Citrus—oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, and kumquats—thrive outdoors where summers are warm and winters are mild. But citrus is not only for warm climates. Citrus fruits can be grown in cool regions in pots or planters that can sit outdoors in warm weather and be moved indoors in cool weather. Citrus fruits take months to ripen—six […] More
Pomegranate fruits have a leathery hard skin; inside are hundreds of small seeds called arils, each surrounded by a juicy red pulp. The pomegranate can be grown as a bushy shrub or as a small tree. The fruits come to harvest from mid-summer through autumn. Pomegranate seeds, pulp, and juice are both tart and sweet. […] More
Bananas are a staple food in most tropical countries. Banana plants have been domesticated plants for thousands of years. Bananas are a staple food in most tropical and many subtropical countries. Edible banana species have been crossed and recrossed for centuries resulting in two main types of banana–the sweet, dessert banana and the starchier, cooking […] More
Dill is an annual herb that is easy to grow. Dill’s delicate leaves are feathery. Mature plants flower in late summer. Flowers are followed by seeds. Dill leaves, flowers and seeds can be used in the kitchen. Dill leaves are an herb. Dill seeds are a spice. Dill grows well in full sun or partial […] More
Passion fruit is a form of berry that grows on the passion fruit plant, also called the passionfruit vine. Passion fruit is easy to grow. Passion fruit belongs to a large family of vining plants, some are ornamental, and many produce edible fruits. The passion flower is among the most beautiful and striking flowers. The […] More
Grow pineapples in tropical or near-tropical gardens. Pineapples can grow indoors if it is warm and there is plenty of light. The pineapple plant is short and stout. It grows 2 ½ to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide at maturity. It has strap-like leaves that are serrated with needle tips. The […] More
Papaya is a fruit that is often enjoyed by people all over the world. It is known for its sweet and juicy taste, and it can be eaten as is or used in various recipes. One of the great things about papaya is that it is a fairly easy fruit to grow, and it can […] More
Cherimoya is a heart-shaped fruit grown on a mostly evergreen tree native to Ecuador and Peru. Cherimoya fruit range in weight from about ¼ to 2½ pounds. The fruit has a dull green skin with thumbprint-like indentations edged in brown. Inside is a creamy, custard-like pulp with a flavor reminiscent of banana, pineapple, and pear. […] More
The herb leaf called cilantro and the herb seed called coriander grow on the same plant. Cilantro is also known as Chinese parsley. Both cilantro and coriander come from the plant Coriandrum sativum. In the United States, cilantro is the name for the plant’s leaves and stem; coriander is the name for its dried seeds. […] More
You can learn how to grow lemon balm in a few minutes. Lemon balm is a perennial herb that grows best in cool weather. It has lemon-scented, mint-like leaves that are often used to make refreshing, lemony hot and cold drinks. The leaves also add a tart lemony flavor to green and fruit salads as […] More
Caraway is often grown for its thin, crescent-shaped seeds but all parts of the caraway plant are edible—leaves, stems, seeds, and roots. Caraway is a biennial that produces carrot-like leaves the first year and flower heads and seeds the second year. The flavor of caraway leaves and seeds is earthy, with a hint of citrus […] More
Mango trees can grow in the home garden. The mango is native to southern Asia and eastern India. Mangoes are among the most widely cultivated fruits in the tropics. There are more than 500 hundred cultivars of mango. Some can grow more than 100 feet tall and more than 30 feet wide. Smaller dwarf cultivars […] More
Stephen Albert