Savvy Gardening

Parsley root: How to grow this two-for-one root vegetable

My first introduction to parsley root was on a rooftop garden in Whistler, B.C., where a chef pulled out what appeared to be a whole parsley plant and then delicately shaved away bits of the root for a group of writers to taste. Later, he’d use it in a part of our meal. When I found seeds at my local seed supplier, I jumped at the chance to grow this root vegetable that offers more than one crop. In this article, I’m going to share some growing tips, recommend patience, and explain what the heck to do with it.

Soldier beetle: A good bug to have in the garden

Written by Jessica Walliser

The soldier beetle is a common sight in summer gardens across much of North America. These insects, also known as leatherwings, are surprisingly good for the garden. They’re often spotted feasting on the nectar and pollen of summer-blooming plants, but they are also keen predators of several garden pests. In this article, I’ll share details about this fascinating beneficial insect and introduce ways you can encourage their presence in your garden.
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How to integrate regenerative gardening techniques into a home garden

Written by Tara Nolan

As I’m sure many green thumbs can attest, as new gardening concepts are introduced, we adapt our own gardening styles accordingly. I’m not referring to following the latest trend. I’m talking about learning something new and changing because of a love and respect for the environment. My gardening evolution over the years, as I learn new things, has included: planting for pollinators, drought, and heat tolerance; over-seeding with low-maintenance fescues and clovers in my lawn; adding more native plants to my gardens; not cleaning up and cutting back the entire garden in fall; etc. Regenerative gardening is one of those concepts that we are starting to hear a lot more about. There are elements of it I was already doing in my garden. However as I learn, I modify what I do.

Broccoli Flower: Why broccoli plants bolt and what to do about it

Written by Niki Jabbour

Broccoli is a popular vegetable grown for its immature flower heads. Most varieties produce dome-shaped heads harvested when the the small buds are still tightly closed. However, if you wait too long to harvest, plant root-bound seedlings, or your garden experiences environmental conditions that affect plant growth, you’ll end up with a broccoli flower. Keep reading to learn more about what causes broccoli plants to flower and what you can do to prevent it from happening.

Planting in summer? Tips to help freshly planted perennials flourish in the heat

Written by Tara Nolan

You couldn’t resist that perennial on sale at the garden center, so you brought it home. But, you’re concerned about planting it in the heat of summer. Keeping your new perennial alive in its plastic pot probably poses more of a challenge than digging it into the ground. Planting in summer is possible, you just need to take a little more care than you would in the spring and fall when conditions are more favorable. I’m going to share some tips that should help set a new plant up for success, even if it’s planted in July or August.
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Caterpillar on a tomato plant? Who is it and what to do about it

Written by Jessica Walliser

If you’ve ever come across a caterpillar on a tomato plant, you know the trouble they can cause. Whether it’s a hole that goes straight through a ripening tomato or chewed leaves on tomato plants, tomato caterpillars disrupt harvests and gross out even the most unshakable gardeners. In this article, you’ll meet 6 different caterpillars that feed on tomato plants and learn what you can do to control them without using synthetic chemical pesticides.
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