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When and How to Harvest Kale Plant – Kale Harvesting Guide

By Sarwat Rehman

Are you thinking about “How to harvest kale” that you have grown in the yard and now want to have on your platter?

No need to be worried if you have not found the right way of harvesting kale because this ultimate guide on ‘When and how to harvest kale plant’ will open up all the knots in your mind regarding kale harvesting.

Let’s dig in!

Know About Kale Plant

Green leafy Kale, a member of the cabbage family is must grow green in the garden because of its nature of growth and nutritional significance.

Rich source of carbohydrates and protein, green kale is cool season green capable of tolerating frost.

Instead, leafy green vegetable demands frost as frost adds sweetness to its flavor.

Due to its high nutritional content, kale is been widely used in cooking and even used uncooked as salad or in garnishing.

how to harvest kale
All About Kale Plant

Kale Plant Guide – When and How to Harvest Kale

Most cold tolerant brassicas, Kale is the plant that demands frost feast!

It requires frost for better flavor development that you can also compare by dinning kale leaves before after frost.

You will clearly observe the difference in taste.

  • Sow Right

In order to harvest bulk leaves in fall or winter, you have to sow the seeds rightly so that you can grow rightly.

Sow the seeds about ½ inch deep in the seedbed in rows almost 6 inches apart. Water the seeds on time and take good care of the seedbed to have good results.

  • Grow Right

If you have sown seeds at times inappropriate conditions, you are going to have fresh kale leaves soon.

When you see three to four leaves growing, transfer the plants to their growing position in such a way that the lowest leaves are set at ground level.

Water well. Keep a pace among plants almost 20 inches apart.

By giving water timely and proving feed in spring plants will give the best growth.

When to Harvest Kale – Harvesting Kale

If you have grown kale and now worrying about when to harvest kale, you must be glad to know that it is a winter-loving plant and gives the best sweet flavor if harvest after frost.

It grows best in spring or fall depending upon the time you planted.

Kale planted in late summer will be ready till early fall, while if you plant in winter or spring you will get till late spring or early summer.

  • Harvesting Time

Mainly, harvesting time depends on your plan to grow kale. If you grow plants from seeds, you can harvest about 2.5 months after planting.

But if you are going to transplant you can expect to harvest after 50 – 55 days of planting.

  • See Plant Height

If you want to pick leaves with full taste, wait to reach plant height up to 8 inches so that they can reach the size of a hand.

Give water timely and harvest regularly to grow leaves even for months.

  • Harvest in Cold or After Frost

Kale can grow in the cold where the temperature is about 80 Fahrenheit. It can also survive frost!

Normally it is said for plants to harvest before frost, but exceptionally kale is one of few plants that not only survive cold but also requires frost for more flavor.

Frost adds more sugar and sweet taste to leaves.

Suggestions to embrace frost

  1. Transplant seedlings about 6 weeks before frost, or grow by sowing for about three months before expected frost so that you can harvest after full flavor is added.
  2. You can also harvest some of the leaves before you expect frost in your area and wait for new leaves to embrace frost.

Generally, kale survives cold, but if you live in an area where the temperature falls down to 32 Fahrenheit, you need to protect the kale plant by insulating with covers or frames.

By doing this your plant will be safe from harsh cold and grow steadily.

how to harvest kale
When to Harvest Kale – Kale Harvesting Time Guide

  • Summer Harvesting – When to Harvest Kale

As kale is a frost loving plant and usually doesn’t like the heat of summer. Leaves get tough and bitter in hot when the temperature reaches 80 or more.

It shows if you plant kale in spring, by the end of summer you will feel leaves with a bitter flavour.

So, if you want sweet tasty kale leaves to enjoy fresh salad in fall or winter you need to harvest almost one-third of leaves in summer.

You can add harvested leaves to compost.

New sweet leaves will develop till winter for your fresh food.

  • Over Maturity

Grow kale as it is a widely and rapidly growing plant but in order to use its leaves keep noticing its maturation level.

It can spread several feet wide and up to 2 to several feet tall depending upon variety.

If you see flower buds or stalks, it means it is over matured. Its over-maturation causes a bitter taste in leaves that is inappropriate for use and devalues them.

In order to delay over-maturity, cut down the floral stalks before blooming. But you still need to harvest at a time before delaying as it can spoil your taste.

How Do You Harvest Kale – Are You Doing Right?

Harvesting kale in the right way is as essential as the life of a plant!

There is always a right and a wrong way of anything, so is the way of harvesting kale leaves that if you properly pick, your plant will grow continuously without any problem.

