Beautiful big plants for a decorative container in the sunshine, eggplants are as diverse as the cultures that cook with them – and quite easy to grow. Eggplants are a good companion for amaranth, beans, marigolds, peas, peppers, spinach, and thyme....
Continue ReadingThese big plants will grow in almost any soil, but getting the cob to mature is another matter. The maturity of the ears (cobs) is not controlled by the size of the plant, nor by day-length, but by the accumulated...
Continue ReadingMelon plants have sparse leaves and need a lot of sunshine and heat to mature their fruit. Their roots are delicate and require high nutrition and lots of water. For all that effort, you’ll be rewarded by the ripest, sweetest...
Continue ReadingSalad greens are usually picked at an immature size and coaxed into regrowing several times. They are a perfect choice for container gardening, as long as a good soil mixture is in place. Follow along with this handy How to Grow Mescluns...
Continue ReadingAlso known as Finocchio. The wonderful fresh flavour of this easy-to-grow vegetable is prized in European cooking. The swollen leaf bases have a distinctive anise flavour which enlivens salads and sandwiches. Cooked, the flavour stands out in casseroles or simply...
Continue ReadingIt takes some work and a lot of patience to grow artichokes from seed, but it’s worth the effort. Commercial culture is limited to warm areas hardiness zone 7 and above. Artichokes require good soil, regular watering and feeding, plus...
Continue ReadingPlanting asparagus seeds is an exercise in patience, but one of the most rewarding of all garden tasks. Asparagus Seeds germinate slowly, and the crowns take three seasons before they can handle being harvested. However the grower’s patience is generously rewarded...
Continue ReadingArugula is a productive, cool season, annual salad green that works best in spring and fall, and can be managed all winter under cloche protection. In hot weather, arugula will go to seed. Continue reading below to find out how...
Continue ReadingWhether you’re growing amaranth from seed for its nutritious leaves or its high-protein, gluten-free grains, it is easy to grow if you can provide warm soil and lots of sunlight. Amaranth is closely related to quinoa, but also beets, Swiss...
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When I Get My Seedling Home
Keep seedlings under very bright light to prevent legginess. Artificial lights are ideal, but a bright (ideally, south-facing) room will work for the short term. You may have to pot on seedlings more than once before they go out to allow for root growth. This is done by transplanting them into a slightly larger container with enough additional soil to keep the container mostly full. Keep the soil moist by daily watering and allow for free drainage so the plants are never sitting water.
