Briana Yablonski 
When it comes time to select cucumbers for your garden, you’ll have hundreds of varieties to choose from. Where do you start? How do you pick? One way to narrow your options is by deciding what type of cucumber you’d like to grow. Do you want a short and squat pickler, a thin-skinned English type, … Read more
There seem to be two types of people: those who think cucumbers just taste like crunchy water and those who know these vegetables can be packed with flavor. No matter what camp you fall into, finding the best tasting cucumbers can change your opinion of these summertime treats. We’re pushing aside the bland, watery, and … Read more
Many gardeners consider tomatoes must-have plants. I mean, who doesn’t picture that juicy BLT or a pot of homemade spaghetti sauce when they think of summer? But here’s the scoop: getting those tomatoes to thrive isn’t as simple as sticking them in the ground and crossing your fingers. These plants are a bit high-maintenance. If … Read more
If you see slime trails in your garden, notice tender seedlings have disappeared overnight, or observe chewed holes in your plants, you may be dealing with slugs. These slimy mollusks can cause serious damage to vegetables, flowers, and other garden plants. Over the years, I’ve dealt with my fair share of slug outbreaks and tried … Read more
Mulching your garden can help conserve soil moisture, prevent weed growth, and improve soil structure. And if you choose cedar mulch, you can also enjoy insect-repelling properties and a pleasant aroma. I’m going to introduce you to the benefits and advantages of cedar mulch and also cover how to apply it to your garden. What … Read more
When you add a small plot of cut flowers to your garden or put in some landscaping to increase your home’s curb appeal, you’re probably looking forward to colorful flowers. But have you thought about the best types of mulch for flower beds? Adding mulch to your flower beds can help conserve moisture, keep weeds … Read more
When you think of much, you may envision tidy flower beds surrounded with beautiful layers of brown or red mulch. But mulch also works well for vegetable gardens! Applying mulch to your vegetable garden can make it easier to manage while also increasing the aesthetic appeal. And when it comes time to select a mulch, … Read more
Growing any of your food is rewarding, but some crops offer a bigger payoff than others. And if you ask me, carrots are one of the most satisfying vegetables to grow yourself. First, pulling a carrot out of the garden is a rewarding experience. You plant the seeds, then wait months watching the above-ground greens … Read more
Whether you want to try your hand at making pickles or are looking for a refreshing snack to help you beat summer’s heat, cucumbers are the answer. And it’s hard to beat a homegrown cucumber. One way to grow healthy cucumber plants at home is by practicing companion planting. This involves designing your garden in … Read more
When you think of home-grown veggies, tomatoes are likely the first thing to come to mind. And for good reason! Eating a juicy tomato fresh from the garden is nothing like biting into the sad excuse of a tomato you often find in the store. And this flavor difference is just one reason why tomatoes … Read more
Applying fertilizer can be tricky. You want to apply the nutrients your plants need without applying more than necessary. And that means you need to choose the right type of fertilizer. The trouble is that hundreds of different fertilizers are out there, and it can be difficult to know when to use one versus the … Read more
Whether you enjoy a fresh salad or crisp greens on top of a sandwich, there’s nothing quite like growing your own lettuce. While most people think of planting lettuce in an outdoor garden, you can also grow lettuce indoors! Growing indoors allows you to enjoy homegrown salads, even if you don’t have access to an … Read more
There are few vegetables as widely loved and easy to use as lettuce. However, growing lettuce isn’t always as easy as eating it. Hot and cold temperatures, heavy rains, and poor soil have led some people to explore growing lettuce hydroponically. This method involves growing lettuce in a nutrient solution rather than in the ground. … Read more
If you’re looking for a high-potassium fertilizer, a 0-0-60 fertilizer is a good option. It can provide plants with a hefty dose of potassium and is relatively inexpensive. I will provide more details about this fertilizer and cover how to apply 0-0-60 fertilizer. Then I’ll provide some recommendations for 0-0-60 fertilizers. What Is 0-0-60 Fertilizer? … Read more
Lettuce’s simple growth form and flexibility in the kitchen makes it a must-have garden crop. Another thing that’s great about lettuce is that it plays nicely with lots of other crops. By interplanting lettuce with other types of plants, you can increase soil diversity, attract beneficial insects, and help prevent disease. Read on to learn … Read more
Many fertilizers contain a blend of the three macronutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. However, other products, such as 46-0-0 fertilizer, only supply plants with one of the nutrients. When used properly, 46-0-0 fertilizer (also known as urea) can help plants grow lush and green. But improper use can lead to fertilizer burn, nutrient leaching, and … Read more
When it comes time to choose a fertilizer for your lawn or garden, it can be difficult to choose between the plethora of options! One of the best places to start is by looking at the NPK ratio. A 12-12-12 fertilizer contains 12% of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. While it’s not suitable for every plant, … Read more