But if you pick leaves unknowingly, it may cause trouble for your kale.

So, before harvesting this season, must read given right ways of harvesting kale so that it will not die and grow continuously.

how to harvest kale
Are You Harvesting Kale Right?

How to Harvest Kale So It Keeps Growing – Step by Step

A well-concerned question ‘How to Harvest Kale’ is worth questioning because of the strategy you must follow to harvest kale.

Although it’s tricky not a big deal, you just take care in picking so that rest of the plant leaves remain intact.

  • Moving on towards harvesting leaves, you have to take a sharp knife or a pair of pruning shears according to availability, and a jar to put all the leaves in it.
  • When you are done with it, hold the leaves with one hand and cut from the stem in the way you cut the entire leaf.
  • Keep in mind that you have to take old and large leaves.
  • Older leaves grow towards the outer side while the inner top side contains fresh tenders that you must not damage or cut.
  • If you see any damaged leaves showing holes or getting pale, cut them and add them to the compost heap.
  • Kale plant leaves need to be harvested routinely. If you will leave on plants, they will be somewhat bitter and tough.
  • This green leafy plant suggests picking earlier rather than late!
  • Always cut outer leaves that are at the bottom without damaging baby kale leaves. Never cut central bud as it is the growing area of the plant.
  • Do not pick too many leaves from a single plant at a time as it will affect its growth rate. Try to leave about 1/3 of the leaves intact.

So, after knowing simply easy tricks, you can practice on your own to pick kale leaves from your garden.

Things You Must Consider When Harvesting Kale from Your Garden

You must keep an important thing in mind that it takes almost 5 -7 days to develop new leaves from the kale plant, so leave some new central leaves so that plant remains productive.

Grow 4-5 kale plants, that you can easily in pots if lack room in the garden so that you can take a handful of leaves from each plant to enjoy an all-time fresh salad.

Do not cut from roots while harvesting leaves because as leaves grow on stem. If you cut from roots, you are pushing your plant to death.

Kale Plant Dying – Pick Whole

If your plant is grown enough and goes to seed or the temperature has fallen below its tolerance level (below 20oC), it may die.

Before its death, you should harvest all of its leaves and pick the whole plant by cutting from the stalk. Cut the plant stalk near the soil.

You can use these leaves immediately or store them properly for later use as guided below.

Storing Harvested Kale Leaves – How to Store Kale Leaves?

When you are done with all harvesting of kale leaves considering the weather and all other factors, you can store them in the right way to use even after weeks.

Take your leaves filled jar to sink and wash thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. As plants are susceptible to various pests and sometimes, you spray plants to prevent diseases.

Washing with tap water before saving will free from health concerns.

Tip: Never use hot water or soak the leaves as it causes wilting.

Spread the leaves over a clean and dry place or on a paper towel and air dry before packing.

Tip: Don’t store wet leaves as fungus can grow in moisture.

how to harvest kale
How to Store Kale – Kale Storing Tips

Take a plastic ziploc or resealable bag and place leaves. You can also place a paper towel under leaves for better protection.

Tip: Remove air properly before sealing.

Label the bag with the date you are storing it so that you can use it accordingly without forgetting when you stored it.

Place in refrigerator.

Tip: One to two or three weeks are ideal to store kale leaves fresh.

How to Store Kale Without Plastic?

Storing food; vegetables and fruits, without plastic bags is the main concern in the emerging world.

It is beneficial not only for food but is a SIGNIFICANT NEED to overcome climate change, a devastating reason of which is excessive use of plastics.

Thanx to the plastic alternative storage options like; organic cotton bags, mesh bags although use for groceries, French terry bags are recommended ones to store leafy greens in these plastic-free bags.

You can also store in

  • Glass containers
  • Tea towels

What you have to do is

Properly wash and completely dry the leaves with a paper towel as guided above.

Removing any moisture is essential to prevent rotting so, try to dry maximum.

Remove the stems.

  1. Wrap the hardy green kale in a paper towel loosely, place it in a glass container and store it in the fridge.
  2. You can also place kale veg simply in a cup of water just like a bouquet in the fridge but not in a crowded place.
  3. You can also freeze your green! To freeze, just blanch the leaves after removing the stem and thoroughly washing.

Boil for 25 – 30 seconds and give them heat shock by transferring to an icebox. It will give them crisp rather than wilting.

After doing this, stain all of the water and tap with a towel to dry them out.

Wrap in a beeswax wrap and freeze for later use.

