two varieties of broccoli, Green Magic and Arcadia. While Green Magic is especially heat-tolerant, Acadia performs well in cool weather when soil moisture tends to be higher.

On the Q & A segment, they answer a question about a 40 year old fig tree ceasing production. Greg mentions that disease can sometimes cripple old trees, but that he would still have hope for it. He recommends pruning all the old, dead wood and performing a drastic pruning to the new wood.

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Bushlore Garden Knife

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On this week’s episode, the guys talk about fig varieties and how to propagate new trees from existing ones. They talk about the different flavor profiles that can be present in a given fig variety. These can include berry, honey or sugar. Berry figs have more of a strawberry or fruity taste and tend to have a purple or red pulp. Honey figs have a caramel or molasses flavor and tend to have a golden pulp with yellow skin. Sugar figs have a basic, sweet sugary taste with a slight tannin flavor and will have a brown or amber pulp and dark skin. All fig varieties can be a combination of any of these categories, so the flavor scale is more of a continuum than a specific classification. Greg talks about open-eye versus close-eye figs and mentions how the close-eye trait is an adaptation that protects the figs from insects and makes the fruit more palatable. Travis mentions that figs are parthenocarpic, meaning they don’t require fertilization to produce fruit. The fig, in fact, is simply an collection of unfertilized female reproductive organs. They also discuss the work done at LSU where many improved fig varieties have been developed over the years and released to the public.

On the Show & Tell segment, Greg has a satsuma orange that he got from a neighbor’s tree. He explains that these types of citrus can be grown well in the deep south as long as the winters aren’t too cold. Travis brought a beet to taste test on the show. The beet is the Merlin variety, which has a very high sugar content compared to other red beet varieties. He also has a purple kohlrabi bulb and they sample that as well. Kohlrabi is a great vegetable that’s easy to grow and has excellent taste raw or cooked.

On the Q & A segment, they answer questions about drip irrigation and Greg’s hat. They explain the crops for which they prefer drip irrigation, and those that they prefer to use overhead irrigation. Travis uses more drip irrigation than Greg, so it tends to be a matter of personal preference with some crops. Greg mentions that his hat is a Filson. It is a waxed canvas which can get hot in the warmer months, but is the perfect hat for winter.

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Diamond Hoe

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On this week’s episode, the guys talk about growing garlic and elephant garlic in their southern climate. They begin by distinguishing between hardneck and softneck garlic. Travis mentions that softneck grows well in areas with milder winters, whereas hardneck garlic prefers areas where winters can get pretty cold. Greg explains that softneck garlic is what is traditionally found at the grocery store. He then shares his experience with growing softneck garlic. Garlic needs cold temperatures  or vernalization, which is the induction of flowering or bulbing. This vernalization period is necessary for the garlic bulb to stratify, or produce cloves. Greg mentions that it rarely gets cold enough in South Georgia for that stratification to take place. On the other hand, the guys explain that they have had success growing elephant garlic. Elephant garlic, although related, isn’t a true garlic. Elephant garlic is closer related to leeks than garlic. They plant elephant garlic around the same time they plant onions. They dig a furrow and plant the cloves with the pointed ends up, about 3-4″ deep in the soil.

On the Show & Tell segment, Travis brings the bottom of an okra stalk from his garden. Due to the cool weather, he recently pulled his okra plants from the soil. He mentions that this is a good opportunity to check for root knot nematodes. From the appearance of these roots, there doesn’t appear to be any root knot nematode damage, which is good. He also brought some transplants that are ready to go in the ground, which include romaine lettuce, Brussels sprouts and beets.

On the Q & A segment, they answer questions about soil blocking and pruning Brussels sprouts. Greg mentions that soil blocking is a good technique for people who like to take a long time to do something simple. He explains that the arguments for soil blocks don’t hold water against their heavy-duty seed starting trays. Travis talks about topping Brussels sprouts to get a better harvest. He mentions that once the axillary buds begin to form on the stalks, the tops should be cut with pruners to focus more of the plant energy into the sprouts.

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Pruning Shears

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On this week’s episode, the guys take a break from the traditional gardening discussion and talk about the best Christmas gift ideas for gardeners. They have a top 10 list that they reveal. They start with some cutting tools including their Watermelon Knife, Hatchet and Village Machete. Greg talks about how a nice machete is a perfect gift for anyone because it is such a versatile tool with many different uses around the farm and garden. Travis continues through the list with a couple of his favorite short-handle tools, which include the Short Single Tine Cultivator and their famous Garden Trowel. He mentions that the Single Tine Cultivator is absolutely his favorite tool for weeding onions, garlic and similar crops. He talks about the strength of the Garden Trowel and how it is guaranteed with a lifetime warranty. They then feature a couple harvesting containers which include the TubTrug Colander and the extremely popular Over-the-Shoulder Harvesting Bucket. Travis speaks about the durability and indestructibility of the Tubtrug Colander and how it won’t become brittle over time. And finally, the number one gift idea is their Single Wheel Hoe. Greg mentions that this is the perfect gift for someone who is just getting into gardening.

On the Show & Tell segment this week, they talk the speculation of the Grand Solar Minimum that has been hypothesized by a UK scientist. Travis mentions that this is supposedly a more extreme, prolonged version of the solar minimum that happens every 11-12 years as a result of reduced solar flares. He mentions that many of the sites giving validity to the Grand Solar Minimum are in the “prepper” community. Greg mentions that he’s not going to worry about anything he can’t control. He also mentions that if anyone is going to be alright, he believes it will be them.

