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 Grow Cucumbers

[stub] Botanical Information Taxonomy History Physical Description Varieties & Cultivars Categories or Types of Cucumbers Colors Available Varieties (link to ../category/cultivars/tag/Cucumbers) 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 […]

How to Grow Sunflowers

Who can resist feeling happy or hopeful when staring into the face of a bright sunflower? Very easy to grow, attracts beneficial insects and birds, edible seeds, and beautiful, uplifting flowers. Botanical Information Taxonomy Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Genus: Helianthus from Wikipedia History Physical Description Varieties & Cultivars Categories […]

Fodder Radish

Details Raphanus sativus Open-Pollinated Type:  daikon good compost crop good for livestock fodder Shape: big and un-uniform Color: white Maturity: 70-182 days Size: large Yield: roots are large & juicy; big leaf production as well Taste: “edible big juicy roots” BG Disease Resistance or Environmental Tolerance: ? Notes: recommended for microgreen production Extremely valuable compost crop […]

Oilseed Sunflower

Details Helianthus annuus Open-Pollinated Type: seeds used for oil production Color:  flower: bright yellow seed: all black Maturity: 100 days Size: flower: slightly smaller than other ornamental sunflowers stalk: 6′ tall seed: small Yield: seeds yield high oil content Disease Resistance or Environmental Tolerance: tolerates hot weather Notes: Recommended for microgreen production attracts bees & […]

Perfection Fennel

Details Open-Pollinated: ? Type: ? Shape: ? Color: ? Maturity: ? Size: ? Yield: ? Taste: ? Disease Resistance or Environmental Tolerance: ? Notes: Root disturbance will cause bolting, so direct-sow or use pots unless you want seed rather than stem bulb. Increasing day-length also causes bolting, so for bulbs, plant in summer or late […]

Soil Testing

Every season, with every plant you grow, nutrients are used up or leached out by water. Doing a soil test when preparing for the next season is the only way to know what nutrients need replenishing. Sampling Your Soil Whether using a home test kit or sending your soil to a lab, your soil test […]

Organic Matter

Organic matter is the result of decomposition. Composted materials are organic matter. Humus is the stable endpoint of decomposition for organic material. Not a lot is known about humus, chemically. It is incredibly variable, so it’s hard to analyze. Basically it is the remaining resistant bits leftover after all of the easier to rot stuff […]