Why Plant Pelleted Seed Varieties in the Garden

Due to the various amount of seed varieties, certain crops have seeds that are irregularly shaped. The irregularly raw shaped seeds can in return cause problems when trying to plant them using mechanical equipment like a direct seeder or vacuum seeders. The vacuum seeders are typically used by larger greenhouse companies in order to seed their transplant trays a lot faster. In order to use the mechanical equipment to plant the various seed varieties, we need round shaped seeds instead of the irregular shaped seeds. For example, carrots have really small oval-shaped seeds that contain a naturally papery texture which makes the seeds hard to plant in the garden. However, when you have pelleted seed varieties they contain a round-shaped seed that works great in mechanical equipment like the seeders. Having round-shaped seeds allows for easier planting for transplants and direct seeding with our garden seeder. Along with easier planting, you are able to plant faster and save seeds when using pelleted seeds in the vegetable garden. The process of pelleting seeds is they coat the seeds with an inert ingredient which is a clay particle. Then, they put the seeds and the particular type of clay into a tumbler and roll it around until all the seeds reach a certain size. When pelleting seeds you are increasing the weight, size, and shape of the seed depending on the desired characteristics that is needed.

Pelleted Seed Varieties

The guys go over the pelleted seed varieties that we offer at Hoss Tools. Starting with pelleted lettuce varieties which includes Calshot, Cherokee, Coastal Star, Skyphos, Starfighter, and Tehama. We also carry pelleted carrot seeds which include varieties like the Viper, Yellowstone, Scarlet Nantes, Deep Purple, Gold Nugget and Danvers 126. As well as two pelleted beet varieties such as Early Wonder and Kestral Beets. While a few more beet varieties are going to be released soon in pelleted form. Some other seed varieties that are available are the Candy Onion and Tadorna Leeks.

Show and Tell Segment

On the show and tell segment, Greg has some Cherokee Tan pumpkins that he has harvested from the vegetable garden. The Cherokee Tan variety was a winner in maximum yield and flavor profile during the growing season this year. Greg also needs a little help from our viewers in finding out information on the old-timey multiplying nesting onion variety. Travis's mentions that he currently has cucumbers, pole beans, and lots of okra growing in the vegetable garden. He also has planted peaches and cream sweet corn for the fall growing season in the vegetable garden.

Viewer Questions Segment

On the question and answer segment this week, the guys answer questions about planting carrots on drip tape and cut flower cover crops. Travis recommends growing carrots on a double row of buried drip tape. He simply scatters the carrot seeds thick along the furrow in the vegetable garden. The trick with growing carrots in the vegetable garden is keeping the carrot seed bed wet until germination happens. The best tool to use when applying drip tape in the vegetable garden is our Drip Tape Layer Attachment on our Double Wheel Hoe. Greg mentions that the only cut flower variety that works as a cover crop is Sunflowers. They work the best as a cover crop because they grow quickly and shade out weeds when planted thick in the vegetable garden. Sunflowers have a dense root system which allows them to help with soil erosion in the vegetable garden area as well.

Products of the Week

Hoss Garden Seeder

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNTzuuLyByY

New Fall Garden Seed Varieties

Not only are these seed varieties great to grow in the Fall garden, but a lot of these new seed varieties are exclusive and can only be found here at Hoss Tools.

Cabbage

The first new seed variety that offers an excellent disease-resistant is Cheers cabbage. Cheers can produce large heads that can usually grow to an average size of 5 lbs. The next variety is the Rio Grande Red which has been studied by Louisiana State University as being the largest red cabbage producer. Then, the Charleston Wakefield is the best-storing cabbage that produces conical heads in the vegetable garden. While the Savoy King provides crinkled-leaves and a crisp texture that makes this variety excellent for eating raw.

Carrots

When it comes time to planting carrots we recommend direct seeding in October. Unlike the Purple Haze, the new Deep Purple variety has a purple color that is throughout the entire core of the carrot. The next new seed variety we offer is known as Viper. This exclusive variety produces long slender carrots that average around 12 to 14 inches long. Another seed variety that is not necessarily new but we now offer in a new pelleted form for planting in our garden seeder is the Yellowstone carrot variety. Then, we offer the Gold Nugget variety which is a Nantes type carrot meaning that it is blunter on the end as opposed to sharp like the imperator type carrots. Lastly, the Scarlet Nantes is another Nantes type variety that produces carrots that have little tapering from top to bottom and blunt ends.

