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Herbs are both beautiful and useful. They require a small amount of effort for a great reward. An herb garden is easy to start; you can grow herbs in their own stand-alone bed, include them in existing flower and vegetable beds, or grow them in decorative pots. Herbs are highly adaptable they will grow in…
Water is one of the most limiting factors in a productive vegetable garden, especially once soil temperatures rise into the summer growing range. But saving water does not mean starving plants. In fact, the healthiest gardens often use less water because the soil is managed correctly. Over years of gardening in California conditions—including raised beds,…
Vegetables need water to grow quickly, tender, and tasty. Keep the soil evenly moist throughout the growing season—that means not too wet and not too dry. If the soil dries out, vegetables can become bitter-tasting and woody. If the soil is too wet, vegetable roots can become starved for oxygen and plants can die. Water…
A microclimate is a small area with slightly different temperature or climate than the surrounding larger area. Every garden has microclimates; microclimates can be created by hills and low spots, structures and fences, and even the shade of trees or tall plants. You can use the microclimates in your garden to help vegetables produce a…
If you start your own seedlings, seed trays are one of the most important—and most underestimated—tools in the entire garden system. A good tray doesn’t just hold soil. It controls moisture, airflow, root development, and transplant success. A bad tray does the opposite: soggy soil, weak roots, and transplant shock. After decades of growing vegetables…
If you want a productive garden, the seed you choose matters just as much as soil, water, or fertilizer. The best vegetable seeds aren’t just about germination—they determine yield, flavor, disease resistance, and how reliably your garden performs in real conditions. After more than 30 years of growing vegetables in raised beds and intensive planting…
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