Growing Vegetables
Planning a Vegetable Garden
![]() "Full sun," "part sun," or "full shade"? Learn how to evaluate light levels in your landscape. | ![]() Good soil is essential for healthy plants. We’ve got practical ideas for improving your soil. |
![]() Planting too early can result in frost damage. Learn when it’s safe to plant seedlings. | ![]() What to do with your impulse plant purchase when you can’t get it planted right away. |
![]() The time it takes from planting to harvest helps when choosing varieties right for your garden. | ![]() Find out which vegetable companion plants help each other grow better and why. |
Starting Vegetables from Seeds
![]() Buy Plants? Start plants from seed or get a jumpstart by purchasing plants – which is right for you? |
![]() What you need to know to encourage high germination rates from the seeds you sow. |
![]() Get a jump-start on the growing season by starting seeds under grow lights. Here’s how to get started. |
![]() Follow these simple steps to introduce your plants to spring safely. |
Ways to Grow a Vegetable Garden
![]() A cold frame will extend your cool-season harvest or create a space for starting plants earlier in the spring. |
![]() Vegetables that love cool temperatures are perfect for growing in a cold frame to extend your harvest season. |
![]() Even if you've never gardened before, you can grow your own vegetables with little investment of time or money. |
![]() Tips for growing plants and dwarf edibles to create a garden on your apartment balcony. |
![]() Raised garden beds offer many advantages. Decide if the investment is right for you. |
![]() Know how much soil you’ll need to purchase before you head to the garden center. |
![]() If you’re new to gardening with raised beds, we have tips for how to use them most effectively. |
![]() Learn when and how to harvest twenty of your vegetable garden favorites. |
![]() A one-stop collection of our most popular tomato tips for growing and using tomatoes. |
![]() Peppers are one of the easiest plants to grow. Get tips for growing peppers successfully. |
Fertilizer for a Vegetable Garden
![]() Learn about natural sources of fertilizers, and what they can do for your garden. |
![]() Tilling can be very disruptive to soil ecosystems. Here’s a low-maintenance alternative. |
![]() Enjoy fresh vegetables over a longer season when you follow scheduled succession planting. |
![]() Learn how crop rotation can result in healthier soil and abundant harvests. |
![]() Start composting with these tips and basic steps! |
![]() Biochar is an organic way to improve soil health and sequester carbon from the environment. |
Harvesting, Using, and Preserving Fruits, Vegetables, and Berries
![]() Tips for washing fruits and veggies correctly, so they are safe to eat. |
![]() Learn how to preserve fruits and vegetables to enjoy long after the harvest season. |
![]() Keep your fall harvest fresh longer by following these guidelines. |
![]() Your vegetable harvest can be frozen or stored for use over 8-12 months. Learn how. |
![]() These simple steps will teach anyone how to ferment their own vegetables in no time! |
![]() Follow these five simple steps to prepare your own fresh and crunchy pickles. |
![]() Tips for storing onions in good condition for three to twelve months. |
![]() Preparing and using last summer’s frozen fruits and vegetables through the winter. |
Growing Fruit Trees
![]() Fall is the perfect time for planting trees and shrubs! |
![]() Learn how to fertilize your home orchard and maximize your harvests. |
![]() Are your fruit trees not setting fruit? We give you common reasons that might happen. |
![]() Trees and Shrubs Use these charts as a guide to find the perfect pollinators for fruit trees and berry shrubs. |
![]() Follow these simple steps for maintaining your fruit tree to improve its health and harvest. |
![]() Three recipes for canning apples that will delight apple growers and eaters. |
Grow Your Own Berries
![]() Growing your own strawberries is easy! Follow these eight simple tips to get your garden off to a great start. |
![]() Growing your own raspberries is one of gardening’s most rewarding tasks. We’ll show you how in five easy steps. |
![]() Learn how you can enjoy delicious blackberry harvests - without the prickles! |
![]() Everything you need to know to create simple berry jams by canning them in a hot water bath. |