So, hopefully, all of your puzzling questions and tied knots about ‘When and how to harvest kale plant’ are solved.

Now you are in a position to harvest leaves when you see grown with critical analysis and after determining all aspects of harvesting that not only you can use immediately but store for later foods.

Now you can have a green leafy platter when you want!

Do You Know When to Harvest Butternut Squash – 4 Clear Signs of Mature Butternut Squash

By Sarwat Rehman

When fall approaches, gardeners start wondering “When to Harvest Butternut squash” in a way that it could be stored without damage.

Growing butternut squash and harvesting it at right time is the prime thing a gardener must keep an eye on.

when to harvest butternut squash
Butternut Squash – A Delicious Garden Vegetable

As most of the growers mistakenly harvest butternut squash improperly at the wrong time. As a result, most butternuts are not in a condition of prolonged storage and face problems.

Now take a deep breath as it’s time to harvest butternut squash wisely!

You just have to follow prescribed harvesting time and observe 4 simple signs of mature butternuts to harvest timely by working on tips so that you can cure and store butternuts properly.

What is Butternut Squash

Butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata) commonly known as ”Garma or Butternut Pumpkin” is a variety of winter squash that grows on the vine.

Oval-shaped squash with yellow outer hard skin contains yellowish-orange fleshy pulp.

Seeds are present in bell-bottom compartments that are of no use in cooking but can be dried for other purposes.

Rich source of minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins especially vitamin A, this squash is basically a fruit but is also cooked as a vegetable.

Adding full flavors to winter recipes, butternut squash is full of sweet nutty flavor that you can enjoy till spring.

Tough and firm-textured skin with hard rind makes it capable of long term storage.

Store in winter; enjoy till spring!

When to Harvest Butternut Squash – Know Best Harvesting time

Having fresh food especially vegetables in the home garden is one of the healthiest things you can ever have.

Among kitchen garden vegetables, butternut squash is the most easily grown vegetable that you can grow in bulk and store for later refreshment.

Buy Squash Recipes eBook Here

If you have grown butternut squash in summer it is the best time, October to November, to harvest mature butternuts.

Like pumpkins or gourds, butternuts are grown in spring or summer.

Hot summer weather is the best time to flourish butternut vine and it takes 3-4 months to fully mature.

They will be fully matured till winter.

But, whether the specific squash you are going to harvest is mature enough to be harvested?

You must observe the following signs of matured squash.

Is Your Butternut Squash Ready to Harvest – 4 clear Signs of Mature Squash

If you have grown winter squash and now planning to harvest, wait!

Wait and see whether your butternut squash is ripe enough to be harvested?

If you harvest before it is fully mature, that will neither be firm nor appropriate for storage and if wait for so long without knowing ripens signs, it will split.

But no need to be worried about it!

You just have to follow and observe given clear signs of ripe butternuts and you will get all of your answers about ‘When to harvest butternut squash’ clearly.

  1. Notice its Appearance

First of all, notice its color. Ripe squash is deep tan (peanut color) with no or minimum stripes near the stem.

When butternut squash grows on a vine, it contains green vertical lines that fade as it matures.

See your vine.

If squashes are still green with lines, wait for a week or two and harvest when you clearly see its matured form.

harvest butternut squash
Butternut Squash Harvesting Time!

  1. Length

Coming to the next sign, you have to notice its length.

Generally, squash matures when reaching 8 – 10 inches but it is not a fact and depend upon variety and soil.

Long squashes grow in nutrient-rich soil. So, carefully observe length on a daily basis and when you see it stops growing, pick your sharp knife and cut from the stem.

  1. Observe stem

A good way to decide whether butternut squash is ready to be harvested is to observe its stem. Brown cracky stem is an indication of its maturity.

As it matures, the plant slowly stops transferring nutrients to winter squash and the stem dries changing color from green to brown.

If you mark this sign OK, you can pick and have delicious squash soup!

  1. Toughness

Finally, you are near to pick your butter squash if it is firm enough to resist being punctured with your fingernail.

The toughness of rind will tell that they are ready to be picked.

Concludingly, harvesting squash tests all of your senses, you need a long, tan-coloured firm rind butternut squash with a brown stem to cut for best taste.

Things You Must Consider When Harvesting Butternut Squash  – Best Harvesting Tips

If you have marked all the signs OK to pick the squash, it’s good.

Now you have to consider some of the very simple tips before harvesting butternut squash. By following these tips, your butternut squashes are never going to be wasted.

