Endive and escarole grow best in the cool weather of spring and fall. Endive and escarole are different forms of the same plant. Escarole is broad-leaved with smooth margins and a mild flavor. Endive has frilly cut leaves and a bitter flavor. Planting for fall and winter harvest may be the best course unless you […] More
Carrots are a cool-season crop; they are best grown in spring and fall. Grow carrots and other root crops in light-textured soil free of pebbles and stones. This will ensure roots do not split or become malformed. Plant carrots for winter harvest and storage in late spring or early summer when you plant tomatoes; they […] More
Spinach grows best in the cool weather of spring and fall. Mature spinach plants can tolerate temperatures as low as 10 to 20°F (-12 to -7°C). Time spinach seed starting so plants come to harvest before or after the very warm and hot weather of summer. Hot weather will trigger bolting and seed-stalk formation. Bolting […] More
Celery is a cool-season crop. It grows best where daytime temperatures are consistently greater than 55°F (13°C) but not consistently warmer than 80°F (26°C). Where temperatures are very warm, celery will grow stringy; where temperatures fall below 50°F, celery will send up flower stalks and become bitter flavored. Start celery indoors 14 to 6 weeks […] More
Leeks are a cool- and cold-season crop. There are two types of leeks: short-season leeks and long-season leeks. Long-season leeks which have thick, cylindrical stems–and keep long, and short-season leeks that have a thinner stem and don’t keep as well as long-season leeks. Short-season leeks mature in as few as 70 days. Long-season leeks mature […] More
Peppers are a tender, warm-weather crop. Start peppers indoors 8 to 6 weeks before the average night time temperature is expected to stay above 55°F (13°C) if you plan to transplant seedlings directly into the garden. Start seed indoors up to 14 weeks before the last spring frost if you plan to harden off seedlings […] More
Brussels sprouts are a cool-season crop; they thrive in temperatures between 60°F and 70°F (16-21°C). Mature plants can withstand temperatures as low as 25°F (-4°C). Brussels sprouts require a long growing season—90 to 120 days. Commonly Brussels sprouts are planted in late spring to mid-summer for harvest in fall. Brussels sprouts touched by frost just […] More
Use runners from existing strawberry plants to start new strawberry beds each year to maintain sufficient yield from your home garden. Strawberry plants are productive for three to five years. As time goes by, aging plants yield smaller and fewer berries. Renewing your strawberry patch each year will ensure you never run low of tasty […] More
Carrots and other carrot family crops such as parsley and parsnips can be slow to germinate. They require consistently moist soil and sometimes two weeks or more for germination. Dry or windy weather can mean slow or no germination for carrots. Pre-sprouting is the best way to short-cut carrot germination time and ensure a crop; […] More
Start tomato seeds indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost in spring. Transplant tomato seedlings to the garden just after the last frost in spring. Here are important tips to keep in mind when you start tomatoes from seed. See also: Tomato Seed Starting Tips How to Grow Tomatoes Tomato Seed Starting […] More
Lettuce is easily started in seed-starting trays or small pots. Lettuce started indoors can be set into the garden when plants have about four leaves, usually in three to four weeks from sowing. Lettuce Planting Distance Set lettuce in the garden 12 inches (30cm) apart if you are planting for full heads and closer if […] More
Steve Albert