With hundreds of fertilizer options, selecting the appropriate option for your plants can be challenging. Do you choose an organic or synthetic option? Liquid or granules? What NPK ratio should you look for? We’re going to dive into what a 19-19-19 fertilizer consists of and also include some recommendations for how to use this fertilizer. … Read more
Romaine lettuce, also known as cos lettuce, is known for its crunchy midrib and upright growth habit. It’s frequently used in Caesar and tossed salads but can also be thrown on the grill! Along with being a delicious addition to the kitchen, it’s also a popular lettuce to grow at home. In my experience, romaine … Read more
If you want to grow a healthy banana tree, you need to ensure your plant has all the nutrients it needs. Often, that means you’ll need to apply fertilizer. However, with thousands of different fertilizers available, choosing the right one for your banana tree can be difficult! We will introduce you to banana fertilizers basics … Read more
When it comes to choosing a fertilizer for your plants, the options can be overwhelming! Not only are there many different types and formulations, but there are also various products within each category. One type of balanced fertilizer is 14-14-14, also known as triple 14. This fertilizer supplies equal equivalents of the three macronutrients: nitrogen, … Read more
If you’ve ever compared a tomato purchased from the grocery store in the winter with a tomato picked off the vine in the summer, you likely know there’s a wide variation in tomato flavors. And that’s why it helps to learn about the best tasting tomatoes! Tomato variety plays a big role in what a … Read more
While there are some great jarred and canned tomato sauces available, there’s nothing quite like cooking down fresh tomatoes to make your own sauce. Not only does homemade sauce taste delicious, but it allows you to control the ingredients and feels your kitchen with an alluring fragrance. Some people say that making sauce is a … Read more
I’ve always been enamored with sage. I love chopping it up to mix into a brown butter sauce, crushing its leaves and inhaling its earthy fragrance, and watching its beautiful flowers appear in the summer. That said, I think it’s a must-have plant in the garden. And since sage is a perennial, you can plant … Read more
Radishes are one of my favorite crops to grow in the garden. They’re quick to mature, come in various colors, and are easy to tuck into empty spaces. Plus, many people love them! Whether you pickle them for tacos, cut them in half and dip into ranch dressing, or put a few thin slices on … Read more
If you’ve never had garden-grown celery, watch out! While celery sometimes gets a reputation for being flavorless and watery, fresh celery is packed with flavor, crunch, and nutrients! This crop can be a bit challenging to grow due to its long time to maturity, need for lots of water, and susceptibility to pests. However, with … Read more
If food magazines are any indication, herbs like dill are becoming even hotter than ever. And it’s no wonder—piling chopped dill on top of a salmon filet, topping salads with dill flowers, and mixing the herbaceous herb with cucumbers are sure ways to elevate your dishes. Dill’s many uses in the kitchen mean it’s a … Read more
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a perennial flower that’s equally at home in meadows as it is in cut flower gardens. I love that yarrow provides beautiful lacy foliage and flowers and a wide variety of uses and benefits. First, yarrow’s tiny flowers attract and feed various insects and birds. Many of these critters are fantastic … Read more
While tomatoes are the long-awaited summer crop, peas are the sweetness of spring. Garden-grown snap peas, snow peas, and shelling peas all offer a flavor that is incomparable to that of their grocery-store cousins. Despite their delicious flavor, I find that gardeners often stray away from growing peas due to their long time to maturity … Read more
If you’re growing a perennial herb garden, chives are a must-have. Chop them up to add an onion-like flair to chili and baked potatoes, or pair them with cheddar cheese to create a delicious savory biscuit. But what about when it comes to the garden? What plants get along best with chives? Like with most … Read more
When you think of plants that go well with broccoli, your mind may jump straight to the kitchen. Maybe you think of combining pungent garlic and stir-fried broccoli to form a crunchy and bright dish. Or perhaps you imagine pairing broccoli florets with another classic cruciferous vegetable: cauliflower. But what about when it comes to … Read more
Beets are a great two-for-one crop. They provide you with sweet and earthy roots as well as nutritious greens that resemble Swiss chard. Since beets grow better in cool weather, they’re typically planted in the spring and fall. However, it is possible to grow them during the summer in some areas. If you’re interested in … Read more
The Paul Robeson tomato is an heirloom variety that is as unique as it is delicious. It has dark purple skin that is almost black and a rich taste and a finish that’s reminiscent of nights spent around a campfire. While it isn’t necessarily one of the most well-known heirloom tomatoes, I think it’s worth … Read more
