The cucumber beetle is an oblong greenish-yellow beetle with black spots or stripes on its wing covers. The cucumber beetle is about ¼ inch long. Cucumber beetles feed mainly on members of the cucurbit family—cucumbers, melons, and squashes—and also asparagus, early beans, corn, eggplant, peas, potatoes, and tomatoes. They attack seedlings feeding on young shoots […] More
Celery is ready to harvest 85 to 120 days after transplanting depending on the variety. Celery is finicky and can be a challenge to grow. The optimal temperatures for growing celery are 65° to 75°F (18°-24°C) during the day and 60° to 65°F (15°-18°C) at night. Related articles: Temperatures must stay above 55°F during the […] More
Cucumbers are a tender, warm-weather crop. Start cucumbers indoors 6 to 3 weeks before you plan to transplant them into the garden or direct sow seed in the garden 2 to 3 weeks after all danger of frost is past and the soil has warmed. Plant cucumber seeds in the garden 1 to 2 weeks […] More
Salsify and scorzonera are cool-weather root crops. Salsify and scorzonera, are sometimes confused. The roots look very similar; salsify has a whitish root; scorzonera has a black root. The roots and leaves of salsify and scorzonera are edible. Related article: Scorzonera and salsify are members of the dandelion tribe of the daisy family and the […] More
Celeriac is a cool-season biennial grown as an annual. It has similar requirements as celery. Celeriac is also known as celery root. Celeriac is grown for its large, swollen root that looks something like a turnip. The root develops at the soil level similar to a turnip but celeriac is a member of the celery […] More
The shallot is a small onion of the multiplier type. Its bulbs have a more delicate flavor than most onions. Shallots are cool-weather vegetables usually. They are usually planted in spring and autumn. Shallots can be grown from seeds or sets (small shallots). Sets can be planted in the garden 2 to 4 weeks before […] More
Chives are a hardy cool-weather perennial plant, a relative of the onion. The tips of chive leaves have a mild onion flavor. Adds chives to salads and as a garnish for many cooked dishes. Chives have slender, round, hollow grass-like leaves 6 to 10 inches long. Globe-like pinkish-purple flowers shoot up in spring on stalks […] More
The chickpea or garbanzo bean is a cool-season annual that requires about 100 days to reach harvest. Chickpeas, also called garbanzo beans and gram, are regarded as beans, but botanically are neither beans nor peas. Chickpea is a tender annual legume. Related article: Chickpea quick growing tips Garden Planning Books at Amazon: Planting chickpeas Chickpea […] More
Peanuts are easy to grow if you live where there are long, hot summers of at least 4 months (5 is better). The peanut is a warm-weather perennial that is usually grown as an annual. It requires 120 to 130 frost-free days to reach harvest. The peanut is an odd and interesting plant. It grows […] More
You can learn how to grow sage in minutes. Sage is an herbaceous perennial herb that is easy to grow in most sunny gardens. In the kitchen, sage has an aggressive pungent aroma and flavor which is often described as camphor-like and musty. Sage is commonly used in dishes containing pork, cheese, and beans, and […] More
Chamomile flowers are used to make tea. Chamomile tea has a fresh, clean flavor that is immediately soothing. There are two chamomiles: Roman chamomile (botanical name Chamaemelum nobile) and German chamomile (botanical name Matricaria recutita or Matricaria chamomilla). Both are members of the Asteraceae daisy family.Roman chamomile has a fragrance and flavor similar to that […] More
Dill is an annual herb that is easy to grow. Dill’s delicate leaves are feathery. Mature plants flower in late summer. Flowers are followed by seeds. Dill leaves, flowers, and seeds can be used in the kitchen. Dill leaves are an herb. Dill seeds are a spice. Dill grows well in full sun or partial […] More
Stephen Albert