Have you wondered if there are plants you can grow side by side with your tomatoes to maximize harvests and grow healthier plants? You’ve probably heard of companion planting before. Maybe you know gardeners who swear by it. Or maybe you’ve heard that it doesn’t actually work. Old-school companion planting was deeply rooted in folklore and conjecture with little to no science to back it up. As a horticulturist, I’ve always had a hard time believing in the merits of traditional companion planting. However, thanks to research for my newest book, I look at the practice a bit differently these days. Today, I’d like to open your eyes to a more modern, science-based approach to companion planting and then introduce 22 tomato companion plants that are proven to help grow healthier, more productive tomatoes. Continue Reading
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Tomato companion plants: 22 science-backed plant partners for healthy tomato plants
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Set up a self watering raised bed: Pre-made and DIY options
The benefits of a self watering raised bed have become clear after a summer of constant daily watering due to drought. Building one now ranks high on my project list. I’d seen manufactured self watering pots with their water reservoirs on a much smaller scale. But it was my research for Raised Bed Revolution that introduced me to a gardener who had an entire rooftop garden filled with what she referred to as SIPs—sub-irrigated planters.
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Pea sprouts and shoots: A step-by-step growing guide
There’s no need to wait months to enjoy the delicious flavor of homegrown peas. You can grow pea sprouts and shoots year-round inside your home. And while you can buy sprouts and shoots from the supermarket or farmers’ market, these nutrient dense foods are quick and easy to grow indoors. Plus, you don’t need any fancy equipment to produce a bumper crop of sweet, tender pea sprouts and shoots. In this article you’ll learn all you need to know to grow your own non-stop crop of pea sprouts and shoots.
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How to plant grass seed: A simple guide to success
Lawns are everywhere. Some are highly tended; others, not so much. My own lawn is a mixed planting of three types of turf grass (Kentucky blue, fescue, and perennial rye grass), clover, violets, ground ivy, and various other “weeds”, which is exactly how I like it (and so do the resident honey bees and bumble bees!). Regardless of how perfectionistic you are about your lawn, at one point or another, you’ll find yourself needing to plant grass seed. Whether it’s to fill in a bare spot left behind by Fido or a wayward snowplow, or to install a brand-new lawn after a construction project, learning how to plant grass seed is a necessity for most homeowners. This article offers a simple guide to success, no matter the reason for your reseeding efforts. Continue Reading
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Tall perennials: Adding height to the garden with bold plants
I love a layered look in the garden. One that’s filled with different colours and textures. And that means you need different heights, from the tall perennials in the back, to the smaller, mounding plants or groundcover in the front. Picture a public school class photo where you have the smaller kids in the front on chairs, a middle row standing and the tall students in back, maybe up on a bench. The point is you get to see the faces of all the kids, so you want to make sure you see all the plants.
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Heirloom seeds: The ultimate guide to selecting and growing heirloom seeds
Heirloom seeds are popular with home gardeners, but what exactly is an heirloom seed? The true definition is often debated, but most experts classify an heirloom variety as one that is open-pollinated and has been in cultivation for at least fifty years. In my own vegetable garden, many of our favorite crops are heirloom varieties like Cherokee Purple tomato, Fish pepper, Lemon cucumber, and Dragon’s Tongue bean. Read on to learn more about heirloom seeds and why they make such great garden plants.
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