Seed potatoes and onion sets are here. Also my weekly radio show.

image from blogpotatoworld.com 

   Today's post is my radio show for April 6th on KLMJ radio 104.9 at 7:20 AM.  I thought I would share what I read for my radio show.  I have been doing this radio show for 27 years.  Let me know if you listen to the radio show, and what you think of adding it to the blog page.  This is for the ones that don't hear me on the RADIO.        

Good morning welcome to my garden show, gardening, and you. I am Becky Litterer from Becky’s Greenhouse in Dougherty.  This show is about more than just than just the different aspects of gardening, it’s about how we can help you with your gardening needs.   WOW   What an awesome week here at Becky’s Greenhouse.  More truckloads of plugs made it to Dougherty.  We are busy PLUGGING away. Pun on the word plugging as that is what we are planting. Plants are growing well.  The 2 walls dividing the greenhouse as less to heat in the winter came down, so now it is the full greenhouse.  We have had some nice rain and sounds like it will rain again Sunday thru Monday.  Up to ½” of inch and we will take it.  I am glad that the temperature is more seasonable as the garden will come when it is closer to the right time on the calendar. 

I will be open next week in the afternoon Monday thru Friday.  We are busy planting, but I do have seed potatoes, and onion sets in.  Kennebec, Yukon Gold, Norland, Red Pontiac. 

Kennebec potatoes though not suitable for commercial farming are still loved by gardeners who love to grow their own potatoes. This potato is making such an impact in the culinary world of potato use. Finer restaurants are switching to Kennebec potatoes for many kinds of dishes and for a variety of reasons. Kennebec is a large potato that has a light tan skin of a uniform appearance. It does not have as many ‘eyes’ as many other potatoes and has a fleshy white inside. The skin is so thin and peels off fast, though you can cook it unpeeled. It has a nice oval shape that is attractive on the plate, unlike others that come in an irregular shape. Kennebec is an easy growing potato type that produces a high yield of potatoes. It resists blight and other diseases during its growing time. It can also last long enough when stored well.  Kennebec potatoes take approximately eighty to one hundred days to reach harvest. One of the bonuses of growing your own potatoes is because you can eat them when you want. You can choose to eat the young new potatoes with peas and gravy which is a popular delicacy. Or you can allow them to reach maturity, harvest, and store them for use throughout the winter. After all the hard work of growing the Kennebec potatoes, go ahead and enjoy a plateful of fresh fries. You will notice the difference between these potatoes and the others. You can cook your potatoes in a different way and store them as long as you would like. Then, you will not only enjoy growing this staple food but enjoy eating them as well. What a wonderful potato journey.
Yukon Gold is an early potato variety that matures in 65 to 85 days. It has thin, yellow skin and dense, buttery flesh. The tubers tend to set high on the plant, so pay careful attention to hilling during the season. Avoid planting too far apart to avoid large tubers and hollow heart.
Norland potatoes are an early-season variety with red skin and white flesh. They are particularly well-suited to harvesting as new potatoes. Norland potatoes are disease resistant and take only 70-90 days to reach maturity in the garden1. They are good for boiling and making french fries and potato chips, but not good for baking.
Red Pontiac potatoes are an all-purpose variety with sweet, white flesh and red skin. These versatile potatoes are perfect for growing as new potatoes, making mashed potatoes, or storing them long-term. They also grow well in heavy clay soil and maintain their quality over time. With a midseason growth cycle of 80-100 days, Red Pontiac potatoes are a great choice for gardeners of all skill levels. Whether you are an expert potato grower or just starting out, these red beauties are sure to please.
Onion sets are small onion bulbs grown in the previous season. The partially formed bulbets are around ¾ inch in diameter, making them easier to plant than seed. They develop into full-size bulbs quickly after planting, in approximately 3½ months. Sets tend to produce stronger, more vigorous plants compared to seed, ensuring larger yields.

We have onion sets in red, white and yellow.  They are really nice this year.  Nice and big!  
Nearly all onion sets are sold as either yellow, white or red onions. There are a lot of varieties within each color of bulb, but in general, the flavors can best be described as follows: Yellow Onions – Yellow onions are the workhorse of the three and are the most common. They have a good balance of flavor and hold up well in all kinds of dishes or for fresh eating.  White Onions – White onions tend to be a bit crisper, with a stronger flavor than yellow. They are one of the best choices for salsa. They hold up to cooking quite well. Red Onions – The mere color profile of red onions makes them perfect for using in salads, salsas and more. They can be a bit strong for some, especially if allowed to age. They make an excellent young onion too as their flavor tends to be crisp and still sweet.
I looked online at the price of seed potatoes and onion sets.  Here at Becky’s greenhouse, we can beat those prices hands down.  Stop in next week in the afternoon if you are looking for seed potatoes and onion sets.  Onion plants are ordered not here yet.  

Yes we need to talk about Larry’s Garage.  He is back to work after total knee replacement.  He is doing great.  He must figure out how to do some things differently, but he is figuring that out.  I am glad he is back to work.  if you do know of some work you would like him to do for you just give us a call or stop in.   Larry has spots open for appointments so if you need any work done, He is back to work and open so give him a call at 641-794-3337     Thanks and stay well.

 This part of the radio show, sharing a message I have done for over 27 years.  The Lord’s words of encouragement are always good to hear.  It is hard but we need to listen, care, and pray for all.  Pray has power.  Thanks to all that tell me they hear me on the radio, and they enjoy the messages.  I am only the messenger in this message and all I do.    I try to have the Lord’s hand on all of it. 
Bible verse Psalm 92:4 For You, O Lord, have made me glad by Your works, at the deeds of Your hands I joyful sing.
The source of happiness
     Focusing on our problems will prevent us from rejoicing and being glad.  Look for the good in your life and your joy will increase.  You might have a problem, but if you focus on what's good, then you will discover there are some good things in your life also.  The world is full of people and situations that don't please us, so if we are waiting for perfect circumstances to make us happy, we will be waiting forever.
      That's why we must learn to base our happiness and joy not on outward circumstances, but on the Lord's presence inside us.  Thankfully, we can learn not to fret or have any anxioty about anything but in everything to give thanks and praise to God.  Then the peace that passes all understanding will be ours.  
Let us pray.
Till next week, this is Becky Litterer, from Becky’s Greenhouse Dougherty Thanks to all of you that listen to this program, Blessings all stay safe and stay well.   Larry and Becky

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