Growing Vegetables
Planning a Vegetable Garden
Getting your plants off to a good start is the best way to ensure an abundant harvest later. Here are things to consider when you’re selecting which plants to grow and preparing your garden space.
![]() “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
Growing plants from seed is an economical way to grow your own food and experience the wonder of watching plants emerge from seeds. We’ve got tips from starting seeds to transplanting seedlings to their final location.
![]() 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
There are lots of ways to grow edible plants. Learn about different options and ways to extend the growing season whether your garden is in the backyard, pots on a patio, or even an apartment balcony.
![]() 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
Healthy soil and fertilizer help keep your plants well-nourished. Learn how you can optimize your harvest with strategies for feeding and planting.
![]() 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
All of your efforts to grow edibles pay off when it’s harvest time! We’ve got lots of ideas for harvesting, preserving, and storing your vegetables, herbs, fruits, 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
What could be more fun than picking fresh fruits right outside your door? Here are important tips for successfully planting and growing your own 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
Berries are easy to grow and offer sweet rewards. They’re a good choice for anyone short on time or growing space, but who wants to enjoy fresh, homegrown produce.
![]() 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. |
Creating compost to nourish your garden soil doesn’t have to be complicated. Try direct composting: the no-muss, no-fuss method for making compost from your kitchen scraps.
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