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The Mystery of the Misplaced Eggplant
As soon as the fist-sized, orange blossom revealed its beautiful face and reached towards the late-Spring sky, I knew I had made it. …
peas
A Sinkhole in the High Desert
St. Patrick’s Day had come and gone, and my peas were in the ground. Still in the ground. Not a one had sprouted—and I’d planted them two weeks ago. That …
5 Winter Mulching Tips for Cold Zone Perennial Crops
There's not a lot going on in the garden in the middle of winter. Most of the plants are gone; the carrots have all been pulled up and stored; the …
9 Cilantro Companion Plants That Keep a Whole Garden Thriving
Once upon a time, there was a woman who loved to garden. She planted cilantro near fennel, but the cilantro never grew. She didn't know that fennel secretes a growth-inhibiting …
You Never Know What You’re Going to Dig Up
It's true that you never know what you'll dig up, but most of the time when you dig deep into a garden, all you discover is rock or clay. One …
For the Birds
In the two years I took to write my book, 100 Birds and How They Got Their Names (Algonquin Press), I had ample opportunity to think about differences between birders …
Sun and Soil Requirements for Growing Lemons
Lemon trees are a popular choice for both indoor and outdoor gardens. They are relatively easy to care for, and they produce an abundance of delicious fruit. But did you …
Dealing With Hot Pepper Diseases
Like all food crops, hot peppers are susceptible to various fungal diseases. Your greatest weapons against these are best planting practices, which help prevent disease in the first place.
This …
10 Winter & Fall Cover Crops You Can Plant Now
I'm writing this in early fall in the northeastern part of the United States, where fall weather is well underway. The last of my summer tomatoes are ready for harvest, …
Pee in Your Garden!
Back when I had a real job, my coworkers loved it when I brought veggies from my garden to share. At least they said they loved it. Unless you think …
