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 …
Vegetable Gardening
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 …
Tomatoes love the summer heat! And if you planted a bit more than you can consume, you might wonder what to do with too many tomatoes. It’s not hard to be overwhelmed with too many tomatoes this time of the year, especially if you planted more than you need. Ask me how I know 😉 …
Perennial crops put food on the table year after year. It is a joy to gather kale from the kitchen garden, to cut the first spears of asparagus in spring, and to dig up a fresh garlic bulb in late summer. Perennial vegetables not only taste better than grocery store varieties, but they are also …
Root vegetables aren’t the prettiest veggies in the patch, but they’re very easy and rewarding to grow. Carrots, beets, rutabagas, and other root veggies are extremely versatile to use in recipes, and some tasty tubers come topped with leafy greens. Root vegetables may be taproots (parsnips, radishes), tuberous roots or stems (sweet and regular potatoes), …
There’s nothing more disappointing than going to pick a yummy squash and instead, finding your squash plants in distress, destroyed by some unwelcome bug. But don’t worry: today we’re looking at ways to prevent and/or get rid of these nasty little creatures. See which of these 5 suggestions might make the best natural squash vine …
Asparagus beetles are a pain in the … asparagus. There is the common asparagus beetle and the spotted asparagus beetle, and they both love eating asparagus. They hunker down anywhere they can to stay warm in the winter. When they awaken in the spring, they are hungry. If you grow asparagus, you are at some …
You tuck cucumber vines into the soil while dreaming of the fresh, crunchy fruits and tart pickles to come. And then one day you walk into the garden to find holey, sickly plants in place of the lush foliage you expect. Upon closer inspection, you might notice the tiny insects infesting your beloved plants: cucumber …
Nasturtiums are beautiful plants with a lot of benefits! Not only are they edible, but they are great for companion planting as a trap crop and are great sources of pollen for pollinators to visit. As with any plant, it can be confusing knowing their specific needs and care. So, here is how to grow …
You might have heard of companion planting to keep pests away, and want to learn more about it. So, what are good companion plants for tomatoes? What can you plant next to your tomatoes that will ensure your tomato crop is bountiful? What is companion planting? Companion planting is a combination of folklore, wishful thinking, …