Hardening off seedlings that you started indoors the easy ways is different from the traditional method where you bring plants out on a nice and sunny day for 2 hours, then bring them back in, repeat that the next day for 4 hours and bring them in again. Adding a couple of hours each day, it takes 7 ...
How to transplant seedlings into the garden
This blog article was inspired by a question from a reader who asked: Do you have some information about the best way to transplant seedlings to the garden? Especially cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, celery, and lettuce. We love reader questions and try to answer them as well as we can. And ...
How to Soak or Sprout Seeds Before Planting
How to Soak or Sprout Seeds Before Planting. Seed soaking or spouting is an option to speed up the germination process. Although it is not required in most cases, we have used it often enough to dedicate a blog article to it. A sprouted seed can yield better results in your flower or vegetable ...
Soil For Seedlings, Container Gardening, and Raised Beds
Good soil is essential for healthy plants. Soil for seedlings, container gardening, and raised beds is different than the dirt in your garden. Container gardening soil needs to be light, be able to retain moisture, and have enough nutrients to keep the plant growing. Here we share two ...
Northern Vegetable Garden Planting Schedule
When to plant what in a vegetable garden? This is an important question. The Northern Vegetable Garden Planting Schedule answers this question in a nontraditional way. The general rule for planting dates in our area seems to be very simple: plant everything on the long weekend in May. This has to ...
A Complete Guide to Growing Hardy Raspberries in Cold Climates
Raspberries are one of my favorite berries. Growing raspberries in a cold climate is not difficult because raspberries are quite hardy. Caring for the raspberry patch was one of the first tasks I learned in my childhood on my parents' homestead. If you did not have the opportunity to learn hands-on, ...
DIY Raised Garden Bed or Planter Box
A raised garden bed or planter box has many uses. It is a great solution if you have no soil but still want to grow flowers, greens, or herbs. You can build a DIY raised garden bed or planter box in any size to meet your specific needs. We divided our driveway into a sitting area and a working area. ...
Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors
Winter in our area isn't over yet. The last frost date is still a few months away. But spring is coming, and with it the next growing season! Starting vegetable seeds indoors is the start of it. When we say starting seeds indoors, we don't mean in the house (even though it can be that), but in an ...
Growing Fruit and Berries in an Urban Yard
If you believe that fruit and berries can only be grown on large farms, think again. Many delicious varieties can thrive in an urban yard. In our previous blog article on designing an urban yard for food production, we explored various possibilities. This post will highlight the specifics of growing ...
Vegetables to Grow in an Urban Garden
We discussed designing an urban yard for food production. Now, let's examine which vegetables are suitable for such a garden. Theoretically, you can grow whatever you want, even if your whole yard is a pumpkin patch. But that is most likely not what you want. We are looking for varieties that do not ...
