Summertime often means unpredictable storms throughout the days and weeks. Many years ago, before scientific advancements hit the foliar industry, growers and gardeners hypothesized that something about rainwater was good for their crops. While they may not have had substantiated evidence at that time, today, we now know that rainwater most certainly benefits plants, even more so than that of the water coming from the plant irrigation systems. The vital nutrients that rainwater is packed with play a significant role in building strength for harvests, allowing them to thrive and grow more rapidly. Seasoned growers now look forward to thunderstorms to bring in a new level of nutrients that helps their crops to maintain health.

Rainwater is created through the evaporation of inland bodies of water as well as oceans. This process involves the condensing of moisture, which collects sulfur and therefore aids in the formation of plant amino acids. In addition, rainwater is packed with nitrogen, which is a key component in chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is a mainstay in a crop’s ability to produce carbohydrates during photosynthesis. From a chemical process standpoint, once lightning strikes during a storm the nitrogen in the atmosphere combines with hydrogen. At this time, a vital fertilizer is created that is transferred by the rain to the soil, helping to build plant strength.

In addition, rainwater takes the dust that is living in air currents and carries it to the soil. These dust particles contain essential minerals and microorganisms that help the breakdown process of organic compounds into plant nutrients. On top of that, rainwater helps to flush salt from the soil that got there from municipal irrigation systems. The chemicals and salts present in the soil blocks the ability for adequate plant root growth. With the help of rainwater, the accumulated salts are washed away and plants are able to get the extra bit of irrigation that builds health tremendously.

While the benefits of rainwater are clear, it is important to recognize the alternative: tap water. Containing things like chlorine, salts, fluoride, and other types of chemical treatments, tap water can prove to be dangerous to plant health and plant growth. Plants can certainly tolerate tap water, however, crops of all kinds benefit from the many positive attributes of rainwater.

Powdery mildew is a common and destructive disease that has left many crops damaged and destroyed. Identified by powdery patches of gray or white located on the stems and leaves of plants, powdery mildew is a fungus that is truly destructive if not targeted immediately. Controlling powdery mildew outbreaks is the key to keeping harvests healthy and thriving. New research, however, may be a saving grace for cucumbers throughout the world who have been damaged and destroyed by the effects of the powdery mildew disease. Researchers from Cornell University and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences conducted a study using UV-B light treatment to understand its role in reducing powdery mildew’s presence on cucumbers.

In the study, the researchers were able to successfully suppress the powdery mildew pathogen without using any type of fungicides which are costly for growers of all kinds. The leaders of the research study were Aruppillai Suthapran from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences as well as Robert Seem and David Gadoury who are plant pathologists from Cornell University. They found that with the use of UV-B light, cucumber powdery mildew was significantly suppressed, particularly when the light was applied during the nighttime hours.

Plant pathologist David Gadoury went on to state, “Powdery mildews go after just about everything we want to grow. I feel fairly safe in saying we could kill any powdery mildew with UV-B. Right now we’re at the caveman level. We’ve discovered this club, and we’re going to whack powdery mildew until we kill it.” As he suggests, while they are only in the initial phases of the research, this development is likely to prove to be a huge breakthrough in the foliar industry. With the use of UV-B light, growers will save tons of money on fungicides and will be able to keep powdery mildew from destroying their crops.

Greenhouse environments have shown to be the most prominent place where powdery mildew develops and then attacks. With the rising costs of transportation and energy, many growers have turned to greenhouses as well as high tunnels to cultivate crop varieties locally, making powdery mildew a serious threat to their harvests. As such, these growers are using an abundance of fungicides to protect their crops. The ability to eliminate the need for fungicide use by replacing this activity with UV-B light would potentially save the growers millions of dollars annually.

Summer season and gardening seem to go hand-in-hand. When the sun is shining and the skies are clear, there’s nothing better than putting some use to that green thumb. For seasoned growers, summer marks another opportunity to harvest plants that will thrive in the summer. For new gardeners or those who simply garden for fun and enjoyment, summer marks a great time to experiment with new crops and see what they can grow. June is an incredibly underrated time to plant. Many growers will say that those who plant in June have missed the boat, but this is simply not true.

Planting in June still leaves an opportunity to grow some healthy, flourishing vegetables, fruits, and all types of plants. Now don’t get us wrong, things like peppers, eggplants, and tomatoes need to have been set already. Nevertheless, there are certainly some plants that will do well if planted this coming month. Let’s take a look at the best plants to harvest in June:

• Beans
• Scallions
• Cucumbers
• Basil
• Melons
• Oregano
• Edamame
• Carrots
• Sage
• Squashes (both summer and winter)
• Beets
• Pumpkins
• Chard
• Corn

Timing is one of the most important parts of gardening. However, the growth process continues to change as climate continues to change with it. Take a chance with some of the above vegetables this June and see as your garden grows bountifully.

