Watermelon, Feta & Mint Salad

Recipe | Watermelon, Feta & Mint Salad
Speaking of summer, and weddings, and watermelon love...
All three came together tastily when sweet niece, Charisa, was married at the farm. Paired with perfectly pulled pork sliders, prepared by Paul (see what I did there?!) this watermelon, feta cheese, and mint salad was sweet, salty, and refreshing! Liven up any summer meal with it!

Ingredients:

• 1 small seedless watermelon (about 5-6 cups), cut into 1" cubes or balled
• juice from 1 lime
• about 1.2 cup fresh mint, chopped
• 3/4 cup feta, broken into large chunks or cut into 1/2" cubes
• freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Cut or ball watermelon into 1" bites size pieces
2. Break feta into chunks or cut into 1/2" cubes
3. In a large bowl, combine the watermelon and lime juice. Gently fold in the feta, sprinkle with mint, and season to taste with freshly ground black pepper
4. Serve up some Summer Yum!

Sweet Potato

Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Sweet Potatoes

The sweet potato is a warm-season, spreading vegetable of tropical origin. Here’s how to grow sweet potatoes in your garden!
Sweet potatoes are a good choice for a garden because they are easy to grow, drought- and heat-tolerant, and have few pests or diseases. The sweet potato is also very nutritious and low in calories. Read more about growing sweet potatoes.

Planting

• Sweet potatoes are grown from slips, which are sprouts that are grown from stored sweet potatoes. You can buy slips from garden centers, nurseries, or local farmers.
• You can also grow your own slips to plant in the spring. In November (this is when the best of the new harvest will be out), go to your supermarket and look for unblemished and uncracked medium-size sweet potatoes. One potato should yield about 12 plants.
• Store these potatoes in a well-lit room with a temperature between 65° and 70°F. Keep them there until about 90 days before the last spring frost date. They will then need to be embedded in soil for 90 days and kept continuously warm and moist.
• Use a 1-½ gallon pot for every two potatoes. Remember to poke drainage holes in the bottom of the pot and fill it with 3 inches of mulch, followed by garden or potting soil. Plant the potatoes in the pot at a 45° angle so that the sprouts will grow above the soil. When the slips are 6 to 12 inches tall, you can plant them outdoors, as long as all danger of frost has passed.
• After you have grown your own slips or bought them, till the area of the garden you will be using to a depth of 8 to 10 inches. Create raised mounds 6 to 8 inches tall and about 12 inches wide. Use fertile, well-drained soil.
• Plant the slips 12 to 18 inches apart in the bed, after the last spring frost date. Plant the slips deep enough to cover the roots and about ½ inch of the stem. Water the slips with a starter solution that is high in phosphorous, then water generously for a few days to make sure that the plants root well.
• Get more tips for growing sweet potatoes.

Care

• Side-dress the potatoes 3 to 4 weeks after transplanting with 3 pounds of 5-10-10 fertilizer per 100 feet of row. If you have sandy soil, use 5 pounds.
• Hoe the beds occasionally to keep weeds down. Remember to reshape the beds with soil or mulch.
• For good harvests, do not prune the vines, because they should be vigorous.
• Remember to keep the potatoes watered. Deep watering in hot, dry periods will help to increase yields, although if you are planning to store some of the potatoes, do not give the plants extra water late in the season.

Pests/Diseases

• Flea beetles
• Sweet potato scurf
• White blister
• Fungal leaf rot
• Stem rot

Harvest/Storage

• You can start digging up the potatoes as soon as they are big enough for a meal. Often, this is 3 to 4 months from when you planted the slips.
• Usually, sweet potatoes are ready to harvest when the leaves and ends of the vines have started turning to yellow, but you can leave them in the ground up until the fall frost.
• Since the roots spread 4 to 6 inches deep in the soil, a spade fork is useful when digging up the potatoes. Loosen the soil around the plant (18-inch diameter) so you do not injure the tubers. It’s fine to cut some of the vines away.
• Pull up the primary crown of the plant and use your hands to dig up the potatoes. Handle the potatoes carefully because they bruise easily. 
• After digging up the potatoes, shake off any excess dirt but no not wash the roots.
• You must cure sweet potatoes or they will not have that delicious, sweet taste. Curing the potatoes allows a second skin to form over scratches and bruises that occur when digging up the potatoes. To cure, keep the roots in a warm place (about 80°F) at high humidity (about 90%) for 10 to 14 days. A table outside in a shady spot works well. For best curing, make sure that the potatoes are not touching one another.
• After curing, throw out any bruised potatoes, and then wrap each one in newspaper and pack them carefully in a wooden box or basket. Store the sweet potatoes in a root cellar, basement, or other place with a temperature of at least 55°F.  
• If stored at a temperature range of 55° to 60°F with high humidity, the tubers should last for about 6 months. When removing the potatoes from storage, remember to be gentle; do not dig around or else you will bruise the potatoes.

