Whether you call it a fruit or a vegetable, tomatoes are one of the most popular produce items consumed today. In today’s health-conscious environment, organic growing has rapidly become the most popular way for gardeners, growers, and landscapers to cultivate produce. Growing your own tomatoes has a number of advantages, most notably:

• Better taste
• Lower cost
• Safety purposes

The last reason, safety purpose, may strike some as surprising, however, recent research has pointed to the vast health advantages of homegrown organic fruits and vegetables. Tomatoes happen to be one of the easiest of all crops to grow. From ease of planting to mass production, the benefits of growing tomatoes at home are abundant.

In order to make the most out of your home garden, we recommend the following tips for growing organic tomatoes the right way:

• Pick “indeterminate” tomatoes
• Plant seeds deep, with about ½ of the stem underground
• Always use organic mulch, this is often a forgotten step but is important for production
• Use organic fertilizer
• Consistently water

While some of these tips may seem basic, far too many growers think they are growing organically yet are mixing organic and non-organic practices. Something as simple as using the wrong fertilizer can drastically alter the production levels, taste, and safety of your crops.

Curing and preventing powdery mildew is one of the most difficult and frustrating issues that growers face today. From fruits to vegetables to flowers and trees, treating powdery mildew outbreaks is critical to keeping your harvest healthy and flourishing. Unfortunately, with such a wide range of competing products on the market, finding powdery mildew fungicide that works can be very challenging. Every company claims to be safe and effective for use on your crops. Most of these companies, however, fail to inform the buyers about the chemical components that greatly hinder the crop’s production capacity.

In terms of control, prevention is always best option. Using a powdery mildew fungicide is imperative to controlling outbreaks by preventing them from occurring. As one of the most widespread plant diseases today, powdery mildew is easily identified. The issue often lies in understanding how to approach a powdery mildew infestation the best way. When choosing a powdery mildew fungicide to target your outbreaks, look for the following terms on the label to ensure that the product is good for your harvests:

• Organic
• Non-Toxic
• No harmful chemicals used
• Tested in a laboratory
• Non-Burning
• Able to use from germination through harvest
• No aroma
• Safe under any light

While some of these attributes may seem unnecessary, all of the above factors will play a substantial role in not only keeping the harvest free from powdery mildew outbreaks, but also for keeping your crops healthy and edible. Far too many growers fall into the trap of purchasing a powdery mildew fungicide that ends up doing more harm than good.

If you are in the market for a safe and effective way to prevent outbreaks with a reputable powdery mildew fungicide, choose the product that Growers Trust, Powdery Mildew Killer!

Hurricane season, especially in recent years, has been largely unpredictable and damaging. Regions throughout the country who have seldom experienced the many dangers and damages linked to hurricanes are now finding themselves hurrying to prepare before a large storm hits. While a number of factors have certainly contributed to the abundance of hurricanes and the extreme damage that they cause, protecting plants and other crops from the elements that come along with any hurricane is paramount. Those who operate farms must have a plan of action established in the event that an unexpected hurricane or tornado strikes.

When the National Weather Service issues a hurricane watch, it is imperative that gardeners, farmers, growers, and the like react immediately. Those who neglect to prepare their land for a serious storm will find themselves in financial ruin as they can no longer depend on their crop production. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issues a strict set of rules and regulations regarding the agriculture industry and hurricane damage. The EPA, in conjunction with the Texas A&M Farmstead Preparedness & Recovery Program, has provided the following tips for farmers:

• Create a disaster plan to ensure the safety of family members, co-workers, and livestock
• When creating the disaster plan, take into account protecting the crops, machinery, equipment, water supplies, agricultural chemicals, and food storage for the animals
• Take a thorough inventory of everything, the more comprehensive the better
• Record a list of all fuels, fertilizers, pesticides, and any other important chemicals utilized on the crops
• Prepare a disaster supply kit which should include: plastic sheets and sandbags for flood prep, rope, wire, emergency fuel, food for livestock, plywood for window protection, small tool kit, fire extinguisher, and a gas-powered generator

In terms of land preparation, growers should follow these tips:

• Plan escape routes for all livestock
• In flood-prone regions, remove any machinery, fuels, hay, pesticides, fertilizers, or any other chemicals
• Make sure to secure any loose items on the field

From the farm land itself to the crops and livestock, preparing your harvest and property for a serious storm is a complex, lengthy process. Do not wait until disaster is looming to start preparations. Hurricane season has begun, make sure that your crops are protected!

