Straw bales conjure up images of hay rides, old episodes of Hee Haw on YouTube, and livestock at feeding time. But did you know they’re increasingly popular in urban gardens? No garden plot required! They’re a perfect medium for veggies, herbs, flowers —...
Every garden contains a tomato plant or two, and many more if you’re willing to venture beyond the standard Beefsteak or Roma. But did you know tomatoes fare much better with the right company? You see, plants need buddies, too! They don’t get lonesome in...
Blueberries are a cool weather crop. So perish the thought of cultivating them in your Southern California backyard, right? Wrong, because in California’s favorable soil and (mostly) temperate conditions, it’s possible to grow almost anything — except...
Green beans are native to Central and South America. 16th-century Spanish and Portuguese explorers introduced them to Europe, where they quickly became a staple food. Today, they feature prominently in stir-fries, salads, casseroles, and other favorite dishes...
Spinach may not give you forearms like Popeye — sorry, that’s a cartoon myth — but it’s a nutritional powerhouse and a top-ten vegetable for your garden. It’s loaded with vitamins and minerals that support good health. Vitamins Vitamin A — Supports...
A commercial tomato is harvested 20 to 30 days before peak ripeness. It’s sent to a distribution center, sorted, and shipped to the store after a few days. It sits in the store for who knows how long before being purchased. Even then, it may need a few more days...