When it comes to harvesting eggplants, timing is crucial to achieving the best flavor and texture. If you wait too long to pick your eggplants, they can develop a bitter taste, tough skin, and larger seeds, diminishing their quality. With a bit of practice, you’ll quickly learn how to identify the perfect moment for harvesting. … Read more
When it comes to harvesting bulb fennel, you may find yourself wondering about the best practices and timings. Harvesting fennel bulbs is straightforward, but understanding the right variety to plant is essential for success. The Florence fennel, scientifically known as Foeniculum vulgare var. Azoricum, is specifically cultivated for its bulbs and should be your focus for optimal … Read more
Growing sweet potatoes in your garden can be a rewarding endeavor. Knowing when and how to properly harvest these tubers is essential for maximizing their yield and flavor. As your sweet potatoes mature, it’s crucial to monitor their growth to determine the right time for harvest. Understanding the signs of maturity will help you ensure … Read more
Growing winter squash can add vibrant colors and nutritious options to your garden. With varieties ranging from abundant small-fruited types to larger ones that yield fewer fruits, you can tailor your planting to fit your space and preferences. While traditionally seen as a space-consuming crop, there are bush-type options that thrive in limited areas, making … Read more
Rutabaga is a unique vegetable, resulting from the combination of cabbage and turnip. As a cool-season crop, it thrives in the conditions of fall, making it an excellent choice for winter storage due to its hardiness. To successfully grow and preserve rutabagas, you must adhere to its specific growth requirements. Proper harvesting techniques and effective … Read more
Kohlrabi may not be the most common vegetable in your garden, but its distinct flavor makes it a rewarding crop to grow. If you’re just starting out with this unique vegetable, understanding how to harvest it effectively will enhance your gardening experience. To ensure you pick kohlrabi at its peak quality, it’s essential to familiarize … Read more
Asparagus is one of the first vegetables to emerge in spring, offering a rewarding harvest for gardeners eager to enjoy its fresh flavor. The difference in taste between freshly picked asparagus and store-bought varieties is significant, making it worth the wait and effort. Before you start harvesting, it’s essential to understand the proper methods and … Read more
Homegrown carrots taste far better than store-bought ones, and they’re relatively easy to grow in your garden. They thrive in the ground, raised beds, or containers, making them a great addition to any vegetable garden. With their sweet, crisp flavor and versatility, homegrown carrots are a rewarding crop for gardeners of all levels. But so … Read more
When it comes to growing zucchini, harvesting is an essential step in the process. Knowing when and how to harvest your zucchini will ensure that you get the most out of your crop. Zucchini is a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to stir-fries, and even baked goods. … Read more
When it comes to growing celery, one of the most important steps is knowing when and how to harvest it. Harvesting celery at the right time is crucial to ensure that it is flavorful and tender. If you wait too long to harvest, the celery may become tough and bitter, while harvesting too early can … Read more
I love how easy it is to grow kale and how you can keep harvesting it for months or even years. Plus, kale is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it a great choice for a healthy diet. It’s so versatile, you can use it in salads, soups, smoothies, and stir-fries. But, it’s important … Read more
Broccoli is a cool-season vegetable. It is grown for the unopened flower heads that form a clump at the top of the plant. Some broccolis also have side shoots that grow smaller heads after the primary head is harvested. Important Broccoli Facts Scientific Name Brassica oleracea var. italica Type of plant Biennial, grown as an annual Part … Read more
Tomatoes are the most popular home-grown crop in the world. However, they are only able to grow in a narrow temperature range. Growing tomatoes indoors solves that problem. Why Use A Grow Light For Tomatoes? Light from windows is seldom sufficient to grow good tomatoes, whether you are starting seeds or growing the whole plant … Read more
Tomatoes grow great in containers if they have the proper soil to grow in. What do you use? Here are my thoughts on potting soil for tomatoes in containers. Why Use Potting Soil For Tomatoes In Containers? The temptation is to just scoop some topsoil into a pot and plant your tomato in that. However, … Read more
Tomatoes are grown in more home gardens than any other plant. What if you don’t have room to grow tomatoes? Consider using grow bags. Are Grow Bags A Good Way To Grow Tomato Plants? Grow bags are a great way to grow tomato plants if the grow bag is large enough. Tomato plants have extensive … Read more
Bok choy is a popular type of Chinese cabbage. It is a member of the Brassica family, along with cabbage, broccoli, and others. Why Does Bok Choy Need Companion Plants? The idea of companion plants is that certain plants help or harm other plants. Helpful ones should be planted together, while harmful ones should be … Read more
Growing your own cucumbers is very satisfying. Unfortunately, I get lots of cucumbers and can’t eat them all fresh. Canning the cucumbers into pickles is a good way to preserve them for later use. Here is a guide to the best cucumber varieties to grow for making pickles. Some of them also make good eating when … Read more
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
Cucumber vines can be trained to grow up trellises, down from balconies, and in hanging baskets to save space and keep the fruit clean. They can also be allowed to sprawl on the ground if you have lots of room. In any case, you may wonder what the best vining cucumbers are to grow. Vine … Read more
Cucumbers are a popular fruit to grow in the home garden. However, they take up a lot of space in the garden or have to be trellised to keep them healthy. If you do not have a lot of space or don’t want to mess with a trellis, a bush cucumber might be for you. … 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
