Cover crops are easy, low maintenance plantings that produce fast, effective improvements to your garden soil. Among the many benefits, they prevent erosion, cycle important nutrients, improve soil texture, provide mulch, break pest cycles, and suppress weeds. Here are 15 of the best cover crops for the home garden.
Cover crops offer a smart and sustainable way to produce healthy, vibrant soil for robust, happy plants without using synthetic fertilizers. They also control erosion, suppress weeds, bust pest cycles, and improve water retention. Learn all about the art and science of beneficial cover cropping right here.
Cold weather doesn’t have to put an end to the gardening season. There are plenty of frost-tolerant leafy greens that can be grown easily, well into the winter months. Continue reading for a list of yummy salad greens to grow in cold conditions, as well as some important factors to consider when growing winter greens.
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.
Are leafy greens with bug holes okay to eat? They might be, but this is not the case if mammals have been nibbling on your crop. Shockingly, eating a raw slug or snail can also impact your health in rare cases. Read more now to learn when it is okay to eat greens from the garden that have been damaged by insects.
Cover crops aren’t just for farmers. They’re easy, economical, and efficient for the home garden too. With many benefits, they’re a smart, natural method of protecting the soil, improving its structure, and increasing nutrients all at the same time. Learn how and when to plant cold weather cover crops. Read more now.
If you’re new to the world of vegetable gardening, you’re in for a treat! Fresh veggies have a flavor that can’t be beat, and they’re healthy and nutritious. Plus, growing your own is friendly on the budget, and gardening is an excellent way to reduce stress. Learn all about these positive benefits right here on Gardener’s Path.
Ready to learn how to get the most beautiful and productive results from your garden? Our article gets to the root of the problem. The soil type in your yard is the key to happy plants. From woodland to seashore and acid to alkaline, this piece will guide you to success. Read more on Gardener’s Path.
Did you know that appearance, disease, growth stage, and more reveal what nutrients plants need? Like us, plants need a wide range of nutrients, and they can gain them from many sources. Learn how to master plant nutrients, diagnose deficiencies, and restore balance here at Gardener’s Path!
From surprisingly colored garden veggies to unexpectedly adorable berries, from teensy cucumbers to oversized beans, there are a wealth of unique edible plants you can grow in your backyard landscape. Ready to discover 17 unusual – and delicious – fruits and vegetables you can grow at home? Read more now.
Vitamin D deficiency is common, especially for those who live in areas with long, dark winters. Aside from the sun, we can obtain this essential nutrient through our diet and even grow a top plant-based source at home. Learn more about vitamin D, how it helps our bodies, and how to grow your own source at home.
Homegrown crops provide us with many healthy nutrients, including vitamin E. This fat-soluble vitamin plays an important role in our immune systems, and offers many potential health benefits. Learn more about how vitamin E can support wellness and discover the top sources to grow in your garden. Read more now.
Do you know which foods provide our bodies with zinc, or how our bodies use it? Some significant sources may already be growing in your garden, and zinc plays a key role in several important bodily functions. Read on to learn more about this essential mineral and discover the best vegetable sources to grow your own.
If you thought calcium only came from dairy products, think again! This essential mineral is found in a variety of vegetables that can easily be grown in the home garden. Read on to learn about how calcium helps our bodies beyond building strong bones, and discover our top five veggie picks to grow your own.
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient that’s important for a plethora of functions within our bodies, including good vision! Dietary sources are easy to obtain, and can even be found right in your backyard vegetable garden. Read on to learn more about vitamin A and some of the top veggie sources you can add to your diet.
Iron is an important component of our red blood cells and it aids many functions in the body. While we may think of red meat or poultry first as dietary sources, iron can actually be found in several veggies! Read on to learn more about this essential mineral and some of the most abundant sources in your garden.
Looking for an easy way to get an early start to the spring season? Why not try planting next year’s seeds in the fall? With minimal effort this autumn, you can get a head start on next season with a healthier, heartier crop. Read on to learn how to pre-seed the vegetable garden this fall for an early spring harvest.
Plants don’t always come to mind first when we think about protein, but they can actually pack a punch. Plant-based protein sources are beneficial to our health and they are usually simple to grow in the garden. Learn about how protein is utilized in the body and what plants to look for to meet your needs. Read more.
Vegetables harvested fresh from the garden bring a burst of flavor to our meals. They also add a nutritious boost of vitamins and minerals – including many B-complex vitamins. Read more now to learn how these vitamins help with essential functions in the body, and which types of homegrown produce are the best sources.
Purple fruits and vegetables get a lot of praise for offering powerful health benefits. Here we explore what makes foods purple and dive into the nutrition facts. We also cover ideas to grow and eat more purple produce at home. Embrace the power of purple! Read more now to learn what makes purple produce so special.
