Formal herb gardens are traditionally round or square, often with a clipped, dwarf evergreen hedge round the outside as a year-round outline, something architectural, such as a sundial or container, in the middle, and a tapestry of herbs filling the remaining space. Alternatively, you can design something more complicated, based on a knot garden, with gravel paths in between the beds, and clipped rosemary or lavender making the scented outlines of the knot’s pattern.

In an informal herb garden, you can make mixed borders using woody, perennial and annual herbs, just as with ornamental shrubs and flowers. Don’t limit yourself to culinary herbs, which can look terribly green — add medieval medicinal plants, such as lavender, foxglove and the apothecary’s rose (Rosa gallica var. officinalis) to give the garden a bit more color. You could also bring in other useful plants — those that attract butterflies, bees or beneficial insects — without losing the thread of your herbal theme.

Herbs are also good for contemporary gardens; they look as much at home growing in containers made of stainless steel or other non-traditional materials, surrounded by pebbles or glass nuggets, as they do in traditional terracotta. The strong green shapes of herbs, combined with their scent and, in some cases, clippability, make them a good foil for way-out designs and unusual surroundings. So long as the growing conditions are right, they’ll be quite happy.

The majority of herbs, and especially the culinary ones and the aromatic herbs, such as lavender and rosemary, are natives of the Mediterranean and grow best in warm, sunny conditions with very well-drained soil. It doesn’t have to be particularly fertile, but I would recommend adding lots of grit to keep the drainage up to scratch. These herbs really don’t like too much winter wet standing around their roots. There are lots, though, that are bone hardy and that thrive in wetter soils and some that even tolerate some shade — most of the mints and sorrel come into this category.

Heat softens vegetables, so you can damage them immensely by pulling them out of the ground or cutting them off vines when it is too hot outside. Make sure to chop the vegetables off the vine, but be careful not to twist them. Twisting can actually damage the plant.

Mint leaves are wonderful, but don’t you despise how quickly they can take over a garden due to rapid growth? Rein in their growth by planting the mint in a large pot or garden container instead. By using a separate containment unit, you are limiting the plant’s ability to spread its roots and subsequently grow like wildfire. You can even plant the entire pot so that it still looks just like another plant in your garden.

You can get rid of salt deposits on clay pots with rubbing alcohol and vinegar. Plants potted in clay pots can accrue salt deposits over time and become quite unsightly. A mixture of white vinegar, water and alcohol can help if you spray it on your pot. Scrub it down with any brush you happen to have handy, and the salt will come right off. Rinse off the extra solution, then leave it be for a while before you put anything else in the pot. Build up a fenced border around your garden before you begin. Having something to keep the animals out of your garden is a good way to keep your plants safe while they are growing, in order to reach their full size.

Amazing colors appear in the fall so use them to your advantage. There are a lot of deciduous bushes and vine plants that really put out a burst of color in the fall with colors between deep red and captivating yellow. The key to this transformation is cessation of chlorophyll production. This causes the green pigment coloring to give way and reveal the plant’s true colors. To make sure you get a better display of color, see that the plants get lots of sun for the majority of the day, mostly in the afternoon. Plants such as boston ivy, chestnut, maple, and burning bush provide especially nice fall colors.

Depending on what type of plants you’re growing inside, you may need a humid environment. Create humidity anywhere when you group a number of different plants in the same pot, or put one plant in a large pot, using compost or stones to fill the gap. Another way to increase humidity for your houseplants is to spray them with a water mister one or two times per day. It is best to aerate and dry your plants daily. Excess moisture creates an appealing environment for disease and parasites. Fungi is very common. Fungicidal spray treatments can contain fungi, but spraying prior to problems even developing in the first place is the best way to go about it.

