From the Garden
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How to Grow Watermelon for the Best Flavor
Luscious, liquid sweetness: since watermelon is nearly always eaten on its own either sliced or quartered, growing it juicy and sweet is always the objective. To grow sweet and tasty watermelon, follow these steps: Temperature. Watermelon demands warm temperatures—both soil and air. Transplant or direct seed watermelon only when the average soil and daytime air […] More
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Lettuce Growing Tips
Lettuce grows best in cool weather and sunny locations. Spring, mid-summer, and early fall are the times of year to plant lettuce, but you can grow lettuce in the summer even in warm regions if you choose heat-tolerant and bolt-resistant varieties. There are lettuce cultivars that are ready for picking in 45 days and others […] More
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How to Grow Cress
Garden cress also called broadleaf cress–and other cresses: curly cress and watercress–are quick growing cool-weather vegetables. Sow cress in the garden early in spring, as early as 4 or 6 before the last frost, or grow cress indoors year-round. Cress is quick growing from seed; it will be ready for harvest 15 to 20 days […] More
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How to Grow Eggplant
Eggplant is a very tender perennial grown as an annual. Grow eggplant in the warmest, frost-free time of the year. Eggplant requires 100 to 140 warm days with temperatures consistently between 70° and 90°F (21-32°C) to reach harvest. Eggplant is best started indoors and later transplanted into the garden; sow eggplant indoors 6 to 8 […] More
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How to Grow Shallots
Shallots are a cool-weather vegetable usually grown from cloves, not seeds. Set cloves in the garden as early as 4 to 6 weeks before the average last frost date in spring. Shallots require a dormant period of about 30 days soon after planting with temperatures between 32° and 50°F (0-10°C). Shallots will grow in soil […] More
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How to Grow Celery
Celery is a cool-weather crop. It requires 16 weeks of cool weather to come to harvest. Start celery seed indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost in spring. Set transplants in the garden 2 to 3 weeks before the average last frost date when seedlings have 5 to 6 leaves. In cool spring […] More