Author Archives: ThePlantLady

About ThePlantLady

ThePlantLady.com is a library of gardening information compiled from many resources, including written texts, online databases, current research, and first-hand experience from farmers and gardeners. It includes growing requirements specific to each plant, as well as varietal information. My background in microbiology and chemistry allows me to tap into the scientific research being done today and digest it for the use of the home gardener or small farmer.

How to Calculate Chill Hours for Your Area

Deciduous fruit and nut trees, along with some flowers and biennial vegetables, need a certain number of hours of cold temperatures in order to break winter dormancy. This winter chilling is known as chilling, winter chill, or vernalization. The chilly temperatures actually break down the hormones that are preventing the tree or plant from growing. […]

Walla Walla Sweet Onions

Walla Wall Sweet Onion Transplants from Peaceful Valley Farm

Details Day Length Requirement: originally were a short day onion, but they have been adjusted to grow well in long day areas Peaceful Valley considers them to be an Intermediate and Long Day variety Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia considers them to be a Long Day variety Type: Shape: round Color: light brown skin, light yellow flesh […]

How to Grow Tomatoes

Ask any veggie gardener what their favorite crop to grow is and you are likely to get tomatoes. 85% of the estimated 29 million gardeners grow tomatoes (NCG). Flavor is compromised, as well as variety, when you rely on store-bought, commercially grown tomatoes. They are also expensive, so it makes sense to grow your own. […]

How to Grow Chiles (Hot Peppers)

[stub] Botanical Information Taxonomy History Physical Description Varieties & Cultivars Categories or Types of Chiles Colors Available Varieties (link to ../category/cultivars/tag/Chiles) Growth Requirements Climate & Temperature Requirements Air Temperature Soil Temperature Humidity Day Length or Light Requirements Site Conditions Favored Soil Requirements Soil Texture pH Nutrient Requirements Propagation Methods of propagation Seed Division Cuttings Transplanting […]