Applying the right water soluble fertilizers can work wonders on field crops, in home gardens, and even for houseplants. Just as the fruits, flowers, and vegetables you grow need adequate light and water to thrive, they need essential nutrients, too. Providing macronutrients and micronutrients that plants can quickly and easily access can help you net better results overall. Water soluble fertilizers can boost both crop growth and the quality of produce. In fact, which nutrients you provide—and how and when you provide them—can affect everything from the health and size of cut-flower blossoms to the thickness of your lawn and the taste of fruit and veggies.
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Is sage a perennial? Find out how to grow this fragrant, hardy herb
Sage is a highly fragrant herb that is a ubiquitous part of fall and winter flavors. If you’re growing an herb garden for the first time, you may be wondering, is sage a perennial? There are other Mediterranean herbs, like basil and rosemary, that are considered annuals in most growing zones. But sage is a hardy perennial, so don’t toss it in the compost at the end of the growing season! This is an herb that you can harvest almost year-round. In this article, I’m going to share some tips for planting sage, as well as advice on how to overwinter and prune your sage plant.
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Frost cloth: How to use frost cloth in a vegetable garden
Frost cloth is one of my go-to garden covers and I use it to protect my vegetables from frost, prevent cold damage, and keep pests away from my plants. These lightweight fabrics can be laid directly on top of crops or floated above on wire or PVC hoops. A frost cloth low tunnel is quick and easy to build and gives tender seedlings a strong start in spring or extends the harvest in autumn. Let’s learn more about how to use frost cloth in a vegetable garden.
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Is lemongrass a perennial? Yes and here’s how to overwinter it
If you’ve ever grown this striking and flavorful herb, you may have wondered “Is lemongrass a perennial? And if it is, can I overwinter it?” You’re not alone in asking yourself these questions; I’ve heard them cross the lips of many gardeners over the years. Lemongrass is such a versatile herb and a beautiful plant. It’s no wonder folks want to know how to keep it around from one year to the next. This article shares details on where lemongrass survives the winter (hint: where it’s warm!) and offers you advice on keeping lemongrass plants alive during the colder months, even if you don’t live in a warm climate.
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How to propagate geraniums: Make more plants by taking cuttings
At the end of the growing season, with cold temperatures on the horizon, I often lament having to send my annuals to the compost pile. There are some annual plants that will overwinter with a bit of care. And there are others that you can also easily take cuttings from and nurture indoors. Annual geraniums (also called bedding geraniums and Pelargoniums to differentiate them from hardy, perennial geraniums) are among the plants you can propagate and keep as houseplants over the winter. If you know how to propagate geraniums, you can grow more of your favorite varieties to plant the following year in the garden, and in pots or hanging baskets.
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When to harvest jalapenos for the best quality and flavor
Jalapeno peppers are my go-to hot pepper offering mildly hot fruits that are super versatile. I use them in salsas and stir-fries, as well as on nachos and in hot sauce. The plants are prolific, yielding dozens of glossy green fruits, and are easy to grow in containers and garden beds. The big question is when to harvest jalapenos for optimum flavor, heat, and quality. Below you’ll learn more about when and how to pick jalapeno peppers.
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