Understanding First Frost and Its Impact on Your Garden

As autumn brings the first frost, it signals the end of the growing season, prompting gardeners to prepare for winter. While some crops can tolerate light frost, others need protection. The article discusses differences between frost and freeze, offers advice on harvesting, and outlines frost tolerance for various fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

Agrivoltaics: Combining Solar Energy and Agriculture

Agrivoltaics integrates solar energy production with agriculture, addressing land use conflicts. Benefits include increased income diversity, reduced carbon footprints, and improved habitats. Challenges involve animal management, environmental impact, and design. Innovative practices like Silvopasture and horticulture crops are being explored.

Understanding Fall Colors: Trees and Their Transformation

Fall officially arrived in the Midwest! I am totally looking ahead to the cool weather and of course pumpkin spice. What I’m most excited about more than anything else is fall color. Despite the fact we have had very warm days. We are seeing some signs of Fall. Some fall colors have already started. BlackContinue reading “Understanding Fall Colors: Trees and Their Transformation”

Unidentified Growing Vegetables: Are Aliens Invading Your Garden?

As you harvest your vegetables have you noticed any UGV or unidentified growing Vegetables? Does it look like aliens planted something to hatch in your garden? Maybe you’re wondering if your plants cross pollinated and you happen to get a Cucamelon or some sort of bizarre alien squash that was supposed to be a pumpkinContinue reading “Unidentified Growing Vegetables: Are Aliens Invading Your Garden?”

Jack O Lanterns

Jack-O-Lantern The tradition of carving pumpkin dates back for many centuries. The people of Ireland and Scotland used to carve scary faces in to turnips and Potatoes. They did this to deter evil spirits from entering their homes. In England they sometime used large beets to Jack-o-Lanterns. When immigrating came to America, they brought thisContinue reading “Jack O Lanterns”

Heirloom vs. Hybrids

Should one grow Heirloom or Hybrid plants? This is a discussion that keeps coming up between local gardeners and horticulture professionals. There is a lot of confusion about both types of plants. Heirloom plants can be defined in many ways, but there are some characteristics that many of the definitions share.  Heirloom plants are alwaysContinue reading “Heirloom vs. Hybrids”