Is Flowering Broccoli Still Safe to Eat? An Exploration of the Changes that Happen Once Broccoli Bolts

Broccoli is one of the most nutritious and delicious vegetables that you can grow in your garden. However, it does have a relatively short harvest window, and if you miss it, you may end up with flowering broccoli plants instead of the tight, compact heads that broccoli is known for This can lead to some … Read more

How Long Does It Take to Grow Romaine Lettuce? A Detailed Guide to Growing This Delicious Leafy Green

One of the most widely used varieties of lettuce is romaine. It is a versatile vegetable with a crisp flavor that is neither overly bitter nor overly sweet. It is also packed with nutrients. If you’ve been thinking about putting romaine in your garden, you may have been wondering how easy it is to grow … Read more

cotinus ‘grace vs royal purple

The cotinus, or smoke bush, is an important shrub for the garden because it has bright fall colors and early flower plumes. Shrub expert Andy McIndoe advises on how to grow them. Photographs by Richard Bloom. Cotinus are big, hardy flowering shrubs that lose their leaves every year. They have pretty, round green, purple, or … Read more

types of elephant ear plant

People often call a group of tropical perennial plants “elephant ears” because their leaves are big and heart-shaped. As ornamentals, most of these herbaceous plants in the arum or aroid family (Araceae) come from the genera Colocasia, Alocasia, and Xanthosoma. However, there are others that look and grow in the same way. Tropical southern Asia, … Read more

Finding the Sweet Spot: Determining the Optimal Number of Pepper Plants Per Container

As a container gardener with limited space, I’m always seeking the ideal balance when cramming my favorite edibles into pots. Peppers are top contenders for patio and balcony growing, but can be tricky to allot properly. Through trial and error, I’ve landed on the sweet spot that lets me maximize my harvest without overcrowding. When … Read more