Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are among the most popular herbs for home gardeners to grow. They are easy to plant and care for, and since they are a hardy perennial, they return to the garden year after year. The fragrant and flavorful leaves of the chive plant are delicious to people, but the deer and rabbits leave them alone. To add yet another benefit, chive flowers are a favorite nectar source for many of the pollinators who also help pollinate other edible crops. Learning how to harvest chives for use in the kitchen is key to enjoying this easy-to-grow herb. Let’s take a look at several different ways to harvest chives for both fresh use and for preservation.
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When to plant asparagus for healthy, productive plants
If there’s any crop (and flavor) that says “spring,” it’s asparagus. Asparagus is one of the earliest vegetables you can harvest in springtime, and it only lasts about six to eight weeks. If you’re new to growing this perennial vegetable, it’s hard to know exactly when to plant asparagus. In addition to being harvested in the spring, it’s planted in the spring, as well. But timing is important.
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How to grow peanuts in a home garden
If you’ve ever wondered how to grow peanuts or why the average home gardener would even want to, you’re in the right place—and you’re in for a treat. Peanuts are easy to grow, tasty, and protein-packed. What’s more, they’re not only good for you, but they’re also good for your soil. Much more than a garden novelty, peanuts are practical and prolific. They can be eaten fresh out of the pod, pounded into peanut butter, or otherwise preserved for the long haul. Best of all, individual plants can yield as many as 40 to 50 pods each. In this article you’ll learn all about how to grow peanuts.
Growing corn in containers from seed to harvest
Growing corn in containers allows you to enjoy the sweet flavor of homegrown corn in a smaller space. While you do need the right pot, soil, seeds, and technique to grow corn in pots, it’s not difficult to do. In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know, including how to hand-pollinate your corn plants to get fully developed ears from just a few plants.
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Repotting aloe vera: Tips for choosing potting soil, pots, and more
Repotting aloe vera becomes necessary for a few reasons, especially when your plant starts to outgrow its pot. It can also be done when you have a baby aloe plant growing alongside the original. Referred to as a pup, this wee little aloe can be separated and repotted in its own container. Aloe plants require repotting anywhere from every three to five years or so. I often will save two or three houseplants to repot at the same time while I have my soil out and the table covered. In this article, I’ll explain how to repot an aloe plant—and a pup if you have one.
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Purple perennial flowers: 24 brilliant choices for big and small gardens
Purple is a powerful color, and purple perennial flowers are a wonderful way to introduce more of this color to the garden. While I don’t know much about using purple for interior design, art, or fashion, I do know how to use it in a garden. The power and bravado of purple in the landscape is undeniable, especially when it comes to perennials. Today, I’d like to share 24 of my favorite purple perennial flowers. Whether their shade of purple is dark and regal or light and luscious, these beauties add depth, richness, and a pop of color to your garden.
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