Tomato vs Pepper!
While tomatoes and peppers share the same plant family (Solanaceae), they have significant differences in flavour, culinary uses, and characteristics.
Tomato Skin
Tomato skin is the thin, protective outer layer of the tomato fruit. It plays an important role in preserving the fruit’s structure and protecting it from environmental factors, such as pests, diseases, and moisture loss.
How Many Genes in a Tomato?
Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) have approximately 35,000 genes. Whereas humans have around 20,000-25,000 genes.
What is the Kratky Method for Growing Tomatoes?
The Kratky Method is a passive hydroponic system that allows you to grow plants, including tomatoes, without pumps or continuous water circulation.
Cleaning a Poly-tunnel at the End of the Growing Season
Cleaning a polytunnel at the end of the growing season is essential for maintaining a healthy growing environment.
When to Strip Out Old Tomato Plants
You should strip out old tomato plants when the growing season ends, or when they stop producing viable fruit, typically after they show signs of disease, pest infestation, or when the cold season approaches.
Kaizen - Continuous Improvement for Tomato Growing
Kaizen, a Japanese term meaning "continuous improvement," can be applied to various aspects of life, including tomato growing. In the context of agriculture or gardening, using the Kaizen approach encourages small, incremental improvements in growing practices to boost productivity, reduce waste, and optimize processes.
Natural Fungicides for Tomato Plants
Natural fungicides can be highly effective in managing fungal diseases on tomatoes while being safer for the environment and human health. Common fungal diseases affecting tomatoes include blight, powdery mildew, and anthracnose.
How Genetically Stable are Heirloom Tomatoes?
Heirloom / heritage tomatoes are considered generally genetically stable as long as they are grown in isolation from other varieties and allowed to pollinate within their own type. This stability supports them to produce seeds that grow true to the parent plant, making them more reliable for seed saving. Minor natural variations may occur, but overall, they are typically dependable in maintaining their unique characteristics across generations.
What is the Difference Between Perlite and Vermiculite?
Perlite and vermiculite are both lightweight, natural materials commonly used to improve soil aeration and drainage in gardening, but they have distinct properties and serve different purposes in plant care.
Can Tomatoes be Vertically Farmed?
While tomatoes can be successfully vertically farmed, the setup and maintenance are more complex than for crops like lettuce or herbs, but the benefits in terms of yield and resource efficiency can be substantial.
How to Make a Hybrid Tomato Stable?
Stabilizing a hybrid tomato involves growing successive generations from the original hybrid and selecting for the desired traits over time. With patience and careful selection, you can create a new, stable tomato variety that consistently produces plants with the traits you want.
Hoop House Innovations
Hoop house innovations involve various improvements in the design, materials, and techniques used in traditional hoop houses to make them more efficient, durable,
Heirloom Tomato Myths
When it comes to heirloom tomato seeds, myths abound, often leading to confusion for gardeners who want to grow these prized plants.
How to Collect Tomato Seeds?
Collecting tomato seeds is a straightforward process that allows you to save seeds from your favourite tomato plants for future planting such as heirloom / heritage tomatoes.
Tomato Tapenade Recipe
Tomato tapenade is a flavourful variation of the classic olive tapenade, incorporating sun-dried tomatoes to add a sweet and tangy depth. This spread is perfect for serving on toasted bread, crackers, or as a topping for grilled meats and vegetables.
Pilates Myths - UK
Pilates, a popular exercise method focused on core strength, flexibility, and overall body awareness, is surrounded by myths that can misrepresent its purpose and benefits.
Paradigm Shift in Tomato Growing
A paradigm shift in tomato growing refers to a significant transformation in the methods, technologies, and philosophies used to cultivate tomatoes.
What is an F1 Tomato?
An F1 tomato is a hybrid that combines specific desirable traits from two different parent plants, resulting in a plant with enhanced vigor, uniformity, and disease resistance. However, the seeds from an F1 hybrid cannot be saved for consistent future crops, making them a popular but less sustainable option compared to open-pollinated varieties like heirlooms / heritage.