Timing when to harvest eggplant means the difference between enjoying a silky, tender vegetable and one with a tough, mealy texture. Eggplant doesn’t have a good reputation among people who have had experiences with the latter. I think this is a shame, because eggplant is a beautiful plant to grow and, when harvested and prepared properly, eating it is a treat. If you’ve been too intimidated to try growing eggplant—or you’re still learning when to harvest eggplant from your home garden—this article is for you. I’ll cover the signals that an eggplant is ready to harvest, how to pick eggplant, and also how to store eggplant.
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Vegetables to plant in August: Seeds to sow for autumn harvests
Did you know there are several vegetables to plant in August? You can take advantage of the spaces left in your vegetable garden from spring-planted crops, like peas, beans, greens, and root vegetables—or the garlic you pulled. As the heat-loving vegetables (tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, melons, etc.) in your summer garden start to mature, think ahead to fall harvests and make a plan for succession planting. In this article I’ll share some of my favorite veggies to sow so you can dig out those seeds you put away in the spring and benefit from some extra harvests.
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Roselle hibiscus growing tips: A beautiful and delicious tea plant
Roselle hibiscus is a beautiful, low-care plant that thrives in both garden beds and containers. It has attractive flowers and foliage, but it’s the calyxes which form after flowering that you’re after. The teardrop-shaped calyxes make a refreshing cold or hot tea with a tart, slightly fruity flavor. In this article you’ll find roselle hibiscus growing tips to help you enjoy the healthiest and most productive plants.
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Air plant care: Tending, fertilizing, and watering Tillandsia
Air plants have stepped into the houseplant spotlight for both their ease of care and the many creative ways they can be displayed. Head to your favorite local nursery and you’re sure to find sea shells, glass globes, and wooden frames filled with air plants on display. These free-living plants are fairly unique in the plant world, but just because they don’t need to be planted in a pot of soil, doesn’t mean they don’t have care requirements. Though it isn’t difficult, air plant care is surprisingly specific.
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How a bee bath can help bees and other insects that visit your garden
There is nothing more exciting than seeing pollinators flitting about the flowers you’ve planted in the garden. Adding a bee bath goes a long way towards making these important insects feel even more at home by providing a place for them to drink. From spring through fall, I’m very conscious of making my garden a haven for all the beneficial creatures that happen to pass through. In this article, I’ll explain how easy it is to make a simple bath for the bees and other pollinators.
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Rattlesnake pole beans: A seed to harvest guide
For years I’ve grown rattlesnake pole beans in my vegetable garden. Not only are the plants high-yielding, but the beans themselves are beautiful with eye-catching patterned pods and delicious raw or cooked. In this article you’ll learn when and how to plant rattlesnake pole beans, get ideas for supporting the vigorous vines, and advice on when to pick the tender pods.
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