I like to think of my backyard as a laboratory and everything I plant as part of an ongoing experiment. I’ve always been curious to learn what works—and what doesn’t work when gardening.
Many times I’m surprised by the successes, like strawberries planted in a bushel basket that survived sub-zero winter temperatures or baby carrots that grew beautifully in a patio container. Failures are also surprising like the cumin seeds I babied into small plants this spring only to have them melt right after planting.
One of my experiments this season is testing the determination of a packet of home-grown fava bean seeds to sprout and grow. One of my friends gave me this packet of seeds earlier in the year and I finally found time to plant them in the middle of June.
Fava beans, also known as broad beans or horse beans, should be planted about the same time as peas because they need a long, cool growing season. Unfortunately, hot summer weather is already underway.
Fava bean ‘Supersimonia’ is a vigorous Italian variety that grows long, bright green pods, each containing 8 or 9 seeds. I planted each large brown seed about 1-2 inches deep and about 5 inches apart in a large container (the second part of the experiment).
The instructions say to pinch the tops of the plants when the first pods form to promote side shoots. The pods are harvested when they are plump and full.
Like any good scientist, I’ll keep track of the time it takes to sprout and count the days until harvest. Ninety days to maturity is cutting it close in my short-season garden.
Even if I’m not able to gather any mature seeds from this crop, I won’t consider my experiment a failure. I’ve read the plant’s flowers and leaves are edible and that the immature pods can be cooked and eaten like sugar-snap peas.
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ORGANIC COCONUT COIR: Made from recycled coconut husks, coir is a light, sustainable growing medium that holds the perfect amount of moisture for starting seeds. 100% biodegradable soil alternative. Environmentally friendly and a renewable alternative to peat moss. OMRI listed and certified organic. IDEAL GROWING MIX: Improve seed germination and root growth with this premium coconut fiber mix, which improves nutrients absorption! Great for flower, vegetable, herb, and more plant types. OMRI listed. Naturally disease and pathogen resistant, it will help you grow healthy live plants. EASY TO STORE & EXPAND: Each compact coconut coir brick expands into 8 quarts of seed starting mix, providing 16 quarts total. Just add water to expand! Dehydrated bricks save space until planting. Once expanded, coconut coir provides a quality growing medium for all types of plants—indoor plants, house plants, outdoor plants, and more! NATURALLY CONSERVES WATER: Renewable coco coir has excellent moisture retention and better air circulation than peat. This eco-friendly, premium seeds starting mix combines well with other potting soil and compost for container plants & raised beds. 100% GUARANTEED: Burpee is committed to the success of all gardeners. We treat each order with care to ensure healthy seeds, plants, soil mixes, and gardening supplies are sent in excellent condition. If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, we aim to make it right!
Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil, 32 oz Ready-to-Use Spray, Multi-Purpose Fungicide, Insecticide and Miticide for Organic Gardening
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MULTI-PURPOSE BUG KILLER—Bonide Neem Oil is a perfect pest control solution for any garden dealing with mites, flies, mildew, and more. This product is a three-in-one fungicide, miticide, and insecticide. READY TO USE—This product is conveniently ready to use when it arrives. The spray nozzle makes this product easy to deploy and can even be used up to the day of harvest. KILLS ALL STAGES OF INSECTS—Bonide's 3-in-1 Neem Oil is great because it kills the egg, larvae, and adult stages of insects while also preventing the fungal attack of plant tissues. DORMANT SPRAY—In addition to being useful for ridding your garden of insects and other pests, this Neem oil makes a great dormant spray to help protect your plants throughout all seasons. ORGANIC GARDENING—Derived from the Neem seed, our product is great for use on roses, flowers, vegetables, fruits, herbs, indoor houseplants, trees and shrubs. It's approved for organic gardening.
Chapin International 10509 Upside-Down Trigger Sprayer
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CLEAN & DISINFECT: made to handle disinfectants and mild bleach solutions. DESIGNED TO CLEAN: adjustable nozzle for fine to coarse spray. 32-OUNCE TANK: translucent, chemical-resistant poly. COMFORT: ergonomic handle and sprays upside down to reach awkward areas.
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