Top 10 Christmas Gift List

10. Watermelon Knife

9. Hatchet

8. Short Single Tine Cultivator

7. Village Machete

6. Garden Trowel

5. Complete Fermentation Kit

4. Old Hickory 8″ Slicer

3. TubTrug Colander

2. Over-the-Shoulder Harvesting Bucket

1. Single Wheel Hoe

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On this week’s episode, the guys talk about the most cold tolerant crops to grow in a vegetable garden. They begin by discussing factors that will increase cold tolerance. These include pre-conditioning and the amount of soil moisture present. If plants have been pre-conditioned to cooler temps, they will be more likely to survive than plants that experience a drastic drop in temperature. And because water has a high specific heat, it insulates soils and keeps them from freezing. They talk about the crops with the greatest cold tolerance which include carrots, beets, Brussels sprouts, collards, kale, parsley, spinach and leeks. Travis mentions that even with temperatures in the teens last year, he saw no damage to his carrots. They discuss the fact that collards are probably the most cold tolerant crop of them all, as some varieties have been noted to be cold tolerant down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. The crops that have moderate frost tolerance include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, mustard, onions, shallots, radishes and turnips. These crops will not die from a light frost, but it may burn the tips of the leaves or foliage.

On the Show & Tell segment this week, they talk about sweet corn in late fall and collards. Travis has an ear of corn harvested from the demonstration garden at the Hoss Sustainable Living Center. He mentions that most people only grow corn in the spring/summer, but that it can be grown throughout most of the year when no threat of frost is present. They also discuss collard varieties and reference a conversation between a seed representative about a trial between Tiger, Bulldog and Top Bunch collard varieties.

On the Q&A segment, they answer questions about trimming onions and planting shallots. Greg explains that he can’t see any reason to trim the tops of onions for an upcoming frost. The tops are the location of photosynthesis which is critical to the plant. And even though they may burn a little in the frost, they’ll be okay.  Travis mentions that shallots can also be planted at the same time as onions, but explains that green onions can be harvested as a smaller version of the Yellow Granex or Texas Legend onions they grow.

Tool of the Week

Digging Tool

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On this week’s episode, the guys talk about planting and growing onions. They talk about the difference between short-day, intermediate-day and long-day onions and how you can determine which type is best for your area. They also discuss the varieties that have worked well for them which include Texas Legend, Yellow Granex, Southern Belle Red and Red Creole. Greg and Travis discuss how they like to plant their onions thick and thin later when harvesting some as green onions. Travis mentions that growing onions can be broken into two phases — the foliage stage and the bulb stage. He explains that you want to grow as much foliage as you can, which in turn will create nice, large bulbs during the latter stages of the plant growth. They also talk about fertilizer needs for onions. They mention that onions need a complete fertilizer with phosphorous and potassium initially, but then mostly nitrogen throughout the rest of the foliage stage.

On the Show & Tell segment this week, they talk about some radishes that were just harvested from Travis’ garden. Greg mentions that he recently planted several rows but is concerned about the heavy rains affecting the germination. Travis also explains the difference between multiform and monogram beet seed, and the need for thinning when using multiform beet seed. He prefers to grow beets from transplants because he can thin in the greenhouse versus thinning in the field.

On the Q&A segment, they answer questions about phosphorous and glyphosate. Greg explains the different sources for adding phosphorous to garden soils, which include soft rock phosphate, hard rock phosphate, bone meal and triple phosphate. He mentions that soft rock phosphate would be his preferred organic solution, but that the inorganic forms work very well also. Travis explains that glyphosate will not kill mature weed seeds and is only engineered to kill the plant.

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Dibble Wheel Attachment

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On this week’s episode, the guys talk about planting carrots. They start by discussing the four different types of carrots that are defined mostly by their shape. The Danvers type is the traditional “bugs bunny” carrot that has broad shoulders and tapers down to a pointy tip. The Nantes type, which is Travis’ favorite, is more cylindrical with a blunt end. The imperator type is slender and long and would be best suited for softer, well-drained soils. Finally, the Chantenay type is a short and stubby carrot that would be best suited for harder, clay soils. Travis mentions his favorite varieties to plant which include Miami, Bolero, Yellowstone and Purple Haze. Greg talks about some of the mistakes he has made in the past when planting carrots. These would include not planting them thick enough and not having enough patience for germination.

On the Show & Tell segment this week, Greg talks about his sweet potato crop that he recently dug. He has two really nice sweet potatoes that he brought to show the audience. He mentions that it is probably the best crop he has ever grown and that they will have sweet potatoes to eat for many months. Travis provides an update on getting onion plants from Dixondale Farms and mentions that it looks like it will be the end of November before they will ship onion plants.

On the Q&A segment, they answer questions about no-till farming and ants in the garden. Travis mentions that true no-till farming can only be done with heavy commercial equipment because it’s tough to penetrate uncultivated soil with hand seeders. And although many market farmers claim to be “no-till,” they are actually minimum till. Greg and Travis prefer minimum till and only use the tiller when removing crop debris or leveling the soil. For ant control, Greg mentions that there are many toxic solutions on the market. But for use around the food garden, he prefers to use something like the Monterrey Ant Control which has non-toxic ingredients.

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Single Tine Cultivator

Short Single Tine Cultivator

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On this week’s episode, the guys talk about soil chemistry and the importance of having the correct soil pH. They define pH as the concentration of free hydrogen ions and explain how the pH scale works. Most vegetable annuals prefer a soil pH that is just slightly acidic, usually around 6.5.  They talk about factors that can lower soil pH, which include rainfall, addition of fertilizer and certain cover crops. Greg talks about the importance of performing periodic soil tests to keep an eye on the soil chemistry. While soil pH can be easily raised with the addition of lime, it is extremely impossible to lower pH if you get it too high. That’s why it’s important to have a soil test so that the correct amounts of any pH adjusting material are added. Finally, they discuss the important of macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium and sulfur. If pH is incorrect, then the availability of these nutrients will be affected.

On the Show & Tell segment this week, Travis talks about his recent sweet potato harvest and brings an extremely large sweet potato to show the audience. He mentions several techniques he tried this year that seemed to work well on his sweet potatoes. They also talk about the Rattlesnake pole beans growing in Travis’ garden. These have been a very prolific crop thus far and are very appealing to the eye because of their purple color.

