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One of the most confusing moments in the spring garden is when everything seems to go right—plants are transplanted carefully—and then… they stop growing. No new leaves. No upward growth. Sometimes even drooping or yellowing. This is called transplant shock, and I’ve seen it repeatedly over 30+ years of gardening in raised beds, in-ground beds,…
Few things are more frustrating than planting seeds in early spring and seeing… nothing. No sprouts. No green. Just soil sitting there week after week. I’ve dealt with this many times in my own Sonoma Valley garden, especially in early spring when soil temperatures and moisture levels are still shifting. The good news is that…
Leggy seedlings are one of the most common early-season frustrations. You start seeds with care—and within days, they stretch into thin, pale stems that flop over. I’ve dealt with this many times over the years, especially when starting seeds indoors during cool, low-light periods. The good news: leggy seedlings are preventable—and often fixable if you…
Vegetable seedlings raised indoors or in a greenhouse must gradually adjust to outdoor conditions before they are planted in the garden. This process is called hardening off. Hardening off slowly exposes young plants to sun, wind, cooler temperatures, and fluctuating moisture conditions. Without this transition, tender seedlings can suffer sunburn, wind damage, shock, or even…
December is the quietest month in the garden, a time for reflection, planning, and protecting what you have. In most zones, growth slows dramatically, frost is likely, and sowing is limited. But in mild climates, winter greens can still be planted, and soil preparation now will give you a head start in spring. This month…
Rutabaga is a cool-weather crop. Sow rutabaga seed in late winter or very early spring for an early summer harvest. Direct sow seed in the garden 16 to 10 weeks before the last frost in spring. In warm regions, it’s best to sow rutabaga in mid-summer for a fall and winter harvest and use. Plant…
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