Deeper roots, better carrots
Given the right conditions, a carrot’s extensive fine feeder roots can reach 3m into the soil. It’s important to know this, as it will change the way you treat
![The 4 Best Ways to Cool a Greenhouse](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/12-2018/ada9273b-5c12293e425cc5be146cd199.png)
Here on the high plains of Wyoming, our summers are cool and dry. We rarely need cooling, but when we do, we can just use fans and passive ventilation.
![Making Cucurbitaceae weed-control easier](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/12-2018/da5ecdfd-5c12290e425cc5430b6cd1a0.jpg)
Controlling weeds has become a big issue with the increasing cost of labour. Fortunately, when it comes to the cucumber family, there are several options
![How to pot on tomato seedlings](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/12-2018/90ca22b3-5c1228bf425cc5d60f6cd1a3.jpg)
Ensure young tomatoes have plenty of room to grow by potting them on – we show you how.
![Getting your carrot stand correct](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/12-2018/eeec4f7b-5c0a376f425cc5a34859e32d.jpg)
Good carrot seed is expensive and it’s therefore important to provide optimal conditions for germination.
![Carrots – who said they must be orange?](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/12-2018/10e28c43-5c08ebf6425cc58331b28dcc.jpg)
The carrot – Daucus carota subspecies sativus – has been used by humankind for thousands of years. The vegetable’s wild ancestors look a lot different though.
![Growing melons](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/12-2018/8143a006-5c07a64e425cc5ef614e2503.jpg)
Melons are more sensitive to disease than most other cucurbits. As the diseases that attack melons are generally associated with rainfall and humidity
![Producing butternuts: Spacing, yield, diseases](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/12-2018/eaa0b2a8-5c064e55425cc5cc2f38afc1.jpg)
The essentials of growing butternuts are similar to those of other cucurbits. Spacing may vary, however, depending on the cultivar.
![Getting watermelons ready for the market](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/12-2018/e2a9efa2-5c04f183425cc59503c245e0.jpeg)
To obtain high prices on the market, a watermelon grower has to produce fruit that looks good as well as tastes delicious.
![The strange history of the butternut](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/11-2018/d7438440-5c00fa87425cc5d31e20bc74.jpg)
Butternut belongs to the species Cucurbita moschata. Our regular pumpkins are C. maxima; gems and marrows are C. pepo.
![Common watermelon fungal diseases](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/11-2018/b962c88c-5bffb1fd425cc551179fa5ff.jpg)
Watermelons are generally grown in fairly dry climates as this reduces the risk of diseases considerably.
![Watermelon weeding & watering](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/11-2018/e6d41b48-5bfe637f425cc55405688e8f.jpg)
Weed control depends on a farmer’s particular situation. For example, where weeds are rife, a weedkiller may be needed.
![Planting watermelon seeds and seedlings](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/11-2018/4ad57d2f-5bfd0525425cc5896f134b97.jpg)
Success with watermelons, as with most fruit and vegetables, begins with getting the basics right.
![How to sow salad seeds in guttering](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/11-2018/c7de990e-5bf7cab2425cc5c45c7e27a7.jpg)
You can never have enough salad in summer, but sowing directly into the soil takes up valuable space in the garden.
![Give your watermelons the correct nutrient mix](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/11-2018/26e28148-5bf7c9c6425cc5ae5a7e27a8.jpg)
There are several important considerations when planning a fertiliser programme for your watermelon crop.
![An early start to the watermelon season](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/11-2018/eb29ce75-5bf67141425cc52741859a02.jpg)
Watermelons command a higher price earlier in the season. Because of this, you might want to choose a variety that’s ready sooner, even if it’s lower-yielding.
![Growing watermelons – part 1](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/11-2018/86f81fe0-5bf3d67f425cc5ad3f4e8dfe.png)
Watermelons are a warm season crop, but can be started in winter in areas where conditions are milder.
![Herbs and diversified farming: how to do it](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/11-2018/2b425d21-5bf27da0425cc5f01bc745ac.jpg)
Allée Bleue started growing and selling herbs on a small-scale in 2000, but driven by high consumer demand the estate is flourishing.
![Some lesser cucurbit pests & diseases](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/11-2018/8cf63b3b-5bee8a09425cc518736de651.jpg)
There are two species of leaf miner that can cause a problem – Liriomyza huidobrensis and L. trifolii. The former prefers temperate climates, the latter warmer