It is more widespread than you think for some individuals to experience disappointment with Big Agnes Seedhouse SL 2 or perhaps Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 1 tent and ul1 review and locating high quality information. There have been plenty of times when I have needed to find out more, but I was not all that sure where to look. There is so much information online, and honestly it can be very difficult finding and knowing what you can trust. We do realize those feelings very well in our own research on the net. Well, we want to present you with a few proven points and suggestions about this subject that you can confirm quite easily.

Do you ever utilize your yard at all? Can there be a piece of land that has been just sitting there being squandered? Did you actually believe you could grow your own vegetables? Through the next little bit, you’ll see why vegetable gardens can be a great investment.

Vegetables harvested from gardens taste much better than those you buy in stores, or at least that’s what most gardeners say. Big Agnes 2 is such a wide field of study, and you do have to decide which of the overall parts of the puzzle are more relevant to you.

But that can vary a bit, and it really just will depend on how you want to use the information. As you know, there is much more to the story than what is offered here. We are saving the best for last, and you will be pleased at what you will find out. We believe you will find them highly relevant to your overall goals, plus there is even more. Odds are this claim applies and it doesn’t matter what the vegetables were used for. It could be because of the time and effort that goes into raising the vegetables or picking them when they’re ready. Assuming that the fresh vegetables satisfy your taste buds and those around you is all that matters. As long as you have been managing your garden the organic, natural way, you already know that what is put on your table is free of preservatives and harmful chemicals.

Fruit and vegetables from the supermarket or grocery stores often have bug sprays on them because this is the norm. Unless you’re buying them from a neighborhood farmer’s market, or from an organic farm, they have been trucked a long way. Typically, they are picked prematurely and to keep them from rotting require preservatives. The value along with nutrition of these vegetables is diminished whenever pesticides and preservatives are used. If you’re confronted with pesticides for a prolonged time, it has been discovered that you are at risk for reproductive and developmental effects. Vegetables might be damaging to a child because of pesticides. Doing away with substances or metabolizing them inside their body is probably not possible when developing.

Growing a vegetable garden is a great way to get exercise, instead of going to the gym. Thirty minutes a day in the vegetable garden is a big measure for weight loss and you will notice it. Every section of your body gets a distinct workout when you are gardening. It’s going to give your thighs and legs a good work out, and also your arms, buttocks, back and other places. Your flexibility will likely be enhanced, every time that you have to stretch out to reach a weed or plant a seedling. When you continue to take care of a garden as your crops are growing, by the time they are ready, you should notice a change in your body.

Supply and demand drives the overall economy of our society. The farmers would have to change the way they grew food if enough people decided to stop buying products with chemicals or preservatives. Not everyone has ample area for a backyard garden, but commercial farming would lessen if more people chose to grow their own food.

The information in this article really only represents a small fraction of all there is to know about Big Agnes Seedhouse tent. People tend to have more powerful results and feel more satisfied when they delve deeper into this subject. There is just an excessive amount to cover in this short educational essay, and we transition into more deeper treatment in a moment. You will find it to be very useful in so many ways, and some of it is very specific to your particular needs.

You try out, but just fall flat with Fly Creek UL 1 from day to day? There is a little something about Fly Creek 1 that has people thinking.

Whenever people wear garden gloves when working in a back yard garden they can save themselves from lots of agonizing pain and discomfort. A sever cut, a blister, or even a rash can be prevented by using the proper protection and taking the proper precautions.

When working in the garden people are often digging and using tools to plant and prune plants and flowers. Some of the flowers, like a rose, have thorns. The thorns can be very sharp and if you happen to grab a flower that has thorns the wrong way you can get stabbed in the finger. It might sound like a small injury, but it can really hurt. The gloves can prevent this from happening.

Protecting yourself when working in the back yard is important and must be considered every time someone is going to work in their backyard garden. Anything can happen. People can get a very bad blister for example. Although a blister may not seem like much, they can be very painful and also cause a horrible infection.

Infections are often difficult to get rid of, and if not cared for properly the infection can spread and become something much worse. This can be easily prevented by simply wearing gloves to protect your hands from cuts and scrapes. Thorn bushes and flowers with thorns are often the causes of such cuts and scrapes.