Greens

The only new seed varieties of greens we offer is the Southern Giant Curled Mustard. Known as an All-American Selection winner, this variety produces large curled leaves that contain the traditional "mustard green" flavor profile. It is an heirloom variety that has been a staple crop in the South for many years.

Leeks

Here in the South, leeks can be grown during the Fall, so we now offer two varieties of leeks to grow in the vegetable garden. The Matejko is a hybrid variety that is heat tolerant and rust tolerant, which is a disease that can sometimes be an issue with leeks. While the Tadorna leek is a cool weather variety of leek and can be transplanted in our seed starting trays in the early Fall as well.

Lettuce

A popular crop to grow in the garden is lettuce varieties. The first new lettuce variety the guys discuss is the pelleted Cherokee variety. The Cherokee variety is known to be the most heat tolerant red lettuce on the market. The next variety is Tehama which is another pelleted variety that is heat tolerant and slow for bolting. Then, we have the Coastal Star romaine variety that produces dark green leaves and full-size heads of crisp lettuce. The last lettuce variety is the Baby Leaf Lettuce Mix. This variety should be planted densely in a garden area and can be harvested several times throughout the growing season.

Onions

The most popular onion variety to grow in the vegetable garden is the Candy onion. The Candy Onion is an intermediate-day variety that grows well in many regions except for the far north and deep south areas of the country. The next onion variety that we recommend growing in the Fall garden is the Savannah Sweet Onions. The Savannah Sweet is a short-day onion that produces a flattened, granex shape much like the popular Vidalia type onions. Another short-day onion that is similar to the Vidalia onions is the Sweet Harvest variety. However, it produces jumbo to large bulbs, unlike the Savannah Sweet. Lastly, the Natsuguro Bunching variety is a spring onion that is excellent for harvesting several at a time in the vegetable garden.

Radishes, Rutabaga, & Turnip Seed Varieties

The Easter Egg Radishes are a colorful mix of red, white, and purple radishes to grow in the Fall garden. Another new exciting seed variety that we offer is the Laurentian Rutabaga.

Fall Planting Schedule

It is no secret that the most popular growing season for gardeners is the Fall. When deciding on a fall planting schedule there are several crops that can be planted due to the weather conditions being not too cold or hot. This is the perfect time to get maximum production of crops to last you on into the colder months.

Best Fall Crops to Plant

When direct seeding in August we recommend planting with our garden seeder to plant sweet corn, pole beans, and cucumbers. However, when it comes to transplanting we like to use our seed starting trays to plant crops such as green magic broccoli, tiger collards, kale, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, and kohlrabi. In September, we recommend direct-seeding crops such as English peas, all top turnips, mustard, premium greens mix, and Easter Egg radishes. For transplanting in September we prefer to plant Calshot Romaine lettuce, beets, and Calendula Prince Mix. In October, the guys plan to have a Fall planting schedule of direct-seeded crops like carrots and cool-season cover crops. Then, lastly in November is the best time to plant onions, shallots, and leeks.

Show and Tell Segment

On the show and tell segment, Travis has some muscadines which are a staple in the South. While Greg shows off some Blue Bayou Pumpkins that he has harvested from the vegetable garden. The guys taste test the pumpkins in the form of sliced wedges, pumpkin soup, and pumpkin muffins. Travis also discusses the till and tarp technique he has been using at his consultant farm. This method is being used in a newer garden plot area that is covered in Bermuda grass. He has covered the area with a silage tarp and has left it to sit there for 2 to 3 weeks. After a couple of weeks, he has folded the tarp back and tilled it at one end, then covered the area again. This repetitive method is creating a weed-free environment because you are tilling the weed seeds to the top of the soil then killing them off with the silage tarp that is covering the garden area.