Summertime is the perfect season to step outside and take out that green thumb of yours! Gardeners and growers across the country, even those recreational gardeners, like to take advantage of summer showers and hot sun. However, determining which fruits and vegetables will thrive despite the blazing summer sun is essential to ensuring a healthy crop and juicy fruits and vegetables. The best way to make certain that your harvest will flourish is to start from the right place.

The following are some of the best fruits to grow over the summer:

• Varieties of plums, apricots, and pluots
• Blueberries
• Figs
• Blackberries
• Peaches and nectarines
• Cherries
• Melons
• Apples
• Strawberries
• Raspberries

The following are some of the best vegetables to grow over the summer:

• Eggplant
• Corn
• Garden Peas
• Okra
• Cucumbers
• Shelling Beans
• Green Beans
• Zucchini
• Sweet Peppers
• Tomatoes

Starting with a variety of the above fruits and vegetables will automatically put the grower in a better position to harvest healthy, flavorful, and thriving crops. Choosing to grow these fruits and vegetables during the summer season allows for the greatest value for the harvest. Keep these fruits and vegetables in mind next time you purchase seeds to harvest.

May often marks the time of year where the growing season truly begins, especially in the northern regions of the United States. As growers, gardeners, and agricultural experts begin to prepare for blooming crops and flourishing harvest, it is important to protect these plants. From the numerous invasions of pests and plant diseases that threaten the health of crops to the variance in weather, understanding how to protect your harvest is crucial. Today, we address the issue of powdery mildew on mangoes.

Across the world, powdery mildew on mangoes is patchy, however, when the disease attacks mango leaves, the results are often severe. In fact, powdery mildew on mangoes often accounts for losses up to 90 percent of the crop, affecting the fruit’s ability to set and develop. In order to achieve adequate yields, growers must be incredibly shrewd regarding their yields, crop production, and the appearance of their mango leaves.

Luckily, the symptoms of powdery mildew on mangoes are easily identifiable. Growers should note, however, that if powdery mildew has been present in the past they should expect this to recur seasonally or yearly. The most effective way to counter the effects of powdery mildew is to use control measures to prevent any losses in the season’s crop.

Mango growers should be able to quickly recognize and diagnose the presence of powdery mildew on their harvest. Typically, a whitish-gray hue will haze over the mango panicle, which is normally a red color when healthy. Unfortunately, the powdery mildew is able to quickly colonize and infect the mango. Those growers who are not quick to prevent this incidence will find much trouble in saving the plant’s life.

In order to ensure a favorable fruit set and yield, mango growers must utilize preventative control measures to safeguard against powdery mildew infestations. A product such as Powdery Mildew Killer is an excellent, organic option quickly sweeping the foliar industry today. Click here for more information on the ultimate treatment to powdery mildew invasions.

RNA interference technology (RNAi) also referred to as gene silencing, has truly taken the agricultural market by storm. As agricultural organizations across the world quickly look to invest in RNAi, it is important to understand the scope of these developments and how they will be able to address agricultural challenges today and tomorrow. The spider mites’ resilience and the massive impact that the species has had on both field and greenhouse crops across the world has shed light on the need to test for geneticists and biologists.

Western University in London, Ont. are studying a new, ground-breaking control technique for agricultural pests. In a project called Genomics in Agricultural Pest Management, scientists from the United States, Spain, France, and Belgium will come together to research RNAi and its role in killing spider mites and/or slowing their population growth. Using genetic manipulations, the scientists hope to develop a method to counter the enormous effects of spider mite infestations in harvests across the globe.