Recommended Varieties

• ‘Centennial’, which is one of the most popular types of sweet potato. It is carrot-colored and has a good storage life. It is also a good producer for northern growers.
• ‘Jewel’, which is copper-color and has good disease resistance. It also has a good storage life.
• ‘Bunch Porto Rico’, which is a good choice for gardens with limited space. It is copper-color and very flavorful.
• ‘Stokes’ purple sweet potatoes offer a vibrant purple color and are full of extra health benefits.

Wit & Wisdom

Sweet potatoes will retain their color if cooked with a slice of lemon.
Sweet potatoes are a very healthy vegetable, and they provide many benefits. Learn more about why you should eat sweet potatoes.

Recipes

• Pecan-Crusted Sweet Potato Casserole
• Sweet Potato Pie
• Maple Candied Sweet Potatoes

Cooking Notes

Check out our ten best sweet potato recipes!
To the cook, sweet potatoes are easier than pie (or sweet potato pie!).

• They can simply be scrubbed, poked with a fork in a few places, and baked at 400°F for 35 minutes to one hour, until they give a bit when you squeeze them in your pot-holder-protected hand.
• In the microwave, a whole sweet potato baked on high should be ready in 4 to 6 minutes. It may still feel firm when done; let it stand 5 minutes to soften.
• Sweet potatoes can also be steamed whole (cleaned and unpeeled) for about 40 minutes or until tender, or cooked whole (cleaned and unpeeled) in boiling salted water for about 35 minutes. (Boiling reduces the flavor considerably.)
• Immerse cut raw sweet potatoes in water until you’re ready to cook them; they will darken otherwise.

As a general rule, don’t substitute sweet potatoes for regular potatoes in recipes; the two aren’t related. Sweet potatoes don’t hold together the way potatoes do, and their strong flavor can overwhelm a dish meant for a milder potato taste. Sweet potatoes are also not related to yams. But they make a fine substitute for pumpkin, especially in desserts.http://www.almanac.com/plant/sweet-potato?trk_msg=NDJE4NM56LKK3E0999U5VG7CGK&trk_contact=EEBLFVJ2I0VAQT9EM5JFVJAK9O&trk_sid=A9N7SE1M0CAD6LFCF0CRAM882G&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Sweet+Potato+(title)&utm_campaign=Companion+Daily

Oregano

Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Oregano Plants

 

Oregano is a perennial herb with rose-purple or white flowers and a taste reminiscent of thyme. Here’s how to grow oregano plants in your garden—plus, delicious recipes using oregano.
Oregano’s taste is zesty and strong and is commonly used in Italian dishes. It is a hardy plant and makes for a good ground cover.

Planting

• Oregano loves the sun, so ensure that your placement has full, strong sun for strong flavor. Some folks plant later in the season for assured warm weather.
• However, for a head start, plant the seeds/cuttings 6 to 10 weeks before the last spring frost. (See local frost dates.)
• Oregano can easily be started from seeds, though you can also use cuttings from an established plant.
• Plant the seeds/cuttings in well-drained soil anytime after the last spring frost. The soil should be around 70ºF.
• For thin plants, plant 8 to 10 inches apart. The plants will grow 1 to 2 feet tall and spread about 18 inches.
• Oregano makes a good companion plant for any vegetable in the garden.

Care

• Allow oregano plants to grow to about 4 inches tall and then pinch or trim lightly to encourage a denser and bushier plant.
• Regular trimming will not only cause the plant to branch again, but also avoid legginess.
• Oregano doesn’t need quite as much water as most herbs. As the amount of watering depends on many variables, just water when the soil feels dry to the touch. Remember that it’s better to water thoroughly and less often.
• If you have a container, water until the water comes out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the container.
• To ensure the best-quality plants, thin out plants that are 3 or 4 years old in the early spring. Oregano is self-seeding, so the plants will easily grow back.
• You can divide the plants in late spring if you want to put one indoors.

Pests/Diseases

• Root and stem rots
• Aphids
• Spider mites

Harvest/Storage

• Harvest the leaves as you need them. The most flavor-filled leaves are found right before the flowers bloom.
• You can freeze the leaves to use during the winter. Oregano leaves store well and are easily dried. Keep them in an airtight container once dried.

