Parsnips are earthy, tasty, often overlooked root vegetables that shine in a variety of dishes. If you want to grow this cousin to carrots and parsley, you might wonder if you have space in the garden. But you don’t need it! You can grow parsnips in containers instead. Learn everything you need to know in our guide.
Should you tie up cabbage leaves? While it’s not a mandatory step in growing cabbage, tying the outer leaves may be beneficial in certain situations. It can help protect heads from pests and sun, saves space, and could potentially result in tighter heads. Continue reading to learn how and when to tie up cabbage leaves.
Collect, sort, dry, and store pumpkin seeds from open-pollinated varieties and you’ll have an abundant supply to sow for years to come. Some will still germinate after six years! Find directions here for timing and storage techniques, along with cautions about varieties that don’t work for seed savers. Read more.
When you grow oleander in your landscape, beware! All parts of the plant, from roots to stems and blooms, are poisonous if ingested, with a potentially fatal reaction for people and animals. Learn more about oleander poisoning and what precautions to take when you grow and care for these shrubs in your garden. Read more.
Parsnips are frost-hardy white root vegetables that resemble carrots. They grow with full sun in moist, sandy loam. The seeds are slow to germinate and the growing season is long. Read on to discover 9 companion plants that share similar cultural requirements with parsnips, and aid the vegetables by being near them.
Growing brussels sprouts is a challenge, and understanding when and how to prune is part of the puzzle. Should you cut the tops off, and when? Is pruning the lower leaves necessary? Plus, studies have shown pruning at the wrong time can ruin your harvest. This guide has all the details you need to do it right.
If you love the buttery crunch of popcorn and want to plant it at home, don’t miss this growing guide, where you’ll learn everything you need to know about growing this beloved snack. Delicious and nutritious, it’s fun to raise and even more fun to eat. We’ll include our favorite recipes, too. Read more now.
You may have already learned many great companion plant combinations, but do you understand the science behind why they work? From controlling pests to preventing soil erosion, companion planting is a key element among organic backyard gardening practices. Read our guide on the benefits of companion planting now.
Okra grows readily from seed, and you’ll have an ample supply of the best open-pollinated varieties when you collect and dry seeds at season’s end. This guide covers which types are best for seed-saving, and how to collect and dry them. Just a few pods will yield enough for a bumper crop and more to share with friends.
How can you stop cabbage heads from splitting? While certain factors that can lead to cracking are sometimes unavoidable, such as heavy rain following a drought, there are easy steps you can take to reduce the risk. Keep reading to learn why cabbage heads crack open and what you can do to help prevent it.
Most of us toss our petunias at the end of the growing season because they can’t survive freezing weather. But there’s another option. You can overwinter petunias in a protected spot so you can enjoy their vibrant color again next season. There are two ways to do it, and this guide will show you how. Read more.
With exceptional nutritional value, Swiss chard is an easily grown super green that features heat and cold tolerance, glossy savoyed leaves, and bright, colorful stalks. And it offers an extra-long growing season when the leaves are harvested correctly. Join us right now to learn the best ways to harvest Swiss chard.
Fruit tree guilds involve a technique of planting trees along with supporting species in a way that resembles natural ecosystems. They are an excellent way to create healthier, more productive, and more resilient gardens. Read on to learn about the components of a guild and for information on how to design your own.
Bonsai is where horticulture meets art, and practitioners strive to capture nature in a miniature display. If you’re new to bonsai, you might be curious about where it came from and what it takes to create your own. This guide will fill you in on everything a beginner needs to know to get started. Read more.
‘Nantes’ could become your new favorite carrot to grow in the garden. It’s tender and sweet, bright orange, and virtually coreless. And you can eat this variety without peeling it first. This guide covers how to sow and care for this crop, and enjoy the haul. Zoodles, carrot cake, and roasted roots are all on the menu.
If you have ever grown parsnips, you know how disappointing it can be to wait all season only to discover that your crop is tasteless, stringy, and tough. It’s time to try again. Read on for all you need to know to harvest this nutritious root vegetable at the peak of flavor, for a sweet and tender harvest every time.
Joe-pye weed is a tall, easy-to-grow native wildflower that shares its name with a Mohican chief. With vanilla-scented flowers, it draws hummingbirds, songbirds, and pollinating insects. Read our guide now to learn how to propagate, care for, and maintain this late-fall bloomer in a border, meadow, or cottage garden.
Kohlrabi is a unique cole family plant with stems that swell into juicy, round bulbs that taste a bit like a cross between broccoli and cabbage. Delicious both raw and cooked, this easy-to-grow vegetable makes an exciting addition to the garden. Continue reading to learn how to harvest, store, and prepare kohlrabi.