Read by Matilda Longbottom Listen Now: Dear Gardeners, Welcome to the April 2025 issue of Food Gardening Magazine! The first sights of spring have finally emerged in my Northeast garden, and after a long, brutally cold winter, the season's arrival feels like a breath of fresh air. These past weeks have been a… READ MORE
There's something quietly thrilling about those first April mornings in the garden. After what feels like an endless winter of thumbing through seed catalogs and sketching garden plans on scraps of paper, the soil is finally starting to wake up. I find myself walking the garden beds each morning, tea in hand, checking soil temperatures… READ MORE
I'll admit it - I get a touch of garden envy scrolling through social media in April, watching you lucky zone 7-8 gardeners already digging in your sun-warmed soil. While I'm still checking frost forecasts and babying seedlings on windowsills, you're out there planting tomatoes and watching your pea vines climb. Must be nice, right?… READ MORE
I have to chuckle when I hear you zone 9-10 gardeners talking about your "spring" gardens in April. Let's be honest - you've been at this for months already, haven't you? While the rest of us were still shoveling snow, you were harvesting tomatoes and tending to your winter crops. April for you isn't so… READ MORE
Picture harvesting fresh asparagus spears from your garden just as the sun pops its head up in the spring - it's a gardener's dream that requires a gardener's greatest virtue: patience. While your neighbors are bragging about their quick crops of lettuce and radishes, you'll be playing the long game with asparagus. But here's the… READ MORE
If you've ever marveled at wild mushrooms popping up after rain, you might be surprised to learn that you can create that same magic at home - no enchanted forest required! Unlike the sun-loving tomatoes and peppers in your garden, mushrooms are the mysterious homebodies of the food world, preferring dark, cozy corners where they… READ MORE
Ask any carrot grower about their first harvest, and you'll likely hear tales of twisted, tangled, or stumpy roots that looked nothing like those perfect grocery store carrots. The secret to those picture-perfect carrots isn't just good soil or proper watering - it's having the heart to thin out your seedlings. Yes, it feels almost… READ MORE
Ever peeked beneath a potato plant and wondered how those humble spuds actually form? Unlike the carrots and radishes in your garden that grow from a single taproot, potatoes have a clever trick up their sleeve - they sprout along buried stems like hidden treasures. This quirky growing habit is exactly why potato growers swear… READ MORE
While many gardeners swoon over rhubarb's ruby-red stalks and dream of homemade pies, this popular perennial comes with a catch that gives some of us pause. Sure, those tart stems make incredible jams, sauces, and desserts – but the leaves are a different story altogether. As someone with both a curious toddler and a dog… READ MORE
Discover how to grow and enjoy peppers with confidence, from garden planning to delicious harvest recipes. Peppers are one of the most rewarding crops for home gardeners. Whether you're drawn to the sweet crunch of bell peppers or the fiery intensity of habaneros, these versatile plants can elevate meals and add excitement to your garden.… READ MORE
Have you ever wondered why so much packaging these days proudly says that they are dye-free and why so many children's products only use natural dyes? It's because commercial dyes used to dye foods have a proven track-record for ill effects on humans. READ MORE
There's an anonymous quote out there about gardening that says, "gardening is cheaper than therapy, and you get tomatoes." I don't know about you, but gardening is definitely my most expensive hobby (except maybe skiing). Sure, I could save all my seeds, work harder to make as much compost as I need so I don't… READ MORE
There are many great reasons to grow your own lettuce, and I personally prefer to grow it hydroponically indoors from fall through spring. One of the most compelling reasons for me is that there are so many recalls on processed lettuce in the stores. That alone is enough to make most people want to grow… READ MORE
What I love about gardening is that there's always something new to learn—some new experience a friend shared with you to improve the taste of your tomatoes or a trick to get rid of spider mites. There's no end to what we can learn from one another in the garden, and that doesn't stop when… READ MORE
There's no such thing as a perfect garden. And no matter how long you've been gardening, I bet you'd agree that something will always come up, even if it's just a wet season. After all, you don't have control over the rainfall, or the diseases that garden bugs might carry on to your plants. What you do have control of, is nipping it in the...bud (ha!). READ MORE
There's something wonderfully humbling about discovering that one of the world's most celebrated chefs—a master of French gastronomy who commands kitchens producing some of the most exquisite dishes on the planet—has a soft spot for meatloaf. Not just any meatloaf, but a simple, comforting version that became the centerpiece of family meals for his restaurant… READ MORE
There's something undeniably comforting about a slice of homemade meatloaf, especially one with a secret ingredient that elevates it beyond the ordinary. This particular rendition stands out in the crowded field of meatloaf recipes by swapping traditional breadcrumbs for crackers – a subtle but significant twist that transforms this humble dish into something special. The… READ MORE
When my daughters were young, I had no problem trying to pull a fast one over on them by creating new dishes that looked just like their classic favorites — and let me tell you, meatloaf was definitely a favorite. When I think of ginger, my brain goes anywhere from Pickled Ginger next to my… READ MORE
I am not usually a fan of meatloaf, but this Easy Italian Meatloaf recipe changed my mind. It is packed with flavor, has a nice Italian twist to it, and the fact that it's so easy to make is just an added bonus. I'm all about convenience, especially when it comes to cooking! This Italian… READ MORE
There's something timeless about a classic meatloaf—it’s comforting, hearty, and perfect for gathering around the dinner table. But if you're looking to go meatless without sacrificing flavor or texture, this Vegetarian Meatloaf is your new go-to dish. It's packed with protein-rich lentils, savory oats, and a medley of herbs and spices, all held together with… READ MORE