Cucumbers are grown by a lot of people. Unfortunately, cucumbers are plagued with a variety of problems. This guide will give you the most common reasons for your plants to wilt and die. When Will Wilting and Dying Happen? Cucumbers are most vulnerable to wilting and dying when they are seedlings. They do not have … Read more
Cucumbers can cause people to burp, which is embarrassing. However, breeders have created cucumbers that cause fewer burps, called burpless cucumbers. Here is everything you need to know to grow burpless cucumbers. Quick Growing Guide for the Burpless Cucumber Plant Type Annual Resistant to Varies by variety USDA Hardiness Zone 2a-11b Maintenance Moderate Season Late … Read more
Next to tomatoes, cucumbers are the most common vegetable grown in home gardens. There are many varieties of cucumbers. ‘Kirby cucumber’ is a general term for pickling cucumbers. Quick Growing Guide for the Kirby Cucumber Plant Type Annual Resistant to Varies by variety USDA Hardiness Zone 2a-11b Maintenance Moderate Season Late spring through frost Soil … Read more
Cucumbers are one of the most popular things to grow in the home garden. They are very good for you when harvested and stored properly. Why Should We Harvest Cucumbers Properly? Cucumbers are harvested when immature. It can be a bit tricky to determine when to harvest them. However, you need to learn for three … 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
Most people grow pumpkins to eat and enjoy. Unfortunately, while not all ants are bad, some sting like fire ants. So you may be wondering, “How do I keep ants off my pumpkin plants?” Fire ants hurt when they sting you as you work in your pumpkin patch. Other ants may protect pests that damage … 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
More and more people are growing their own vegetables. However, vegetables need to be fertilized, and the many fertilizers available can be confusing. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about fertilizing your vegetable garden. Why Fertilize Vegetable Gardens? Vegetables are heavy feeders because it takes a lot to make the vegetables … Read more
You can grow cucumbers even if you do not have a lot of land. Cucumbers can be grown in containers with a little care. This guide tells you how to do that. Types of Cucumbers to Grow in a Pot Cucumbers can be either pickling cucumbers or slicing cucumbers. Pickling cucumbers have bumpy skin. They produce … 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
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
Not only are tomatoes the most widely consumed vegetable in the world, they are the “quintessential” crop for backyard gardeners. However, many pests find tomato fruits and plants as delectable as we do. Many different pests attack tomato plants from the time they first emerge from the soil to the time that your tomatoes are … Read more
Cucumbers have been grown as food for millennia – more than 3,000 years according to cave excavations. They have persisted as popular vegetables and are a favorite of backyard gardeners. Cucumbers were one of the top five garden vegetables in the US as of 2014 according to David Trinklein of the University of Missouri. Unfortunately, … 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
Corn is grown by a lot of home gardeners. There are many pests and diseases that attack corn. Planting corn with good companion plants can improve yields and reduce problems. The famous three sisters (corn, beans, and squash) have been planted together for hundreds of years. Here are the best companion plants for corn and … 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
Turnips are grown both for their green leaves and for the starchy swelling above the roots. Both the greens and roots are vulnerable to pests. Here are some good companion plants that turnips will grow well with, and some that you should not plant them nearby. Why Do Turnips Need Companion Plants? Here are some … Read more
Leeks are an allium, in the same family as onions and garlic. Like other alliums, leeks have a strong odor. Many plants benefit from being planted near leeks. Other plants benefit from leeks when planted near them. Here are the best companion plants for leeks and the ones not to plant near leeks. Why Do … 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
Artichokes (Cynara cardunculus var. Scolymus) are a long-lived perennials. Since artichokes live so long, you should make certain that you only plant things near them that are good companions. This guide discusses what you should plant around your artichoke to help it grow and what plants to avoid. Note: This article deals with artichokes. Jerusalem … Read more
Rhubarb is grown for its fleshy stalk. The leaves are poisonous and should be removed when the stalk is harvested. This cool season crop has both pest and disease problems. Consider companion planting to prevent problems and make the rhubarb grow better. Here are the best plants to use and the few you should not … Read more
Brussel sprouts are a delicious and nutritious vegetable in the Cruciferae family. They are a cool-season crop that can be vulnerable to many insect pests. They also need a number of nutrients while growing. Using companion planting can help with some of these problems and needs. Why Do Brussel Sprouts Need Companion Plants? If you are new … Read more
Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables to grow. Nothing tastes better than a tomato fresh off the vine. Growing beefsteak tomatoes for fresh eating is not hard. Quick Growing Guide for the Beefsteak Tomato Plant Type Mostly indeterminate Resistant to varies USDA Hardiness Zone 3-9 Maintenance Moderate to High Season Summer, early … Read more
Tomatoes are delicious when they are homegrown. Roma-type tomatoes are ideal for canning and making sauce. If you want to grow your own cooking ingredients, this is a good tomato to grow. Quick Growing Guide for the Roma-Type Tomato Plant Type Mostly Determinate Resistant to varies USDA Hardiness Zone 3-9 Maintenance Moderate to High Season … Read more
San Marzano tomatoes are famous among cooks for their flavor. You may be interested in trying to grow them for yourself. This guide tells you how. Quick Growing Guide for the San Marzano Tomato Plant Type Indeterminate Resistant to Fusarium Wilt, Root Knot Nematode, Tomato Mosaic Virus, Verticillium Wilt USDA Hardiness Zone 3-9 Maintenance Moderate … Read more
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