Another problem in the back yard is protecting your eyes. Trimming tools can end up throwing already cut materials from grasses and plants at high speeds in all directions. Protecting your eyes is very important because you will never know if your eyes are in danger of being hit by a stray stick or rock.

If a blister turns into an infection, it becomes even worse. These can all be prevented by wearing garden gloves and taking proper precautions. Sadly those are two things that people will rarely do. If someone needs to be reminded, take the time to do so. You never know, you might just save them from losing an eye.

Gardening work is a very popular hobby now days. It is a low stress task which lets you enjoy the outdoors while being productive. The benefits of a great backyard and many harvests of fresh vegetables are often viewed as mere perks by true garden enthusiasts. However both seasoned and rookie gardeners also know the value of quality garden gloves, so pick up a pair from Atlas Glove Shop today!

Can’t Lose Weight Without Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are among the healthiest of all foods, and the great variety of these foods at the local grocery store makes it easier than every to enjoy great meals and snacks anytime the mood strikes you.

The latest food guidelines recommend that adults eat from five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day.  While that may seem like a lot, it is an important goal to strive for, and a very reachable one.

A serving of a fruit or vegetable is equal to:

1 medium sized vegetable or fruit (such as an apple, orange or banana)
2 small fruits (such as kiwi fruit or plums)
½ cup of fresh, frozen or canned fruits or vegetables
½ cup of 100% fruit juice
¼ cup of dried fruit
1 cup of green salad

Diets high in fruits and vegetables have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke and even some kinds of cancer.  Diets high in fruits and vegetables are also important in maintaining a healthy weight. Eating a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables is a great way to  to lose weight and keep it off.

Since different varieties of fruits and vegetables contain different types and levels of nutrients, it is important to each a good variety of fruits and vegetables.  Eating a good combination of yellow, orange, red and green fruits and vegetables is a great way to ensure adequate levels of nutrition.

Fruits and vegetables are also an important source of fiber.  One way to maximize the amount of fiber you get from fruits and vegetables is to eat the entire fruit and vegetable including the edible peel.  Eating fruits and vegetables whole, instead of simply drinking fruit juice, is the best way to enjoy the fiber these foods have to offer.  Orange juice may be very healthy, but it does not contain the same amount of fiber as a whole orange.

Getting sufficient fiber in the diet offers a great many health benefits, including aiding in digestion, lowering levels of cholesterol in the blood, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke, and reducing the chances of some forms of cancer.  In addition, fiber is though to play an important role in controlling levels of blood sugar in diabetics.  Fiber also helps dieters feel full while limiting the number of calories you consume.

Many people wonder if canned and frozen fruits and vegetables are as healthy and nutritious as the fresh varieties.  The simple answer to this question is yes.  Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables contain just as many vitamins and minerals as their fresh counterparts, so it is fine to replace fresh fruits and vegetables with canned and frozen varieties when fresh ones are not available.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are often less expensive, however, especially when they are in season.  In addition, local farmers markets and produce stands are often great sources of the freshest, most delicious fruits and vegetables at some excellent prices.

How vegetables and fruits are prepared is just as important as how they are chosen.  It is important to rinse fresh fruit and vegetables thoroughly under clean running water.  This step is important in order to remove any dirt, pesticide residue or bacterial contamination.  The outermost leaves of lettuce and cabbage should be removed, and the outside of root vegetables like carrots and potatoes should be removed, especially if you plan to consume the skins of those vegetables.  Vegetables and fruits should be washed right before they are used in order to keep them as fresh as possible.

The best ways to cook vegetables in order to maintain their freshness are to boil, microwave or steam the veggies until they are tender and crisp.  It is best to use as little water as possible when cooking vegetables.  That is because overcooking can destroy some of the valuable vitamins and minerals the vegetables contain.