Nitrogen plays an incredibly important role in overall crop production. In order for plants to achieve notable economic yields, nitrogen levels must be managed and optimized accurately and regularly. Healthy growth in almost any type of plant depends on the ability for nitrogen to be absorbed sufficiently. Nitrogen deficiency is a serious threat that every plant is prone to, other than legumes. Protecting vegetables from nitrogen deficiency is imperative to facilitate healthy crop growth. Therefore, detecting nitrogen deficiency is important to prevent the problem from growing to a level that cannot be fixed. Crop production depends on nitrogen’s presence in the plants.

Plants cannot thrive without their most essential macronutrient, nitrogen. Plant cells depend on nitrogen for structural, metabolic, and genetic compounds that allow it to grow with great health. In addition, nitrogen is present chlorophyll, which allows the plants to use sunlight energy through photosynthesis that produces sugars. Nitrogen levels are most important during the vegetative stage, where the roots look to nitrogen for both support and strength. As the plant roots receive more and more nitrogen, they are able to take in more nutrients and water.

As a result of water and nutrient intake, plants produce beautiful green foliage and grow much, much more rapidly. These attributes lay the foundation for incredible components of overall crop production. From much larger yields to tastier vegetables, nitrogen is critical. Finally, nitrogen levels even play a role in building crop stability. Plants are better able to fight off diseases, pests, and other adverse weather conditions that would harm nitrogen deficient plants, which grow slowly with a poor structure and color.

While stable nitrogen levels are vital for crop production, there is a potential for too much nitrogen. Plants that have extremely high levels of nitrogen may not be able to produce fruits or flowers. Nitrogen overload can lead to things like plant burning that causes the leaves to shrivel up and eventually die. Overall, being hyper-aware of nitrogen levels is the best thing that a grower can do. Be sure to monitor nitrogen presence for the best crop production possible.

Farmers, winery owners, and all types of growers throughout the world are constantly looking for a way to improve their production and overall health of their harvests. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is very strict in the regulations that they maintain in order for a fertilizer to claim that it is in fact “organic”. Unfortunately, many agriculture companies try to mislead growers into believing that they product lines are organic when they are not. From plant growth to soil improvement, the benefits of using organic fertilizers are now widely accepted throughout the globe. No matter what type of plant, vegetable, fruit, flowers, trees, or shrubs the grower wishes to nourish, organic fertilizer is by and far the safest, most effective way to encourage healthy growth and massive production.

Some of the most common benefits and advantages linked to organic fertilizers for healthy harvests are as follows:

• Offer the best nutrients for effective plant growth
• Much more gentle than chemical fertilizers
• Less likely to overfeed your plants
• Not immediately absorbed into the plants
• Can withstand heavy rainstorms and irrigation sessions that could wash away chemical fertilizer
• Soil structure is improved
• Helps for soil to retain nutrients and moisture
• Long-term environmental benefits as they are less likely to contaminate lands and waters
• Far safer to the overall crop for both grazers and farmers

Organic fertilizer has become the most sought after product in the foliar industry. However, it is important to consistently do research and read labels prior to purchase. Growers must take the time to ensure that the fertilizer is organic, non-toxic, and made with only natural plant extracts.

Walking into a nursery can be overwhelming. From hobby plants to unusual varieties, independent and specialist nurseries are the best way to find what you are looking for. The challenge often lies in how to make these purchasing the smart way. Over-eager and over-optimistic growers and gardeners often walk into a nursery thinking that every plant for sale is in a healthy condition. This assumption is one of the most common and biggest mistakes to make. Particular plant groups like grasses, shrubs, tropical plants, and varieties that need shade are most likely going to be found in a specialty nursery. Do your homework before heading to the garden to make sure that you are not being overcharged or sold an unhealthy crop.

