Savvy Gardening

Types of tomatoes: A complete guide for gardeners

With so many different types of tomatoes to choose from, it can be hard to decide what to grow. I like to plant a mixture of tomato types – cherry varieties for salads, beefsteaks for slicing and sandwiches, and plum tomatoes for sauce. If you’re trying to decide the best types of tomatoes to plant in your garden, consider how you like to eat your tomatoes. Also think about your space. If you don’t have large garden, you may wish to stick to compact varieties. To help you figure out which types of tomatoes to plant, check out my detailed guide below.

Vermiculite vs perlite: What’s the difference and what are they used for?

Written by Jessica Walliser

Whether you’re customizing your own potting mix, exploring different soil amendments, or purchasing a soilless growing medium, the vermiculite vs perlite question eventually comes up. Which one is best? (Or should you be using both?) As it happens, vermiculite and perlite are ubiquitous in potting soils and seed-starting mixes, but there are some important differences between the two. This article explains where vermiculite and perlite come from and the many ways each of them can be used.
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How to harvest thyme for fresh and dried use

Written by Jessica Walliser

Thyme is an easy herb to grow, but knowing how to harvest thyme can keep the plants productive and healthy for years to come. A hardy, drought-tolerant perennial herb, thyme is a great choice for growing in garden beds or in pots. In this article, you’ll learn how to harvest thyme for immediate culinary use or for drying.
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Seeding cosmos: Tips for direct sowing and giving seeds a head start indoors

Written by Tara Nolan

Cosmos are among my favorite summer cut flowers. The plants’ light, wispy, foliage, reminiscent of dill, is topped by colorful, daisy-like flowers that sway in the breeze. Popular cottage garden picks, I tend to plant cosmos in my raised beds because they attract bees and butterflies. Growing these semi-hardy annuals from seed is super easy. In this article, I’m going to share some tips on seeding cosmos indoors so you’ll have seedlings for planting season, as well as how to direct-sow seeds right in the garden.

When to plant sweet peas: The best options for lots of fragrant flowers

Written by Niki Jabbour

Sweet peas are old fashioned annuals with ruffly, fragrant flowers in rich shades of blues, purples, reds, pinks, and whites. They’re essential in cut flower and cottage gardens and for the best show of flowers, you’ll want to start the seeds at the right time. This article provides all the information you need to know about starting sweet peas seeds indoors as well as direct sowing in the garden. If you’re wondering when to plant sweet peas, keep reading.

Malabar spinach: How to grow and care for climbing spinach

Written by Jessica Walliser

Malabar spinach, also known by the common names of Ceylon spinach, Indian spinach, vine spinach, and climbing spinach, is a heat-tolerant green with large, succulent leaves that are flavorful both raw and cooked. Its climbing growth habit means it takes up very little room in the garden. Plus, its prolific production translates to plenty of fresh greens to add to salads, stews, sautés, stir-fries, smoothies, and soups all summer long. In this article, I’ll share complete growing instructions for this easy-to-grow edible climber.
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