Share my passion for all things gardening!
When you grow cucamelons, you’ll add some extra joy in your garden! They’re fun to grow, prolific and very tasty. Latin Name: Melothria scabra Plant Family: Cucurbit (Cucurbitaceae) Warm-season crop Did You Know? Cucamelons look like tiny watermelons and are crunchy with a pleasing hint of lemon. Also known as mouse melons and Mexican sour gherkins, they originated in Mexico […]
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It’s been many years since I first started to grow parsnips. Frankly, I was a little suspicious of those things that aren’t very commonly grown. I soon discovered they have a wonderful flavor and add a lot to dishes. Give them a try! Latin Name: Pastinaca sativa Plant Family: Carrot (Apiaceae) Cool-season crop Did You Know? Parsnips look like white […]
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Do you think it’s crazy to grow celery? Find out why it’s much more practical, instead of relying on store-bought celery! Latin Name: Apium graveolens Plant Family: Carrot (Apiaceae) Warm-season crop Did You Know? Not many gardeners think to grow celery in their garden. That’s because it’s so easy to pick up at the grocery store. But if you’re like […]
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I love to grow carrots. The most important things you need to know for success are bonemeal and correct spacing. Find out the details below! Latin Name: Daucus carota Plant Family: Carrot (Apiaceae) Cool-season crop Did You Know? Carrots date back at least to the 10th century in the regions of Persia (Iran) and Asia Minor. The roots were originally […]
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Would you like to grow turnips? In addition to the traditional kinds, I’ve also grown small sweet turnips. They are delicious! Latin Name: Brassica rapa ssp. rapa Plant Family: Brassica (Brassicaceae) Cool-season crop Did You Know? Turnips have been cultivated for centuries, primarily for human consumption. Six hundred years ago, they were fed to livestock to fatten them up. They […]
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How would you like to grow rutabagas? The attractive plants produce flavorful roots. Find the details below. Latin Name: Brassica napus Plant Family: Brassica (Brassicaceae) Cool-season crop Did You Know? You might think of rutabagas as the root crop with a funny name. But they have a delicious flavor and keep well in storage over the winter months. Also known […]
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I grow kale primarily because it’s so healthy to eat, but it’s also a beautiful plant. There are so many amazing varieties, with curled or smooth leaves. Latin Name: Brassica oleracea var. acephala Plant Family: Brassica (Brassicaceae) Cool-season crop Did You Know? In the past decade or so, kale has become the darling of the health food world. It’s considered […]
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As you’ll soon see, I can’t grow cauliflower due to our very hot and dry summers. But this tasty crop grows well in so many regions! Latin Name: Brassica oleracea var. botrytis Plant Family: Brassica (Brassicaceae) Cool-season crop Did You Know? The earliest documented records of cauliflower cultivation date back to the 6th century B.C. Three-quarters of the world’s cauliflower […]
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It’s a lot of fun to grow cabbage but you need to be aware that they can have insect problems. Fortunately, the plants don’t need to be pollinated so using row cover is the easiest solution. Latin Name: Brassica oleracea var. capitata Plant Family: Brassica (Brassicaceae) Cool-season crop Did You Know? Cabbage is one of the oldest cultivated crops, dating […]
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I didn’t like to grow broccoli in the old days because of all the insect problems. Two things changed that attitude. First, I learned how easy it is to keep damaging insects away from the plants. And second, I discovered a fantastic variety called ‘Belstar’. Need I say more! Well, yes I do, as you’ll see below! Latin Name: Brassica […]
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