If you’ve ever walked out to your garden expecting tender greens and instead found tall, bitter plants shooting up flower stalks, you’ve experienced bolting. It’s one of the most frustrating parts of growing cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach, and many herbs—especially when it happens sooner than expected. I recently walked in my garden to find…
If you have a small vegetable garden, that doesn’t mean you can’t grow plenty of food. Lack of size doesn’t indicate lack of productivity. With the right small garden layout, you can grow plenty of veggies for your family. We have a large garden; I’m currently operating on almost a quarter of an acre. However,…
If you’ve spent any time researching gardening on social media, you’ve probably seen those colorful companion planting charts promising bigger harvests and fewer pests—just by planting the “right” crops together. That may have led you to wonder – does companion planting TRULY work? But here’s the truth:Some companion planting methods work really well… some barely…
Soil is the foundation for your garden, so you want it to be healthy, well-draining soil. But what if you are trying to grow vegetables in poor soil? Is it fixable? YES! I always grew my garden in raised beds; I knew the soil around my house wasn’t the best, and raised beds eliminated that…
Starting with the easiest vegetables to grow will make your first gardening experience better. Gardening can seem intimidating, but starting with the right plants makes it much easier. Radishes are one of the easiest vegetables to grow, providing quick results in as little as three to four weeks. They’re a fantastic choice for new gardeners who want…
Hardening off seedlings is an essential step when starting seeds indoors. As spring approaches, many of us get excited about planting our gardens. One important step in this process is hardening off seedlings. This practice helps young plants adjust to outdoor conditions, making them stronger and more resilient. Without it, seedlings can struggle when faced with sun,…
Skip the garden nursery pricetag for flowers and start growing flowers from seeds at home. Growing flowers from seeds is a rewarding experience that anyone can enjoy. Some easy flowers to start with include sunflowers, zinnias, and marigolds, which thrive when grown from seeds. Not only do they brighten up any garden, but they also attract helpful…
Starting Seeds is a lot easier if you have some tips that will keep you on the right track. Did all your seedlings die? Do you struggle to successfully seed start each year? I had trouble with it as well until I learned all of these seed-starting tips for beginners. Like anything else, starting seeds…
Did you look up a companion planting chart and see the endless options of plants you should put together? The truth is, they may or may not work. Some believe companion planting is a total fraud, while others SWEAR by the practice to keep pests and diseases away. I sit somewhere in the middle. Not…
Mulch is an essential part of your vegetable garden, and if you want your veggie garden to flourish, picking the best mulch plays an important role. I avoided mulch for years; it seemed unnecessary and an added expense, but I was wrong. Mulch prevents weed growth (saving you time!), retains moisture in the soil, prevents…
