Winter gardens under tunnels, row covers, and cold frames can create low-light, high-humidity conditions that encourage mold, mildew, and other fungal diseases. From my experience growing winter vegetables in Iowa’s Zone 5 and Sonoma, managing airflow, moisture, and spacing is critical to keep crops healthy and productive throughout the season. Visit the Winter Garden and…
Sweet potatoes require loose, well-drained soil and about 100 very warm days. Sweet potatoes are usually grown from slips started from roots (to start your own add another 40 days). Set sweet potato starts into the garden about the same time you set out tomato transplants in spring. For sweet potato growing tips see Sweet Potato…
Artichokes grow best in areas with long mild winters and cool summers. Artichokes do not grow well where the summers are sweltering, and where winters are cold and the ground freezes, artichokes must be replanted each year. Perennial artichokes should be cut back to about 12 inches in winter and the roots and crown heavily…
Growing strawberries is one of the most rewarding parts of my garden, but it doesn’t come without challenges. Over the years, I’ve battled gray mold, slugs, crown borers, and more—and learned some hard lessons along the way. If you’re looking to protect your strawberry patch and keep your plants productive, here’s a detailed guide to…
Growing tomatoes is incredibly rewarding, but even the most experienced gardeners face challenges along the way. Over the years, I’ve dealt with everything from hornworms devouring my plants overnight to sudden outbreaks of blight that threatened an entire season’s crop. Understanding the most common tomato-growing problems—whether caused by pests, diseases, or environmental stress—has helped me…
They can be difficult to grow without these ingredients. Here is a troubleshooting list of possible eggplant problems with control and cure suggestions: (More eggplant growing success tips are at the bottom of this post.) Eggplant seed and seedling problems Seedlings are cut off near the soil surface Cutworms are gray or brown grubs that…
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