It's All About Nutrition!

Picking (harvesting) Eggplant

You can begin harvesting eggplant(the common large variety) when the fruit are about 6 to 10 inches long and dark black in color. Eggplants come in many shapes, sizes and colors so the actual harvesting time will vary depending on the variety. If the fruit becomes too large, they tend to be seedy and bitter. Avoid the thorns on the stems by using gloves and a pair of pruning shears to cut the eggplants from the stems. Eggplants can be washed but should not be refrigerated. Temperatures below 50ºF will cause decay and shriveling of the fruit.

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Picking (harvesting) Carrots

Because all sizes of carrots are edible they can be harvested over a long period of time. One of the main benefits of growing carrots is that they will remain fresh in the soil for many months, even after the tops have been killed by frost. If your garden soil is well drained you can keep carrots in the ground and covered with leaves or straw until the soil begins to freeze.

Picking a small amount of carrots for a family meal can be done with a small hand trowel being careful to stay far enough away from the plant as to avoid damaging the carrot itself. Harvesting carrots on a larger scale can be done by using a pitchfork or shovel and dig alongside the row. Be careful not to stab or cut the roots of the carrot. Pull the tops up and shake the soil off the roots. Storing carrots is easily done and if done properly they will stay fresh up to 3 to 4 months. Simply wash off all excess soil and place them in airtight containers or plastic bags

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Big fat rabbit ate our beet tops

I went out to the garden this morning with my cup of coffee to do my morning walk through and found that what is certainly by now a big fat rabbit had eaten all of the beet tops right to the ground. Rather a depressing way to start the day for sure.

I knew we had some rabbits in the area but they always stayed away from the house which is where the beets are (were) growing. I guess the temptation was just too much.

A barrier will be going up today which will protect what is left including rows of carrots and spinach. With any luck the beets will regrow their tops and all will be ok.

I am pretty sure this is the offending rabbit?

What are the goals of the

National Fruit and Vegetable Program?

The goal of the National Fruit & Vegetable Program is to promote health through increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. The National Fruit & Vegetable Program supports initiatives to provide education and to improve access to fruits and vegetables.

What are the components of the National Fruit & Vegetable Program?

The National Fruit & Vegetable Program focuses on several key areas to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables for all Americans.

*Building state and community capacity and infrastructure

*Policy and environmental change

*Nutrition education and behavior change

*Research

*Evaluation

*Communication

*Working with industry and other national partners

Source: FruitsandVeggiesMatter.gov

Does taking a multi-vitamin reduce my

fruit and vegetable needs?

Your fruit and vegetable recommendations do not change if you are taking a multivitamin. This is because in addition to vitamins and minerals, fruits and vegetables contain naturally occurring substances that may help protect against chronic health conditions.

Thus, you should focus on meeting your nutrient needs primarily through foods. It should be noted that the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 have recommended that the following population groups consume fortified foods or supplements to meet their nutrient needs:

*People over age 50. Consume vitamin B12 in its crystalline form (i.e., fortified foods or supplements).

*Women of childbearing age who may become pregnant. Eat foods high in heme-iron and/or consume iron-rich plant foods or iron-fortified foods with an enhancer of iron absorption, such as vitamin C-rich foods.

*Women of childbearing age who may become pregnant and those in the first trimester of pregnancy. Consume adequate synthetic folic acid daily (from fortified foods or supplements) in addition to food forms of folate from a varied diet.

*Older adults, people with dark skin, and people exposed to insufficient ultraviolet band radiation (i.e., sunlight). Consume extra vitamin D from vitamin D-fortified foods and/or supplements.

Source: FruitsandVeggiesMatter.gov