Viewer Questions Segment

On the question and answer segment this week, the guys answer questions about curing pumpkins, the start-up area for a market garden, controlling the pest in the garden, and how their shallots did this season. Greg has just finished harvesting his Blue Bayou and Cherokee Tan pumpkin varieties from the vegetable garden. He likes to cure them by placing them underneath the barn and in the shade. As long as they stay in the shade and dry they can cure for around three to four weeks. Travis currently has around 10 to 12 thousand square feet of area that he works in for his market gardening. If you are doing the market gardening part-time, 10 to 12 thousand square feet is the perfect size for a startup gardening area to work in. When it comes to pest control in the garden, our most popular products are Neem Oil, Monterey B.t., and Spinosad to name a few. In the Spring, the guys had an okay growing season of shallots. The guys are planning to plant them again according to their Fall planting schedule because they are similar to onions so they hope to get a better crop this coming growing season. The last question they discuss is when will the new fall seed varieties be available on our website. The guys mention that we are currently working hard to get them packed and available on the website every day. If you want to get updated when new seeds are available, you can be added to our email newsletter and be the first to know all about what's new at Hoss Tools.

Products of the Week

Cheers Cabbage

Savoy King

Rio Grande Red

Charleston Wakefield

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw6Ng4RdfqY

Market Farming Strategies

There are a few different methods when it comes to small scale market farming. The two most popular models are the community-supported agriculture strategy and the farmers market strategy. However, many factors play into which model would work best for you in your location and what you prefer for your vegetable garden.

Small Scale Market Farming Model

Travis uses a little different market farming strategy than the normal community-supported agriculture or farmers market strategies. He uses a weekly bag model strategy which requires no upfront money and he takes bag orders from week to week. Each bag is $20 and contains five items each week for the customer. However, for the most part, customers do not get to customize their orders due to the vegetable garden variance and it can be a time-consuming process. When it comes to the quantities of how much is in the bag based on each item Travis likes to put enough for a family of four to have a side dish for supper. Travis shows off an example of what typically comes in the weekly bag model. The bag contains a set of four slicing cucumbers, four Goldprize squash, three Nubia eggplants, two small wonder spaghetti squash, and one hai kabocha squash all from the vegetable garden. There are a couple of differences between buying a weekly bag instead of buying vegetables from the grocery store. Travis mentions that most the vegetable varieties that if he offers in his weekly bag model you cannot get in the grocery store. Another benefit of buying the weekly bag of vegetables is the taste. With green vegetables like collards and kale, the taste is a lot better than in the grocery store because they tend to be healthier and the home gardener watches what products he uses in the vegetable garden. Another advantage you can add to the weekly bag model is by branding the bag and making recipe cards to go along with the vegetables inside the bag. Due to some of the different varieties of vegetables, recipe cards will help people learn how to cook these unfamiliar varieties like the Kabocha squash. Travis main marketing strategy is done through Facebook and a little email to customers.

Show and Tell Segment

On the show and tell segment, Greg talks about his Cherokee Tan Pumpkins that he tried out in the garden this year. Although they turned out smaller than he anticipated, the disease resistance was excellent during the growing season this year in the vegetable garden. He also has a Blue Bayou Pumpkin variety that has a great disease resistance as well. It is a hybrid variety that improves production and contains a high sugar content that makes it great for eating. Travis shows off a new fertilizer product that we now carry called Ammonium Sulfate. This fertilizer comes in handy when growing onions, garlic, elephant garlic, leeks, and shallots. The guys also share a little information on what is going to be available soon in the new seed lineup for this year.

Viewer Questions Segment

On the question and answer segment this week, the guys answer questions about cut flowers and planting a fall garden. When it comes to selling cut flowers at a market, Greg mentions that his cut flower expert friend Lisa Ziegler recommends using a CBVN tablet in order to preserve cut flowers for selling at the market. Travis mentions the first thing to get started in the garden is transplanting Tiger Collards, Lacinato Kale, Cheers Cabbage, and Green Magic Broccolli. These four varieties grow maximum production and are easy to grow in the vegetable garden.

Products of the Week

Ammonium Sulfate Fertilizer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUevZyNGAsc

Small Scale Market Farming

There are a couple of different models that small scale market farmers use when it comes to growing your own food. The first model of market farming is CSA which is Community Supported Agriculture. This system is the process of buying shares upfront at the beginning of the season that the farmer delivers throughout the growing season. So if there is crop failure and the farmer cannot deliver the crops then you do not get your money back. Another small scale market farming model is selling at the farmers market. Nowadays, farmers markets have become a sometimes weekend-long event in several different towns or cities. From the guys experience the best farmers markets they have been to has been in higher populated areas. The last model, the guys discuss is the wholesale model or larger scale selling of produce. This can be for people that like growing produce and then sell it to country stores, restaurants,  or other local markets. Out of all three small scale market farming models, it can vary which one would work best for you as an individual and your personal preference.