  1. Harvesting mature squash at right time will give you the best-storing butternuts.
  2. Use sharp shears to cut rather than pulling from the vine.
  3. Cut from at least 2 inches of the tan cracky stem of butternut. In this way, squash pulp will be protected from bacteria and fungi.
  4. If you are expecting frost in your zone, try to harvest a day or two before frost starts. Severe cold weather or frost can be worst for your squash.
  5. If butternuts are not ripe and frost hits, carefully cover your squash with a sheet or blanket.
  6. Use improperly harvested squash (without stem or with naked pulp) as soon as possible and not store for long. They are more susceptible to bacterial attacks.

How to Cut Butternut Squash Easily

Cutting butternut squash is simply as easy as eating a squash dish!

Yes, this is so simple to cut butternut squash by cutting with a sharp knife or pruners at a distance from rind without damaging it.

As mentioned in harvesting tips, cut 2-3 inches of stem attached with squash to avoid any damage.

If butternuts have accidental cuts or bruises, you can not store them for longer storage. You have to use them early to prevent any infectious attack.

Or you can also add those damaged squash to compost heap so that you can see new growth next year.

How to Store Butternut Squash

Storing butternut squash is important as they are produced in bulk and due to their bigger size can not be used all at once.

Therefore, you have to store them rightly for later use.

Here is a simple way of storing cut or uncut squash. Just follow carefully to store butternut squash.

1. Store Uncut or Undamaged Squash

Storing winter squash carefully is important and need to be done with care.

Don’t place them outdoor or in the refrigerator to be attacked by insects and rot, respectively.

As butternut squash with firm rind is picked for best storing so, do not place them in the refrigerator if you want to store for months (you can store for up to 5-6 months).

By placing in the refrigerator, they will absorb moisture and lose toughness as a result there will be more chances of rot.

Place your butternuts in a dry cool place where the temperature ranges from 50 – 60 Fahrenheit (10 – 150C) and humidity 60 – 70 %.

A dry room or basement is best to store squash.

when to harvest butternut squash
Cure before Store Butternut Squash

Butternuts can also last for 10 -14 days at room temperature placed at the table or a shelf.

For prolonged storage, it is recommended to store in a single layer without piling it up so that they do not touch each other and damage.

Have a weekly check on stored butternuts and observe if anyone showing signs of rot.

2. Store Cut Squash

If you want to store squash in cuttings, you can place it in the refrigerator by cutting it into small to medium-sized pieces.

Just peel off tough skin with a peeler, you can also cut it from the center for ease. Remove inner side seeds with a spoon or scratch with a knife.

Cut it in the required size or for the purpose you want to store.

If you want to roast, later on, cut in cubes, or for noodles use a spiralizer to shred.

Curing Butternut Squash

Curing is the simple procedure done with some fruits and vegetables to maximize their taste and to enhance their shelf life.

Most of the time harvested butternut squash also need curing for best peak flavor and sweetness.

To cure butternut squash, you simply have to place them in a sunny corner of your yard and place them for almost a week.

It will not only enhance their taste but also thicken their skin for prolonged storage.

By placing in a warmer place for some time also removes water that helps to store for a longer time period.

In frost conditions, you can also give curing time in greenhouse.

Coming to end, hopefully, you have gotten all of your questions answered starting from ‘when to harvest butternut squash’ to curing butternuts by following harvesting time and tips to storing conditions.

Now you can easily harvest your squash and store it properly to enjoy delicious squash recipes when you want!

New Dawn Rose – How to Care New Dawn Climbing Rose?

By Sarwat Rehman

New Dawn Rose, the most favorite rose especially in United States is soft pink flowering  plant with delicate rose clusters that gives repeating flower. Proper light, well-draining soil, watering, and fertilization keep the stunning blooms. Above all, timely pruning helps to grow healthy and disease-free plants.

This award winning climbing rose is the best rose one can ever grow in garden to make morning as refreshing as this rose is.

Here you will get brief history and characteristics of the dawn rose.  Next, I have summarized its light and watering requirements, plus healthy soil parameters and fertilization guidelines. You will also get about its pruning technique and ways to keep it safe from diseases.

History

‘New Dawn Rose’ is one of the most prominent climbing roses, discovered from rosa cultivar (Rose Dr. W. Van Fleet), resulting from a peculiar change named as sport.

Plant Sport is an accidental mutation in plant that results in a new, physically and genetically different plant from parent.

This mutation occurred in Van Fleet Rose Cultivar and brand new variety New Dawn Rose Came into existence.