On the Q&A segment, they answer a question about composting and whether it should be applied to the entire garden or just where the plants are going to be. Travis mentions that compost can serve two purposes — to improve the workability of the soil and also to provide nutrients. He also mentions that most composts are carbon-based, while they use mostly manure-based compost which has much more nitrogen. The carbon-based composts may be applied to the entire garden area as a way to amend or improve the soil structure, while the manure-based composts are typically only applied along the row due to the high nitrogen content.

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Garden Fork

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On this week’s episode, the guys discuss the recently popular “Back to Eden” gardening technique. This technique involves mulching the entire garden area with straw or wood chips in an attempt to reduce weed pressure and conserve moisture. Travis mentions that while it does suppress some weeds, there will still be weed seed inputs from wind, water and animals. And those weeds would require pulling by hand because of the inability to use a cultivating/weeding tool in a heavily mulched area. Greg mentions that replicating a forest environment is not a good idea for vegetable plants. When growing a vegetable garden, we must manipulate the environment because these plants such as tomatoes, peppers or watermelons are not native. As a result, mulched areas create an unnatural environment for these cultivated varieties. Travis also mentions that the Back to Eden method is not a very time-efficient method of gardening. With short-term annual crops, it requires too much time to remove mulch when you plant versus simply cultivating the area once a week.

On the Show & Tell segment this week, they talk about their upcoming event at the Sunbelt Ag Expo. Greg says the garden is looking good with corn, collards, cut flowers and more. Greg also has some Seminole Pumpkins that he recently harvested from his personal garden. This pumpkin variety is very resistant to viruses and diseases that typically plague pumpkins grown in southern climates. Travis mentions that the Seminole variety has great flavor and is perfect for making pies or even baby food.

On the Q&A segment, they answer a question about tillage radish spacing as a cover crop. Travis explains that recommendations suggest spacing of rows 6″ to 14″ apart, but that he would err on the side of having rows closer together. He suggests planting rows 6″ apart if planting tillage radish with a walk-behind seeder. Greg talks about the benefits of tillage radish as a cover crop because it acts as a sponge for nutrients and breaks down easily when incorporated into the soil.

Tool of the Week

Chilean Nitrate Fertilizer

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On this week’s episode, the guys discuss the wide variety of attachments that are available for the Hoss Wheel Hoe. They go through each attachment and help to explain which are the best wheel hoe attachments for each particular garden or situation. They talk about the new Winged Sweep attachment that just became available and how it has more “bite” than the cultivator teeth. This additional bite or angle of cultivation will be helpful to those with harder, clay soils or those with heavy weed pressure. They also differentiate between the standard Sweeps and the Oscillating Hoe attachments. They mention that the Sweeps are for lighter jobs, while the Oscillating Hoes are some of the best wheel hoe attachments for heavier applications. They discuss the usefulness of the Disk Harrow attachment for light cultivation in softer soils and talk about the Drip Tape Layer attachment being a huge labor-saving device.

On the Show & Tell segment this week, they talk about the variety of collards that they are growing this fall. This “Tiger” variety of collards is very similar to the Top Bunch variety that was so popular for many years. However, due to a crop failure, the Top Bunch variety is no longer available. They also provide an update on the demonstration garden at the Hoss Tools Sustainable Living Center for the Sunbelt Ag Expo and mention that they will be planting some mixed greens and cover crops there in the next few days.

On the Q&A segment, they answer a questions about well water vs. tap water and using drip tape on onions. Greg mentions that tap water, or “city water”, can affect the pH of your garden soil over time. He believes the chlorine concentrations are low enough to not have a significant effect, but that the pH should be monitored if one is using municipal water on their vegetable garden. Travis then explains his system for planting onions on drip tape, with two rows of onions per one line of drip tape.

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Spinosad Garden Insect Spray

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On this week’s episode, the guys discuss the best solutions for vegetable garden irrigation. They discuss which crops are more suitable for overhead irrigation or hand-watering. These would include very short-term crops like potatoes, mustard, or mixed greens. Because they have such a short maturity date, it’s really not worth the time to install drip irrigation on these crops. With longer maturing crops, they recommend using drip irrigation for many reasons. Using drip tape for garden irrigation saves time from having to move sprinklers around the garden and it also uses less water because the water is applied directly to the plant roots. Drip irrigation will also reduce weed pressure and plant diseases by limiting leaf moisture.  They explain the difference between surface and sub-surface drip irrigation, and they recommend burying drip tape as this is the most effective usage. They answer some frequently asked questions about emitter spacing, run time, using it with a gravity-fed system, lifespan and removal.

On the Show & Tell segment this week, they provide an update of the demonstration garden at the Hoss Tools Sustainable Living Center as part of the Sunbelt Ag Expo. Greg mentions that things are growing well despite some heavy whitefly pressure. They have a good stand of Ambrosia sweet corn growing and it will need hilling soon. Travis mentions that his okra is producing very well and he’s been using a new technique called the “prune and whoop” which has been effective.

On the Q&A segment, they answer a question about planting cover crops. Greg mentions that cover crops will need a light layer of soil on top of them to germinate. So after broadcasting on top of the soil, a light raking is needed to cover the seeds for germination. He mentions that a disk behind a tractor would bury the seeds too deep, but that the Disk Harrow attachment for the Hoss Wheel Hoe is a great way to cover those seeds.

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Rabbit and Squirrel Repellent

Broadleaf Mustard Cover Crop Seed

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On this week’s episode, the guys discuss growing cover crops to improve garden soil health. Hoss recently added a complete line of cool and warm-season cover crops on their website, and the guys are excited to share these with the audience this week. Growing cover crops has many benefits including nitrogen fixation, soil building, weed suppression, erosion control, pest and disease suppression among others. They discuss the five cool-season cover crops that should be planted in fall, giving the crops enough time to establish before winter frost arrives. These include crimson clover, hairy vetch, Austrian winter peas, winter rye and tillage radish. Clover, vetch and winter peas are all great nitrogen-fixers which sequester nitrogen from the atmosphere and add it to your garden soil. For harder, clay soils, the guys recommend using tillage radish to aerate hard soils and improve drainage in areas that hold too much moisture.