Popular Techniques & Common Problems

Depending on certain areas in the North compared to the South, not every gardening technique works best. For example, a popular technique in some gardening areas is the use of 30-inch raised beds. Due to the guys growing so many different varieties of vegetables throughout the growing season the raised beds do not work for them personally. Another popular technique is heavy composting in the North. However, living in the South, we believe in providing good compost to improve soil structures for healthier plants, but heavy composting will burn out and leave our soils looking like sand. A method that is popular in the North and South is intensive growing. The meaning behind intensive growing is growing as much in the garden as you can in a given space. Some common problems that people have when getting started on small scale market farming is no experience growing in a garden, focusing too much on schematic details, and finding individuals that will buy on a consistent regular basis.

Show and Tell Segment

On the show and tell segment, the guys do not have too many vegetables growing in the garden due to the weather conditions. Greg is currently cleaning out his garden, but he still has some ProCut Sunflowers and Zinnias growing. In the greenhouse, he is starting to grow some Cockscomb. Travis has been growing cover crops in his garden. He recently planted Top Millet and Buckwheat that helps with improving the soil structure and weed suppression. The guys discuss some new seeds that will be coming very soon to the website.

Viewer Questions Segment

On the question and answer segment this week, the guys answer questions about when they are going to start growing collards and kale plants and where they get all of there knowledge from. Travis says if planting kale and collards by transplant start those at the end of August to early September. Greg says if you direct seeding plant them around the beginning of October. A lot of the knowledge that the guys have accumulated over the years is through informal and formal studying. Greg has done a lot of studying on insects, diseases, and received some certifications in agronomy and horticulture. As well as, experienced a lot of hands-on learning through various jobs in the industry. While Travis has a bachelor's and a master's degree in Biology and studied at the Ph.D. level for four years. Overall, a lot of the knowledge comes from getting in the garden and trying new growing techniques all year round in the vegetable garden.

Products of the Week

Winter Harvest Handbook

The Market Gardener

The New Organic Grower

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DErW3qM2QT4

Question & Answers Segment

On this week’s episode, the guys answer viewer questions about a couple of different cover crops grown in the vegetable garden. The first question is trying to determine if growing Austrian Pea for the honeybee population in the garden is good or not. Greg mentions that the Austrian pea is a wintertime pea so it can extend the season but it would not be his first choice for pollinators. The second question is all about the guy's thoughts about allelopathic plants. For example, allelopathic qualities of cover crops such as peas or vetch help with nutgrass problems. While Buckwheat is allelopathic to pigweed. Thirdly, the guys discuss the issues causing deformation in melons. Greg explains the two main causes of deformation in melons is due to infrequent watering and poor pollination. Next, they discuss various vegetables that work best when planted on drip tape irrigation. Travis mentions that he uses his drip tape on almost everything except Irish potatoes. Using drip tape will save you time, conserve water, and reduce weed pressures greatly. Recently the guys talked about figs that have a closed-end and keeps the bugs out. Due to some research that LSU has done in the past, this type of fig variety is called the LSU Purple variety. The guys then discuss whether the silage tarps control nutsedge or not. Travis explains the silage tarps will help the nutsedge a little bit but not like the other weeds. You basically just have to aggravate the soil with the Wheel Hoe or incorporate some cover crops like Austrian pea into the garden. Next, the guys talk about how heavy silage tarps are and ordering bigger tarps. Greg says the silage tarps weigh about 60 pounds and are heavy depending on your size. It can be carried by one person but it's more ideal for two people. When discussing fig trees Greg recommends planting fruit trees in the fall because it gives them a chance to get started without stressing. He also says amending the soil before planting and keeping it watered will help the fig trees as well. Then, they discuss the most productive pepper variety in the garden. The Aruba Cubanelle peppers are a hybrid variety that is the front runner in maximum yield when it comes to all the other pepper varieties we carry. The next question deals with how to treat Japanese beetle damage on flowers and vegetables. Greg says rotating between Neem Oil and Pyrtherin early on and keeping the garden clean will help control those pest issues. The last question that the guy's answer is for new garden spots whether or not you should add a tarp first then grow a cover crop or grow a cover crop then tarp. Travis explains if you have a way of cleaning or tilling the garden spot to prepare it to plant cover crops then tarp. However, if you don't have a tiller or a way to clean the garden area tarp it during the summer and plant fall cover crops.

