Brussels sprouts, which were named after the capital of Belgium where they were first grown in the 16th century, are members of the brassica family. Their large leaves are reminiscent of other brassicas such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and mustard greens. These miniature cabbage look-alikes have grown in popularity in…
What is soil pH Soil pH is the measurement of soil's acidity or alkalinity. It is based on a scale of 0 to 14 with zero being the most acidic a substance can be, and 14 the most alkaline. A pH rating of 7 is considered neutral. Soil with a…
What is Soil pH?Soil pH is the measurement of a soil's acidity or alkalinity. It is based on a scale of 0 to 14 with zero being the most acidic a substance can be, and 14 the most alkaline or base. A pH rating of 7 is considered neutral. Soil…
If you hang out in the gardening world, it will only be a matter of time before you hear someone mention the term soil pH. Although the term may be familiar, many do not know what it means or why it is important.What is Soil pH?The abbreviation pH stands for…
Broccoli is a member of the brassica family, along with cabbage, kale, cauliflower, radishes, and Brussels sprouts. The word broccoli is the plural form of the Italian word broccolo, which means "flowering crest of a cabbage." This beautiful green vegetable originated in Italy, where it is thought to have been…
Spinach has been around since antiquity. Originating in Persia, this leafy green was introduced to India, where it was then acquired by the Chinese in about 647 A.D. and given the name the Persian vegetable. It wasn't until the 14th century that Spain introduced it to England and France. Spinach…
Have you ever planted seeds and waited patiently for sprouts to emerge only to discover that they never germinated? Not only is it frustrating, but it also sets your planting timetable back because you have to start over. While there are several reasons why a seed might not germinate, most…
In the gardening world, germination refers to the process by which seeds are brought out of their dormant state to begin development. Water, oxygen, soil temperature, and sometimes light are required for the process. When planting seeds, you can do everything right, and yet some seeds simply will not germinate. Even…
If you have ever started a garden, you know how exciting it is to sow seeds, whether directly into beds, containers, or in starter pots under a grow light. The anticipation of seeing little sprouts break through the soil is tempered only by the patience required to wait for signs…
These days, purple, red, yellow, and white carrots are all the rage. But vibrant colored varieties are nothing new. Indeed, carrots have a colorful past. This root crop, which hails from Afghanistan, was originally purple, black, red, white, and green. It wasn't until the 17th century when the Dutch cultivated…