Climate and Environmental Conditions: Ginger is a tropical plant that likes a sheltered site with filtered sunlight, warm weather, and humidity, along with rich, moist soil. It does well in containers, so people can grow ginger in just about every zone. Avoid strong sun, windy areas, frost and soggy soil. Obtaining Root Stock: The best […]
One of the most rewarding veggie crops to grow – it’s almost fail-proof and so fun to dig under the plant for breakfast potatoes! Botanical Information Taxonomy Tomato family; relatives of eggplant, peppers, tomatillos & tomatoes (RVGPS) History Physical Description Varieties & Cultivars Categories or Types of Potatoes Earlies (aka New Potatoes) Early Potatoes take up […]
Starting vegetables by seed can be more rewarding and more economical for most people; however, the time investment (and sometimes emotional investment) is huge. These guidelines will work for starting most vegetable and flower seeds, although I wrote them with the nightshade family (except potatoes) in mind. See individual growing articles for more in-depth info […]
Gel Sowing is a method of starting seeds indoors, where seedling emergence is 2-3 weeks earlier than with dry-sown seeds and higher yields have been shown for slow-germinating crops like early carrots, parsnips, tomatoes and onions. It also makes for a safer way to plant out the seedlings, without damaging the roots. Awesome for areas with […]
Leeks are a cold-weather crop, but there’s no need to pull them when it gets warm out: letting them go to seed allows them to reseed themselves for the fall, plus the pollinators and predatory insects love their flowers. They are really cool looking, too. Botanical Information Taxonomy Allium ampeloprasum History Leeks originated in the […]
Taxonomy & History Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae) Pachyrhizus erosus Relative to the Sweet Potato AKA chop suey potato (Hawaii), yam bean, Mexican Turnip (Mexico) Although it originated in North America, it is most popular in China Physical Description Plant: very attractive vine, which can twine up to 14 feet high or more. Leaves: Deep green foliage […]
Harvesting & Storage of Figs Edible Parts of the Plant Just the figs, as far as I know… Yield Harvest Timing figs are usually ready to pick in late summer according to “Backyard Harvest”, figs don’t ripen any more once they’re picked; however, Fine Cooking’s “In Season” states that underripe figs can be “coaxed” to […]
[Intro text] Botanical Information Taxonomy Zea mays Poaceae family History Physical Description Varieties & Cultivars Categories or Types of Corn Colors Available Varieties (link to ../category/cultivars/tag/Corn) Growth Requirements Climate & Temperature Requirements Air Temperature Soil Temperature Humidity Day Length or Light Requirements Site Conditions Favored Soil Requirements Soil Texture pH Nutrient Requirements Propagation Methods of […]
[stub] Botanical Information Taxonomy Muskmelons: Cucumus melo Reticulatus Group History Physical Description Varieties & Cultivars Categories or Types of Melons Muskmelons Netted Melons American Cantaloupe Winter Melons (Inodorus Group) Smooth Melons honeydew casaba True Cantaloupes (European Cantaloupe, French Cantaloupe) Charantais Watermelons Colors Available Varieties (link to ../category/cultivars/tag/Melons) Growth Requirements Climate & Temperature Requirements Air Temperature 65°F – […]
It seems as though most people know how to grow a carrot, but I have not had good luck in my own garden. Hence: How to Grow Carrots. General Info: Carrots that are allowed to flower and go to seed provide tons of volunteer plants for the next season. It’s like automatic succession gardening. REOG-96: […]