Want to use eggshells in your garden? Learn the best techniques for breaking them down in your compost and using them as a soil amendment. And find out the truth about whether eggshells really repel garden pests. To learn more about turning eggshells into garden amendments instead of landfill waste, read more now.
Impatient for a homegrown harvest you can serve or snack on? Opt for quick-growing vegetables and herbs that yield tasty, fresh ingredients, some in just 14 days. These early-season homegrown shoots, microgreens, and even a flower will perk up your end of winter, pantry-based meals. Forget slow and steady! Read more.
Some vegetable seeds should be sowed directly in the garden – while others are more successful when started indoors, and transplanted later. Find a list of which veggies are which, understand the reasons behind these guidelines – and learn about some exceptions you should know about, too. Read on to learn more now.
When the thermometer takes a sudden dive, you may wake up to a vegetable garden coated with frost. Some crops can tolerate it, but others are ruined instantly. Learn about the hardiness of vegetables, what to do when frost is in the forecast, and how to deal with the damage that may occur. Read more now.
Carrots, and cabbage, and collards, oh my! Fall is here and it’s time to head back to the garden to plant your autumn vegetable crops. For a bountiful harvest from your fall veggie patch, there are a few tips and tricks you’ll need before you sow your seeds and transplant your seedlings. Ready to learn more? Read on!
Gardening is awesome in autumn, but do you know the best time to plant your favorite crops? Learn about important factors such as the first frost date, days to maturity, soil temperature, and more. This handy guide makes it easy for you to work out the ideal time to sow or transplant your fall garden plants. Read more.
Want to help your garden rest well this winter? Winter mulching is a great way to prolong harvests, improve soil quality, and protect overwintering plants by insulating soil with organic materials. Learn how to use mulch to better support perennials and annual crops this winter. Read more now.
Learn all about how and when to plant a southern fall vegetable garden, and enjoy homegrown produce well into fall and winter, when your northern friends can’t even see their soil underneath all the snow. Plus, get expert tips on which plants you’re likely to have success with in autumn.
Want to increase your garden harvest? Succession planting, which involves staggering plantings of crops to produce a continual harvest, is an efficient way to increase yields and extend the gardening season. Read our in-depth guide to find out what you need to know now!
Are you itching to extend your growing season? Luckily, many crops are well suited for fall gardens and in fact, tend to be more productive and flavorful with cool temperatures. These 15 cold tolerant crops will keep your garden producing all throughout the fall season. Learn more now!
Want to start growing your own vegetables but you don’t have much space to spread out? Is it your goal to make the most of every nook and cranny of your small garden, balcony, or windowsill? Learn more about the best varieties of vegetables to grow in pots and containers, now on Gardener’s Path. Read more.
Soil is naturally full of beneficial microbes and nematodes that can help to prevent or even control plant diseases. Did you know you can increase the numbers of these useful organisms and improve the health of your garden by adding them as soil inoculants? Learn more about these fungi, bacteria, and other beneficials.
Are you itching to get into the garden, but it’s still too cold outside? Satisfy your craving to play in the dirt by starting seeds indoors. With an egg carton and potting medium, you can grow flowers, herbs, and vegetables to transplant outside when the weather warms. Learn how on Gardener’s Path.
Have you heard of adding bone meal to the soil when planting flowers and vegetables? This organic fertilizer is rich in phosphorus and calcium, nutrients essential for healthy roots, foliage, flowers, and produce. Is it the right amendment for your garden? Learn how to be sure, right here on Gardener’s Path.
Ready to add some classic heirlooms to your vegetable patch? We explain this often misunderstood gardening term, and share some of our favorite varieties and where to find them, from pink tomatoes and purple beans to rainbow carrots and a variety of delicious options in between. Read more now on Gardener’s Path.
Does your garden face the same issues year after year? The answer could be in your soil. Nutrient deficiencies, pH imbalances, texture, and the percentage of organic matter can all be revealed through a simple test. Collecting a sample and sending it off for professional analysis and advice is easier than you think.
For vertical gardens, leafy greens, and especially root crops, or if you simply want improved soil and drainage, a raised bed is the best option. But buying these from the store can really make you question the frugality of gardening. Check out this simple plan to build a small, economical version. Read more now.
Floating row covers are a must for every gardener. From extending the season to keeping out pests, this multipurpose fabric can transform the way you garden. Keep reading to learn how to use floating row covers to make the most of every season.
Looking to plant some melons, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, or other vine based vegetables in your garden? Want to maximize the space your small plot? Read our guide to find out what you need to do.
Don’t have enough space for a full-sized vegetable patch? You can still enjoy homegrown produce by growing a garden in containers, on your patio or balcony.
Gardeners know compost will enrich their garden soil and aid their plants. You can also make a compost tea that protects leaves and further feeds the soil. Read more to find out how.