Related Fruit And Vegetable Container Articles

The 12 Easiest Vegetables to Grow in Home Gardens or Containers for First Time Gardeners

A lot of people, myself included, are growing our own vegetables to beat the credit crunch. And why not? Planting a few seeds in containers on your patio or in your backyard yields delicious, organic results – and money savings, too! Growing organic vegetables is easier than you think. Here are the 12 vegetables you will have no problem planting, tending for and harvesting in your own garden, even if you are a first-time gardener!

#1 Radish

Radishes are particularly easy to grow and can be intercropped with rows of lettuce to take up a minimum amount of space! Great thing about radishes is that very few pests bother them. Choose a sunny, sheltered position in soil, well fed with organic matter. Sow the seed thinly, evenly at ½ inch below the soil’s surface with one inch of space between each. Water the soil thoroughly before sowing and after the seeds emerge water them lightly every couple days. Radishes are a great source of potassium, folic acid, magnesium and calcium, and are perfect in salad dressings or as a garnish for salads. Radishes are fast growers and should be ready to pull in several weeks.

#2  Zucchini/ Squash

Zucchini and squash do well in most climates and they need very little special attention. If you plant zucchini you’ll probably end up with way more than they can even eat!

Zucchini and squash are very low in calories but full of potassium, manganese and folate. Sow several zucchini seeds in a heap pile of composted soil a foot high and a couple feet wide. Space each heap pile approximately 3 feet apart, water them heavily every other day and wait for them to sprout in a couple weeks. They should be ready to harvest about a month later. For any early start sow the seeds singly about ½in (1.25cm) deep, in small pots and place in a temperature of 65-70F (18-21C). After germination of seeds, grow on in a well lit spot, harden off and plant out after the last spring frost when the weather is warm.

#3 Carrots

Carrots tend to be pest free and need little attention. Carrots are rich in vitamin A, antioxidants, carotene and dietary. Dig a hole less than an inch deep and plant a couple of seeds in each, and leave several inches in between holes. Thin out in stages to 4-6in (10-15cm) apart. Keep the soil moist but remember to water the carrots less as they begin to reach maturity.

#4 Spinach

A highly nutritious and easily grown crop, high in both calcium and iron. Spinach can be eaten plain, cooked, and made into a chip dip. Turn over the soil with compost and plant seeds less than an inch deep, placing them at least 4 inches apart to give room for growth. Pick young leaves regularly. Sow the soil a couple more times in the first month and keep this area well-watered.

#5 Peas

Peas are another high-yield crop, both sweet peas and sugar peas. Other than fruit flies, these guys attract very few pests. A good source of vitamins A, B and C. Cultivate the soil just prior to sowing top dress with a balanced fertilizer. Keep in mind that your soil must drain well in order for peas for flourish. Space each seed several inches apart and sow them one inch deep. Freshly planted seeds require ½ inch of water every week, while more mature plants need a full inch. Any surplus peas can be frozen very successfully.

#6 Peppers

Peppers contain nutrients like thiamin and manganese. Peppers can be stuffed with meat and rice or used in salsa and pasta, and raw in salads. Till the soil with compost and Epsom salts, this will make it rich in magnesium to help the peppers develop healthily. Peppers can be produced outside in growing bags, large pots etc. Since they grow best in warm soil, sow the seeds a foot or more apart in raised beds or containers. Water them frequently, keeping the soil moist, or they may taste bitter once harvested.

#7 Lettuce/ Baby Greens

Lettuce is one of the easiest vegetables to grow; you just have to plant the seeds, water and watch how fast it grows. Lettuce is a good source of folic acid and vitamin A, used as the main ingredient mostly in salads, but also can be stuffed with various ingredients to make a lettuce wrap or top sandwiches, hamburgers and tacos. When cultivating the soil with nutrient-rich compost, break up any chunks and remove debris. Make sure that seeds are planted between 8 and 16 inches apart and water them every morning. Avoid doing so at night because this could cause disease. Loose-leaf varieties are ready to start cutting about seven weeks after sowing.

