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
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
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
Tomatoes are a popular plant to grow and come in thousands of different varieties. If you are interested in growing Early Girl tomatoes, this guide will tell you everything you need to know. Quick Growing Guide for the Early Girl Tomato Plant Type: Indeterminate Resistant to: Fusarium Wilt 1, Fusarium Wilt 2, Root Knot Nematode, … Read more
Tomatoes are grown by more people worldwide than any other vegetable. For forty years, Celebrity tomatoes were the standard that all other tomato varieties were measured against. While some recent hybrids have surpassed it, this is still a great tomato to grow. This guide will tell you everything you need to know to decide if … 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
Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are grown by more gardeners than any other fruit. Tomatoes are native to Central and South America. They were domesticated in Mexico and there are many wild varieties still in existence. I have grown tomatoes for many years and these are the things you need to know to get your own tasty tomatoes. … 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
Tomatoes taste better right out of the garden. Unfortunately, a lot can grow wrong from seed to mouth. Here is a guide to the most common tomato diseases to help you have a wonderful harvest. I’ve written an in-depth guide on how to grow tomatoes that you might want to check out! Caused by Fungal … 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
Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables people grow. They are the most popular vegetable in the United States. You can grow tomatoes even if you do not have a yard to plant them in. Tomato plants grow well in containers. Best Tomatoes To Grow In Pots Tomatoes come in two varieties. Indeterminate tomato … Read more
If you want to grow lettuce plants at home, providing them with the right amount and type of light is key. This is true regardless of whether you’re growing lettuce indoors or outdoors. Over the years, I’ve grown hundreds of lettuce plants both indoors and out. And I’ve learned a thing or two about how … Read more
Cucumbers are a popular vegetable to grow. Sometimes it is hard to know how much sun a cucumber plant needs. How Much Light Do Cucumber Plants Need? The amount of light differs inside and outside. Outside – Cucumber Sun Requirements Cucumbers need at least six hours of sun and will grow much better with … Read more
Cucumbers are very tasty and nutritious. Many people grow them in their garden or in containers. You may wonder how many plants you will need to plant to have enough cucumbers. How Many Cucumbers Does One Plant Produce? Each cucumber vine is a little different, but the average slicing cucumber has ten to fifteen cucumbers … Read more
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