Sweet peppers are one of the most rewarding vegetables to grow in a home garden. Their crisp texture and mild, sweet flavor make them a favorite for fresh eating, cooking, and preserving. Over the decades I’ve been gardening, I’ve experimented with dozens of sweet pepper varieties, tested different soil amendments, and learned how to deal […] More
Starting peppers from seed is one of my favorite parts of gardening. There’s something satisfying about watching tiny seedlings grow into productive plants that thrive in the summer heat. After years of trial and error—figuring out which varieties germinate best, how to keep seedlings from getting leggy, and what soil mix leads to strong root […] More
Grow an early and late or main crop of celery each growing season. The early crop will be harvested in August; the late crop will be harvested in September or October, before the first fall frost. Start celery seed indoors. Sow seed for the early or August harvest in February. Set young plants in the […] More
Growing hot peppers is both an art and a science, and after years of cultivating different varieties in my own garden, I’ve learned what it takes to produce strong, healthy plants with fiery, flavorful peppers. Whether you’re planting mild jalapeños or extreme Carolina Reapers, the key to success starts with proper planting, soil preparation, and […] More
Growing hot peppers is one of the most rewarding experiences for home gardeners and spice enthusiasts. There’s nothing quite like picking fresh, homegrown peppers and using them to create salsas, sauces, and spice blends that are bursting with flavor. Hot peppers offer an incredible range of heat levels and taste profiles, from mild and smoky […] More
To get a bumper crop from your pepper plants, you must dedicate yourself to helping the plants thrive. Pepper plants are more temperamental than tomatoes—they demand warm temperatures, even soil moisture, feeding, and support—literally. Here are 10 steps that will all but guarantee sweet and hot pepper growing success. (But don’t turn your back on […] More
Peas are a cool-weather crop; they must mature in cool weather. Grow peas in spring and sometimes autumn in cold-winter regions. Grow peas during the winter and early spring in mild-winter regions. Peas mature in about 60 days. Time your pea planting so your pea harvest comes during cool weather. That means planting peas in […] More
Peas are a cool-weather crop. Sow pea seeds in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked or in late summer. Grow peas so that they come to harvest when the weather is cool. Peas can be classified by how large they grow: dwarf, medium, or tall. The taller a pea plant grows […] More
Sweet corn is a warm-season annual. It is one of the most popular home garden crops and one of the most widely planted commercial crops. Sweet corn is grown for its juicy, plump, sweet-flavored kernels. Corn can be eaten steamed, boiled, or roasted. Grow corn in the warm time of the year. Direct sow corn […] More
Sweet corn is a warm-season annual that is commonly planted directly in the garden. It can be started early indoors in individual containers in very short-season regions. Sow early varieties in the garden 2 weeks after the last frost. Sow mid- and late-season varieties 2 weeks later. The soil should be at least 50°F for […] More
Cucumbers are one of the most satisfying crops you can grow in a home garden. Whether you enjoy them fresh in salads, pickled in jars, or sliced on sandwiches, cucumbers are fast-growing, productive, and relatively easy to cultivate with the right knowledge and care. I’ve been growing cucumbers for more than 30 years in home […] More
Planting cucumbers can be one of the most rewarding parts of the gardening season, and understanding the site, spacing, and soil needs is crucial for a successful harvest. Over the years, I’ve discovered that cucumbers thrive when given plenty of sunlight, rich soil, and adequate space to spread their vines. Whether you’re starting from seeds […] More
Stephen Albert