In 1930, Henry Dreer was the first to discover and introduced this climbing rosa variety.

new dawn rose
New Dawn Rose

It is also first ever Patented rose in United States since then, this rose opened the doors for more plants and roses to be patented.

New dawn rose was also selected in World Rose Societies Federation in Rose Hall of Fame.

General Summary – Rosa New Dawn

Scientific NameRosa 'New Dawn'
Common NameNew Dawn Rose
TypeMutant Rose Variety
Height15-20 Feet
Spread6-10 Feet
FoliageGlossy green
FlowerSilvery pink double bloom
3.5 in. diameter
25-40 petals
Blooming SeasonGenerally Spring
Suitable PlaceOutdoors (Direct sunlight spot)
SoilHumus-rich, well-draining
LightBright sunlight
WaterModerate
FertilizationSlow-release fertilizer
Pruning Late winter
Zone4 through 9
ToxicityNon-toxic

New Dawn Rose Characteristics

Perfectly exhibiting beauty of fairy tail rose, ‘The New Dawn Rose’ is sweetly fragrant double bloom with silvery pink flower.

Due to their abundant easy to train canes, climbing new dawn is most admired in U.S.

Silvery Pink Blooms  

This unique climbing rose has super scented pale pink to whitish double blooms with almost 35 petals.

As it matures, white flower dominates and gracefully add beauty of rose.

Glossy bright green leaves on extended trained canes give charming look to new rose when you grow along trellis or pergola.

The leaves fall in autumn that are regained in spring.

Dawn rose is specifically recognized due to its double flowering that is at its peak throughout summer, June the prime time. Second blooming in the fall.

Growth Habit

Generally, roses are sun lovers and grow best in more sun, but more surprisingly new dawn is most shade tolerant.

If you have grown them in area with 4-5 hours of afternoon sunlight, north facing side, they will give pretty pale pink flower without much troubling you.

No trouble by new dawn rose?

Yes! Long canes do not overcome by most of the problems. It is most disease resistant rose you have ever grown.

Hardiness

This climbing rose is most suited for United States hardiness zone 5 through 9 and 10.

If you are living in zone 4 and want to grow climbing dawn, you can grow by planting buds beneath the soil.

Approximately three to four inches depth will give you growth.

New Dawn Rose Care

 Light

Just like any other rose in your garden, the new dawn rose strives for bright light. The ideal location for this climbing rose is a sunny spot receiving at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight.

The adequate light helps roses bloom and give a spark to the garden. The inadequate light makes plants stressed out and susceptible to diseases.

Pro Tip

If your dawn roses are not blooming or are fighting with multiple problems must reconsider their location and ensure proper light.

Water – Rosa New Dawn Climbing Rose Water Requirements

New Dawn Rose needs regular watering for a robust root system. The adequate amount of water enables soaking up nutrients and encourages blooms. But here, you must not confuse watering with flooding and make plants waterlogged. Never go for it!

From early spring to late autumn, the dawn rose needs 1 inch of water each week during the growing season. This is the ideal amount of water to make plants healthy and keep growing.

If there is heavy rainfall in your zone, don’t water unless the soil is completely dried out. On the contrary, water well on hot summer days. You can revise the watering schedule every other day or daily in scorching summer.

When watering Rosa New Dawn, or any plant, beware, water only goes in the soil, and leaves and flowers are fairly dry.

This helps to grow a disease-free plant. Water by rose watering can or sprinkler heads is an option but not preferred as both make plants wet thoroughly. Instead, drip irrigation systems and soaker hoses are the best for directional and controlled watering.

Pro Tip

Mulching is an excellent way to retain soil moisture as roses need dampness to establish roots. You can use dry grass clippings, pine straws, or spread wood chips to a depth of 2 inches around roses.

Soil

Roses bloom well in deep and humus-rich soil. Although they can go with a wide range of soils, moist and well-draining soil keeps dawn rose roots anchored.

Most importantly, it should be nutrient-rich. Plenty of nutrients help the new dawn rose to fulfill their growth needs without establishing competition.

So, keep soil pH in the range of 5.5 to 7.0, but 6.5 is the ideal pH.

You can easily use pH indicators or soil pH meter to check the soil pH and adjust accordingly. In fact, home remedies are the best solution to drop or increase pH without adding chemicals.

If there is a need to increase the pH, you can add coffee grounds or fruit and vegetable peels. Banana and alfalfa are super effective and prove beneficial for roses.

On the other hand, if your soil shows relatively high pH, use eggshells, ground seafood shells, hardwood ashes to bring it down. But don’t rush for it and do it slowly over the course of a few months.

