Companion planting offers numerous benefits to the home gardener, whether practiced in the vegetable garden, herb garden, or even flower beds. If you are just starting this practice, the numerous possible plant combinations can seem overwhelming. This companion planting guide breaks down the essential details about companion planting and includes a list of individual companion …
Vegetable Gardening
Onions are a wonderfully versatile vegetable, both in the kitchen and in the garden. From green onions to storage onions, these edible alliums add flavor to almost any savory dish, making them a culinary staple. Less well known, perhaps, is their usefulness in the garden for general pest protection. With their strong scent, onions deter …
I love growing root crops. The foliage only provides hints at what is happening in the soil as you tend to the plants throughout the season, leaving the harvest a surprise. I have laughed out loud in the garden upon unearthing a sweet potato the size of my face. Of course, this can lead to …
If you are planning a garden this spring, there are many furry threats to keep in mind: threats such as rabbits, gophers, groundhogs, and deer that you need to keep out. This guide is going to cover some of the best vegetable garden fence ideas, so you can keep big, as well as smaller critters …
Ever heard of stinging nettles? They are not only delicious but also good for you! We pick ours from the riverbank in town, but if you have the right conditions, learn how to grow stinging nettle: you’ll love it for teas, green smoothies, casseroles, and soups. How To Grow Stinging Nettle Stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) …
Orach (Atriplex hortensis) is a cool-weather green from the amaranth family. Sometimes known as saltbush, orach has a mild yet tangy flavor that is often compared to spinach. Orach produces arrow-shaped leaves that can vary in color from green to deep red. The plants grow upright and can reach six feet in height. If you …
The conversations around pruning tomato plants can be dizzying! Some gardeners say definitely do, while others say don’t bother. And the methods vary as well: remove entire branches, cut just the tips of branches, prune at certain times, prune throughout the season, and so on. This can all leave you wondering not only how to …
Although not common among household vegetable gardens, sweet potatoes are relatively easy to grow, with drought tolerance and few problems. These native American vegetables also last for months when properly stored and provide high amounts of vitamin A, C, and E, as well as calcium, potassium, and antioxidants. Plus, the entire plant is edible: the …
Beans are among the easiest vegetables to grow, and they’re one of my favorite garden standbys. But did you know that they also make great container plants? No matter which variety you like best, you can grow it even with limited space once you learn a few tips on how to grow beans in containers. …
Potatoes are a surprisingly easy and nutrient-rich addition to container gardens. Here’s how to grow potatoes in containers, so you can enjoy them even when you don’t have a lot of garden space. These Peruvian vegetables provide healthy amounts of iron, potassium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C, according to the United States Potato Board, and …