After months of tenderly caring for your homegrown lettuce, the time for harvest has finally come. Anticipating a wonderful mouthful of crisp, delicious lettuce, you’re dismayed to find your lettuce tasting bitter. How frustrating! Why is my lettuce bitter?! Bitterness in…
If you notice your broccoli turning purple, don’t panic! This is common during colder weather, especially when the soil is deficient in nutrients like phosphorus or nitrogen. The purple color is caused by a release of anthocyanin, a pigment that…
As a gardener, one of my favorite things is experimenting with new and exciting plants and crops! So, when I came across pineberries, I couldn’t resist trying them. Wow. The berries tasted so sweet. I had to learn how to…
When you’re used to the smooth-skinned cucumbers from the grocery store, you may be wondering why your cucumbers are prickly when you grow them yourself. Don’t worry – it’s very common, and normal, for cucumbers to develop prickly skin. It…
Nothing beats a homegrown tomato, bursting with sweet, juicy flavors that help accentuate the beautiful summer! However, troublesome pests and bugs on your tomato plants can be a menace, ruining your efforts and reducing your crop to almost nothing. This…
Tomatillos are a fantastic addition to any garden, but since they are always green, it can be tricky to determine when to pick them. Tomatillos are still somewhat the new kid on the block in the world of vegetable gardening,…
Whether you’ve got a small backyard food garden or several acres of real estate to play with, the temptation is always to cram in as many edible crops as possible! But when it comes to fruit trees, how many can…
Some of the most troublesome tomato bugs you will come across are aphids! Aphids on tomato plants can be a real menace, ruining all your efforts and reducing your crop to almost nothing. But can you get rid of aphids…
Spaghetti squash is one of my favorite types of winter squash to grow, as they are both simple to cultivate and incredibly delicious! Still, if it’s your first time growing these beauties, you might not know what to look for in healthy…
One of the first herbs I plant in any garden is thyme – this versatile herb is easy to grow and has many benefits. I’d never be without it! But what are the best companion plants for thyme? And how…
Growing tropical plants such as pineapples is far simpler than many realize! Pineapples are fun, easy to cultivate, and unlike any other fruiting plant in your garden. But how long does it take to grow a pineapple, exactly? And what is the…
Despite the stereotypes that leafy vegetables are bland, kale is versatile and can be prepared in many ways – cooked, baked, or used raw in salads. Still, there is one question commonly asked by beginner gardeners: how and when do…
Here’s why I love growing celery in containers! You may have heard that celery is notoriously tricky to grow. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has struggled to germinate celery seeds and transplant them into my spring garden. Luckily,…
There has been a lot of hype lately about growing plants and vegetables in raised garden beds, but raised gardens come with some notable disadvantages. In some cases, they only make your garden harder to maintain! I understand the benefits…
How many pumpkins per plant can you expect to grow? And how can you ensure the best pumpkin yield? We’re about to answer both questions so you can enjoy the best pumpkin harvest possible. Various factors affect the overall number…