Is anything tastier or more essentially “summer” than fresh corn? Because the sugar in corn begins to convert to starch soon after picking, Grandma always said to get the water boiling then go pick the corn, but there are now sugar-enhanced varieties that hold their sweetness for a few days after picking. Still, fresher is … Read more
Are you planting your first vegetable garden this year—or have you gardened in the past but always seem to wind up with one problem or another? Unfortunately, our commonly grown garden vegetables are prone to certain problems. Tomatoes can get Early Blight, Late Blight, Southern Blight, Gray Leaf Spot, Septoria Leaf Spot, Verticillium Wilt, Anthracnose, … Read more
Ah, May. All danger of frost is past—mostly. Although we have had a frost as late as May 10th here (it was a LONG time ago), we’re pretty safe in considering ourselves out of the woods now. And I’m proving it by moving my orchids, citrus, and other houseplants outside for the summer. Here’s How … Read more
Some Like It Hot!!! From meatloaf to spaghetti sauce to salsa to salads, we certainly use a lot of peppers. And, there are so many peppers to choose from that it can be overwhelming to pick one. So what are the differences? Sweet peppers have a mild earthy flavor but no heat. Traditionally called green … Read more
Beautiful blooming hanging baskets are here. They’re perfect for porches, balconies, even a shepherd’s crook in the yard. And it’s about time for the birds to move in and make them their home for the summer. Every spring, I hang a beautiful hanging basket by my front door. And every year, I have little house … Read more
Tomatoes are native to the Americas, like peppers, and were grown by the Aztecs who called the fruits “tomatl”—meaning “plump thing with navel.” Tomatoes are botanically berries, believe it or not! I get a lot of questions about different tomato varieties so here is a brief description of the ones we’ll be carrying this year. … Read more
With school out for the rest of the school year, are you looking for ways to entertain your kids? Here are some plant projects that are both fun and educational. Fun Projects! Carrots Cut the tops off carrots (not baby-cut carrots) leaving about a one-inch stump. Place the stump in a saucer of water, near … Read more
So the first day of “official” spring was this past Thursday—but when is spring really? Well, that depends on who you ask. In the United States, spring begins on the Vernal Equinox (on or about March 20/21) and ends on the Summer Solstice. Meteorologists, on the other hand, consider spring consisting of the months of … Read more
Every year, about this time, I get hit with lots of questions from people who have started seeds indoors. Here are some of the most common questions, I get asked. The single most common question I get asked by customers who’ve started seeds indoors is, “Why are my seedlings long and floppy?” Long, weak stems … Read more
Citrus trees are fun and easy to grow—if you give them what they need. Correct light Pick a window that gets six or more hours of direct sunlight. An unobstructed south window is best—no sheer curtains, blinds, tinted glass or overhang, and no trees outside. Because winter sun is weak and days are short, during … Read more