Recommended Varieties

• Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare var. hirtum) for cooking.
• Common oregano for decoration (its lavender flowers look pretty in the garden and are also used in wreaths).

Wit & Wisdom

• Oregano tea relaxes nerves and settles an upset stomach.
• Oregano was once used in many old-fashioned herbal remedies.
• For other greens to use in your cuisine, see the Leafy Greens: Health Benefits page.
• Oregano plants are said to symbolize “substance.” Find out more about plant meanings here.

Recipes

• Tomato Herb Bread
• Farmers' Market Grilled-Veggie Platter
• Slow-Cooker Tomato Sauce
• Lentil, Rice, and Feta Salad
• Shrimp in Tomato Sauce with Feta Cheese
• Herbed Popovers
• Turkey-Stuffed Eggplant

Cooking Notes

Oregano is an extremely useful herb that appears in countless remedies and tastes a bit like thyme. It is great to have in the kitchen, especially when fresh from the garden! Learn about more flavorful kitchen herbs here.http://www.almanac.com/plant/oregano?trk_msg=QVQAJP03O5IKBBR7IRLURG3C08&trk_contact=EEBLFVJ2I0VAQT9EM5JFVJAK9O&trk_sid=MREMTDQQP51PJN20DGTCPSMSRO&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Oregano+(title)&utm_campaign=Companion+Daily

10 Smart Watering Tips for a Healthy Garden How to Water

10 Smart Watering Tips for a Healthy Garden

How to Water, When to WaterWatering at the right time, in the right place, and using the right methods can make a big difference to how much water your garden needs. In this short video we share 10 tried-and-tested tips for saving water in the garden.

10 Smart Watering Tips for the Garden

1. Water Only When You Need To
If you’re not sure you need to water, check for soil moisture by digging a small hole with a trowel, or with your finger. If the soil us cool and damp below the surface, leave watering for another time.
2. Time Your Watering
Watering early in the morning gives crops enough time to take up the moisture before it evaporates in the heat of the afternoon. Water-splashed foliage will also have time to dry before nightfall, minimizing problems with slugs and fungal diseases.
3. Take Careful Aim
Direct the flow of water at the base of plants where it’s needed, and avoid splashing the leaves. Watering heavily . A lot occasionally is better than little and often, and will help develop a better root system.
4. Trap Water
Sink plastic pots up to the rim next to thirsty plants such as squash, then water into the pot. The water will be delivered directly to the root zone instead of running off the surface. You can also use an upturned bottle with the cap removed and the bottom cut off instead of a pot.
5. Irrigate Efficiently
Automatic drip irrigation or leaky hoses are less wasteful than using sprinklers. Put your setup on a timer and override it when rain is due. Keep an eye on the weather forecast!
6. Pick Pots with Care
Clay pots wick moisture out of the potting soil and metal pots heat up very quickly, which accelerates moisture loss. Grow in plastic or glazed pots instead. You can hide ugly pots within a more decorative metal or terra cotta outer pot if necessary. 
Cluster pots together to cast shade and slow evaporation further.
7. Add Organic Matter
Soils that are rich in organic matter absorb and retain moisture better, so add well-rotted compost or manure to beds whenever you get the chance.
8. Lay Mulch Regularly
Mulches slow down evaporation. Landscape fabrics will work, or use pebbles and stones on pots. T. The best mulches however are compost and other organic matter, which will also help to feed the plants as they grow. Lay mulches at least two inches thick onto moist soil, and keep them topped up throughout summer.
9. Harvest Rainwater
Locate water butts or tanks close to where you’ll most need the water. Collect water off your house roof, shed and greenhouse into water barrels. Multiple water butts barrels can be linked together to maximize your rainwater storage. Check local laws on rainwater harvesting first.
10. Keep Your Beds Weeded
Hoe off annual weeds and dig out perennials weeds to prevent them competing with your veggies for the available soil moisture.
http://www.almanac.com/video/10-smart-watering-tips-healthy-garden?trk_msg=G9NHLDO22674B92K5ICTQI5OSG&trk_contact=EEBLFVJ2I0VAQT9EM5JFVJAK9O&trk_sid=SRALC8II0FK90NA341G1A1R9OC&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=10+Smart+Watering+Tips+for+a+Healthy+Garden+(title)&utm_campaign=Companion+Daily

