Radishes are one of those first treats to come from the spring garden. There is nothing like pulling out a colorful root veggie, giving it a little dust and polish, and biting into it before it has a chance to see the kitchen. Did you know you can also enjoy fresh radishes in the fall, as well? In this article, I’m going to explain the difference between spring and winter radishes, and share some tips on growing radishes from seed for a spring crop and for a fall crop. Timing your radish seeding is simply a matter of counting forwards or backwards to frost-free and frost dates.
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When to pick cherry tomatoes for the best flavor and quality
Cherry tomatoes are a sweet garden treat and easy to grow in garden beds or containers. To ensure you enjoy the highest quality harvest, it’s important to know when to pick cherry tomatoes. If you harvest them too early, they’ll be underripe and you’ll miss out on maximum flavor. Wait too long and the thin-skinned fruits may split while still on the plants. Below I’ll share tips on how and when to pick cherry tomatoes for option flavor and quality.
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How to freeze kale: A step by step guide
Kale is a go-to ingredient for smoothies, soups, stews, and dishes like kale pesto. This super-food is easy to grow and can even replace spinach in many recipes. If you have an overabundance of kale from your garden or the grocery store, you may want to learn how to freeze kale so you can enjoy it for months to come. Here are step-by-step instructions for freezing this delicious green.
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Tips to create a water-wise garden
Despite all of our best efforts, summer can put a lot of stress on a garden. Extreme heat and long periods without rain can take their toll on our plants and lawns. But there are steps you can take to create a water-wise garden—one that can ease the burden on our water supply, while still having plants that will bloom throughout the growing season. In this article, I’ll share some tips on reducing the reliance on water in the garden, especially during times of extreme heat and drought.
How many cucumbers per plant? Tips to boost yield
When you plant cucumbers in your garden do you wonder how many cucumbers per plant you can expect to harvest? I know I do because I want to make sure I’ve got enough to provide months of crunchy fruits, but not so many that we’re overwhelmed. Plus, I like to make a couple of batches of pickles each summer and that means I need a generous supply of pickling cucumbers. Below I look at the different types of cucumbers and how that impacts production as well as easy strategies you can use to maximize cucumber yield.
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Harvesting cilantro: A step-by-step guide for better yields
Harvesting cilantro for optimal flavor is a little bit of an art and a science. After all, the age of your cilantro plants, the varieties you choose to grow, and the growing conditions you provide all can contribute to the quality of the leaves, stems, and seed heads you bring into your kitchen. I love to have a steady supply of cilantro in the shoulder seasons (the plants tend to bolt the minute it gets hot!), so I plant lots of seeds for multiple plants from which I can harvest as I need it.
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