On the Show & Tell segment this week, they talk about their sweet potatoes that are still growing. They planted these in the middle of June and sweet potatoes usually require about 100 days to maturity. However, their plants were fairly weak when planted, which may delay this time to harvest. Travis brought a few small ones that he dug and mentions that they probably still need another 30 days or so to get larger. Travis also shows a photo of his Ambrosia sweet corn that was recently side-dressed with Chilean Nitrate and hilled with the High Arch Wheel Hoe. Greg shows a photo of his Pro-Cut Sunflowers that have started to bloom and are adding lots of color and pollinators to his fall garden.

On the Q&A segment, they answer questions about blood meal and baby lima beans. Greg mentions that blood meal is a fast, organic nitrogen source that can be used for heavy feeders like cabbage. He also mentions that he would probably not use it when close to harvest time. Travis addresses the baby lima bean issue and mentions that baby lima beans are a specific variety that have been bred to produce smaller beans.

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Dibble Wheel Attachment

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On this week’s episode, the guys discuss their favorite fall garden varieties that they’re growing this year. The crops include broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, lettuce, collards, beets, kohlrabi, cabbage and mixed asian greens. Their favorite variety of broccoli is called Green Magic and they like it because it is very heat-tolerant and does well planted early in fall. They do mention that broccoli should be harvested before it gets too “seedy”, as it is not very palatable once that happens. For cauliflower, their preferred fall garden varieties include the Denali variety for a white cauliflower. Last year they tried the purple cauliflower variety called “Graffiti” and it did really well up until the first frost.

On the Show & Tell segment this week, they talk about the Christmas Lima Beans that Travis has growing on a panel trellis in his garden. These are a speckled, running butterbean variety that has been very prolific when grown in previous years. The seed has a red and white variegated color that turns grey when cooked. These beans preserve well, dry well, and are also great for cooking fresh. Compared to a traditional green butterbean, these have a nuttier flavor that is great in soups.

On the Q&A segment, they answer questions about nut grass and choosing between the High Arch and Double Wheel Hoe. Nut grass can be one of the most persistent and annoying weeds in a vegetable garden. Travis mentions that it can be controlled by “aggravating it to death,” which simply means frequently cultivating a few times a week. He prefers to alternate between the cultivator teeth and the sweeps on the Wheel Hoe. Greg distinguishes between the High Arch Wheel Hoe and the Double Wheel Hoe. He mentions that the High Arch Wheel Hoe would be his preferred choice because of the versatility it offers with cultivating and weeding attachments.

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Garden Knife Combo

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On this week’s episode, the guys discuss muscadine grapes. Muscadines are a staple of the south and are not tolerable of extended cold periods below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Travis shows examples of the four different varieties of muscadines planted on his homestead. He two “bronze” varieties and two purple varieties. The larger bronze variety is called Scuppernong, which is probably the most prevalent variety. The smaller bronze variety grows in huge clusters and is great for making wine. Although the variety is unknown, the larger purple variety appears to resemble the popular “Cowart” variety, while the smaller purple one appears to be similar to the popular “Noble” variety. They discuss how muscadine vines are relatively maintenance free once established, and how they only need routine pruning once a year. Greg talks about the muscadine wine that they make and mentions that too much can cause one to have the “zoomies.”

On the Show & Tell segment this week, they talk about the crops they’ve been planting for fall. Travis has just planted a row of Rattlesnake Beans and Christmas Lima Beans on a panel trellis and they are just starting to emerge from the ground. Greg has a patch of Seminole pumpkins that are doing really well and starting to set small fruit. They also have recently planted fall potatoes for the first time and are very hopeful for that experiment. At their demonstration garden for the Sunbelt Expo, they’ve planted zinnias, cockscomb and okra thus far with much more to come.

On the Q&A segment, they answer questions about drying Indian corn and seed tray planting technique. Greg mentions that he puts his field corn in the greenhouse under a fan to keep the weevils off the corn until it dries completely. Then he’ll put the corn in the freezer which keeps the weevils dormant. Travis answers a question about overcrowding seed trays and he explains that they’ve never had any issues with their heavy-duty seed trays. He has a flat of scarlet kale for demonstration that is beautiful and ready to be transplanted.

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Dura Rake

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On this week’s episode, the guys talk about growing vegetable transplants. They cover everything from the best seed starting mix, the best seed starting trays, how to seed the trays, how to fertilize once the seeds germinate and more! They discuss several different methods for growing transplants including soil blocks, cheap, flimsy seed trays, and quality seed trays that last a lifetime. They debut the new Premium Seed Starting Kits for fall. These kits allow you to grow over 300 plants in one complete kit. Travis also explains why organic fertilizers don’t work well on vegetable transplants because it takes too long to convert the organic sources to a usable form of nitrogen. As a result they recommend using a conventional fertilizer like 20-20-20 to get fast results and keep plants happy.

On the Show & Tell segment this week, they show a tray of zinnia transplants that are ready to be planted in their demonstration garden at the Sunbelt Ag Expo. They talk about how the root ball has developed nicely around the Pro-Mix seed starting mix.

On the Q&A segment, they answer questions about cover crop planting frequency and the most problematic weeds in their gardens. Greg mentions that cover crops should always be cut and incorporated into the soil before going to seed. Therefore if spring crops are finished, you would need to plant a summer cover crop and follow that with a cool season cover crop in the fall. Travis suggests growing buckwheat or millet during the summer, mowing that and incorporating it into the soil, then planting some crimson clover in the fall. Greg mentions that his most problematic weeds include pigweed, nutgrass and crabgrass. Travis has a sample of some purslane from his garden and he explains that this weed is problematic for him because it doesn’t dry and die as easily as other weeds.

