Savvy Gardening

When to harvest cucumbers for the best quality and flavor

Deciding when to harvest cucumbers can be challenging for a vegetable gardener, particularly a first-time grower. Waiting too long results in over-mature and potentially bitter or spongy cucumbers. Harvesting early doesn’t give the fruits a chance to size up. There are also many types and varieties of cucumbers with fruits in a mix of shapes, sizes, and colors, and that can make it tricky to figure out when to start picking. Keep reading to learn more about how and when to harvest cucumbers.

Growing turnips: How to sow turnip seeds and enjoy the harvest

by Tara NolanComments (0)

A packet seeds filled with a new variety of Hakurei turnips changed my summer barbecues forever. Okay, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration. But if you’ve ever roasted turnips on the grill, you know what a treat they are. These flavorful, crunchy veggies are quick and easy to grow. In this article, I’m going to share tips on growing turnips and how to know when to harvest them.

When to harvest radish: Tips for growing and picking

by Jessica WalliserComments (0)

Like tomatoes, radishes are a vegetable you have to grow yourself in order to enjoy their true flavor and knowing when to harvest radish is the key to that enjoyment. Grocery store radishes often taste quite spicy, but radishes grown in your garden and harvested at the correct time have a mild flavor and add a crisp crunch to salads and sandwiches. Members of the cabbage family (Brassicaceae), like broccoli and kale, these delicious globes of white flesh are also fun to grow. Here’s how to know when to pick radishes for peak flavor.
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Shade container gardening: Ideas for plants and pots

by Tara NolanComments (0)

Not everyone has a full-sun patio where they can display lush containers of annuals every year. But there are plenty of options for shade container gardening. You just need to know what to look for. A few years ago, while on a garden tour, I visited not one, but two gardens where containers filled with a variety of lush hostas complemented the shade gardens and seating areas.

Usually, we associate summer containers with annuals, but you can get creative with shade perennials, as well. In this article, I’m going to share some shade container gardening ideas I’ve gathered, as well as some important growing advice to put together pots that will jazz up porches, decks, and other living spaces.

Tomato plant support options for the vegetable garden

by Niki JabbourComment (1)

Using a tomato plant support and growing tomatoes vertically is a great way to encourage healthy plants, reduce the spread of diseases, and maximize production. In my garden I use a combination of tomato supports like tomato cages, tomato towers, and tomato trellises. Read on to learn the many benefits of using tomato supports and the best types for vegetable gardeners.

When to harvest peas for optimum flavor and quality

by Niki JabbourComments (0)

Are you wondering when to harvest peas? It’s important to pick garden peas at the right time for optimum flavor and quality. If you leave the pods on the vines too long they turn starchy and stringy. One of the advantages of growing your own peas is that you get to enjoy a harvest of crunchy sweet peas when they’re at their tastiest. Read on to learn when to harvest shell peas, sugar peas, and snap peas.