Author: Jane Austin

You can grow a pomegranate plant (Punica granatum) from seeds taken from a ripe fruit using a small pot, well-draining potting mix, and a warm, bright location. Plant cleaned seeds about ¼ inch (6 mm) deep and keep the soil lightly moist at around 70–85°F (21–29°C). Under suitable conditions, seedlings may emerge within a few weeks, although germination can take longer. Growing pomegranate from seed is an inexpensive way to start a fruiting shrub at home, but there is one trade-off: a seedling may produce fruit that tastes different from the pomegranate you originally ate. Which Pomegranate Seeds Should You…

Potatoes are productive garden vegetables, but choosing what to grow around them can make a difference in how you organize your garden. The right neighbors can help you use available space, attract pollinators and beneficial insects, and maintain a more diverse growing area. However, not every plant is a suitable companion for potatoes. The best companion plants for potatoes are those that have compatible growing requirements, do not compete excessively for nutrients and water, and can fit comfortably around developing potato plants. Beans, certain herbs, and selected flowers can be useful choices, while tomatoes and other plants in the same…

Growing pumpkins at home can be surprisingly rewarding, even if you do not have a large garden. With the right variety, enough sunlight, suitable soil, and consistent watering, you can grow healthy pumpkin vines in a backyard, raised bed, or large container. The biggest challenge is giving the plant enough room to spread and allowing its developing fruits to mature properly. If you are learning how to grow pumpkin at home, start with a compact or bush-type variety if space is limited. Larger pumpkin varieties usually need more room, while smaller types are easier to manage in containers and small…

A pumpkin shortage can affect grocery stores, farmers, bakeries, food manufacturers, and households that rely on pumpkins for cooking and seasonal recipes. Pumpkins are used in soups, pies, desserts, sauces, decorations, and animal feed, making them an important crop in several agricultural markets. When harvests decline or distribution becomes more difficult, supplies may tighten and prices may increase. The reasons behind a pumpkin shortage vary by region and season. Unfavorable weather, crop diseases, pests, rising production costs, and transportation problems can all affect availability. Canned pumpkin products may experience different supply challenges because they depend on processing facilities, packaging materials,…

A cabbage shortage can affect grocery prices, household food budgets, farmers, and businesses that depend on fresh vegetables. Cabbage is a widely grown cool-season crop, but its production depends on suitable temperatures, consistent moisture, healthy soil, and reliable transportation. When unfavorable weather, pest outbreaks, crop diseases, or supply chain disruptions reduce the amount of cabbage reaching markets, prices can rise and fresh supplies may become harder to find. Understanding what causes cabbage shortages helps consumers make informed shopping decisions and allows growers to prepare for changing conditions. The severity of a shortage also depends on the region, growing season, available…

A banana shortage in 2026 may result from extreme weather, plant diseases, shipping delays, or higher production costs, but empty supermarket shelves do not automatically mean the world is running out of bananas. Global banana production has been estimated at approximately 135 million metric tonnes annually in recent years, while international trade accounts for roughly 20 million tonnes a year. These figures show the scale of the industry, but current shortages must be assessed using recent production and supply data for individual countries. Is There a Worldwide Banana Shortage in 2026? A worldwide banana shortage cannot be confirmed simply because…

Carnations and marigolds are both popular garden flowers, but they serve different purposes. Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus) are known for their ruffled petals, slender stems, and use in bouquets, while marigolds (Tagetes species) produce rounded yellow, orange, or gold flowers that are especially useful in sunny garden beds. Both generally benefit from around 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, although their performance depends on the variety, temperature, and growing conditions. How Do Carnations and Marigolds Look Different? Carnations usually have frilled petals arranged around a central flower, whereas marigolds commonly produce compact, rounded flower heads or simpler daisy-like blooms. Carnations come…

You can grow lychee (Litchi chinensis) from a fresh seed taken directly from a ripe fruit. Remove the seed, wash away the pulp, and plant it about 1–2 cm deep in moist, well-draining potting mix. Keep the pot warm, ideally around 24–29°C, and give the seed several weeks to germinate. Growing a healthy seedling is achievable at home, but producing fruit is a much longer undertaking: seed-grown lychee trees can take 10 years or more to bear fruit. Choose a fresh seed rather than a dried one A freshly removed lychee seed has a better chance of germinating than one…

The best time to plant elephant ear bulbs outdoors is in spring, after the last frost, when the soil temperature reaches approximately 65°F (18°C). In many temperate US regions, this falls between May and early June. In warmer, frost-free climates, planting can happen at other times when soil conditions are suitable and the plants have enough warmth to grow. Elephant ears belong to several tropical plant groups, including Colocasia, Alocasia, and Xanthosoma. Although these plants have similar foliage, their cold tolerance and growing requirements vary, so your local climate and the specific variety matter when choosing a planting date. When…

The pear shortage is not a uniform worldwide crisis in 2026, but some markets are still feeling the effects of earlier crop failures. According to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s December 2025 Fresh Apples, Grapes, and Pears: World Markets and Trade report, global fresh pear production for the 2025/26 marketing year was forecast to fall 2% to 26.1 million metric tons. However, U.S. production was forecast to rebound to 565,000 metric tons after an exceptionally poor 2024 harvest. That means pear availability depends heavily on where you live, which variety you buy, and whether your local stores rely on domestic…