Tool of the Week

Pro-Mix Organic Seed Starting Mix

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On this week’s episode, the guys air an interview with Bruce Frasier of Dixondale Farms. While at a meeting in Chattanooga, Bruce and Greg had a chance to sit down and record a conversation for the Row by Row Garden Show. Dixondale Farms is the largest onion plant producer in the United States. As Bruce explains, if you purchase onion plants for your garden, there’s a very high chance they were grown in Texas. Dixondale grows over 800 million onion plants per year, which include short-day, intermediate-day and long-day varieties. Bruce explains that the type of onion you grow will depend on your climate. Greg mentions that the Texas Legend is his favorite variety to grow, and Bruce provides some other great variety suggestions for those living in northern climates. Bruce also mentions that they’ve recently started carrying shallots and leeks which are fun to grow and great in soups.

On the Show & Tell segment this week, Greg has some pickled beets that a friend gave him. The guys have been growing beets consistently for a couple years now and they intend to try picking some this year. Travis explains that he prefers to transplant beets as opposed to direct seeding them into the garden. This is because he can control the germination easier and get more consistently-sized beets and greens.

On the Q&A segment, they answer questions about weeding slow-germinating crops like carrots and cover crops for clay soils. For slow-germinating crops like carrots, Travis suggests several techniques that can be used to control weeds until the plants are able to outpace the weed growth. These techniques include flame weeding and wire weeding in addition to ensuring the weed seed bank is reduced as possible. For clay soils, the guys recommend rooted vegetable cover crops like purple top turnips and daikon radishes. Because their roots penetrate deep into the soil, they do a great job of making the soil more workable while adding quality organic matter.

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Diamond Hoe

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On this week’s episode, Greg and Travis talk about wheel hoe history from the Planet Jr. to the modern day Hoss version. The Planet Jr. was a staple piece of farm equipment in the early 1900s, but production of the Planet Jr. Wheel Hoe was ceased in the 1960s. It wasn’t until the 21st century that the Wheel Hoe regained popularity as the ideal weeding and cultivating tool for small market farms and backyard gardens. Planet Jr. made a single wheel model and a double wheel model of the wheel hoe. The double wheel model was similar to the modern-day version of the High Arch Wheel Hoe, with the extra clearance for taller crops like corn, beans or peas. Planet Jr. had a wide variety of attachments, many of which are still made by Hoss today.

On the Show & Tell segment this week, the Greg has some pickled okra in a jar and mentions that it is one of his favorite snacks from the garden. He pickles the okra with two different recipes, a sweet version and a spicy version. Travis talks about some of the eggplant varieties growing in his garden this year. He mentions that he grows the unique varieties as opposed to the traditional Black Beauty variety. He especially likes the Japanese style eggplant which are long and slender and are really great for frying eggplant chips.

On the Q&A segment, they answer questions about pruning eggplant and nematode control. Travis mentions that he always prunes his eggplant mid-season because the plants get too wide. For nematode control, the guys suggest employing strategies of crop rotation, cover crops and solarization. Proper crop rotation of nematode-susceptible crops should be practiced so that the nematode populations don’t continually flourish. According to university research, cover crops of mustard are effective in reducing nematode pressure. In addition, solarization with a clear tarp can create enough heat to kill the nematodes.

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Garden Trowel

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On this week’s episode, Greg and Travis talk about their yearly demonstration garden at the Hoss Sustainable Living Center. The Hoss Sustainable Living Center was started in 2014 as part of the Sunbelt Agricultural Expo in Moultrie, Georgia, which occurs every year in the third week of October. The Sustainable Living Center consists of an approximately half-acre demonstration garden in addition to a pavilion with exhibitors related to gardening and sustainable living. Over the years, they have been able to experiment and determine which crops perform best in this planting area. Because the garden is surrounded by a 400+ acre research farm, the insect and disease pressure is troublesome. In addition, the garden is located in an old airfield that is extremely flat and drains poorly. Crops that do well there include kale, sweet potatoes, corn and chard. Although winter squash is timely for the annual agricultural expo, they don’t grow very well there due to whiteflies and powdery mildew. This year they are trying fall potatoes for the first time and hoping that will be a success.

On the Show & Tell segment this week, the guys talk about pears and okra. Greg is eating a pear that he got from his neighbor’s yard. He mentions that these old varieties of pears are harder, but tend to have great flavor and make great pies. Travis talks about his succession plantings of okra in his garden. He mentions that the first planting is getting too tall to harvest, and that he may soon remove it and start harvesting the second planting.

On the Q&A segment, they answer questions about drip irrigation and amending clay soils. Travis explains how to calculate your water flow rate using a stopwatch and a 5 gallon bucket. Once the flow rate is calculated, it’s easy to figure how much drip tape your well or water supply can support. Greg answers a question about amending clay soils and mentions that adding significant amounts of gypsum or land plaster can improve clay soils. In addition, adding organic matter via cover crops and compost will improve soil workability and drainage.

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Seed Starting Trays

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On this week’s episode, Greg and Travis talk about using a tiller in the vegetable garden. The guys discuss several situations when it is appropriate to use a tiller, and other situations when it is not appropriate. It’s not a good idea to use a tiller immediately before planting. This is because tilling introduces many air pockets into the soil which can result in less than ideal seed germination. It’s also not appropriate to till when garden weeds have gone to seed because that will simply bury those seeds where they can remain dormant and germinate later. Finally, tilling should not be done when plants are established because this can cause severe damage to feeder roots. Tillers should not be used as a cultivating tool because they create too much disturbance. Tillers are great tools in certain applications. These include breaking new ground, preparing ground for root crops, incorporating cover crops into the soil and leveling the ground after hilled crops like corn or potatoes. Lastly, they talk about the different brands of high-quality tillers on the market. Up until 2001, the Troy-Bilt tiller was the top-notch rear tine tiller on the market. But that company experienced a buyout and are no longer the quality they once were. Currently, the top two brands available are the Grillo and BCS tillers, which are both manufactured in Europe. Both are high-quality machines with many different attachments for mowing, plowing, tilling and more!

On the Show & Tell segment this week, the guys talk about their squash plants that have been surprisingly successful during the summer heat. Travis mentions that he has two varieties currently growing — Tempest and Patty Pan. He’s been giving lots of attention to these plants to manage the squash bug population. He’s also been applying fungicides twice a week to deal with the excessive rainfall they’ve been having. He alternates between Liquid Copper and Complete Disease Control applications.

