I've always wanted to grow more fresh, backyard produce for my family. So last spring, I set up a Grow Camp. The results were great, and we enjoyed plenty of vegetables all summer. This month, we're getting ready for another season of Grow Camp harvests. Here's my Grow Camp last summer. I decided to add the optional Grow Camp extension, which doubles the growing space. I've always wanted to grow more fresh, backyard produce for my family, so last spring, I set up a Grow Camp. The Read more [...]

When it's time to repot your tomato seedlings, go deep. In other words, plant it so a couple inches of stem is buried. How do you know when it's time for repotting? Do it when your seedlings are about 4″ tall — or have their second set of "true" leaves. What is a "true" leaf? It looks like the leaves on the mature plant. When it's time to repot your tomato seedlings, go deep. In other words, plant it so a couple inches of stem is buried, as shown in the drawing. How do you Read more [...]

Good soil is the single most important ingredient for a good garden. Raised beds give you an immediate advantage over a regular garden, because when you fill your raised bed, you can fill it with a blend of soil that's superior to the native soil in your yard. Soil that's loose and rich with nutrients and organic matter will allow the roots of your plants to grow freely, and ensure that they have access to the water and nutrients they need to sustain healthy growth. Example: How Much Soil Do I Read more [...]

Nobody likes to thin seedlings. It's fussy work, and always hard to decide which ones to save and which to toss. Here's and easier way: When the first true leaves appear, use a scissors to snip off the extra seedlings at the soil line. You'll be left with only as many seedlings as you need. Nobody likes to thin seedlings. It's fussy work, and always hard to decide which ones to save and which to toss. Here's and easier way: When the first true leaves appear, use a scissors to snip Read more [...]

If you have raised beds, there are a few tasks that will make your gardens more productive. Learn how to get them ready for the new season. Start by pulling any weeds that have overwintered. Then use a hoe to loosen and fluff the soil because winter snow and rain can compact it. If you have raised beds, there are a few tasks that will make your gardens more productive. Here's how to get them recharged and ready for the new season: Pull any weeds that have overwintered. Use a hoe Read more [...]

I love a neat garden that is intensively planted and incredibly productive. But I hate to plant microscopic seed, then go through the tedious process of thinning out the extras. Typically I waste a lot of seed when planting salad greens and carrots. And my back aches from thinning over-seeded beds. So, last year I was excited to test some special seed tapes. I love a neat garden that is intensively planted and incredibly productive. But I hate to plant microscopic seed, then go through the tedious Read more [...]