Vlad Zhurov, Genomics in Agricultural Pest Management team member and research associate in Western’s biology department, has made a number of statements regarding RNAi and the potential of its role in spider mite treatment. Zhurov stated, “by introduction of the double stranded (RNA) molecules into the organism (spider mite), which actually match the sequence of the gene that this organism possesses, you can knock down the native organism gene”.

The research team indicates that 100 percent eradication is not the goal of RNAi use, but rather to create sick spider mites that are unable to form new colonies. If a spider mite is too sickly to develop a colony in the specific location in which they have arrived, killing the spider mites will become unnecessary. As the RNAi research continues to develop, it will be interesting to see how scientific advancements can propel the agricultural market forward.

Spider mites are all too familiar to growers and gardeners across the United States. With the ability to attack and kill dozens of different commercial crops, spider mites present a serious threat to the livelihood of those growers who depend on their harvests for profits. As summer begins to approach, the changes in weather are projected to severely affect crops across the country. Those who are not prepared to counter the effects of hot, dry weather, which attracts spider mite outbreaks, will see significant losses in their productivity.

Spider mites on watermelons are amongst the most common crops attacked today. The two-spotted spider mite has been known to infiltrate watermelon plants during these months as the weather conditions become favorable for the mites. Being aware of the early signs of spider mite infestations is imperative to protecting your watermelon plants from attack. While there are a variety of ways to treat spider mite attacks, preventing them from occurring altogether is certainly the most desired approach.

The following are some of the common signs of spider mites on watermelons:

• Yellowing between veins on the top of crown leaves
• Underside of leaves appears tan
• Sand is stuck to the bottom of the leaves (spider mite webbing holds onto sand with its fibers)
• Ozone damage as displayed by necrotic areas

Addressing spider mites on watermelons from the beginning is important. However, when an issue is recognized, it is important to purchase a spider mite killer as soon as possible. Spider mites have the ability to rapidly reproduce, indicating the need for a quick response. Using a product such as Growers Trust Spider Mite Killer is an incredible way to counter any type of spider mite infestation. Not only does Spider Mite Killer kills current spider mites and spider mite eggs, but it also protects the watermelons from future infestations.

Purchase the solution to spider mites on watermelons, Spider Mite Killer, by clicking here!

“Nature knows best” is a gardening theory that has been repeated for many, many years. As more and more pesticides, chemicals, and otherwise “unnatural” components are placed in the plants that the population consumes and utilizes, we fall into the trap of moving further away from anything natural. While there are certainly non-organic gardens that are beautiful and thriving, the benefits of organic gardening are crystal clear once the grower is educated.

From a health perspective, organic growing is certainly the healthiest option. From cleanliness to nutrition, organic fruits and vegetables far surpass any type of non-organic alternative available in the supermarkets. Most non-organic fruits and vegetables are given chemicals to induce higher growth rates and production. Not only does this affect the taste of the crops, but it also hinders their nutrition. Maintaining the soil is imperative to ensuring great taste and substantial nutrition.

The mineral and vitamin content of organic fruits and vegetables is much higher than non-organic, this is largely due to the chemical-free soil used in organic growing. While pesticides are surely important to the production and growth of plants, growers have the option of applying organic pesticides to their crops, elevating the taste, nutrition, and cleanliness of their production. Finally, organic gardening can also be cost-effective. The majority of the information about organic growing today indicates the costly association with anything organic.

Contrary to popular belief, organic growing can actually reduce costs in the long-run. While individually sold organic items are certainly more expensive than their counterparts, it is important to consider a variety of long-term factors. Once a grower goes organic, their soil is naturally improved. In this regard, the production levels of growth enhance significantly, yields are increased and the entire grow mechanism is made sustainable for the long-run.