Fruits & Veggies
A:
Pumpkins require a long growing season of 75 to 100 frost-free days according to The Old Farmers Almanac. Do not plant the seeds until there is no further danger of frost and the soil is warm. Otherwise, the seeds may rot or not germinate.
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Q: How long does it take grapes to grow?
A: According to The Ohio State University Horticulture and Crop Science extension, it takes grapes three years from their first planting to mature enough to bear fruit. Once established, grapes will continue to be productive for 40 years or more. -
Q: Where does dragon fruit come from?
A: Dragon fruit, otherwise known as pitaya, are native to Mexico. The plant is now cultivated in locales as diverse as Cambodia, Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Indonesia and Bangladesh. -
Q: Why are my vegetable leaves turning yellow?
A: Yellow coloring on vegetable leaves can indicate a wide range of problems, including too much water or too little water. Leaves can also turn yellow when the plant is not getting enough nitrogen. Other common causes of yellowing plant leaves include extreme temperatures, leaf damage, root damage, disease and over-fertilization. -
Q: Is it okay to freeze plums?
A: It is okay to freeze plums. They should be washed, peeled, cut in half and pitted first, and slices or pieces can then be placed onto a baking pan and frozen. Once frozen, the plums should be transferred into freezer containers until ready to use. -
Q: How much does an apple weigh?
A: A medium-sized apple weighs approximately 1/3 pound. One tree can produce up to 840 pounds of apples, which is equal to about 2,500 medium-sized apples. -
Q: How much does a carrot weigh?
A: According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the average weight of a carrot varies between 50 and 72 grams, depending on its length. A medium-sized carrot weighs about 61 grams. -
Q: When is strawberry picking season?
A: In warmer climates, such as in Florida or California, strawberries are grown and picked throughout most of the year, from January to November. Peak season in warmer climates and in other areas is generally from late April through June. -
Q: What are some examples of noncitrus fruits?
A: Some examples of noncitrus fruit include apples, bananas, strawberries and grapes. Noncitrus fruits are any fruits that do not come from the trees of the genus Citrus. Citrus fruits tend to be acidic and include oranges, lemons, pomelos, grapefruits and limes. -
Q: What is cassis fruit?
A: Cassis fruit is the French name given to the black currant berry. It is a member of the genus ribes and its taxonomic classification is ribes nigrum. There are approximately 150 shrub species in the genus ribes that consists of the two groups currants and gooseberries. -
Q: Is corn considered a vegetable?
A: Corn is considered by many to be either a vegetable or a grain, but botanists actually classify corn (or more specifically, the kernels) as fruit. -
Q: Where are plums grown?
A: Plums grow in all climates except the most extreme. There are three categories of plum trees: European, Japanese and American hybrid. Each category grows best in different climates. -
Q: What is the difference between chives and scallions?
A: Scallions are a larger species of bunching onions, while chives are a smaller type of onion. They are very similar and are often used in soups, baked potatoes and egg dishes. -
Q: How much does an average watermelon weigh?
A: The average weight of a whole watermelon, such as the kind sold in grocery stores, ranges from 20 to 25 pounds. A 20-pound watermelon contains approximately 14 pounds of fruit. As of 2014, there are over 1,200 watermelon varieties ranging in size from 1 to 200 pounds. -
Q: Are rowan tree berries poisonous?
A: Raw rowan tree berries are poisonous as they contain parasorbic acid. However, if they are cooked well, the parasorbic acid turns into sorbic acid, which is not poisonous to ingest. -
Q: When are oranges ripe?
A: Oranges are ripe when the fruit feels firm and heavy for its size. Skin color is not a sign of ripeness in oranges. Oranges grown in the summer or in very warm climates still have green patches when they are ripe. -
Q: What are the most nutritious vegetables?
A: According to SheKnows, broccoli is one of the healthiest vegetables. Carrots are high in nutrition as well. Eggplant is another vegetable that carries a wide range of health benefits. Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes and squash are some other nutritious alternatives. -
Q: Do oranges have potassium?
A: Oranges contain a moderate to high amount of potassium. There is approximately 237 milligrams of potassium in a one-half cup serving of oranges and 240 mg of potassium in a small orange. -
Q: When are crab apples in season?
A: Crabapple trees usually bear fruit during the summer and fall, but they may still bear fruit well into the winter. They blossom during the spring, producing masses of white, pink or red flowers. Because of their attractive blossoms, they are often grown as ornamental landscape plants. -
Q: Why are raspberries hairy?
A: The tiny hairs on raspberries are called pistils, and it is these pistils that help turn the berries into an edible fruit. Raspberries are actually clusters of aggregate fruit, meaning one fruit grows onto a single pistil. Each berry is the result of pollinated white flowers that contain numerous hair-like pistils. After the berries mature, the visible hairs are what remain of the original pistils. -
Q: How long does it take for bananas to ripen?
A: It can take between one to two days for bananas to ripen. If the bananas are too green to eat, then placing them in a brown paper bag with an apple overnight will speed up the ripening process. -
Q: What is the difference between a turnip and a swede?
A: The main difference between a swede and a turnip is the appearance of the vegetable. Turnips are white-fleshed, and swedes are yellow-fleshed. Swedes are slightly larger, rounder and firmer than turnips, and their leaves are smoother. The University of Illinois Extension states that swedes are a cross between cabbage and turnip. Swedes are called rutabagas in America, as stated by BBC Good Food.