Baby greens are simply greens that are harvested while they are still young and tender. They are true instant gratification vegetables – you’ll be harvesting your first salad in under a month! Sprinkle the seeds as thinly as possible across the soil in a 2- to 3-inch wide band. Space rows of baby greens 6 to 8 inches apart. Or plant baby greens in a pot, and cut your salad fresh every night!

#8 Onion

Rich in dietary fiber, folate and vitamin C, onion need little care – just give them plenty of water. Plow the soil a foot deep and get rid of debris. The easiest way to grow onions is from sets which are small onions. Plant sets so that the tip is showing about 5in (13cm) apart in rows 12in (30cm) apart. Or, plant the seeds a couple centimeters deep and several inches apart. Weed this area frequently but gently and provide them with about an inch of water every week.

#9 Beets

The beet (beetroot) can be peeled, steamed, and then eaten warm with butter; cooked, pickled, and then eaten cold as a condiment; or peeled, shredded raw, and then eaten as a salad.. Betanin, one of the primary nutrients in this deep red or purple vegetable, can help lower blood pressure. Clean and strengthen the seeds by soaking them in water at room temperature for a day. Plow the soil and remove any stones from the top 3 feet. Plant each seed 2in (5cm) apart, thin out to 4in (10cm) apart and water them at least once every day.

#10 Broccoli

For the most part doesn’t need a lot of special care, broccoli is easily grown vegetable that gives the best return for the space it occupies and is cropped when other green vegetables are in short supply. One row of 15ft (4.5m) will accommodate six plants to give self-sufficiency for a family of four. Sow broccoli seed in spring in a seed bed ½in (1.25cm) deep and transplant when the seedlings are about 4in (10cm) tall 2ft (60cm) apart each way.

#11 Tomatoes

There are many benefits to growing tomatoes – they’re good for you, they’re tasty, and the dollar value of the yield can be very significant. Tomatoes are rich in nutrients like niacin, potassium and phosphorous, antioxidants like lycopene, anthocyanin and carotene, and vitamins A, C and E.

Sow the seed just below the surface in a tray of peat-based compost. When the seedlings have made two pairs of true leaves prick them out into 3in (7.5cm) pots and place them in a light, warm place indoors (like windowsill). After the last danger of frost has passed, pick a spot in your garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight and test the soil’s pH level – needs to be between 6 and 7. (To decrease pH level add sulfur, to increase it add lime). Spread compost over this area and mix it with the soil. After hardening off, set tomato plants 2ft (60cm) apart in rows 3ft (90cm) apart, bush plants 3ft (90cm) apart. Water them a couple times per week.
Tomatoes do need a little more attention then the other vegetables on the list. However, for the little bit attention that tomatoes do need, you get an incredible reward in the large amount of fruit that they produce. Here are a few tricks for growing tomatoes.

#12 Herbs

There are many herbs including thyme, rosemary, basil, mint, sage, chives, parsley and oregano that need very little attention and can be grown successfully in containers on a patio, balcony or terrace. Purchase some of your favorite small herb plants from your local nursery and get a container that is at least 6-12 inches deep. You can plant multiple herbs in a wide or long container or use at least a 6″ pot for individual plants and you will enjoy not only their fragrance and beauty but also their culinary benefits. Water sparingly because herbs don’t like to sit in wet soil.

If you are a little apprehensive about planting an organic garden, start slow with any of the veggies I’ve mentioned. Soon you will gain confidence and have a beautiful organic garden, complete with delicious vegetables and bragging rights!

If you love all kinds of peppers that much then you will be thrilled to know that there’s this available rainbow pepper plants which you can grow inside of your very own home. A garden enthusiast will certainly be thrilled with this because this time around you don’t have to purchase pepper plants anymore but plant them on your very own backyard garden.