On the Q&A segment, they answer questions about shade cloth and spraying corn. They mention that they personally don’t use shade cloth, but instead only grow during certain weather windows where success is more likely. When spraying corn for earworms, they prefer to spray the entire plant when possible.

Tool of the Week

Seed Starting Trays

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On this week’s episode, Greg and Travis talk about growing cut flowers in their vegetable garden. Growing cut flowers provides many benefits, but the primary benefit is to attract pollinators for crops that require insect pollination to produce fruit. These crops would include things like squash, cucumbers and melons. Their favorite types of cut flowers to grow are zinnias, sunflowers and Celosia, also known as cockscomb. They prefer the Benary’s Giant Mix variety of zinnias because they produce larger flowers and have a wide variety of colors present. Their favorite variety of sunflower is the Pro Cut variety, which is available in many different colors including red, orange and yellow. These have a smaller seed than a traditional sunflower and are the preferred variety for commercial producers. Greg mentions how they also make a great cover crop because they’ll shade the soil and reduce any weed growth. Lastly, they talk about growing Celosia. Their favorite variety of Celosia is the Chief Mix, which provides an array of different colors. Because cockscomb flowers can get quite large, these plants may need trellising or early harvesting to prevent stalks from bending or breaking.

On the Show & Tell segment this week, the guys talk about growing potatoes in the fall. This will be the first year that they’ve tried growing potatoes in the fall. Based on the information provided by Greg at Irish Eyes Garden Seeds, it should work. They are planning to plant the potatoes at the end of August for an October harvest. They will be ordering the seed potatoes now and keeping them cool in the fridge until planting time. Based on the limited availability of seed potatoes during this time of year, they will be planting the Yukon Gold variety only.

On the Q&A segment, they answer questions about planting corn in the fall and asian stink bugs. The guys grew fall corn last year at their demonstration garden for the Sunbelt Ag Expo and had great success. The insect pressure is heavier in late summer and fall, so more frequent applications of B.t. and Neem Oil are necessary. Also, providing adequate water via drip irrigation is a must. Greg mentions that they see many different variations of stink bugs and that they can be hard to control in the middle of summer. As a result, he tries to manage the populations with frequent spraying early in the year. This allows him to get the spring crops harvested before significant insect damage occurs.

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On this week’s episode, Greg and Travis talk about growing butterbeans, bush beans and pole beans in a vegetable garden. Travis mentions that he prefers to grow bush beans on a double row system with drip tape in the middle. This enables him to grow twice the amount of beans in the same amount of space that one row of beans would normally occupy. He references a YouTube video where he demonstrates this procedure. They talk about the different varieties of beans they’ve tried growing in the past including Blue Lake, Momentum, Kentucky Wonder and Provider. Of these varieties, Blue Lake seems to be the most popular variety for bush beans. Greg mentions that he prefers growing pole beans due to the ease of harvesting. For pole beans, he prefers the Kentucky Wonder variety. The guys also talk about growing climbing varieties of butterbeans. Greg is currently growing an heirloom variety that makes a darker bean, and they’ve both had great success with the Christmas Lima variety in past years.

On the Show & Tell segment this week, the guys talk about the figs that they’ve been harvesting. The most popular variety is the Brown Turkey fig and that’s what most people have planted in their backyard. However, there are some improved varieties that have been developed through research at Louisiana State University. Greg recently planted some of these varieties and is excited to see how they do.

On the Q&A segment, they answer questions about growing onions and how to remove drip tape. They mention that onions require heavy amounts of water and fertilizer. It is important that both of those are provided frequently during the early life of the onion plant as this will result in a larger bulb later. For removing drip tape, they suggest that it can be easily pulled up for almost every crop in the garden — the exception being corn. For corn, they recommend cutting the stalks with a machete and succession planting a crop that provides a heavy ground cover like sweet potatoes, winter squash or pumpkins. This will allow you to reuse the drip tape without removing it.

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Hoss Garden Planner

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On this week’s episode, Greg and Travis talk about growing watermelons — seedless watermelons grown commercially and heirloom varieties on the homestead. Greg’s favorite variety to grow in his garden is the Crimson Sweet watermelon. This is a round watermelon that has an excellent, sweet taste. In previous years, he’s also tried other varieties including Orange Glo, which is an orange-meated watermelon that has a great taste as well. He mentions other popular varieties for the home gardener like Charleston Grey, Jubilee and Moon & Stars. They discuss the importance of using crop rotation and drip irrigation when growing any kind of cucurbit, especially watermelons. Although watermelons don’t typically experience significant insect pressure, they are very susceptible to fungal diseases. By practicing a 3-year crop rotation and reducing leaf moisture with drip irrigation, many of these fungal diseases can be kept under control. They also discuss how seedless watermelons are grown commercially. Seedless watermelons begin with a diploid watermelon seed that is treated with a chemical called colchicine. This chemical disrupts the cell division process which results in a tetraploid seed. When that tetraploid plant is grown in the presence of diploid plants (pollinators), the reproductive result is a triploid fruit that has no viable seed. This triploid fruit is the seedless watermelon.

On the Show & Tell segment this week, Travis talks about the different varieties of peppers that he’s growing this year. The first one is a corno di toro type called Carmen, which is a sweet pepper that turns red upon maturity. This variety has been very prolific so far. He’s also growing Banana and Cubanelle varieties, which are also sweet peppers. For a hotter pepper, he’s growing the Serrano variety. Serrano peppers are slightly hotter than a jalapeño, although the heat of a pepper has a lot to do with how much water the plant is given.

On the Q&A segment, they answer questions about purple hull peas and gardening on a hill. They mention that sandy loam soil is probably the best for purple hull peas and how they are a staple in the south. Over the years, however, the pressure from the pea curculio insect has made it almost impossible to grow them locally. If your homestead land is hilly like that seen in West Virginia, they suggest planting along the hill, not up and down the hill. Other suggestions including using drip irrigation for constant watering and building terraces/contours to retain water.

