Tomatoes are a favorite crop for many home gardeners, and even beginner gardeners can have success when growing their very first tomato plant. But if you really want to improve your tomato-growing skills and see bigger and better yields than ever before, I’m going to let you in on a few “trade secrets”. As a former organic market farmer, I’ve had lots of experience growing thousands of tomato plants over the years. As a result, I’ve put together a list of 12 tomato growing secrets to use in your home garden for healthier plants, bigger yields, and less work.
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Herb gardening for beginners: How to get started
When it comes to herb gardening for beginners, it’s easy to end up in the weeds. After all, there are countless articles on specific herbs and their medicinal properties. Some of these might even include a few growing tips. But what if you have no idea which herbs you should try to grow—let alone know how to grow them? We’ve got you! This quick-start guide on herb gardening for beginners includes suggested plants, notes on site selection, spacing your plants, harvesting fresh herbs, and more, so you’ll be able to plan and plant an herb garden tailored to you.
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When to harvest garlic (and garlic scapes!) and how to store it for the winter
Garlic is one of my favorite vegetables to grow because I use it so much in my cooking. I love that each head of hardneck garlic I plant in the fall gives me two harvests. The first harvest is the long, loopy garlic scape in the spring. Then, a few weeks later, I pull the garlic bulbs to dry and store through the fall and winter. In this article I share advice on timing for snipping garlic scapes (plus a link to my favorite recipe!), harvesting garlic, and storing it. I also explain green garlic with a tip to ensure you can harvest it year after year.
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Leaf mulch: How to make and use leaf mulch in the garden
Using leaf mulch in the garden is one of the best ways to build soil, reduce weeds, retain moisture, and insulate plants. Plus, you can turn mulched leaves into leaf mold which saves money on buying compost and other soil amendments. In this article I’ll show you three easy ways to make leaf mulch and how to put it to work in your garden.
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Our 7 favorite pruning shears for gardening
Pruning shears are a gardener’s best friend when nurturing a healthy and visually appealing garden. In our gardening journey, we’ve found them indispensable for making precise cuts, shaping plants, and removing dead or overgrown branches. When selecting the ideal pair of pruning shears for your gardening toolkit, always prioritize quality and durability over cost. A well-crafted pruner can save you money in the long run by avoiding the need for frequent replacements.
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How to grow chickpeas: From seed to harvest
Hummus lovers rejoice: You can learn how to grow chickpeas in your vegetable garden. Chickpeas, also called garbanzo beans, cecci beans, and Egyptian peas, are a staple in diets across their indigenous Mediterranean region. And like other legumes, they’re easy to grow and the plants improve the soil. Plus you can enjoy chickpeas fresh from the garden, much like shell peas, or harvest them at the end of the growing season for drying. In this ultimate guide for how to grow chickpeas, you’ll learn all about growing chickpeas on a small scale. Read on for tips on sowing, caring for, harvesting, and enjoying these tasty and nutritious beans.
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