You may be asking yourself what makes these rainbow colored pepper plants that special. Initially, it’s the hue option because you have a number of five colored peppers to plant. So in case you were to plant the seeds of rainbow peppers on your backyard you may totally have a set of 5 colors simply by planting the seeds in one time. And take note, you possibly can plant different hues of peppers rather than just one. So rather than growing peppers of identical colors on a single plot of land to a different one it’s possible to have rainbow peppers grown in one time in a single plot.

And yet why would you wish to grow all kinds of peppers on your backyard apart from watching the various colors as these pepper plant seeds grow? Well, among the known nutritional values of the fruit of such plants is believed as effective for getting rid of excess fat. So in the event you would like them to become a portion of your diet program you don’t need to go search for them at grocery stores and buy them as you can easily plant pepper seeds and grow them on your backyard at home.

Rainbow Peppers Review
You can undoubtedly find a lot of tested recipes to cook with all kinds of peppers just like stuffed peppers, peppers and sausage, or even stir fry these peppers as you wish. There aren’t any limitations with what these colorful peppers could do for your nutritious meals. You may also have these rainbow peppers laid on a crystal bowl and have them displayed as a decoration on your own dining room table. Needless to say, you may now have an adorable decoration that the visitors will certainly admire and will certainly would delight in having. Your children may even find these types of peppers appealing that they’ll have the urge to eat an evening meal and take pleasure in your pepper tasty recipes.

Some people are very careful when it comes to purchasing fruits or even vegetables from the market due to the pesticides used. Due to many dangers posed by most pesticides used on the farms nowadays, most people prefer to use organically grown foods.

To avoid future problems with your body, it is better to opt on having your own grown foods since it is difficult to know which pesticide was used to grow the food stuff you are having. This idea may sound unachievable but it is nevertheless workable.

The best thing to do should you wish to plant a vegetable garden in your compound is to do a quick research on the soil and the type of vegetables you wish to plant. Having this knowledge will ensure that time and resources are widely used. You will also be able to decide which way to go either to grow the seedlings or just by them and plant.

To ensure that you keep off fertilizers (conventional) is by creating compost manure. You do this by digging a pit enough to bury organic matter which latter is used as manure for your vegetable garden.

A compost pit will take at least six months to become manure. So it is advisable to give it enough time especially before planting your home garden.

Ensure that your garden is located within the reach of sunlight. Light is of paramount Importance to your plants and should be given consideration before starting your garden.

Sometimes it’s not easy to just start a vegetable garden. That’s why for those who have never grown a garden before should start with vegetables that are easy to grow like tomatoes or carrots. You can get the needed advice from friends or from the internet.

Put a fence to ward off animals, pets and unwanted interference of weeds that may proof harmful to your vegetables. However you do not need to spent a lot on this since anything can keep the pets and animals away from your garden

Besides gardening, this author also regularly blogs regarding corner tv stands for flat screen tvs and mens seven jeans.

Container Gardening for Vegetables

Many living spaces do not have ample room to plant vegetable gardens. One option is container gardening. Nutritious and fresh vegetables can be grown in containers on a balcony, patio or windowsill.

Crop Selection

Containers are ideal for almost any vegetable that would thrive in a backyard garden. Vegetables that are specifically suited for containers are peppers, green onions, tomatoes, beans, radishes squash, parsley, cucumber, eggplant and beans. Carrots also grow well in containers if the container is deep enough (eight inches).

Ideal Soil For Container Gardening

Container-grown vegetables do best in soil made of woodchips, sawdust, perlite, vermiculite or a variety of other materials. The four most important criteria regardless of the soil mixture are that it 1) be free of weed seeds and disease, 2) can retain nutrients and moisture, 3) can drain well and 4) is lightweight. Many products contain nutrients in the soil so fertilizing is unnecessary.