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Push Pull Hoe

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On this week’s episode, Greg and Travis talk about some common garden myths and misconceptions. They explain the origin of these myths/misconceptions and discuss whether or not they have merit. The first common garden myth involves planting on a hill or an elevated planting bed. Greg mentions how this practice originated in large-scale agriculture and trickled down to backyard gardening. Planting on an elevated surface is an effective practice if you have drainage issues or problems with excess moisture. But if you don’t have those issues, planting on a “hill” is just an additional step that’s not necessary. They also discuss lunar planting which involves planting garden crops based on the 28-day lunar cycle. The proponents of lunar planting believe that it is advantageous to plant on the new moon or full moon because the gravitation force of the moon pulls water to the soil surface, increasing germination. Travis explains how lunar tidal cycles work and why small bodies of water don’t experience tidal forces like the open ocean. Based on this evidence, Travis concludes that soil moisture levels are not significantly affected by lunar cycles, and thus the lunar cycle has no effect on seed germination. Other common garden myths discussed on this week’s show include removing weeds by the root and compost tea.

On the Show & Tell segment this week, they talk about one of Greg’s favorite foods — the tomato sandwich. They discuss the difference between the heirloom and hybrid varieties that they grew. While the Brandywine tomatoes have a nostalgic look and have a deeper red color, they can’t tell a huge difference in the taste compared to the disease-resistant Bella Rosa variety. They conclude that the Bella Rosa is their favorite tomato because of the disease-resistant package and superior taste.

On the Q&A segment, they answer questions about using liquid 7 on sweet potatoes and how to control nut grass in the garden. While liquid 7 is an effective pesticide, it also can be fairly toxic and harmful to pollinators. The guys recommend some more environmentally-friendly solutions like Neem Oil or Take Down Garden Spray. Nut grass is an extremely persistent weed that can have an extensive root network. Control can be difficult, but frequent disturbance over time will eventually reduce the population. While some people use hogs, the Wheel Hoe is also a great tool for providing that repeated disturbance.

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Golok Machete

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On this week’s episode, Greg and Travis talk about growing sweet potatoes in a vegetable garden. They are a crop that grows well in very warm temperatures and should not be planted until the temperatures have warmed significantly in the early summer. Greg and Travis prefer to plant them after early spring crops are finished, so they’ll put them in a spot where Irish potatoes, broccoli, lettuce, etc., have been previously harvested. Along with okra, peppers and eggplant, sweet potatoes are one of the few crops that do well throughout the summer in south Georgia. Unlike Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes are grown from slips. These slips are grown commercially in big greenhouses or hoop houses. The slips, or “draws” as some old timers call them, are plucked from the tubers, bundled and delivered to the customer. Their preferred source for slips is Steele Plant Company in Gleason, TN. There are many different varieties of sweet potatoes that will differ in the color of the skin and the inside color. Over the years, Greg and Travis have tried the Covington, Centennial and Beauregard varieties. They prefer the Covington variety as it has been the most productive in side-by-side testing.

On the Show & Tell segment this week, they talk about the Ambrosia sweet corn that they’ve been harvesting. Greg mentions that he picked a wheelbarrow load that morning and it was currently being creamed and put in freezer bags. Although the Silver Queen variety had been their favorite for years, they are really big fans of the Ambrosia variety. They talk about the wide range of sweet corn varieties and how certain genes can determine the sweetness and storage ability of each variety. The Ambrosia variety is a bi-color corn that is in the “se”, or sugary extender, category.

On the Q&A segment, they answer questions about beginner gardening tools, the frequency of using drip irrigation and hilling plants in the garden. They recommend the Single Wheel Hoe as a great starter tool for a beginner gardener due to the versatility with many attachments. For a first year garden, they recommend 40′ x 40′ as a great starter size. They mention that they typically run their drip irrigation at least once every other day, assuming no rainfall. They discuss the importance of frequency with watering and making sure the garden plants don’t become stressed. Finally, they go through a list of the garden plants that perform best when hilled.

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Over-the-Shoulder Harvesting Bucket

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On this week’s episode, Greg and Travis discuss all things okra. They talk about their favorite varieties of okra based on several trials that they’ve conducted over the years. Although many people only grow the Clemson Spineless variety because it’s probably the most available, there are many other varieties that provide increased productivity and better texture.  Chris Smith, who is with Sow True Seeds out of Asheville, NC, has around 130 varieties of okra that he has collected over the years. He’s currently has a blog and is working on a book called “In Defense of Okra” where he will elaborate on those varieties and everything okra. Okra is a crop that requires very little maintenance in the vegetable garden. It is not a heavy feeder, and so it doesn’t require much water or fertilizer relative to crops like corn or onions. Greg and Travis recommend doing several succession plantings of okra through the growing season. They transplant the okra in spring, then direct seed several other successions starting in May and throughout the summer to have the best harvests.

On the Show & Tell segment this week, Greg has just picked a bowl of fresh blackberries from his thornless blackberry patch. These blackberries are extremely prolific and great to eat raw, in smoothies or to make delicious blackberry cobbler. They also talk about the cucumber varieties they have growing this year. They grow a “pickle” variety and a “slicer” variety each year. The pickle variety they’re growing this year is called Max Pack, which is an F1 hybrid selected for productivity. The slicer variety they’re growing is called Olympian, which they have grown for several years and prefer it for it’s uniformity and excellent production. Because both varieties are hybrids, they can grow them on the same row without having to worry about cross-pollination.

On the Q & A segment, they answer questions about using Sevin Dust, a popular insecticide that can have a negative impact on pollinators and beneficial insects. They also answer a question about storing potatoes and other vegetables, and how washing these vegetables can affect their shelf life.

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Handy Twine Knife 

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In this week’s episode, Greg and Travis discuss growing squash in the vegetable garden. The most frequently grown varieties are probably the standard yellow crookneck and the black beauty zucchini. The popularity of these varieties if simply a result of availability. But there are many other varieties that have better flavor and higher productivity. They provide examples of prolific and disease-resistant varieties that they have tested and proven over the years. Some of these newer varieties include Tempest, which is yellow and Green Machine, which is a productive, uniform green zucchini.

