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| · Why does cabbages heads split? Cabbage heads split because of pressure from too much water entering the head through the root system after the heads become solid. As the heads near full size and become moderately firm, pull each plant up enough to break a few of the roots - this reduces the inflow of water and, if done early enough, can prevent splitting. Mulching can also help prevent uneven water distribution to the plants. [ Back to Top ]
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| · Can okra be grown in Mississippi Delta and if so when is the best time to plant? Okra (gumbo) can be grown in Mississippi Delta. The seeds should be placed outdoors around May 10. Seed indoors in pots or other suitable containers around April 20 and transplant in the garden around May 20. Okra needs plenty of space and a long, warm season for good production. Space plants about 12 to 15 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart.
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| · When do you harvest okra? Begin harvesting okra fruits (pods) when the first fruits are ready and then every 2 to 3 days throughout the season. Harvest fruits while young and tender, for most cultivars this is when the fruits are 3 to 3 ½ inches long.
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| · Can you save okra seeds? If you wish to save okra seeds from your garden, leave a few early fruits to ripen. Remove seeds, dry and store in a cool, dry place.
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| · How can your ensure good pollination? Well-balanced soil fertility, plenty of moisture and full pollination are essential for well-filled ears of high quality corn. The corn should be planted in block of several short rows rather than a single long row to help ensure good pollination. Space plans 10 to 12 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart.
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| · Is corn sweeter in late fall? The sweetest, tender sweet corn is harvested in the late summer and early fall from healthy, properly fertilized plants that get plenty of moisture and sunlight. These conditions ensure maximum sugar manufacture during the day and minimum use of sugar by the plant at night.
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| · Does sweet corn cross with field corn and popcorn? Sweet corn crosses readily with both field corn and popcorn if plants are grown near each other and shed pollen at the same time. However, field corn and popcorn cultivars usually shed their pollen later than sweet corn cultivars so crossing is uncommon. When crossing does occur with field corn or popcorn, sweet corn kernels contain slightly more starch and less sugar - they are less sweet and less tender than normal. Mixed white and yellow kernels appear on sweet corn ears if white or yellow cultivars are crossed with the opposite color of field corn or popcorn. Even when pollen is shed at the same time, little crossing occurs if field corn and popcorn are growing at least 50 feet away from sweet corn. Virtually no crossing will occur if they are grown more than 100 feet away. Popcorn crossed with field corn or sweet corn pollen will dry more slowly because they have more sugar and soft starch. However, popping quality is not seriously affected.
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| · How do you get rid of stalks? The best way to get rid of corn stalks is to pull each stalk with roots attached as soon as the last ear is picked. Place stalks in a compost pile - chopping or shredding the green stalks hastens decay.
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| · What are some different sweet corn cultivars? Bicolor cultivars. Several hybrid sweet corn cultivars produce ears with intermixed white and yellow kernels. These hybrids are produced by crossing white and yellow inbreeds. Ears are attractive and of good quality. Early, second-early and main crop cultivars are available.
Decorative cultivars. Several corn cultivars are frequently used for decorative purposes. Some of these - ‘Indian or Squaw’ and ‘Fiesta’ are flint corns. Others are popcorns - such as ‘Strawberry’ and ‘Carousel.’ ‘Mandan Bride’ is a multi-colored flour corn. Plant decorative cultivars like regular sweet corn and allow ears to become fully mature before harvesting. Leave husks on while the corn dries before using it in displays.
Super sweet cultivars. Certain super sweet cultivars - such as Super sweet Jubilee and Zenith - contain significantly more sugar than standard cultivars. Some of these cultivars lose their super sweet characteristic if pollinated by ordinary sweet corn or field corn. Other super sweet cultivars do not lose their sweetness when pollinated with regular sweet corn. Check package directions for instructions. [ Back to Top ]
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| · What are the differences between the various types of sweet corn? Kernels contain moderate but varying degrees of sugar, depending on the variety. Sugars convert to starch rapidly after harvest. Sugar content is usually about 19% on a dry weight basis.
Sugary enhanced (se). This gene, when present, modifies the normal sugary (su) gene. The result is increased tenderness and, to a varying degree, sweetness. The conversion of sugar to starch after harvest is slowed. [ Back to Top ]
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| · Where do sweet potatoes come from? Sweet potatoes are produced in the southern United from plants (slips) that grow form mother roots placed in special growing beds under warm, moist conditions. They can be grown in loose, well-drained soils in southern Wisconsin and the central sands area, but the seasons are too short for this vegetable to fully mature.
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| · Do you plant sweet potatoes in ridges? Sweet potatoes can be planted in raised ridges except in light, deep, loose soils. Ridges permit fast growth of smooth, properly shaped roots and make digging easier. Set plants in raised ridges around May 20. Leave 10 to 12 inches between plants and 3 feet between rows. Harvest before frost - handle roots carefully to prevent cuts, bruises and broken roots.