This gradual decrease in pH will be stable and do not affect soil nature.

As said earlier, mulching gives additional benefits and keeps the dawn rose healthier, so use this approach to keep the soil healthy.

Pro Tip

You can also use dolomite lime to keep soil pH in the optimum range.

Fertilizer

Fertilization is an essential new dawn rose care factor, and plants’ growth mainly depends on it. Like soil pH test, testing soil sample for nutrient content is an excellent approach and gives clear cut repot of nutrient deficiencies.

You can use specific fertilizers as per test recommendations and go clear. According to the University of California, Nitrogen is the nutrient often lacking in the soil of roses. So, choosing a nitrogen-based fertilizer would be best.

But if you want to kip testing, fertilize new dawn rose in the spring as soon as you observe new growth.

Pro Tip

Feed climbing new dawn rose in late March-April and again in late July for best results. Beware, you have fertilized the soil before planting and do so twice a year. You can use slow-release fertilizer specially formulated for roses or take water-soluble general fertilizer.

Pruning Hybrid Tea Roses

New dawn hybrid tea rose is a climber and responds well to pruning. But cutting branches and stems randomly do not make use of pruning.

You must be aware of the rose pruning technique and time to get the blooms back. So here we see the details of when and how to prune new dawn rose.

When and How to Prune New Dawn Climbing Rose?

  • First of all, bear in mind that the new dawn rose should not be pruned for the first two years after planting. The roots need to be established, and flowers bloom.
  • When it starts blooming and produces creamy pink double flowers on long branches, you may get yourself ready for new dawn rose pruning.
  • So, wait for late winters to prune your plant as it is about to break dormancy and produce new buds. Therefore, it is high time to cut back weak, dying, damaged, or diseased stems.
  • Don’t forget to wear tough gloves or rose gardening gloves thorn resistant to prevent any damage.
  • Secondly, use sharp and sterilized pruning shears or other cutting tools to discourage any disease transfer.
  • Long branches can be cut 10 to 15 inches from the graft or 4 to 6 buds from the base.
  • Cut short branches harder and leave some buds or a few inches of shoot above ground. As plants grow and canes become tough, cut them back to encourage new shoots as it also improves air circulation to the center of the plant.
  • Next, prune the stem of dawn climbing rose, neither too thick nor too fragile. You can keep it to the thickness of a pencil to support blooms. If any stem arises from below the union, cut all the way back.
  • Pinch the dead leaves or blossoms off the plant to keep it attractive and healthy. Furthermore, tie the canes with the trellis, arbor, or pergola to keep it growing along with the support.

Lastly, don’t panic if you cut roses harder as they are resilient and grow back. So, go ahead and prune dawn rose at the right time!

Diseases and Insects – Rosa New Dawn

New dawn rose is exceptionally resistant to diseases and copes with unacceptable conditions. Still, some notorious insects and fungal attacks can put the plant at risk.

You may see black spots on this climbing rose or get powdery mildew.

Aphids or spider mites can also damage the plant. So, keep an eye and observe the signs of insect activity. Immediately treat the plant with horticultural oil spray or contact university extension services if the problem is uncontrolled.

FAQs – New Dawn Rose

Is New Dawn Rose A Climber Or Rambler?

The new dawn rose is mainly a climbing rose for its large, single, or clustered flowers. Generally, rambling roses produce small flowers held in large sprays having 20 blooms per stem and bloom once. But on the contrary, a new dawn has all characteristics of climbing rose; large, repeating blooms and grow solitary or in clusters.

Is New Dawn Climbing Rose A Repeat Bloomer?

A new dawn rose is a fantastic repeat bloomer and gives flowers from July to September. This apple fragrant rose grows well in sunshine and can tolerate partial shade. Repeating plus climbing rose characteristics make this plant suitable for covering a wall or front of the house.

Will New Dawn Climbing Rose Grow In Shade?

New dawn rose is an avid sun lover and gives striking blooms in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Plant dawn rose where it can receive at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight. If there is no sunny corner left on your lawn, prefer planting in a pot to move in the sun during cold days.

Where To Buy New Dawn Climbing Rose?

Buying new dawn roses is relatively easy as they are available in containers around the year, especially in summer. Container roses make plantation easy compared to bare root roses as they are accustomed to the growth conditions and respond quickly. You can buy new dawn roses in containers here.

So, never let pink new dawn climbing rose fade and give it optimized, nutrient-rich, and well-draining soil with adequate watering. Furthermore, make it healthier with rose fertilizers and prune with sharp tools to avoid squashing of the stems. After following all-new dawn rose care guidelines, you will be amazed to see its blooms and captivity.

