Seven Spring Planting Tips for New Gardeners

How’s your quarantine garden going? There are so many people jumping into this new hobby right now with such enthusiasm and it is truly inspiring. I’m seeing so many new gardeners starting tomato, cucumber and basil seeds while saying, “I have no idea what I’m doing.” Honestly, how many intermediate or experienced gardeners had that same feeling when starting their… Read more »

Does Square Foot Gardening Work For All Crops?

When I built raised beds and started my first vegetable garden last year, I was so stoked to have the guidance of the square foot gardening method. This plant spacing theory is that you can grow lots of food in a small square space, such as a raised bed, instead of long rows. And it prescribes how many plants you… Read more »

Pruning, Pinching And Thinning: My Garden’s New Best Friends

Pruning, pinching and thinning. Some gardeners consider these three of their least favorite words. Why does the thought of cutting a plant scare us so much, especially when all the experts say that what we’re supposed to do?  For me, it used to feel wrong to cut what you’ve coaxed to grow. It felt cruel and wasteful. I had trouble… Read more »

How Has This Romanesco Broccoli Not Bolted? 

I’ve been on a quest to grow Romanesco broccoli for the last two summers and it hasn’t quite worked out. I haven’t been able to find a good growing window for this cool-season crop. At least I thought it was a cool-season crop.  Last week we had multiple days of 90 degree weather, but this plant just keeps getting bigger… Read more »

Drip Irrigation: It’s Not As Scary As It Sounds

Drip line tubing under potato plants

I just put together my first drip irrigation system in my raised bed garden and it was a great experience. I recommend it to gardeners out there who are looking to improve their outdoor gardening game, especially if you think your garden could benefit from a more regular and consistent watering pattern. I had been using a sprinkler to water… Read more »

How I Grew Tomatoes On My Kitchen Counter: The Miracle-Gro AeroGarden

Kitchen counter gardens are hot right now. They let you grow herbs, flowers and even some veggies with hydroponics and there are many brands and models out there. So what’s it like to use one? I received a Miracle-Gro AeroGarden as a gift for Christmas. The AeroGarden is a hydroponic growing system, meaning that it grows in water instead of… Read more »

The Milk Jug Greenhouse: Does It Work?

milkjug greenhouse with romanesco

I’ve seen several articles online this winter about the milk jug greenhouse — starting seeds in a milk jug outside before your last frost date for some winter seed starting. It all sounds so easy! The idea is that you can start seeds in these heat-holding greenhouse stand-ins outside, getting your garden going while it’s still winter. The uncapped milk… Read more »

How To Garden If You’ve Never Grown Anything Before

Freckles romaine lettuce Botanical Interests

I saw the following question on Quora: “I am an absolute beginner in gardening — where do I start?” Becoming a gardening expert might not be in the cards for everyone, but knowing your way around a garden can relieve stress and keep you connected to nature. But how? Just do it! Everyone knows the very basics of how to… Read more »