A few years ago a friend sent me some moringa trees to plant and that was my first introduction to this amazing plant. Growing a moringa tree is easy and it can be grown as a perennial in climates where the ground doesn’t freeze and as an annual in climates where the ground freezes. They […]
Growing Microgreens for an Indoor Garden – a step by step guide
Growing microgreens is a fantastic way to have an indoor garden all year long but especially during the gardening off-season. Although we can grow an outdoor garden year round, we only have a few months that are good for growing lettuce. During the heat of the summer, homegrown microgreens helps keep us in fresh greens. […]
In the garden…kale
Maybe we should just call this week “kale week” here on the blog. Today we’re going to talk about growing kale. Mine from the fall is still growing. In fact, it’s about 3 feet tall and even though we’ve had some days well into the 90’s it hasn’t gone bitter. As I’ve said before, some […]
Growing and Using Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are incredibly healthy and are very easy to grow in the home vegetable garden. The plant is pretty and I’ve seen people grow sweet potatoes as low border in flower beds around their home. The first time I grew sweet potatoes, friend bought some slips from the feed store and gave them to […]
Growing and Using Cabbage
Cabbage is a staple in our kitchen during the winter and early spring, it’s probably our favorite winter vegetable. Every year we grow enough cabbage to eat fresh and preserve some for the summer. Growing cabbage in the home vegetable garden is relatively easy and a great way to have greens all winter long. Cabbage […]
Growing Loofah (luffa) – an eco-friendly sponge from the vegetable garden
I was an adult before I found out that the loofah “sponge” I buy in the bath section at the store is actually not a sponge. It is, in fact, a plant. When I learned that, I knew I needed to start growing loofah to provide bath scrubbies and sponges for cleaning. Loofah, also spelled […]
Growing and Using Okra
There aren’t many vegetables that thrive in super hot weather, most will either wilt, burn up, or just stop flowering. But okra loves the heat, in fact, it needs consistent daytime temperatures above 85°F to fruit. If you live where the summers are hot, try growing okra. Okra is considered a super food with potassium, vitamin […]
In the garden…pumpkins and winter squash
Last year we planted pumpkins and spaghetti squash for the first time. We harvested 12 spaghetti squash and 5 pie pumpkins. Our large pumpkins didn’t make. However, we harvested them in late July. I really wanted them a little closer to fall this year so we planted a little later. I don’t know if that […]
In the garden… garlic
We are beginning to pull up our garlic. This year has been a little disappointing. I think I could have watered and weeded them a little more often. But that’s okay, I will probably have enough to can with my tomatoes and onions. Next year I will purchase bulbs specifically to plant. I’ve always just […]
In the garden…potatoes
We decided kind of last minute to grow potatoes this year. When we opened a 10 pound bag that I had gotten from the store (and forgotten about) and everyone of them was already growing we decided to take them to the garden. Everything I’ve read said don’t plant potatoes you buy from the store as they […]