While it’s almost impossible to pick a favorite tomato variety, Cherokee Purple consistently ranks on the top of my list. With a gorgeous deep color and taste that’s rich, sweet, acidic, and a little bit smoky, it’s easy to love. There may also be a bit of nostalgia when it comes to why I love … Read more
If you’re looking for a flavorful and versatile tomato that can withstand heat and drought, check out the Arkansas Traveler. This heirloom variety was bred to tolerate the often harsh conditions present in the South. Not only are these plants tough, but their bright pink fruits are a pleasing blend of acidic and sweet. Keep … Read more
Looking for a slicing tomato that sings with flavor and sends tomato juice dripping down your chin? Then look no further than the Brandywine tomato! This classic heirloom variety has been around for generations, yet it remains undeniably popular to this day. And all you have to do is take one bite to see why. … Read more
I’ve noticed that if people have only one item growing in their gardens, it’s often a tomato plant. And for good reason! The flavor, color, and texture of a freshly-picked tomato pales in comparison to a mealy and dull tomato purchased from the grocery store. This is especially true when you’re talking about heirloom tomatoes! … Read more
If you’re looking for an heirloom tomato that’s just as beautiful as it is delicious, check out the Berkeley Tie Dye. This red and green striped tomato is one of my favorite varieties due to its bold yet balanced flavor and exquisite coloring. While there’s no denying this tomato is a winner, it’s often difficult … Read more
When you realize that tomatoes include much more than mealy red slices slopped on sandwiches or bland cherry tomatoes tossed into salads, the world becomes a lot more exciting. But then you realize there are hundreds of different tomato varieties to choose from…and you only have so much room in your garden. If you’re looking … Read more
When it comes time to plant tomatoes, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by all your options! Just grab a few seed catalogs, tally the number of tomato varieties available, and you’ll see there are hundreds of different options to choose from. Heirloom tomatoes offer astounding diversity in color, shape, size, taste, and texture—which I think … Read more
Tomato plants typically require at least a few square feet of garden space or at least a sizable pot on a patio. However, if you’re dealing with limited space, you can still grow tomatoes! Tiny Tim tomato plants max out around a foot tall, which makes them perfect for small patios, tabletops, and window boxes. … Read more
You’ve probably seen red and orange cherry tomatoes, and maybe even pink and yellow varieties. But have you heard of Black Cherry tomatoes? Black Cherry refers to the dark color of the fruits, but it is also a unique cherry tomato variety. These tomatoes are not truly black, but rather dark and dusky purplish-red. I … Read more
It seems that almost everyone loves the little orange tomatoes known as Sungolds. Give a Sungold to a toddler who has never tasted tomatoes, and they may exclaim they have a new favorite food. Hand a Sungold to a self-described tomato connoisseur and watch as they come back for more. Convince a picky adolescent to … Read more
One of the moments I look forward to every summer is picking and eating the year’s first cherry tomato. The sweet and tart flavor, the perfectly snackable size, the juicy texture that bursts in your mouth—what’s not to love about these little tomatoes? I’ve found that I’m not the only one who finds these fruits … Read more
One of my favorite things about growing tomatoes is the diversity present within the crop. Along with large slicing tomatoes, I also like to grow a few different types of small cherry tomatoes. While all cherry tomato plants produce smaller fruits, you can find a big variation between varieties. Fruit color, growth habit, fruit size, … Read more
If you’re trying to decide what type of tomatoes you should grow, you may run across the words determinate and indeterminate. These two terms refer to a tomato plant’s growth habit. While you may think tomato size or color is the most important factor to look for when you’re choosing which tomato varieties to grow, … Read more
If you want to plant a single tomato plant and harvest fruits throughout the summer, you want to look at indeterminate tomatoes. Fortunately, there are all sorts of indeterminate tomato varieties, including heirlooms, hybrids, slicers, and cherries. Over the years, I’ve come to love many different indeterminate types. I always plant a few delicious and … Read more
When it comes time to choose a tomato to plant in your garden, the choices can be overwhelming. Red, pink, yellow, big, small, round, oblong, determinate, indeterminate…the list goes on! As I thumb through seed catalogs, I sometimes wonder how I’m supposed to pick what tomato varieties to grow. One way to limit your list … Read more
While tomatoes are some of the best tasting items to come out of the garden, these plants are susceptible to their fair share of issues. One common symptom of a larger issue is curling leaves. If you’ve noticed your tomato leaves are curling, you’re not alone! I’ve seen my fair share of curled tomato leaves … Read more
One of the best parts of summer is picking a ripe tomato and eating it seconds later, only a few feet away from where it was picked. When the fruit at the peak of ripeness and still warm from the sun, the flavor bursts in my mouth, and juice drips down my chin. While these … Read more
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