Show and Tell Segment

On the show and tell segment, with the summer weather getting hotter and hotter the guys discuss a couple of different hot pepper varieties such as the Serrano, Cayenne, and Brazilian Orchid. Greg is about done growing for this season. However, he still has a few sunflower and zinnia varieties planted that have been the prettiest crop thus far in the garden. The only vegetable producing he has going on in the garden is okra. The guys are both in the cleanup phase to prepare it for fall planting season. The guys also talk a little bit about the seed line up coming out soon.

Product of the Week

Hoss Hats

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxqKM0XQfWY

Occultation vs. Solarization

Occultation basically means blocking something from view. For example, when studying Astronomy, when we experience an eclipse and the moon is blocked from the sun that is occultation. There are two forms of silage tarps that are used for solarization and occultation in the garden. For solarization, the clear tarps heat up the soil and are used if you want to sterilize your soil due to either nematode, fungal, or bacterial pressures in the vegetable garden. For occultation, the black tarps are used for maintaining soil structure, organic matter, and promote bacterial activity in the garden soil.

Using Occultation in the Garden Soil

On this week's episode, the guys explain how occultation is used in the garden. When we block the garden soil from the sunlight this known as occultation. To use this technique in the garden we take Silage Tarps to cover the soil area. The main purpose of occultation with the black tarp is you create this moist environment that starts weed germination but they end up dying off as soon as the germinate because there's no life to feed off of. This method is perfect for creating a stale weed seedbed or weed seed bank. The occultation is used to prepare your soil without using any kind gas-powered equipment such as a tiller, tractor, or harrow. So if you want to start a new garden area, but have no form of gas-powered equipment, add this Silage Tarp to that area. It works great when laid down for three to four weeks in the summertime or maybe up to six weeks in the wintertime. Then, just pull it up and go to planting vegetables in the garden area. Travis recommends to mow it down as low as you could then apply the silage tarp. If you are like Greg and have a longer existing garden spot that has high weed pressure these Silage tarps work great to suppress this weed seed bank. Another great benefit of Silage Tarps is it maintains the integrity of the garden soil. With the tendency of overworking our soils, this tarp method allows us to not overwork which maintains the proper tilth that we need to have for a successful vegetable garden.

Show and Tell Segment

On the show and tell segment, Greg has a Tubtrug colander full of Jambalaya and some stragglers of Red Burgundy Okra. Both productive okra varieties, but Jambalaya is top-notch when it comes to maximum production in the vegetable garden. Travis brought some of Greg's favorite Brown Turkey Figs. He also has a Stonewall cucumber that was harvested off his Hortonova Trellis Netting. Growing on a trellis allows for higher yields and more growing space because vegetables are growing vertically in the garden. The guys also show off the different color Hoss Hats that we carry in Charcoal, Red, and Camo.

Viewer Questions Segment

On the question and answer segment this week, the guys answer questions about what they learned from this growing season that they wouldn't like to do again and squash bug pressures during the Fall. Although they had a good garden season due to the dry weather they both found one thing that they learned to not do in the garden again. For Greg, he prefers not to grow southern peas in the garden again. He did well growing the peas, but he cannot control the Southern pea curculio. Travis agrees that he can't grow them as well. During late Fall and September, the squash bug pressures are probably the highest during the Fall months. Travis says to avoid even trying to grow any kind cucurbit vegetables during those months. The guys recommend planting any kind of cucurbits early in the garden to avoid those harsh squash bug pressures.

Product of the Week

Silage Tarp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1F_bihSw-g

Hybrid vs. Heirloom

When deciding between different hybrid and heirloom varieties to plant you should really weight out the benefits and flavor profiles that both varieties have to offer. More importantly, differentiate and decide which type of variety you prefer to plant in your personal garden. One major advantage that heirlooms have is they are open-pollinated meaning that the pollen is carried naturally through wind or pollinators. While hybrid varieties are hybridized meaning they have to be pollinated by human intervention to carry out the characteristics in the plant.

