I planted it in the fall the first time and got lots of big, tasty harvests in September, October, and November. I was pretty pleased. It got cold over the winter (okay, that was too mild; I live in Wisconsin) and the spinach got snow on it. I forgot all about it. Then, in the … Read more
Verbena is a fabulous choice for low, wide coverage in dazzling, bright colors. Verbena is a perennial down to USDA zone 6. But it doesn’t last long, so even if it makes it through the winter in your area, you’ll have to get a new one every two or three years. Many people who live … Read more
In most gardens, daffodils reproduce from bulbs, coming up year after year. Some might find the idea of growing them from seeds strange, but it is possible if you have the time and patience. It’s easy to grow daffodil seeds, but it can take five years or more for the seed to grow into a … Read more
Learning how to plant onions is one of the easiest gardening tasks you can do. Onions are easy to grow and the rewards are delicious. You can grow a good crop if you know when to plant, whether to use onion sets or seeds, and how to get the soil ready. When spring comes, little … Read more
9 September 2011, written by Benedict Vanheems Of all the vegetables our green fingers tend it is the onion that boasts the oldest pedigree. Seeds of this flavorsome favorite have been found in the tombs of ancient Egyptians. Since they are about 5,000 years old, onions are strong proof that they have been around for … Read more
As a potato grower, few things are more concerning than walking out to your lush green potato patch and discovering black dots littering the leaves. While alarming, don’t despair. Learning to properly identify and manage common fungal and bacterial diseases behind these dark leaf spots can help safeguard your crop. Key Causes of Black Spots … Read more
Potatoes are a delicious part of most gardeners’ diets. Eat them baked, fried, mashed, stuffed, or with or without a big pat of butter. They taste good any way. There are also easy ways to grow them in your own garden if you know how to take care of them properly. Once they plant potatoes, … Read more
The all-important signs your banana peppers are ready to be harvested to get the best flavor Banana peppers are the mild, tangy, medium sized peppers which can be grown in your backyard. To make the most of their flavor, you need to know when to harvest them. Banana peppers are a type of chili pepper … Read more
As a cool weather loving crop, strawberries thrive in chillier temperatures However, frigid spring frosts can spell disaster for emerging strawberry blossoms and developing fruit Knowing the temperature thresholds and methods for protecting your plants is key to mitigating frost damage. With proper care, strawberry plants can absolutely survive light frosts. But just how cold … Read more
Learn when and how to harvest spaghetti squash for the best flavor and texture. Discover the signs of readiness, essential tools, and storage tips in this comprehensive guide. Spaghetti squash is a unique winter squash with sweet, nutty flesh that separates into noodle-like strands when cooked. Leaving a portion of the stem attached when harvesting … Read more