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ATTRA Blog

Whether you’re a seasoned or beginning producer, a curious consumer, or simply someone who appreciates the bounty of the earth, you’ll find valuable insights and engaging stories here.

Written by ATTRA specialists on topics they are passionate and knowledgeable about, the ATTRA blog highlights techniques, how-tos, insight, success stories, and much more in support of sustainable agriculture.

avacados

Avocados: Fruit Set Challenges and Propagation

Like all plants, avocados have secrets to share; understanding the plants we grow can unlock their potential and bring a deeper understanding of the ecology in our own back yards. Here are a few considerations for your backyard avocados, as well as a propagation technique that can be used on a number of plants.
By Omar Rodriguez
NCAT Agriculture Specialist
Peach Rot

What the Brown Rot Hath Wrought

I don't grow peaches. That unhappy confession is despite the fact that I grow peach trees. And rot. I grow a lot of brown rot.
By Guy Ames, NCAT Horticulture Specialist
Cali, Alicia, Caraamel, and Rosie Petunia

Dairy Goats for the Farm

This week, I will be sending a young dairy goat named Caramel to a lovely family. The seven-year-old girl who will be in charge of the goat is so excited; she and her parents have planned for shelter, pasture, and feed.
intact tree borer

Battling Borers in Organic Apple Production

By Guy Ames, NCAT Horticulturist Organic apple production…
Beyond Fresh co-authors Mike Morris and Sue Beckwith

Beyond Fresh: Exploring Value-Added Food Enterprises

By Mike Morris, Director of NCAT's Southwest Regional Office A…
roots

Root Propagation

I developed a love of plants as a young boy, helping my father in his yard-of-the-month winning front yard. I hated pruning roses, but everything else was so amazing to me. I think the thing that really hooked me was propagation, although I didn’t know the word for it back then. When I realized I could make a whole new plant from just a piece of another, it did something permanent to my little mind that is still with me today.
By Justin Duncan, NCAT Agriculture Specialist
homemade desktop hydro

How About Growing Your Own Food During the COVID-19 Restrictions?

We are all used to popping down to the local supermarket or garden center to buy potted plants or flowers to liven up the house, and to a certain degree, we still can. But as we are spending more time at home than we could have imagined a few months ago, why not also consider buying plant starts or seeds and growing your own food?
By Andrew Coggins, NCAT Rocky Mountain West Regional Director
winecap mushrooms

Wine Cap Mushroom Production: Getting Started

By Nina Prater, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Last…
greenhouse

Growing Vegetable Transplants in the Greenhouse

By Luke Freeman, NCAT Horticulture Specialist Earlier this…
Andy Pressman, NCAT

Improving Seed Viability and Germination

Vegetable growers are hustling to start seeds in order to have transplants ready to go in to the ground once the soil has warmed up and dried out.
By Andy Pressman
NCAT Northeast Regional Director