Peppers are believed to have originated in South America, and they spread to Central America between 5200 and 3400 BC. They moved north and to Europe through the conquistadors. One of the reasons why the pepper came to Europe so quickly is because it was a good replacement for black pepper, which was very expensive at that time and even used in some places as currency. Hot spices were very valued because they were used to make bland diets more bearable. Aren't you glad we live in modern times? Today, we will cover how to grow peppers indoors throughout the winter. Peppers are a perennial plant, and therefore can last several years. I once had a red bell pepper plant that lived for 3 years. I will focus primarily on bell peppers, but the techniques can be applied to all types of pepper plants. For those of you that already have pepper plants in the garden, moving them indoors is a no-brainer. Or if you'd like to get a jump start on your spring garden, you can follow the below tips and start them from seed.
Check out our Products page to buy seeds in preparation for the winter. Peppers grow great indoors in containers throughout the winter! They can be then be transplanted to your garden in spring to give your garden a head start.
And if you are preparing for the holiday gift-giving season, our gift certificates are a fantastic, unique gift for a loved one. Happy planting!
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Onions are one of the oldest edible plants, dating back 3,500 years. They are believed to have originated in ancient Persia, Western Asia, and the Mediterranean. We love them because they make virtually every savory dish taste better. They are also great for your health (google "GBOMBS" to find out more about their health benefits). Onions are a cool-season crop and can survive temperatures well below freezing, so now is a perfect time to plant! They can be planted from seeds (our preferred method), from small bulbs called sets, or from transplants. Seeds take longer than the other methods, but if you let one of your biggest onions flower and go to seed each summer, you will never have to buy seeds again, making them virtually free for life! Sow seeds ¼ inch deep from October through December. Place the seeds 1 inch apart. Similar to root vegetables, onions need loose, well-draining soil. When the plants are about 6 inches high, thin them to one plant every 3 inches. Onions seeded from October to December or transplanted in January or February should produce bulbs by June. But how do you know for sure they are ready? A helpful way to tell how big the bulbs are is to count the number of leaves. Each leaf forms a ring in the onion bulb, so the more leaves there are, the bigger the bulb. Harvest bulb onions when the tops begin to fall over. Let them dry for 1 to 2 days, then remove the tops and roots, and let them continue to dry in baskets or boxes. 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! 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?
Did you know that the Dallas Public Library has a seed library? There is a collection of open-pollinated and heirloom seeds located on the 6th floor of the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library (1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX 75201). What is a seed library? A seed library is a depository of seeds held in trust for the community at large. Seeds are free to the community, and there is no requirement to return seeds. Farmers and home gardeners have been saving and sharing seeds with each other for thousands of years. Unfortunately the tradition has been largely abandoned over the past hundred years. Here are some reasons to start saving and sharing again:
How to "check-out" seeds:
Donations help keep the collection sustainable, but the library does not require borrowers to return seed. However, as we grow as gardeners and experience success in our gardens, we should consider bringing seeds back to share with the Seed Library community. I will be posting information in the spring on how to collect and donate seeds. Until then, 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! |
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