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Sugar Kiss Melon: 10 Tricky Tips to Pick Sweetest Ripe Melon

By Sarwat Rehman

You must have tried melon but if haven’t yet tasted Sugar Kiss Melon, you are missing real flavor.

Sugar Kiss Melon is the sweetest melon with soft juicy pulp melting on the tongue.

Let’s begin with brief know-how and understand how to kiss melon different from cantaloupe, nutrition and working tricky tips to pick ripe melons.

Further Reading:

What is a Sugar Kiss Melon?

A melon full of sugar-rich sweetness and yum creamy flavor is “Sugar Kiss Melon”. This extraordinary sweet nature makes it eminent among members of its family.

sugar kiss melon
Vitamins Rich Sweetest Sugar Melon – Summer Party Plan!

This variety of melon is native to Taiwan and is a rich source of vitamins especially vitamin A and C.

Summer is the peak to have this delicious fruit.

You can eat kiss melon as salad or desserts made from it are exceptional sources of energy. You can enjoy with fresh mint or olive oil with light salt as an appetizer.

Its appropriate size also makes it suitable for breakfast.

A must-try melon it is!

Sugar Kiss Melon vs Cantaloupe

If you are confused about sugar kiss melon and cantaloupe, your concept must be cleared about these.

Cantaloupe is a melon, a variety of muskmelon that may be of two types, European Cantaloupe and North American Cantaloupe.

You can find it with orange flesh and non-netted rind.

Coming towards Sugar kiss melon, it is the sweetest melon you can ever have. It is one of the varieties of melon basically of cantaloupe, with soft and sugar-rich pulp that melts in the mouth.

It is specifically recognized as the sweetest melon with extraordinary juicy flesh. You can easily distinguish sugar kiss melon among other melons as it has netted rind over pale orange pulp.

Sugar Kiss Melon Nutrition

What would be more refreshing in hot scorching summer than sugar kiss melon? Definitely not any other thing can replace such a refreshing and high nutritional content fruit.

In addition to plenty of water, it is full of minerals and vitamins.

Your body will get 25% of vitamin A and 20% of vitamin C by consuming approximately 100 g of kiss melon.

A good source of vitamin A and C is this melon!

It gives approximately 45 calories but not from fat at all. As it is rich in sweetness, major sugar content is 10 g constituting 4% carbohydrates.

Cholesterol level is all time 0 in melon while 1g of protein is added to our diet by this delicious fruit.

sweet sugar kiss melon
Sugar Kiss Melon Nutritional Facts

Your body will also get 4% of iron by adding 100grms of kiss melon into the diet.

How to Pick Ripe Melon – 10 Tricky Ways to Pick Ripe Melon

Picking a melon that is ripe and sweet is tricky.

But not be worried, it is tricky not difficult and for the next time you will be able to pick perfectly ripe and delicious melon.

You have to carefully notice the things given below before choosing melon from the market or even from your lawn.

  1. First of all, if you are buying from the market, do not select that is damaged and have cracks or bruises because there would be chances of contamination.
  2. Select melons that are neither too firm nor too soft or have a stem at the top.
  3. Mostly dull-looking melons are ripe than shiny surfaced ones.
  4. Ripe melon especially netted varieties as sugar kiss is fragrant. So, smell it before picking.
  5. Lift the melon and note its weight. If it is heavy, it would be juicier. Yummy!!!
  6. Use your hand to tap the melon. If it sounds hollow, it is ready to be consumed.
  7. You can store melon at room temperature but without cutting.
  8. If you want to place it in the refrigerator, do not store it for more than five days.
  9. Cut melons can be stored in the refrigerator for three days but the place in a container to avoid any contamination.
  10. As the surface of melon contains bacteria particularly Salmonella, wash it properly before use.

Generally, people choose unripe melon without knowing much but after following above mentioned tricky tips and tricks you will always choose sweet and ripe melon.

So, take a moment to appreciate this real flavor melon and enjoy its taste!

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How to Care Autumn Moon Japanese Maple – Acer shirasawanum | Quick Guide

By Sarwat Rehman

An outstanding ornamental tree, Autumn Moon Japanese Maple is a stunning shrub with exceptional foliage unfurling reddish-orange leaves.

Full-moon Japanese maple fascinates with blushing multi-shaded leaves transforming and blending colours beautifully.

If you have a small garden or want to grow in the container, it is the most ravishing maple you have ever seen in your life.

