Plums are a diverse group of fruiting trees. Plums can be found in most temperate regions of the world. There is a wide range of tree sizes, forms, colors, and flavors. European plums are blue and widely grown. Japanese plums are red and very popular. Native American plums are small and tart. Damson plums are…
How to Plant, Grow, Prune, and Harvest Cherries
Cherries can be red, bright pink, almost black, and pale yellow sometimes flecked with orange. Sweet cherries have a sweet, succulent fruit that can be eaten out of hand raw. Sour cherries stay tart until they are very ripe; they are generally too acidic to eat without cooking. Use sour cherries for pies, cobblers, and…
How to Plant, Grow, Prune, and Harvest Grapes
Dessert grapes and wine grapes are not difficult to grow in the home garden. Grapes grow well in most regions. The most commonly grown grapes fall into two categories American grapes and European grapes. American grapes are most hardy; they will grow in regions where winter temperatures fall to 0°F. European grapes are less hardy;…
How to Plant, Grow, Prune, and Harvest Currants
Currants are small, round berry-like fruits that can be eaten fresh or cooked with sugar and made into pie fillings, puddings, dessert sauces, jams, and jellies. There are red, white–actually yellowish-white, and black fruited currants. Currants grow as bushes to about 6 feet tall. They grow best in cool-summer regions and seldom thrive in warm-summer…
How to Plant, Grow, Prune, and Harvest Gooseberries
Gooseberries are small, round thin-skinned fruits that look a lot like grapes. Ripe gooseberries can be green, pink, yellow, or white. Some gooseberry varieties are for fresh-eating and desserts; others are for cooking—pies, tarts, jam, jellies, and sauces; and some varieties can be used both fresh and cooked. The gooseberry is a hardy, deciduous, perennial…
How to Plant, Grow, Prune, and Harvest Raspberries
Raspberries are perhaps the most delicate fruit. This makes them a good choice for home growing and fresh picking. Just harvested raspberries quickly pass from ripe to overripe. It is difficult to find them just right at the market; they should be eaten within a day or two of picking, otherwise they should be frozen…
How to Plant, Grow, Prune, and Harvest Blackberries
Blackberries are vigorous growers. Modern varieties and cultivars are derived from native species which are still found growing along roadsides. Blackberries plants vary from trailing to erect to bushy and from thorny to thornless. Some varieties and cultivars are suited for chilly northern regions, others are good growers in warm, southern regions. It is important…
How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Blueberries
Blueberries are best grown where summers are cool and the soil is acidic. There are varieties that will grow in warm, dry summer regions. Blueberries are long lived. Plant them where they can grow undisturbed for 10 or more years. Blueberries flower in the spring; flowers are white or pink and urn shaped. In summer…
How to Grow Chervil
Chervil is a demure herb with a delicate myrrh-like fragrance. Use the finely divided leaves fresh in salads and as a flavor enhancer for fish, chicken, and egg dishes. Dried chervil leaves are an ingredient of fines herbes, the French culinary staple that also includes chives, parsley, and tarragon. Chervil can be used in place…
How to Grow Sweet Bay
Sweet bay is an aromatic herb that grows as a large shrub or tree. Bay leaves are used to flavor soups, stews, vegetables, and meats. Sweet bay is also called laurel leaf and bay laurel. Get to Know Sweet Bay Botanical name and family: Laurus nobilis is a member of the Lauraceae or laurel Origin:…
