Missouri generally falls under Zones 5 and 6 on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, but the University of Missouri Extension divides the state into three areas, North, Central and South, in determining planting dates for vegetables.
Darkened areas are also a sign that the fruit is ripe and is about to turn color. Red jalapenos are no hotter than ripe green fruit. However, the plants will die once subjected to frost.
Eggplants come in many varieties including large oval-shaped, elongated and small oval-shaped. These purple and white colored cold-seasoned vegetables are native to India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladeshis.
Zucchini, a summer squash, is an abundant producer in the home vegetable garden. Harvesting the zucchinis at the proper time ensures they are also at their peak of flavor.Inspect the plant for zucchinis that have reached 6 to 8 inches in length, as this...
Ensure that broccoli has at least 6 to 12 inches of soil depth for roots to grow in, or grow broccoli hydroponically according to your hydroponic system specifications. Broccoli is a cool-season brassica (related to cauliflower and other cole crops) that...
Bees carry pollen from the male flowers to the female flowers. Cutting the zucchini off with a knife prevents damage to the plant. Zucchini can be stored for up to two weeks. Seeds can be planted from early spring to mid-summer to produce zucchinis from...
If the plant has only just begun to flower, you may still get a leaf crop. Pick a few leaves and taste them. A few bok choy (Brassica rapa var. Store them in a dry spot until next planting season.
If the seeds have to compete with nutrient-depleting weed roots, growth and yield will be stifled. This causes the roots to crack. If you want more than one crop, plant new seeds every 10 days while temperatures remain below 80 degrees.
Flowers are large, trumpet-shaped, yellow to orange in color and have separate males and females. They prefer plenty of heat during germination. Many types require curing to harden the shell, and are best if baked prior to consumption.
A weedy garden bed diminishes yields.Harvest shallots in the fall when the leaves have died back. Store them in mesh bags or baskets. Some vendors sell individual shallots, rather than clusters, eliminating this step.Spread 3 inches of compost over the...
Cold, below freezing temperatures may damage rhubarb and make it unfit to eat. Remove the protection after temperatures rise.Rhubarb leaves are filled with oxalic acid that makes them unfit for consumption.
Water your plant two to three times per week.Transfer your jalapeno plant into a larger pot when it reaches about one foot in height. Allow the peppers to ripen on the plant for optimal taste.
Plan to sow them indoors two months before your area's last spring frost date and to transplant them into the garden just after that date. The last frost is usually in mid- to late April for USDA zone 7, in early to mid-May for zone 6, in mid- to late...
The final stage of broccoli development is the flower and seed development. The first step in the growing season is seed germination. Keep the soil damp around the developing broccoli plants and remove weeds by hand.The last stage of growth before harvest...
You can start seeds indoors, but pumpkins do not transplant well because their roots are sensitive to disturbance.Depending on the variety, pumpkins require anywhere from 85 to 130 days to grow from seed.
Jicama has a crisp, sweet flavor reminiscent of apples. Select those with an approximate 6-inch diameter and a smooth, cream or light brown exterior. Avoid those with cracks or visible bruises.Cut into the jicama.
The beds should be located for maximum exposure to winter sun. The best introduction to selecting seeds to plant for fall that I have seen is Rob Johnston, Jr.'s newsletter forCool season crops are essentially salad and cooking greens, especially all...
Once the pod dries, it is likely to shatter during harvest, leading to seed loss. For example, a 100-day soybean may take 110 days from planting to maturity if conditions are cooler and wetter than normal.
Cut an "x" in the top of each head, about an inch deep, to let the flowering stock emerge easily.Set poles upright around the cabbages about 4 feet high and connect the tops with wire or heavy cord.
Snow pea pods are also translucent, allowing you to see light through them. These varieties are also harvested at different maturity levels. Both plants grow as annuals in all U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones.Although snow peas and...
The onion stem grows very tall and a white ball of flowers forms on the end of the stem. If you are unsure of your last frost date, you can find it online by visiting the Garden Helper website in the resource section below.An interesting fact about onions...
This versatile veggie is tasty eaten fresh in salads and sandwiches, and preserves easily by canning or freezing for use in sauces, soups and stews later in the year. There are heirloom varieties that have been around for generations and hybrids that...
These days, most expert sources, such as the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension, recommend that gardeners plant one-year-old male crowns, which produce more heavily than female crowns and don't self-sow.
Remove all other pumpkins from the vines so that the plants can concentrate all of its energy into growing giant pumpkins.In the early stages of growth, bi-weekly moderate doses of a balanced fertilizer such as 20-20-20 will accelerate growth of well-established...
The main tip to follow when growing potatoes is not to allow the tuber to receive direct sunlight. The time spent growing your own vegetables is well worth it. Check to see if they are ready by digging down to see how large the potato is without disturbing...
Most onions sprout within 2 weeks of sowing.Remove the plastic and relocate the flat to an area that receives bright sunlight. Space pearl onions 1 1/2 inches apart in rows spaced 2 inches apart.Supply the onion plants with approximately 1 inch of water...
Plant lettuce by August 1 in the west, August 15 in the central region and September 1 in the east. Determining the best time to plant your vegetable garden in Kentucky involves more than looking at the calendar.