Taste Testing Hybrid Tomato Varieties

On last week's show, Greg had the opportunity to taste test some heirloom tomato varieties and rank them based on most productive flavors. The guys were both unsurprised that Sun Gold came out on top with the most flavor profile out of all the varieties tested. This week Travis is taste testing three different determinant hybrid tomato varieties. When discussing these varieties, Travis explains that Bella Rosa and Brickyard tend to be hardier than the Mountain Glory in his garden that is surrounded by commercial farming. According to Greg, the Mountain Glory does better in the northern cooler climates where the disease pressures are not as high like it is in the southern climates. The guys recommend testing out all these varieties to see which one works best for you because it is all based on climate temperatures and disease pressures in the area that you live in. The first tomato that Travis taste tested is the Brickyard which he says to be more acidic in flavor and compared it to a store-bought tomato. The Bella Rosa was next in the taste test which came out less acidic and more of a fruity flavor than the Brickyard. The last tomato, Travis tries is the Mountain Glory. He describes it has being less complex and plainer than the first two he tasted. Overall, the Bella Rosa came out on top with the taste testing with Brickyard and Mountain Glory close behind it.

Show and Tell Segment

On the show and tell segment, the guys discuss everything that is popping up and blooming in the garden. Greg has some succession planting sunflowers from his garden. With hardly any tend to them at all, his ProCut Orange sunflowers bloomed to the perfect size and left him very impressed. For easy and quick planting these ProCut sunflower varieties work like a dream in our garden seeder. Travis has some Ageratum Blue Horizon cut flowers to show off from his garden. This is his first time growing this variety and the native bees have been all over this type of cut flower variety. Travis has experienced the best pepper crop in several years. He has a Merlot Purple Bell Pepper that has great flavor and yields. However, the Bayonet is the leading bell pepper when it comes to maximum production.

Viewer Questions Segment

On the question and answer segment this week, the guys answer questions about their planting schedule and can you still plant sunflowers in Ohio. To keep track of what Greg and Travis have going on in the garden it is best to watch all our YouTube videos when they come out. This will help you know what to plant and when to harvest crops in the garden if you live in the same growing zone (8a). However, they recommend getting a garden planner which is helpful for any growing zone that offers plant and row spacing as well. Greg says depending on what part of Ohio you live in if you get the ProCut Sunflowers in the garden before August 1st you should be in good shape.

Product of the Week

Tomato Varieties

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT1YnooLf8c

Indeterminate/Heirloom Tomatoes

Tomatoes are always a favorite and popular crop to grow in the garden. Whether they are heirloom/hybrid or determinate/indeterminate they all offer many different growing characteristics and flavors. The guys like to transplant their tomatoes in seed starting trays. Indeterminate tomato varieties are known to continue growing and producing all throughout the growing season. The heirloom varieties are described as your older varieties that have the same characteristics that have been passed down from generation to generation. These indeterminate tomatoes can be both heirloom and hybrid.

Taste Testing Tomatoes

On this week's show, Greg does a little taste testing and rates several different indeterminate tomatoes. To start off the taste testing the guys begin with the goldish/orange, Jubilee tomato which is an heirloom variety. The second variety he tries is the open-pollinated, Amish Paste variety. This is a great variety for canning and preserving after harvest. Another heirloom variety that Greg tried was the Mortgage Lifter tomato. The fourth taste test was an extremely flavorable hybrid variety, Sun Gold. The next variety is the Cherokee Purple that is an old heirloom that originated back to the Cherokee Native Americans in Tennessee. To finish up the taste testing, Travis has a little surprise for Greg. Overall, Greg ranked the Sun Gold as being the best tomato out of these different indeterminate varieties. The Sun Gold offers the best citrusy flavor out of any other tomato variety. According to Greg his least favorite one was the Mortgage Lifter variety. The guys both agree that this variety grows really nice size tomatoes, but they do not offer a lot of flavor.

Show and Tell Segment

On the show and tell segment, Travis has some ProCut sunflowers that he harvested. These beautiful sunflower mixes were the Lemon, Orange, Red Lemon Bicolor, and Plum. Greg talks about planting some more sunflowers with the garden seeder. They guys also taste test a Beaver Dam Hot Pepper that is more sweet than hot. They agree that it has more of a sweet heat or citrusy heat, but not hot at all. Greg has some productive Blue Bayou and Cherokee Tan pumpkins growing in the garden. They guys talk about one thing in the garden that has left them pleasantly surprised thus far in the growing season. Travis recently added bees to his garden and he has been surprised at how much more squash and zucchini production he is getting since adding these pollinators. Greg is surprised at how well his Brickyard tomatoes are doing this growing season. The guys also mention a little bit about Silage Tarps which is a new product that will be on the website soon. Greg is currently doing a trial with one in his garden right now. Silage Tarps are a great companion to the cover crop system in your vegetable garden.

