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
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
Start the process of rinsing and draining your seeds again the next day. In the 12 hours or so after you soak the radish sprout seeds, make sure you rinse them at least twice a day for the next five to seven days. These steps are so simple, right? No lights, no soil, no special … Read more
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
The Venus flytrap is one of the most iconic and fascinating plants in the world. Known for its unique carnivorous qualities and distinctive jaw-like traps, the flytrap is a very intriguing subject to draw. While it may seem daunting at first, breaking down the drawing process into simple steps makes sketching this unusual plant much … Read more
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
For most folks, gardening is a seasonal activity. In December, we get seed catalogs in the mail, and we use the winter to plan our gardens for the spring and summer. You can feed yourself and your family for another six months, though, and you don’t have to be a Master Gardener as a guide. … Read more
Peaches (Prunus persica) are one of my favorite fruits. When I take that first sip of sweet liquid sunshine, it takes me back to happy summer vacations and beach picnics with my family. Every year I look forward to the first warm, juicy peach of the season that I can pick from my own tree. … Read more
Growing juicy, flavorful passion fruit at home is easier than you think! With just a few simple tips, you can enjoy harvesting passion fruit from pots right in your own backyard. Why Grow Passion Fruit in Pots? Passion fruit vines are vigorous climbers that can spread over 30 feet wide, This makes them difficult to … Read more
Kabocha and acorn squash are both varieties of winter squash with thick skins and sweet, dense orange flesh. They have similar nutritional profiles and both work well in savory and sweet dishes. But there are some key differences in appearance texture taste, and best uses for these two popular types of squash. Read on to … Read more