I will admit, I was skeptical about learning how to freeze butternut squash. As a winter squash, butternut is a good storage vegetable. When harvested, cured, and stored properly, it will keep in a pantry or dry area for months. So why should I bother to learn how to freeze butternut squash if it stores on the shelf for so long? Well, since I’ve started preserving this vegetable in this way, I’m a frozen-squash convert. In this article, I’ll explain why you too might want to freeze your butternut squash and how to harvest and prepare the squash, and I’ll offer a step-by-step guide to freezing squash cubes. If you’re interested in freezing mashed squash, I’ll cover that, too, along with a few other tips to help you learn how to freeze butternut squash with success.
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Fall planter ideas: Autumn palettes and plant suggestions
By the end of the summer, my ornamental containers are often starting to look a little worse for wear. I’ll usually start to think about fall planter ideas around the end of August or early September as potted mums and other autumn plants start to appear in stores. Some years I’m literally plunking a potted mum into my urn and calling it a day. Others I like to get creative and include a medley of annuals, perennials, or both into my outdoor display.
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The harlequin cabbage bug: Identification and organic controls
The first time I saw a harlequin cabbage bug in my vegetable garden, I nearly admired it before I realized what it was doing to my kale and cauliflower plants. While this pest is common in the southern U.S., it’s a relative newcomer here in Pennsylvania. It was a pest I had never encountered until about 5 years ago. In this article, I’ll share information about identifying the harlequin cabbage bug (also called the harlequin bug) and fill you in on some organic control measures I’ve found to be effective.
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Vegetable garden clean up: 12 must-do tasks before winter arrives
Vegetable garden clean up advice has varied widely from decade to decade. There was a time when gardening resources routinely suggested clearing away every last speck of garden debris at the end of the season. But things have changed, and these days, the guidance around vegetable garden clean up is a little more nuanced. In some instances you should remove all dead plants from certain areas. But, in other spots, fall cleanup should be minimal. Taking care of your garden tools and adding organic matter to the soil are also important aspects of vegetable garden clean up that can help to make next year’s crops even better. In this article you’ll discover 12 tasks to do in your vegetable garden before winter arrives.
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When is corn ready to harvest? Signs to watch for and how to pick
When is corn ready to harvest and how can you be sure to get your timing right are easily the two most common things growers ask. As a former organic market farmer and current backyard grower, I’ve grown corn in patches both large and small over the years, and I often grow corn in containers. I’ve learned how important it is to know when corn is ready to harvest and how to make the harvest correctly. In this article, I’ll review the signs to watch for so you can pick your homegrown corn at the peak of flavor and freshness.
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When to cut back coneflowers—and when to leave them alone
Coneflowers are incredibly popular perennials and for good reason. They’re native to North America, support many species of pollinators and birds, and are long-flowering, pest-resistant, and drought-tolerant. Plus, the beautiful flowers come in a wide range of colors including purple, pink, red, white, orange, and yellow. Knowing when to cut back coneflowers is essential to triggering more blooms, controlling plant energy, and feeding and sheltering wildlife. In this article you’ll learn three options for when to prune coneflowers, how to do it right, and when to leave them alone.
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