Root vegetables are some of my favorite vegetables to grow, and even though there are dozens of types of root vegetables, today I am focusing on beets, carrots, and turnips. I could easily write an individual post on each of these vegetables, but unfortunately there just aren't many planting days left in the year, so I am grouping them together. The tricky part of root vegetables is that you can't see them growing underground, making it harder to make adjustments after they have been planted. The best way to handle this is to be prepared with information on the nuances of root vegetables. The most important tip for all kinds of root crops is that the soil needs to be loose enough for them to push down roots. If the soil is compacted or rocky, the roots will become distorted and forked. Generally, you are better off growing root vegetables in a raised bed. Deep containers are also a great choice. The second most important thing to consider is spacing. Seeds for root vegetables are notoriously tiny, making accurate spacing while sowing difficult. Therefore, once the seeds have spouted, you will want to thin them (i.e. remove the ones that are crowding the healthiest sprouts). Typically 2 to 4 inches is adequate, but it will depend on the type of crop. In this case, beets and turnips are wider than carrots, so they will need more spacing between them. Beets:
Carrots:
Turnips:
If you are in Dallas and ready to start a garden this fall, we would love to help. Time is running out! There are only a few weeks left in the season!
Click Book Now on Facebook, or click Services on pottingwithpotter.com to setup a consult in the coming days. Happy planting!
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With the past few weeks of rain and thunderstorms, many of you may be seeing the arrival of mushrooms in your garden and on your lawn. Are they good for your garden or not? Firstly, fungi are always around us. They live as mycelium in the soil. When you see a mushroom appear, it is in the process of reproducing. It is spreading spores that will eventually become new mushrooms. Fungi, like all life, do well when there is plenty of water available, which is why multiple days of wet conditions have them sprouting up on lawns across Dallas. In the vast majority of cases, fungi are a good sign. They help break down dead organic matter, which provides nutrients for plants by causing decomposition to occur almost twice as fast. Aiding in decomposition is especially usefully if you are using a wood mulch in your garden, which I often do. Last week I found bird's nest fungi in some of my outdoor potted plants. I had no idea what it was; I wasn't even aware that it was a type of fungus. Through some internet research, I discovered that finding bird’s nest fungus in mulch is pretty common and actually helpful. It breaks down large chunks of wood mulch into small slivers that will enrich the soil. Read below for more on bird's nest fungus. While fungi are almost always a good thing, one exception is fungus forming on trees (google "shelf fungus"). In most cases, fungi goes for organic material that is already beginning to die or decay, so when it grows on living plants and trees, that plant or tree is most likely on its way out anyway. Definitely something to watch out for in your lawn and garden. What is Bird’s Nest Fungus? Bird’s nest fungi in gardens are common in moist, cool locations, especially in autumn. They prefer rich soil, animal feces, decaying wood, and plant debris. As soon as you see it, you will recognize why this species has its name. Bird’s nest fungi have the appearance of a cup-shaped nest with little spheres inside that resemble eggs. The cup shape is actually the reproductive part of the fungus, which holds lentil-shaped capsules that contain spores. The tiny fungi are not dangerous to plants and help break down organic matter. Therefore, bird’s nest fungus control isn’t truly necessary, unless the sight of them just irks you. I think they are cute! If you are in Dallas and ready to start a garden this fall, we would love to help. Time is running out!
Click Book Now on Facebook, or click Services on pottingwithpotter.com to setup a consult in the coming weeks. Happy planting! "Eating vegetables protects against the development of cancer, specifically vegetables that are in the genus of plants known as brassica, and more specifically, broccoli." - Dr. Thomas Lodi, StopMakingCancer.com Brassica is a genus of plants in the mustard family that includes cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts. In this week's post, we focus on one of our favorites, broccoli. Tips for growing broccoli:
Plant brassica seeds now to harvest before freezing weather arrives!
If you are in Dallas and ready to start a garden this fall, we would love to help. Click Book Now on Facebook, or click Services on pottingwithpotter.com to setup a consult in the coming weeks. Happy planting! I've always thought of cilantro as a spring and summer herb, primarily because I typically eat it in pico de gallo with tortilla chips and a margarita on a sunny patio. In actuality, the Dallas climate makes it a perfect fall crop. So, why should you plant cilantro, and why is autumn such a great time to plant it? Here are some facts on the history of cilantro and its benefits:
Why is fall the time to plant it?
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