Compost bin costing less than 6 Euros? Almost free of charge. Is it possible? Yes it is, if you do it yourself (DIY) using cheap materials! Compost is an ideal source of nutrients for our plants and vegetables. If you want to make your own compost, you will find a variety of compost bins on […]
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Why graft a grapes vineyard? Why are we grafting a grapes vineyard? We graft a grapes vine to change its variety. We take advantage of the fact that the rootstock (old vine) has an established and healthy root system. Personally, I searched for this information on grapes vine grafting because I wanted to get rid
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Can I grow vegetables on balconies and rooftops even though modern cities seem to be a hostile environment for growing vegetables? Yes you can! The idea of being able to grow vegetables in the city, on a balcony, or rooftop is appealing. We can take advantage of a space that already exists and perhaps goes
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Why is soil pH important? Soil pH is a parameter that growers and gardeners should take seriously. It is important for growing vegetables and fruits, but also for the flower garden. What is pH? Soil pH (potential hydrogen ions) is a unit of measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of the soil. A pH value
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How do I grow broccoli in my garden? Broccoli is the super food you can easily grow in your garden! When I was a kid I didn’t like the smell of it when it was cooking. Now, a little older, I can’t imagine winter without lots of broccoli on the table. It makes a wonderful
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Please note that the video of Gary Yourofsky’s speech is now age-restricted by YouTube. I do not know why. You’ll have to be older than 18 years old, and login with your account to YouTube to watch it. A speech by Gary Yourofsky on 07/08/2010 at GA Tech. of Georg. An excellent talk that debunks
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How do I make homemade rustic bread? A simple recipe to make your own homemade rustic bread. All you need is flour, yeast, water and salt. Today I will show you how to make your own homemade delicious rustic bread. It’s so simple, you’ll definitely give it a try. You will inevitably make the comparisons
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Today I will share with a method to save tomato seeds for next year. I learned this method from a local elder producer of Santorini’s tomatoes in Santorini, Greece. I use this method every year to save tomato seeds for the next year planting. One of the secrets to save strong and healthy tomato seeds
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In this article we will talk about what fertilizer and when to apply it on trees, vegetables and other crops. Fertilizer is any substance provided to plants (by top dressing the soil or by foliar application), intended to supply them with the elements necessary for their nutrition. Basal fertilization is carried out at the stage of
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Powdery mildew of tomato attacks tomato, pepper and eggplant, okra, artichoke and cucumber. Scientific name: Oidium neolycopersici, Erysiphe orontii, Leveillula tauricaGreek name: Ωίδιο Ντομάτας Symptoms The symptoms are most pronounced on tomatoes and peppers, while pale yellow spots are caused on eggplant and cucumber. The spots later become necrotic. The powdery mildew of tomato fungal
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Powdery mildew of grapes is one of the most serious diseases of the vine and is widespread in all wine-growing regions of the world. The disease was first described in North America, while in Europe it appeared in 1845. In Greece, where vines are grown, the disease is known by many common names (Στάχτωμα, θειαφασθένεια,
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In cucurbits (cucumbers, pumpkins) we find powdery mildew of cucurbits infestations by all three pathogens, which can often coexist. Scientific name: Erysiphe cichoracearum, Sphaerotheca fuliginea, Leveillula taurica, Erysiphe cichoracearum, Sphaerotheca fuliginea, Leveillula taurica, Erysiphaceae, Erysiphales, Podosphaera xanthiiOther name: Powdery MildewsGreek name: Ωίδιο Αγγουριάς Symptoms In infestation by Erysiphe cichoracearum, small, round spots appear at the
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Citrus mealybug is a very widespread coccoid that infects many types of plants, such as grapevine, citrus, tomato, potato, cucurbits, etc. Secondarily, it also attacks stored potatoes, sweet potatoes and other succulent fruits. Scientific name: Planococcus citriGreek name: Βαμβακάδα, Ψευδόκοκκος, Ψευδόκοκκος των εσπεριδοειδών Damage Citrus mealybug infects all plant parts and covers them with cotton-like
Golden nematode attacks a large number of plants, e.g. beets, potatoes, legumes and many autochthonous plants. Scientific name: Globodera rostochiensis (=Heterodera rostochiensis), G. pallida (=H. pallida)Other name: Golden eelworm, Yellow potato cyst nematodeGreek name: Χρυσονηματώδης της Πατάτας Damage The young larvae (caterpillars) cause irregular holes in the leaves. Developed larvae are voracious eaters and eat
Scientific name: Phytometra gamma, Autographa gammaOther name: Gamma moth, Silver YGreek name: Φυτομέτρης Beet worm is an insect that attacks a large number of plants, e.g. beets, potatoes, legumes and many autochthonous plants. Damage Young beet worm larvae cause irregular holes in leaves. Developed larvae are voracious eaters and devour the entire leaf, leaving only
Grapevine phylloxera originated in North America and spread to Europe. In Greece it was first recorded in 1892-1908 on the islands of the eastern Aegean Sea and in 1898 in Pylaia, Thessaloniki. Grapevine phylloxera insect had previously caused in Greece the total destruction of vineyards (native vineyards) over a large area and still exists as
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Citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella is native to South-East Asia, where it is widespread. From there it was introduced to Australia, North and South Africa. In 1993 it attacked citrus trees in the State of Florida, USA, Spain, Turkey and Cyprus. In Greece, it first appeared in the summer of 1995 on the islands of the
Phomopsis disease is widespread in almost all wine-growing regions of Greece. In the last decades, it began to attract considerable attention of all those involved in viticulture, because it can cause great damage: necrosis of heads and stems. Scientific name: Phomopsis viticola plus Phoma viticola, Phomopsis ampelopsidis Fusicoccum viticolum, CoelomycetesGreek name: Symptoms The shoots, vines
Potato tuber moth mainly affects potatoes, but also damages tobacco, beets, tomatoes and eggplant. Scientific name: Phthorimaea operculellaOther name: Tobacco splitwormGreek name: Φθοριμαία Damage Potato tuber moth causes damage to leaves and stems, but is not considered significant. Serious damage is done to tubers, which are attacked by the insect both in the field before
Wheat bulb fly is found mainly in wheat and less so in rye and barley. Scientific name: Hylemya coarctataOther name: DeliaGreek name: Υλέμυια Damage In spring, the wheat bulb fly larva penetrates into the stem of the plant, causing the leaves to turn yellow, rot at the base and become easily detached. Early infestations usually
