Imagine a dark woodland area at night. Would you be drawn to it? Would you linger? Probably not, unless you’re a vampire. Likewise, a dark backyard with deep shadows can feel more menacing than inviting. But an accent light here and there, a beam to highlight,...
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...
If top chefs ever put it to a vote, basil would be numero uno in the kitchen, captain of the Herb Team, and Most Likely to Succeed (or end up in sauce). It’s easy to see why. This aromatic herb can bring a dish to life with a fresh, savory sweetness, from...
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...