Containers

You can use just about any container to plant your vegetables including bushel baskets, wooden boxes or containers specifically designed for container gardening. Green onions, parsley and herbs thrive in pots from six to 10 inches in size. Peppers, tomatoes and eggplant are best suited in larger containers.

Adequate drainage is very important for container growing. Place about one inch of gravel in the bottom of the container before adding soil. This will help improve drainage. If your container doesn’t have drain holes, drill them yourself– about 1/4 to 1/2 inch on the bottom.

Seeding and Transplanting

You can purchase transplants from your local garden center or nursery to place in your container, but you can also grow the plants from seed at home. Use a baking pan to germinate your own seeds. Fill the pan with soil and plant the seeds to a depth of 1/4 to 1/2 inch.

Place the baking pan in an area that receives adequate warmth and sunlight about four to eight weeks before planting them in the final container. The general rule is to transplant the seeds once they show their first two or three real leaves. Be careful when transplanting so you don’t injure the root system.

Light

Full sunlight is ideal for almost all vegetables. However, some plants can do well in partial shade: lettuce, greens, cabbage and spinach. Root vegetables actually prefer more shade than those that bear fruit. An advantage to container growing is that you can move the containers as needed.

Vegetables That Like it Hot, Hot, Hot!

In most parts of the country, gardeners are weeding and tending to their gardens because after all spring is for planting. Not so, in many parts of Arizona. Here, spring time is for harvesting and getting ready for fall planting.

The hot summer months, especially in areas like the East Valley, most vegetables can’t withstand the heat. However, there are a few that will do well with an early to late spring planting, as suggested by Leslie Honaker, master gardener and co-owner of Garden Territory at the Farm at South Mountain in Phoenix. These include squash, radishes, zucchini, eggplant, cucumber, tomatoes, okra, peppers, some beans. Some fruits such as watermelons and cantaloupe can also be planted, and their vines provide shade for other plants.

These summer growing plants will need extra care to survive. They’ll require more water than in other seasons – be sure to watch for the telltale signs of drooping leaves. Plants are much less forgiving in extreme temperatures, so allowing the ground to dry out may mean the death of your seedling. A drip watering system is more effective than a spray system, especially in hot temperatures. The water in the latter versions tends to evaporate, decreasing the amount of moisture absorbed by the plant. Early morning watering also provides the plants with adequate moisture to take them through the day and will also decrease the amount of evaporation experienced in late afternoon watering.

Plants should also be blocked from the harsh rays of direct sunlight. Just as plants require protection from frost, in temperatures over 100 degrees, they will require a source of shade. Try using a shade cloth with 50 percent reduction.

Don’t expect plants to thrive the way they do in more moderate temperatures, but with extra care, they should produce hardy crops.

Here are some of the special care requirements as they relate to specific varieties of fruits and vegetables.

Tomatoes: Tomato cages are not effective in this climate as the delicate fruit is exposed directly to the hot sun. Instead, create a wire cage, 2 to 3 feet in diameter to contain each plant. They will form a canopy of leaves for protection. The best planting time is mid-February or mid-March, once there is no longer a threat of frost. Select varieties with maturity dates from 65 to 70 days to avoid the extreme temperatures.

Apply a 50 percent shade cloth and mulch around each plant once temperatures reach 100 degrees. Water regularly, giving the plants a good soak rather then periodic short watering which may cause the tomatoes to dry out.

Melons: Plant by mid March or April, and once the soil has warmed up to about 70 to 95 degrees. Plant in hills, 4 feet apart, and allow plenty of space for the vines to roam. The melons will do better on the ground than on a trellis where the foliage has a tendency of drying out more quickly. They require plenty of compost tea or other organic fertilizer. Next year, replace depleted nutrients in the soil by planting beans or peas in this spot.

Cucumbers: These plants are fairly easy to take care of, but they do require a lot of water. It’s safe to plant them once the soil has reached a temperature of 65 degrees. Be sure to combine plenty of compost or other organic material with the clay soil to increase drainage.