Black-eyed Susans

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Black-eyed Susans

Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) are native to North America and one of the most popular wildflowers grown. They tend to blanket open fields, often surprising the passerby with their golden-yellow beauty.
Members of the sunflower family, the “black eye” is named for the dark, brown-purple centers of its daisy-like flower heads. The plants can grow to over 3 feet tall, with leaves of 6 inches, stalks over 8 inches long and flower diameter of 2 to 3 inches.
Butterflies, bees, and a variety of insects are attracted to the flowers for the nectar. As they drink the nectar, they move pollen from one plant to another, causing it to grow fruits and seeds that can move about easily with the wind.
These plants bloom from June to October. Note that they can be territorial in that they tend to squash out other flowers growing near them.
Black-eyed Susans are good for cut flowers; they also work well for borders or in containers.

Planting

• Plant black-eyed Susans when the soil temperature has reached 70°F for best seed germination. In many parts of North America, the planting period is March to May. The flower will flower June to September. Germination takes 7 to 30 days.
• Plant seeds in moist, well-drained soil.
• These hearty flowers really enjoy the Sun. They prefer full sun, though they’ll grow in partial sun.
• Sow by seed in loosely covered soil.
• It’s best if soil is fertile (not poor) though they can tolerate tough conditions.
• Black-eyed Susans generally grow between 1 and 3 feet tall (though they can grow taller) and can spread between 12 to 18 inches, so plant seeds closer to prevent lots of spreading or plant further apart to make a nice border.

Care

• Check your plants regularly to see if they need watering. Make sure they don’t dry out.
• Divide perennial types every 3 to 4 years to ensure healthy plants and to prevent excessive spreading.
• Be sure to remove faded/dead flowers to prolong blooming.
• You can cut back black-eyed Susans after they flower and a second, smaller bloom may occur in late fall.

Pests/Diseases

• These plants are susceptible to powdery mildew fungi, so begin an organic antifungal program if the lower leaves turn brown and twisted.
• Slugs and snails
• Aphids
• Powdery mildew
• Rust
• Smut
• Leaf spots
• Luckily, black-eyed Susans are deer-resistant plants.

Harvest/Storage

After the first season, black-eyed Susans can reseed themselves!

Recommended Varieties

• ‘Becky Mixed’, which offers a variety of colors for your garden, such as lemon-yellow, golden-yellow, dark red, and reddish-brown.
• ‘Sonora’, which has bright yellow flowers.
• ‘Toto’, which is a dwarf type and ideal for containers.                                                  http://www.almanac.com/plant/black-eyed-susans?trk_msg=64B0G3DAI2CK7E646A2GO5R734&trk_contact=EEBLFVJ2I0VAQT9EM5JFVJAK9O&trk_sid=QMQF923710IBD5VQHHU1A8G4CO&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Black-eyed+Susans+(title)&utm_campaign=Companion+Daily

Cinder Block Bench Seat Video Instructions

We love all the different uses for Cinder Blocks and this Cinder Block Bench Seat is pure genius. It is so easy, you will love it!

http://thewhoot.com.au/whoot-news/diy/besser-block-bench 

Cinder Block Raised Garden Bed Is Easy DIY

If you’d like to grow your own herbs and veggies, we’ve found the answer to your prayers! This Raised Besser Block Bed is ideal ..

Do you have limited space in the garden? This Besser (Cinder) Block Raised Garden Bed is the perfect solution. It’s a great spot to grow herbs and vegetables or add a splash of color to your backyard and you can even paint them up!

This is such a simple idea, you won’t believe you haven’t thought of it sooner! Be sure to scroll our page for all the different versions. We have also included a video tutorial for you to follow along with.

Cinder Block Raised Garden via I Save A-Z

Cinder Block Raised Veggie Bed Video

We have included a video tutorial that steps you through the process. You need to ensure that your bed is on a flat and cleared area so that it can settle into the soil. Take into consideration your plantings and the amount of sun or shade required when selecting your location. To view the video, click Play below ⇓
Be sure to use a decent soil for your garden bed and you can also use some Pea Straw if you like. You can also use the edges to add complementary plantings. It’s important that you plant your veggies in a fashion that they will thrive, not just survive.
We recommend that you check out our Companion Planting Charts for all the best ideas. You will be thrilled with the way your veggies grow as a result.

• Check out the Companion Planting Chart Here

Raised Garden Bed via I Save A-Z

Raised Besser Block Garden Bed via Vintage Kids Modern World

Raised Besser Block Garden via Savvy Gardening

Check out how to make a —> Besser Block Planter