How to Grow an Avocado Tree
By Becca Badgett @becca062 for Twinas
November 2012
Becca is certified as as a gardening expert and plant technician, and writes how-to gardening articles for several sites online, such as GardeningKnowHow and Yahoo!
She is co-author of the book “How to Grow an EMERGENCY Garden”. Visit her Facebook page Becca's Blooms for current information and to view her latest garden articles.
While it’s fun to start an avocado plant from the pit of this
pear-shaped fruit, don’t expect fruit production for 7 to 15
years. Trees started from a pit will not produce the same kind of fruit as
those the seed comes from. If you wish to
grow your own avocados, purchase a grafted tree from a local nursery.
Gardeners living in tropical areas can grow their own
avocados and save money while enjoying the taste and nutritional value of the
green fruit. Those in more northern areas can grow dwarf avocado tree varieties
in a large container and bring them indoors when temperatures reach 45 degrees
outside.
Potted trees probably will not produce fruit and if they do,
it will not be of optimum quality. However, the avocado tree is an attractive
houseplant and useful for decorating in a sunny area.
Growing Avocado Trees Outside
Plant the avocado tree in a sunny area where it is protected
from wind. Find more information about
growing avocado trees here. Get them planted and start saving money
when your avocado tree bears fruit.
Find more information at:
Growing Garlic
By Becca Badgett for Twinas Latinas Magazine
November 2012
Becca is certified as as a gardening expert and plant technician and writes how-to and garden articles for several sites online, such as Gardening Know How and Yahoo!
She is co-author of the book “How to Grow an EMERGENCY Garden”.
Visit her Facebook page Becca's Blooms for current information and to view her latest garden articles.
Growing your own garlic is a great way to save money at the grocery
store. Garlic is used to season many dishes and is said to ward off
illnesses such as heart disease, high blood pressure and some cancers.
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Garlic for flavorful cooking & healing
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Grow
your own garlic in any sunny area. Use this simple guide to growing
garlic for instructions. If you live in USDA Hardiness Zone 7 or higher,
choose heirloom or gourmet cultivars, such as Creole or Asiatic garlic
that is suited to growing in warm temperatures.
Don't plant garlic purchased from the supermarket, it has often been sprayed to prevent natural sprouting. Buy garlic locally at a garden center or nursery to get the right type for your local area. Or purchase from a reputable retailer online, and now your growing zone before making online plant purchases.
Harvest garlic gently when the foliage is one third to half yellowed. Dig down to the bulbs and make sure they are developed to the appropriate size. Dry the unwashed garlic before storing.
Garlic Tip: One
trick to using garlic is to let the garlic rest at room temperature for
15 minutes before adding it to your dishes. This time of rest before
use in cooking triggers the healthy compounds and makes them more
beneficial.
Fall
is the best time to plant garlic, so get those cloves ready for
planting. One bulb can supply 8 or 9 plants, which is often adequate for
a small family.
See these related articles:
as well as our book:
(for year around planting & harvesting of real food for your family's health)
Herbs & Fall Crops By Becca Badgett for
Twinas Latinas Magazine (August 2012)
As
autumn approaches, you will be harvesting the last of your summer
crops. We hope that you’ve found a means of preservation for all the
extra produce!
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Dry Herbs Hanging Upside Down
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Basil, Chives & Mint
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This will help
with rising costs forecast at the grocery store.
Add extra flavor to your cool-season dishes with fresh or dried herbs.
Starting
an indoor herb garden in a container is simple and certainly a
worthwhile chore when you look at the price of fresh or dried herbs in
grocery stores.
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When Herbs have Dried Crumble Leaves off of Stems
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Instructions for starting an indoor herb garden in containers are linked in the article below.
Get
started now growing those cool season crops; lettuce, radishes, carrots
(as these can be overwintered in containers) all members of the Brassica family. This includes cabbage, broccoli, Swiss chard, Brussels sprouts, rutabagas, turnips and many more.
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Broccoli Ready to Start Blossoming Center Florette
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Brassica vegetables
are said to fight cancer and provide important nutrients and
antioxidants. For more information on growing these crops, go to the
book “How to Grow an EMERGENCY Garden.” Get your garden started now, and keep it growing all year around!
For best results, we recommend using garden-fresh pesticide-free produce,
and herbs, from your garden when preparing our recipes. This will
ensure maximum health and nutritional benefits for you and your family.
Growing Tomatoes in Containers
Written by Becca Badgett for Twinas Latinas Magazine (July 2012)
Tomatoes are the main ingredient in many salsas and sauces, soups and stews, as in our Saucy Salsas!
Nothing
compares to the taste of a just-ripe tomato fresh from the vine.
Tomatoes are one of the most popular homegrown garden veggies (though
they are actually a fruit).
Perhaps you have limited outdoor space and do not have room for the large, sometimes sprawling plants.
Many
varieties of tomatoes are perfectly suited to growing in containers.
If you have a sunny spot on a porch, deck or balcony, you too can enjoy
the great taste of home- grown tomatoes!
Choosing a Container
Larger containers will afford
best results for your crop.
Tomatoes have a large root system that needs room to develop and breathe before the juicy fruits can begin to form.
Most
any container will work, as long as there are drainage holes in the
bottom and the container contains no chemicals or residues that can be
absorbed by the plant, such as those from treated wood.
Sterilize recycled containers thoroughly before using. Some containers may need to be lined with plastic or ground cloth.
Placing a fitted, fiberglass screen in the bottom of the container helps keep out pests and pathogens.
Setting the container up off the porch or patio allows for better air circulation for the roots.
Rolling plant holders can accommodate this need and allow you to move the container to follow the sun.
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Yellow Tomato variety "Mountain Gold"
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Tomatoes are great on sandwiches, on salads and in sauces. Tomatoes may be canned, frozen or dried in the sun.
Learn more about growing tomatoes and other fruits and veggies in containers here.
Becca Badgett is
an enthusiastic gardener who enjoys sharing information with others.
She is certified as as a gardening expert and plant technician and
writes how-to and garden articles for several sites online, such as Gardening Know How and Yahoo!
She is co-author of the book “How to Grow an EMERGENCY Garden”.
Her
writing experience includes stints in newspaper and magazine writing.
She has worked as Editor on several in-house newsletters, written press
releases and worked as Director of Communications for a non-profit
planetarium and nature center.
Visit her Facebook page Becca's Blooms for current information and to view her latest garden articles.
