The apricot is a delectable, sweet fruit. It is the first fruit tree to bloom in spring and the earliest to harvest in summer. Apricots like moderately cold winters but not late freezes. They like warm summers, but not too hot, and low humidity—very dry weather is good. Related article: Apricots are the sweetest when […] More
Oregano is a strong-flavored herb sometimes called wild marjoram (it is closely related to sweet marjoram). Oregano leaves are used fresh or dried to flavor many cooked foods including tomatoes, sauces, salad dressings, and marinades for grilled meats. The flavor of oregano is pungent, spicy, and sometimes bitter. Oregano is often used in Spanish and […] More
Kiwifruits are easy to grow. They grow in clusters like grapes. Each is about the size of an egg or smaller. They have firm flesh like a melon and a flavor that is a blend of melon, banana, lime, and strawberry. There are several kiwifruit varieties, some for growing in warm winter regions, and some […] More
The edible pineapple is a member of tropical plant genus Ananas. The species Ananas comosus produces the edible pineapple. The plant is known for its spiky leaves, compact growth habit, and the iconic, sweet-tasting fruit it bears. While widely grown for fruit production in tropical regions, Ananas can also be used as an ornamental plant […] More
Figs are one of the sweetest fruits. Figs can be purple, green, yellow, or white-skinned depending on the variety. The flesh can range from gold to deep red. When ripe the moist flesh is intensely sweet and the skin is edible. Figs are easy to grow and mostly trouble-free. They grow best where winters are […] 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
Radicchio–also called red chicory–is a cool-weather crop. Radicchio is grown for its rosette of broad red leaves used in salads; its leaves are similar to the leaves of sugarloaf chicory but with a more biting flavor. Radicchio is a form of chicory that is a perennial, but radicchio is commonly grown as an annual. Radicchio has […] More
Ripe persimmon makes a delicious breakfast food or snack, halved and eaten like a melon. Persimmons can also be sliced and used in winter salads or compotes. They can be pureed for sorbets, ice cream, steamed puddings, cookies, and quick bread. Persimmon trees are relatively easy to grow. They are tolerant of most soils as […] More
Cherimoya is a heart-shaped fruit grown on a mostly evergreen tree native to Ecuador and Peru. Cherimoya fruit ranges in weight from about ¼ to 2½ pounds. The fruit has 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. Related […] More
Rutabaga is a hardy, cool-weather biennial vegetable grown as an annual. Rutabaga is grown for its large swollen root which has a purple or creamy brown or combination of both skin and yellow or white flesh. It is larger, denser, and sweeter than a turnip. Rutabaga has a rosette of smooth, deeply lobed, deep green […] More
All parts of Florence fennel can be eaten. The bulb can be prepared like celery; it can be eaten raw or cooked. The leaves and tenderest branches can be used in soups and salads. The seeds can be used as a flavoring in baked goods. Florence fennel requires a long, cool growing season, about 100 […] More
Sorrel is a cool-season perennial often grown as an annual. Sorrel is often grown from root divisions. Sorrel can be grown from seed sown in the garden as early as 2 to 3 weeks before the average last frost date in spring. Sorrel will be ready for harvest 60 days after sowing. Plant sorrel seeds […] More
Stephen Albert