Savvy Gardening

Small cucumber varieties: 12 delicious options for your garden

Small cucumber varieties, like Miniature White and Picolino, are my favorite cucumbers to grow. Not only are they quick to mature, the plants are also incredibly productive and the versatile fruits can be enjoyed fresh or pickled. Plant them in garden beds or containers and enjoy weeks of sweet crunchy cucumbers. Plus, there are many types of small cucumbers you can grow including pickling, Persian, and gherkin. In this article you’ll learn when and how to plant miniature cucumbers as well as discover 12 outstanding varieties.

Growing bulb fennel: A seed to harvest guide

Written by Niki Jabbour

Bulb fennel is a delicious vegetable with crisp licorice-flavored bulbs and leaves. Considering its many uses in the kitchen alone, growing bulb fennel from seeds or transplants is well worth the effort. Nearly every inch of this nutritious and versatile vegetable is edible, from its bulb and leaves to its pollen and seeds. Plus, it’s not difficult to grow and thrives in garden beds as well as containers. If you’re interested in planting bulb fennel, this article will help you grow large and flavorful fennel bulbs with ease.

Growing beets in containers: A step-by-step guide

Written by Jessica Walliser

When garden space is at a premium, growing beets in containers is an easy way to cultivate this favorite vegetable. By adding beets to your garden-vegetable list, you’re getting a double harvest: Both beet leaves and beetroots are nutritious and easy to prepare. Beets can tolerate frosts as well as warmer weather, giving you a container-gardening crop throughout the seasons. Whether you prefer to start your beets indoors or to direct sow them, you can grow them out in a pot in just 2 months or less after germination. In this article, you’ll read about why and how to grow beets in containers, from beet seeds and seeding to potting mix and fertilizing.
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Growing mustard greens: Add a zesty kick to salads, stir fries, and other dishes

Written by Tara Nolan

It is so satisfying snipping fresh greens from a garden for a salad. And it’s fun to add flavors to different salads beyond your standard lettuce varieties. Certain greens, like mustard and arugula, can add a spicy kick to salads, sandwiches, pizzas, stir fries, and other recipes. In this article, I’m going to share some tips on growing mustard greens from seed.

How often to water seedlings and how to do it right

Written by Niki Jabbour

Knowing how often to water seedlings is an important skill to learn when starting seeds indoors. Too little water can affect germination or cause small seedlings to wilt. Too much water deprives plants of oxygen, encourages fungus gnats, and may prompt issues like damping off. The frequency of watering depends on factors like the size of the seedlings, the growing mix, and the types of containers you’re using. In this article you’ll learn how often to water seedlings grown in cell packs, pots, soil cubes, and more, and how to do it right.

Pruning raspberries for better fruit production

Written by Tara Nolan

Pruning raspberries the right way and at the optimal time is essential if you want a bumper crop of large, juicy berries. The tools and techniques you choose to employ in your berry patch can help to spur new and very specific types of growth, as well as prevent the spread of diseases like anthracnose and blight, among others.