Inspecting the options is imperative to making a smart choice. When looking through the plant options for sale, be sure to conduct a thorough examination of the leaves and stems. The following are some guidelines for warning signs to look for when purchasing plants:

• Wilted leaves often indicate water deficiency, stress, or overall neglect by the nursery staff
• Scars on the branches indicate damage of some kind, this may also mean that a disease may be headed for the plant
• Yellowing leaves are a huge sign that nutrient deficiency or a pest problem is present
• Inadequate growth usually means that the plant is suffering from poor light conditions or that the plant has grown larger than the pot it is kept in
• Look for sticky residue, leaf distortions, chewed leaves, webs, mushy foliage, and spots – all of these things could mean that diseases and insects are present

The soil is also a place where inspection is required prior to purchasing plants. Taking a good look at the root zone is imperative. Keep the following under the soil issues in mind:

• Look under the pot and make sure no roots are growing out from there
• Make sure there are plenty of roots, not just soil. A lot of soil and not a lot of roots mean that the plant was repotted recently or that the plant is not growing strong
• Take a look at the moisture level of the soil, very dry soil means that the plant’s roots have dried out and will die soon
• Be well aware of any weeds, no weeds should be present in a newly purchased plant

Keeping these tips in mind will help you to purchase healthy plants from the get-go. In doing so, you give your harvest the best chance of thriving and flourishing the way it should.X

Farming land is no easy task. For serious growers and farmers, doing so successfully requires time, money, and a ton of effort to ensure that the farm’s harvests and plentiful and growing. In reality, the majority of farmers depend on their crops to pay their bills and keep the farms sustainable and thriving. When one aspect of the harvest fails, it is up to the farmer to create a quick and effective solution to keep the farm operating the way it should be. Organic farming methods are calculated procedures that depend upon the natural biological processes to keep farms healthy. With a mix of modern technology, the right fertilizers, and traditional farming practices, maintaining a successful farm is a real possibility. It is important, however, to remember that farming practices quickly become habits.

The best farmers throughout the world make it a point to perfect their daily habits and turn them into a thriving agriculture business. The following are the top 9 habits of a great farmer:

1. Staying focused on revenues to ensure that cost management is stable. Stick to budgets and cover all costs of production.
2. Remain disciplined and resolute in keeping the harvests thriving and asking for help when help is needed.
3. Enjoy the work. A man who has fun while farming will never work a day in his life.
4. Learn from your farming errors and make note to not make these mistakes again.
5. Coordinate action plans for all types of “what-if” scenarios. This leaves little room for error when an unexpected storm approaches or a certain crop is producing at optimal rates.
6. Look at your competition and compare how your harvests stack up. Using benchmarks is an excellent way to keep improving production.
7. Be prideful and pay close attention to your reputation. People buy from the farms that they truly trust, keep that trust by building a solid foundation of good work.
8. Sell locally. Not only does this reduce pollution, but it is an amazing way to get involved and enrich your community.
9. Get on board with solar and wind energy now. Alternative energy is here to stay. Farms who utilize this now will be setting themselves up for big wins in the future.

Every farmer has their own unique style. Sustainable agriculture is founded by the habits that these farmers create for their farms. Make an honest effort to be the best farmer that you can be and always remember where you came from. The best farmers have the best habits. When it comes to life on the farm, make every day count.X

As an organic grower, keeping your soils rich and full of nutrients is of top priority in order to keep harvests abundant and flourishing. From fruits to vegetables to flowers to shrubs to ornamental trees, viability and fertility of soil is the key to successful organic growing. Some may argue that fertilizers are the “quick fix” in the mix of maintaining a healthy, prosperous harvest, but in reality, soil rarely starts out “perfect. So, what do growers do to perfect their soil? They turn to fertilizers to create an ideal growing situation. Using fertilizers to manage things like pH levels, nutrient deficiencies, and overall structure is imperative to the health of your crops. Organic fertilizers are the best choice for growers who care about reducing their use of mineral products.

Here are the top 10 reasons why using organic fertilizers in the way to go:

1. Safe foliar applications
2. Nutrients do not get tied up in the soil
3. Improved safety for both people and pets
4. Strengthening of plants
5. Reduces the use of synthetic products for a healthier environment
6. Removes the risk of plant damages or burns due to chemical use
7. Gradual release of nutrients in the soil as opposed to quick release from synthetic
8. Eliminates the risk of “over-feeding” your plants due to soil micro-life breakdown
9. Even feedings over the long-term
10. Recycling materials that may end up in a landfill otherwise

From functionality to growth attributes, all growers would agree that fertilizing is a necessary step in the general foliar process. Choosing to use only organic fertilizers may come with a bit more of a cost upfront, but in reality it is far more cost-effective. In the long-run, dealing with the aftermath and inefficiencies of synthetic, non-organic fertilizers becomes far more costly. Soils require healthy nutrients to lay the foundation for vigorous, thriving harvests. Organic fertilizers are the best choice for growers looking to perfect and enhance their harvests.X