While the landscape outside may be tucked under a blanket of frost, January is secretly the most important month for a forward-thinking gardener. It is the month of the “slow-burn” crops—the plants that take so long to mature that if …
Whether you are a beginner looking for a quick win or a seasoned gardener dealing with a short growing season, the “wait” is often the hardest part of gardening. We’ve been conditioned to think that growing food takes months of …
January and February often feel like the “quiet months” in the garden, with most plants tucked away in dormancy. However, for the proactive gardener, these chilly months offer a golden opportunity. By performing a light “winter cleanup” now, you can …
Celery is a kitchen staple, but it often comes wrapped in excessive plastic and can be surprisingly expensive. The good news is that celery is one of the easiest vegetables to “recycle.” By using a simple propagation technique, you can …
Container gardening is often a game of space management. However, planting in pots doesn’t mean your vegetables have to grow in isolation. Companion planting—the practice of growing different plants together for mutual benefit—is just as effective in a 5-gallon bucket …
January is often viewed as a month of rest for gardeners, but for those looking to maximize their harvest, it is the perfect time to begin sowing. Starting certain vegetables early allows for a longer growing season, which is essential …
Hydrangeas are the “drama queens” of the garden. One moment they are the crowning glory of your landscape with lush, vibrant mopheads; the next, they are slumped over, looking as though they have reached their final hour. Because their name …
The idea of transforming a common grocery store snack into a majestic, nut-bearing tree is a dream for many home gardeners. While pistachio trees (Pistacia vera) are traditionally grown from grafted saplings in commercial orchards, it is entirely possible to …
It is a common frustration for indoor gardeners: one day your Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) is vibrant and upright, and the next, its segments appear limp, wrinkled, and tired. Because these plants are tropical epiphytes rather than desert cacti, their needs …
Cloves are one of the most prized spices in the world, known for their intense aroma and medicinal properties. While most people are familiar with the dried, dark brown buds found in spice jars, few realize that these are actually …