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| · What are yams? Moist - fleshed cultivars of sweet potato are often called “yams” in stores, but sweet potatoes are not yams - they belong to the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae). The true yams belong to the Dioscoresceae family. These vary greatly in size, and need a long, warm growing season. In addition, they grow only in the tropics and are seldom, if ever, available for purchase in this country.
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| · Can you sow tomato seeds outdoors? Tomatoes need a long, warm growing season. Seeding directly in the garden generally is feasible only with early, short-season cultivars and then only in southern counties. Plant tomato seeds outdoors around May 1, and put “hotkaps” or other protectors over the hills to hasten germination and avoid chilling or frost injury to seedlings.
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| · How do you set tall plants? You can remove the tip of tall tomato plants at planting time, but this delays harvest and reduces early yields. Instead, leave the tip on and trench the plant in by covering the roots and much of the stem with moist soil. New roots will grow along the covered stem. Don’t plant too deeply, though, because the soil is considerably colder below 4 to 5 inches and tomato roots grow more slowly in cold soil.
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| · Do you prune and tie staked tomatoes? Staked or trellised tomatoes are commonly pruned and tied. Break off side branches (suckers) soon after they start to grow. Pass a soft string or strip of cloth beneath a leaf or fruit cluster, and then warp it around the stake or trellis at least twice, about 3 to 4 inches higher up.
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| · Does mulching help? A thick covering of weed-free hay, straw or other organic material, or plastic film will help hold moisture in the soil, keep the soil cooler and keep fruits off he ground. Apply mulch when the soil warms up. If you use lawn clippings, make certain they do not contain herbicides.
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| · How do you save tomato seeds? To save seeds, squeeze seeds and juice from fully ripe fruits into a container (do not add water) and let it ferment in a warm place for 2 to 3 days. Then rinse, dry, separate the seeds and store them in a tight container in a cold, dry place. Do not save seeds of hybrid cultivars since they do not breed true.
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| · Can you use turnips for greens? Turnip tops are nutritious and often eaten as cooked greens. Certain cultivars - such as Shogoin - are grown exclusively for greens. Other cultivars provide both greens and roots- such as Purple Top White Globe and Tokyo Market.
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| · Can you start watermelon indoors? Watermelon plants, like plants of other vine crops, have a meager root system, and brittle leaves and stems. You can start them in pots or suitable containers, if you transplant them carefully. Sow seeds indoors around mid April for transplanting around early May.
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| · Should you plant in hills or rows? Watermelon plants grow best when each plant has plenty of space, moisture, light and fertility. Properly spaced, they produce better when planted in rows rather than hills. Transplant plants started indoors or seed in rows 4 to 6 feet apart and space plants 36 inches apart.
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| · Do watermelons cross with other vine crops? Watermelon cultivars cross readily with each other and with citron, but crossing will not be apparent unless seeds are saved and planted another year. Watermelons do not cross with muskmelon, cucumber or squash.
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| · Are there any good seedless watermelon cultivars? Several hybrid cultivars of watermelon produce seedless or nearly seedless fruits. A few plants of a standard cultivar must be included to provide pollen. These triploid hybrids are gaining in popularity. A few good cultivars to try are Honey Hear (yellow) and King of Hearts.
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| · Why did the seeds I planted in my garden germinate poorly? Unfavorable weather conditions at planting time usually are the main cause, especially if it was cold and the soil was not warm when seeds were placed in the ground. Too much watering also causes problems as excess water invites diseases. Other reasons for poor germination include planting too deeply, damage from insects or rodents or seed that is too old to plant.
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| · How do I know if my garden needs fertilizer during the growing season? If plants are pale green, stunted or are losing lower leaves this could be an indication of nitrogen deficiency.
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| · Is it better to water my garden during the day or at night? Watering during the night may promote disease development. The early morning is the ideal time to water your garden. If later, the garden can be watered later afternoon but early enough so that the leaves can dry before dark.
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| · Should you top plants? Pepper plants should not be topped at transplanting time. Topping removes the part of the plant where first flower buds occur - delaying first fruit set, first harvest and total harvest. However, you should remove flower blossoms that are present at transplanting time.
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| · What are pungent cultivars? Pepper cultivars may be pungent (hot) or sweet (mild). The commonly eaten green peppers are sweet cultivars. Pungent cultivars are usually canned or used in chili and similar hot dishes. Pungent cultivars include Hot Portugal, Hungarian Yellow Wax, Gold Spike and Super Cayenne.
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| · Can you save pepper seeds? You can save pepper seeds by removing the seeds from ripe fruits, drying them, placing them in a closed container and storing in a cool, dry place. Peppers are largely self-pollinated, but limited crossing can occur between sweet and pungent cultivars. Do not save seeds from hybrid cultivars since they do not breed true.
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