Category Archives: Veggies

Spinach is a hardy vegetable that grow best in cool weather. Spring Planting Spinach does not transplant well. Plant spinach directly in the garden 5 weeks before the frost date. Fall Planting Plant seeds directly in the garden 9 weeks before the frost date. The plants will mature more slowly in the fall because the days are shorter. If you provide some protection, you can continue harvesting after the first fall frost. If you live in a mild climate with no fall frost date, you can plant spinach from seed and grow it all during the winter. Soil and Fertilizer … Continue reading →

Lettuce is a semi-hardy vegetable that grows best in cool weather or partial shade during the summer. Spring Planting Lettuce can be planted directly in the garden 2 weeks before the frost date. To have a continuous harvest, don’t plant all the lettuce at once. Instead plant a square or two (4-8 plants) every 2 weeks. To harvest lettuce sooner, start seeds indoors 4 weeks before the frost date, or purchase transplants. Harden off and transplant outside 2 weeks before the frost date. Some say lettuce can be started even sooner. If you want to try, keep in mind that lettuce … Continue reading →

Kale is a hardy vegetable that grows best in cool weather. Spring Planting Start seeds indoors 11 weeks before the frost date, or purchase transplants. Transplants are ready when they have 4-6 true leaves. Harden off and transplant outside 5 weeks before the frost date. If you live in a climate with hot summers and/or a short fall, choose varieties that mature quickly. Fall Planting Start seeds indoors 14 weeks before the first fall frost date, or purchase transplants (if available). Transplants are ready when they have 2-4 true leaves. Harden off and transplant outside 9 weeks before the frost date. The plants … Continue reading →

Cabbage is a hardy vegetable that grow best in cool weather. Spring Planting In most areas there is not enough time to grow cabbage from seeds before the weather gets too hot.  Start seeds indoors 12 weeks before the frost date, or purchase transplants. Transplants are ready when they have 4-6 true leaves. Harden off and transplant outside 5 weeks before the frost date. If you live in a climate with hot summers and/or a short fall, choose varieties that mature quickly. Fall Planting Start seeds indoors 14 weeks before the first fall frost date, or purchase transplants (if available). Transplants are ready … Continue reading →

I have not grown raspberries myself. My only experience hearkens back to my childhood when I was forced to pick them for what felt like hours on end, coming out scratched and tired. To add insult to injury, we then had to make raspberry jam. I mostly remember having a sink full of raspberries with bugs floating to the top, and being hot, very hot, as we canned it in little jars. My love of raspberries has not yet grown strong enough to overshadow these memories! (Random side note: near my house there used to be a u-pick raspberry patch. … Continue reading →

Leeks are a hardy vegetable that grow best in cool weather. Spring Planting Start seeds indoors 12 weeks before the frost date, or purchase transplants. Harden off and transplant outside 6 weeks before the frost date. In raised garden beds leeks require at least 12″ of soil. Before planting, take out the soil until there is 6″ on the bottom and set it aside. Plant leeks 2-3″ deep in the soil, covering the stems up to the leaves. As they grow, gradually replace the soil–keep covering the stem so that only the leaves are exposed. This will blanch the stem, keeping … Continue reading →

After 8 months of growing, I was finally able to harvest my garlic! Isn’t it beautiful? As the tips of the garlic got yellow and brown, I decided it was time to start harvesting. First, I tipped over all the stalks and left them for a week or so: They got even more yellow as they sat. I dug them up with my hands, but I would recommend a small trowel. The trick is to get under them and carefully lift up. You really don’t want to damage the bulbs or skin if you can avoid it. Honestly, this is … Continue reading →

I’ve had several requests for information about herbs, so here it is! Basil Basil is one of the most popular herbs to grow-there is nothing better than cooking with fresh basil! For earliest basil production, start seeds indoors 6 weeks before the last frost date. Harden off, then transplant the week of the last frost date. If you’re not in a big hurry, just wait until the week of the frost date to plant outside. Harvest leaves as you need them, leaving about 4 per stem. Be sure to pinch off the growing tips, since this promotes more bushy side-growth. … Continue reading →