Viewer Questions Segment

On the question and answer segment this week, the guys answer questions about the difference in bean varieties, pickled okra recipes, and what seasoning do they like to put on their potatoes. Travis says that whenever they discuss bean varieties they mainly talk about pole beans and bush beans. When talking about pole beans they should be grown on a trellis because they grow vertically and they work best in smaller garden areas. Greg likes to use the "Pickled Pantry" book to get some of his pickled okra recipes. The guys mention that the seasoning they love to use so much is called Cavender's Greek Seasoning. They like to use it to season many different vegetables in the garden and you should definitely try it out if you can get your hands on some.

Product of the Week

Hortonova Trellis Netting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6i1riyyQ-4&t=1290s

Okra Varieties

Classified in the Malvaceae family, okra prefers warm-weather which makes it perfect for the summer growing season. The guys have tested several okra varieties over the years including Star of David, Cowhorn, Red Burgundy, Clemson Spineless, and Jambalaya. In their trials the Red Burgundy and Jambalaya varieties were the most productive. They do plan on adding more okra varieties in the future. These could include Candle Fire, Louisiana Velvet, Emerald and the Dwarf Green Long Pod okra.

Growing Productive Okra

The recommended row spacing for okra is 26 to 38 inches. Okra may be transplanted or direct-seeded. Rows should be spaced 28" to 36" apart, although the guys prefer the wider 3' spacing. Plant spacing along the row should be 8-12". Transplanting will require fewer seeds than direct-seeding. When transplanting, you can expect to use about 2 lbs of seed per acre. When direct-seeding, plant seeds 3-4" apart and thin to 8-12". This will usually require about 12-15 pounds of seed per acre.

The preferred soil pH for okra is 5.8 to 6.5, which is slightly acidic. Okra prefers a balanced fertilizer at planting. Something like a 20-20-20 or 10-10-10 formulation would work well. The recommended amount is 600-800 pounds per acre, which equates to 13 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft.

Aphids and ants can be a major pest issue on okra plants. If you are experiencing ants in your okra, you more than likely you have an aphid problem. Aphids produce honeydew which attracts ants to okra crops. Also, okra is susceptible to parasitic nematode damage. To reduce nematode issues, practice proper crop rotation and plant cover crops like Sunn Hemp, Sorghum Sudangrass, or Mustard.

Okra is commercially harvested based on three pod-length classifications: Fancy, Choice, and Jumbo. Fancy pods are around 3.5 inches long, Choice pods are 3.5 to 4.5 inches long, and Jumbo pods are over 4.5 inches long. Fancy and Choice okra pods must be harvested daily to prevent pods from getting too large. Okra plants may be pruned as they are harvested. This will make the area cleaner and easier to harvest in the future.

Show and Tell Segment

On the show and tell segment, Travis discusses his tomato struggles this year. It was a rough start, but he now has them producing well. The guys perform a taste test two heirloom varieties. They try the Cherokee Purple and the Jubilee varieties. The Cherokee Purple is a dark red, almost purple tomato, while the Jubilee is a yellow to orange tomato. They discuss the primary differences between determinate and indeterminate tomato varieties. Indeterminate tomato varieties will have a slow, steady production over a long period of time. Determinate tomato varieties will produce more tomatoes in a short window.

Viewer Questions Segment

On the question and answer segment, the guys answer questions about planting fall corn and lowering soil pH. Travis explains that he likes to plant fall sweet corn anywhere from late August to mid-September. If you live in zone 7A, Travis suggests planting at the end of July to early August. It is a good idea to also plant the corn on drip tape to make sure it has plenty of water in the late summer temperatures. Greg says it is easy to raise soil pH, but can be really difficult to lower it. The only option for lowering soil pH is to use elemental sulfur. It is best to always perform a soil test before adding lime to elevate soil pH levels. This will ensure that you don't add too much and over-adjust the pH.

Products Mentioned in the Show

Hortonova Trellis Netting

Spinosad Garden Insect Spray

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMy7Adn2pnA&t=256s