Savvy Gardening

When to harvest rhubarb for the best flavor and yields

Rhubarb is a hardy perennial vegetable that produces one of the first harvests of the growing season. The edible portion of the rhubarb plant is the petiole – or leaf stem (sometimes also called the stalk). The rhubarb harvest is used to make pies, jams, and desserts, often in combination with strawberries and lots of sugar! But, harvesting the petioles at the wrong time or in the wrong way can impact future plant growth. This article discusses when to harvest rhubarb for the best flavor and yields.
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Low growing perennials: Choosing short plant options for the garden

by Tara NolanComments (2)

The gardens that lined the lengths of my the backyard at my first home weren’t straight. They were long, smooth curves that evoked a welcoming, almost fairy-tale-like feeling. Between the plants were solar lights that lit the garden at night. The plants in this urban oasis were chosen carefully so that everything could be seen and admired. This included a mix of shrubs, tall perennials, low growing perennials, and groundcovers.

Pepper plant spacing: How far apart to plant peppers in a vegetable garden

by Niki JabbourComments (0)

Peppers are a fun and relatively ‘hands-off’ crop to grow. There are many types you can choose from with fruits that range from sweet to super hot. When growing peppers in raised beds, in-ground gardens, and containers, it’s important to have the right pepper plant spacing. Seedlings planted too close together can result in reduced yield and those planted too far apart waste valuable garden space. Below you’ll learn the proper spacing for pepper plants so you can give your seedlings a strong start to the growing season.

How to get rid of squash bugs: 8 methods for success

by Jessica WalliserComment (1)

Both summer squash varieties (also called zucchini) and winter squash types are a regular find in home vegetable gardens. They are productive and easy to grow. However, squash certainly face their share of garden pests, the most common of which is the squash bug. If you’ve ever faced a squash bug infestation, you know how challenging these pests are. This article examines how to get rid of squash bugs effectively and without the use of synthetic chemical pesticides.
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Hay vs straw: The benefits of using straw in your vegetable garden

by Tara NolanComment (1)

One of the gardening “ingredients” I include in my raised bed gardening is straw. I started by using it as a winter mulch for my fall-planted garlic bulbs. Then I added it as a summer mulch to a couple of gardens. This year, I’m going to spread straw on a pathway between some of my raised beds instead of using the usual shredded cedar. One thing I didn’t realize when I was a newer gardener was that there is a difference between hay vs straw. In this article, I’m going to share some of the benefits of using straw in the garden, and why you may want to avoid using hay bales.

Onion spacing: How far apart to plant onions in the vegetable garden

by Niki JabbourComments (0)

Proper onion spacing is essential to promote healthy plant growth and high yields in a vegetable garden. Plant and row spacing depends on the type of onions you’re growing (green onions, small bulbs, or full-sized bulbs), as well as the planting technique (direct seeding, transplanting seedlings, or planting sets). Keep reading to learn more about how far apart to plant onions.