They differentiate between growing techniques for summer and winter squash. While summer varieties are a repeat-harvest crop, winter varieties are a one-time harvest crop. Winter squash will also need to be planted several weeks later than summer squash. Winter squash do have the benefit of longer storage, as most varieties can be stored for up to six months. Their favorite varieties include Delicata, which is an elongated squash that is very sweet and great for roasting. They also like the powdery-mildew resistant varieties of Acorn, such as TipTop PMR. For a spaghetti-type, they prefer the smaller varieties like Angel Hair that smaller, yet more prolific.

In the Show & Tell segment, they talk about the bumper crop of potatoes that they had this year. Out of the 7 or 8 varieties that they trialed, the ones that performed the best were the Jelly and Blue Belle varieties from Irish Eyes Garden Seeds. Both of these varieties grew very large, uniform potatoes that exhibited excellent disease resistance. They plan on growing both varieties again next year and maybe eliminating the standard red potatoes from the rotation.

In the Q & A segment, they discuss corn pollination from the male flower (tassel) down to the female flower (silk). They also answer a question about controlling ants on the homestead using natural and conventional methods.

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Garden Fork

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On this week’s show, Greg and Travis discuss techniques and strategies for using fertilizer in your vegetable garden. They talk about the different terminologies used to quantify amounts of fertilizer, including parts per million (ppm) and pounds per square feet. While much of this terminology can be confusing, thinking about fertilizer in terms of pounds per square feet is the simplest way to calculate fertilizer needs. There are many different forms of conventional and organic fertilizers that can be used in a vegetable garden. As far as conventional fertilizers go, their favorite is the 20-20-20 formulation which has 20% nitrogen, 20% phosphorous and 20% potassium. This is a water soluble fertilizer that works great being injected through a drip irrigation system, as it provides a quick boost to the plants that is noticeable in just a few days.

Organic fertilizers include products like Chilean Nitrate, Fish Emulsion, Blood Meal, Bone Meal and Compost. As far as organic fertilizers go, Chilean Nitrate is probably the fastest-acting and works great for side dressing corn before hilling. For the other organic fertilizers mentioned, the action is much slower because the nitrogen has to be converted into forms that are available to the plant. Compost is a very effective soil amendment to use before planting, adding organic matter and nutrients to the garden soil. Although compost is available in many forms, chicken-manure based compost is the most nutrient rich. Just be sure to add it several weeks before planting, so that you don’t burn the young plants.

In the Show & Tell segment, they talk about the last succession planting of beets that are almost ready for harvest. They also discuss the Top Bunch Collards that are being harvested, and why this variety is probably the best collard variety to grow.

In the Q & A segment, they talk about organic and natural pesticide solutions for controlling bean beetles in a vegetable garden. As with any organic pesticide program, spraying early and frequently are very important. In the second question, they talk about proper crop rotation techniques to maximize the potential of your garden.

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TubTrug Bundle

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On this week’s show, Greg and Travis talk about growing fruit trees and perennials on the homestead. They discuss many different types of fruit trees and bushes that they like to grow on their own homestead. These include mulberries, blackberries, blueberries, figs and muscadines. Many of these fruits require very little maintenance once established. In early spring, mulberries are usually the first to produce fruit. These grow on a tree and look much like blackberries, but they don’t have the larger seeds like blackberries and tend to be a little sweeter. Although wild, thorned blackberries are very prevalent in the south, they prefer growing the thornless varieties. The thornless varieties are not quite as sweet as the wild varieties, but they are larger and much easier to harvest. When growing thornless blackberries, you may want to consider some type of trellising system to contain the plants. Fig trees are also a great addition to any homestead. Greg talks about the fig tree program at Louisiana State University and how new varieties are being developed for improved production and better flavor. Most of the older trees you see are the Brown Turkey variety, but some of the new varieties make larger, more attractive fruits.

In the Show & Tell segment, they talk about lettuce that they’ve been harvesting from their gardens. They mention the Salanova varieties that are highly acclaimed, although they do tend to have some issues with the bottom beginning to rot if left in the ground too long. There are also many varieties such as Adriana which provide a great substitute with a more affordable seed price.

In the Q & A segment, they answer questions about cover crops and squash bugs. They talk about their preferred cover crops and what time of year is ideal for growing each. They also discuss controlling squash bugs with all-natural and organic insecticides. These type of controls require spraying the plants when they are young and preventing adults from establishing in the population.

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Single Tine Cultivator

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On the debut episode of the Row by Row Garden Show, Greg and Travis talk about the origin of the show and how they got the name. Before the first airing of the show, they conducted a survey with their customers and newsletter subscribers to get ideas for the show name. After receiving many great ideas, they settled on Row by Row, the Garden Show. It is intended to be a weekly show for gardeners of all ages and all skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner, experienced backyard gardener, or small scale market farmer, this show will have great information that you can implement into your vegetable garden. With the addition of their Row by Row Facebook group, they hope to encourage interaction between listeners who post photos of their garden and harvests. This is a great way for everyone in the group to learn from others’ experiences.

The main segment this week includes a discussion of the top 4 reasons that someone should want to grow their own food. They believe that growing your own food is important because you know what’s in it. By growing it yourself, you know exactly what type of insecticides and what types of fertilizer has been used. Food grown at home also tastes better because it hasn’t been over-fertilized with excess nitrogen. Finally, growing food is a great skill-set to pass along to the younger generation to ensure they’re able to do the same.

In the Show & Tell segment, they provide a snapshot of what’s growing in their gardens currently. They mention the Cubanelle peppers that are already producing many peppers per plant each week. They also talk about the onions that are almost ready for harvest, and how to tell when your onions are ready for harvest. For onions, they prefer the Texas Legend and Red Creole varieties from Dixondale Farms.

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Heirloom Whole Corn