Are the tomato plants you started this spring looking a little… spindly? Sad? You’re probably dealing with leggy tomato seedlings, one of the most common issues when starting tomato seeds indoors. Leggy tomato seedlings can impact how successful the plants will be in the outdoor garden, but don’t worry: it’s usually fixable. Jump to: Why …
Old gardener stories are often based around a science called phenology. “Plant potatoes on Good Friday; prune trees on Presidents Day, and never plant anything during the full moon.” Homilies or science? Is there a reason phenology has existed for thousands of years, across the world, and more importantly, can we use it to help …
Heirloom squash often taste better than hybrid varieties, which have been grown to look pretty or ship well. This guide will help you grow or cook with the best of them, distinguishing which are best for soup, desserts or baked pumpkin seeds. Like heirloom tomatoes, heirloom squash are distinctive in flavor, color and uses! Jump …
Summer is tapering off at the time of writing, and although the weather is still nice, us gardeners know that it’s better to start thinking about winter prep sooner rather than later. In cooler zones (USDA 4-5 in my case), that includes overwintering potted plants. How do you do it? Should they be outdoors or …
In many zones the tomato season is all too short. There are some tried and true ways to extend the tomato season however, whether it be protecting them from frost or making the best use of an early harvest. Here are some simple ways to get the most from your tomatoes, especially if you live …
We’re all well aware of the benefits of growing your own food: it’s tasty, it’s cheap and it’s fun. But what if you don’t have a big garden to grow your vegetables, fruits or herbs in? No worries if you’re a city dweller or lack space. Indoor gardening isn’t just for houseplants! This beginners’ guide …
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Growing your own food isn’t just for people with huge plots of land. If you have a balcony, deck or small city garden, you can grow vegetables, fruits and herbs. Vertical gardening is perfect for small space gardens, and this guide …
Home-grown beats store-bought every time, and that goes for salsa as well! If you’re short on space but would still like to be able to dip your tortilla chips in a homemade salsa made from veggies grown on your own balcony or deck, why not whip up a little salsa container garden? Here’s how to …
A vegetable garden can help keep your family’s grocery budget down, but which crops should you be growing? Let’s have a look at 14 cost-effective vegetables to get you the most bang for your buck (and 6 that will not). Gardening to save money is easy and fun. Jump to: Budget for Vegetable Garden | …
What’s a garden without a few bugs?! Especially when they’re as beautiful as the fluttering insects in the scientific class Rhopalocera, better known, of course, as butterflies. Wherever you live, your area will almost certainly be home to a number of native butterfly species, many of whose numbers are in decline. So why not help …
Have you decided to start your herbal tea garden? Many herbs can be dried or used fresh to make herbal teas (sometimes known as tisanes) and enjoyed on their own…but not all of them taste that great. This guide will help you with herbal tea blends that have full and unique flavors. This post may …
Loose-leaf teas and expensive organic blends of tea are all the rage, but did you know there’s a cheaper (and more fun!) alternative? Most of the popular herbs used for herbal teas (better known as tisanes) are actually a breeze to grow at home. Homegrown herbal tea blends are infinitely more fresh, which means more …
With its broad leaves and lavender flowers, eggplants are a beautiful plant that produce a unique fruit used in many dishes from Italy, the Middle East, and India. This guide will help you grow heirloom or hybrid varieties of eggplants from seed and then guide you to transplanting out to a container or the garden …
These are the top 5 seed catalogs for heirloom tomatoes based on selections for flavor, growth habits and cost
Guide for the beginner on growing strawberries at home, whether in a container, raised bed, or in the garden