The Things They Don’t Tell You About Growing Vegetables.

There have been, in my experience, a number of gardening lessons that I had to learn the hard way. Not that someone didn't mention it somewhere, just that if it was mentioned either my hubris or their lack of emphasis meant it didn't lodge in my brain. I'm going to share those things with you…

The 2019 Veg Patch.

Well, the seeds have all been purchased and the logistics/rotations have all been calculated. Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a plan. Veg Garden Beans, Fava: Masterpiece (Baker Creek), Broad Windsor (Baker Creek) Beets: Kestrel (Fedco), Touchstone (Fedco) Broccoli: Burgundy Sprouting (Fedco) Cabbage: Kalibos (Baker Creek) Cucumber: Telegraph Improved (Baker Creek), Tendergreen Burpless (Baker Creek) Eggplant:…

Seed Starting 2019

We moved into this house in late 2014 and the winter or 2015 was the first year I set out my seed starting gear to get things going. Since then, the seed starting set up has only been in the same location in the house once- but even then the set up wasn't the same.…

Let’s Talk: Perennial Veg

Alas, here we are at the end of the series. Just in time to place your seed and plant orders (if you haven't already)! The last topic is perennial veggies. There aren't many where I grown and a few I've already covered (bunching onions and chives, kale where it is warm enough). I'll leave this…

Let’s Talk: Random Veg

These are far from the vegetable version of the Island of Misfit Toys, but not everyone is going to be geeked out to try these, so I've lumped them in together with just the basic information you'd need to know. Perhaps next year I'll delve into these less common vegetable garden citizens. My plan with…

Let’s Talk: Potatoes

Alright, potatoes are where my stance on 'cheap to buy and readily available so don't grow them' falls apart. Fresh potatoes are so amazing. New potatoes. Waxy, flavorful, amazing potatoes. Yes, they take up loads of room. Yes, you can now get amazing varieties in your local markets and yes, they are cheap (usually) in…

Let’s Talk: Garlic

I shall not pretend to be an expert on garlic. You see, I only just planted my patch last fall. They've not even produced a crop so you certainly shouldn't take advice from me. But I will tell you how I went about choosing my variety. Onward! Time to Maturity: N/A. Bulbs are produced asexually…

Let’s Talk: Root Veg

Beets, Rutabaga, Turnips, Parsnips. I've lumped them together because growing them is mostly the same sort of affair. Same with uses and pests. I promise to single things out when applicable! Time to Maturity: 50-70 days is average for beets and turnips. Beet leaves can be harvested earlier and small turnip varieties can be closer…

Let’s Talk: Broccoli & Cauliflower

Broccoli and Cauliflower are big plants. Please do remember this as you decide what to plant! For this reason, and because you only get one head per plant (unless you are growing sprouting or broccolini/rapini types), I tend not to grow them. Its just not a lot of bang for the buck (and square footage…

Let’s Talk: Onions

Oh onions. You are rewarding to grow, but I'm not always sure if you are worth it. Shallots? Yes, absolutely. Specialty onions like Cippolini? Yes. Bunching/Green Onions? You betcha. Regular old onions? Not so much (in my humble opinion). Regular onions fall into the category of cheap to buy and easy to get, so I…

Let’s Talk: Radish

Radish is one of the things that is so easy to grow and there are so many fun varieties that I can't imaging a veg patch without them (that is, unless you hate the taste!). I've grown so many types and have rarely had failures. This is an easy and fun place to experiment with…

Let’s Talk: Beans

Beans are a bit of an adversary for me. Pole beans are so unruly and require big, tall supports. Bush beans only sort of like to grow for me. Dried beans aren't ever worth the effort. Frozen beans from the grocery stores are pretty damned good and a whole lot less work. But Fava Beans?…

Let’s Talk: Peppers

Hot or Sweet- if its warm enough where you live (or you have a greenhouse or cold frame) I can't help but recommend you try to grow some peppers. The variety alone makes it worth it, but the range of flavors and uses is mind-boggling. There is a pepper for every flavor, every spice level,…

Let’s Talk: Peas

I love growing peas! I never cook or preserve any of the peas we grow. We eat them in the garden, fresh off the plant, and it is the best treat in Spring. I will grow Sugar Snap type peas until I can't garden anymore. Let's get into what you need to know. Type: Shelling,…

Let’s Talk: Summer Squash

Oh Summer Squash. It has the dubious distinction of being the one plant every gardener always has way too much of. Heck, I often joke that I don't need to grow it because I can reliably get some at work or from a neighbor who is looking to offload a chunk of their bounty. But,…

Let’s Talk: Melons

Melons are something I can whole-heartedly recommend you grow- providing you have the space (and there are some varieties designed for small spaces!). Any melon you grow will be more succulent, flavorful, and appreciated than anything you can get at a farm stand or grocery store. I'll give my one caveat now: If you plant…

Let’s Talk: Cabbage

I have a love-hate relationship with cabbage. They take up boatloads of room and don't always head up. But, when they do (and aren't riddled with holes from cabbage moth worms), they are a sight to behold and truly delicious. This means my decision on any given year to grow them depends entirely upon space.…

Let’s Talk: Eggplants / Aubergines

I LOVE growing Eggplants (or Aubergines depending on what side of the pond you are on). For one, they are a unique veg and not everyone grows them, so there's the novelty factor. Second, they are super expensive everywhere (grocery stores and markets) and the varieties are super limited. Third, they are delicious and, once…

Let’s Talk: Cucumbers

The humble cucumber. Never a sexy veg, but summer certainly seems not-quite-right without them. We only ever use them fresh. I don't can or pickle them, and I've not figured out another way to preserve them through winter. With all that in mind, we usually grow 2-3 plants (that and they take up a good…

An Unintentional Break.

Apologies dear readers! Mr. Frodo has been under the weather and the Husband has started back with Graduate School so it's been awfully hard to find and stick to a new schedule. Nevermind gardening, let alone bloging about it. The weather has been swinging back and forth between lovely slightly cool autumnal weather and back…