So, let’s begin with the history of the autumn moon Japanese maple, key attributes, its simple and easy care routine and pest problems so that you can grow it in your yard.

History – Autumn Moon Japanese Maple

Autumn Moon Japanese Maple (Acer shirasawanum) is the small native tree of Japan that as many other maples came from the parent species Acer palmatum.

It is the full moon maple that is not abundantly found in America but is highly Prized in Japan.

Autumn Moon Japanese Maple
Multi Colored Autumn Moon Japanese Maple

There are many other cultivars of Acer but A. shirasawanum cultivar ‘Aureum’ (Full Moon Maple) is mostly grown and to prime interest.

Its been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society ‘Award of Garden Merit’.

Autumn moon maple has a quite interesting history. J.D Vertrees was a professional gardener who devoted his life to research on Japanese Maple.

He established a small Maple-wood Nursery where he worked on several varieties of maple and published his book named ‘Japanese Maples’ based on his personal experiences.

J.D Vertrees grew many varieties but in no time some seedlings caught his attention. He focused on that particular plant that became the tree “Autumn Moon Japanese Maple”.

Autumn Moon Japanese Maple – Key Features

Full moon maple is an elegant Acer with bold burnt orange coloured leaves that is the best choice for your garden.

This easy to grow maple is a shrub with brilliant orange sprouting leaves in spring that intensify as summer approaches.

The tones of new leaves intensify towards the ends of growing tips with golden green shades underlying orange margins.

Full-moon Japanese maple gives fully intensified reddish-orange leaves in bright sun or partial shade that turns into all shades of fire before falling in winter.

It can reach a height of 10 – 15 feet that may be up to 20 ft. at maturity and 5 – 7 feet wide.

This beautiful, heat tolerating plant’s leaves have 9 to 11 short lobes and a prominent rusty coloured midrib.

Stunning ivory pink flowers bloom in spring embellishing your garden with contrasting foliage colors.

If you want your garden to fiercely blush in sun, it is not late to give full moon maple place in your yard.

Full Moon Japanese Maple – Summary

Botanical Name Acer shirasawanum
Hardiness 5, 6, 7
Height 10 – 15 ft
Width 5 – 7  ft
Leaf Color Multi-color
Leaf Shape 9 – 11 lobed Fan Shape
Rate of Growth Slow to intermediate
Soil Well Drained Loamy Soil or Clay
Watering Average
Sun Exposure Full Sun to Partial Shade
Use Ornamental City or Cottage Garden Tree

Autumn Moon Japanese Maple Care Routine

Growing and caring trees especially ornamental plants is such a fun-loving art that everyone loves.

Autumn moon Japanese is also a marvellous showy tree that you can maintain in your yard very easily by following a simple care routine.

So, cross-check your routine with the given guidelines and add what you are missing!

1. Soil

If you want to grow autumn moon maple in your garden, you have to use clay or loam for its best growth. Sandy soil will also work.

One important thing you have to keep in mind is that soil must be moist but not overwatered. Well-drained, acidic or neutral are ideal for growth.

If you add mulch, it will give good results by keeping roots cool and soil moist.

2. Water Demand

Japanese maple autumn moon doesn’t need too much water.

The weekly schedule is enough for soil to be moisturized but in extreme heat or in a dry environment, you can give water as per need.

Autumn Moon Japanese Maple
Autumn Moon Japanese Maple A. shirasawanum – Care Routine

3. Sun Exposure

These small to medium-sized cottage garden tree leaves depict wonderful bright fire colours in full sun.

It is bright sunshine to partial shade lover that’s why morning sun with afternoon shady place is the best location to grow Japanese maple.

4. Pruning

As far as pruning is concerned, you can prune in the dormant season but try not to prune in spring as it may damage the plant.

5. Care and Maintenance

Full-moon Japanese maple is easy to grow an ornamental tree with fewer care requirements and maintenance.

It can grow to a suitable height without demanding much attention.

Japanese Maple Autumn Moon Tree – Pests and Diseases

Full moon Japanese is generally not susceptible to a variety of plant diseases or pests but sometimes certain problems may dominate.

Full moon root rot, collar rot, verticillium-wilt, leaf spot and canker of stem are the diseases Acer autumn may experience.

Aphids, scales, mites and caterpillars may also disturb plant growth. 

So, after reading all key attributes and given guidelines, definitely, you have found that it is not a big deal to beautify your garden with full moon maple.

Now, select a small area in the yard and grow this gorgeous plant to enjoy its summer and fall foliage.

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