Plants

Zucchini is famous among home gardeners for its sheer productivity, with a single healthy plant capable of producing 6 to 10 pounds of fruit or more over the course of a season, often faster than a household can use it. Because zucchini grows so vigorously, sending out broad leaves and sprawling stems that can spread … Read more

Cucumbers are one of the fastest-growing crops in a home garden, often producing ripe fruit within 50 to 70 days of planting and continuing to yield steadily for weeks once they get going. A single healthy vine can produce 10 pounds or more of fruit over a season, which makes it well worth the effort … Read more

Peppers, whether sweet bell types or fiery hot varieties, are one of the most rewarding crops a home gardener can grow, often producing steadily from midsummer until the first frost. A single healthy pepper plant can yield anywhere from 5 to 10 pounds of fruit over a season depending on the variety and growing conditions, … Read more

Tomatoes are among the most widely grown vegetables in home gardens, valued for their productivity, flavor, and the sheer number of varieties available to gardeners, from tiny currant tomatoes to massive beefsteaks. Because tomato plants are heavy feeders with fairly specific needs around sun, water, and soil fertility, many gardeners look for ways to support … Read more

Sprinkler irrigation is one of the most common ways home gardeners water their strawberry patches, largely because it’s simple to set up, works well for larger beds, and doesn’t require the more involved installation that drip systems often call for. At the same time, sprinkler watering comes with real tradeoffs that are worth understanding before … Read more

Water is one of the most important factors in growing a healthy, productive strawberry patch, yet it’s also one of the easiest things to get wrong. Strawberries have shallow root systems that dry out quickly, but they’re also highly sensitive to soggy, waterlogged soil that can lead to root rot. Add in the fact that … Read more

Timing is one of the most overlooked factors in growing a successful strawberry patch. Many first-time gardeners assume that as long as the plants go into the ground at some point during the growing season, they’ll be fine, but strawberries are surprisingly sensitive to planting timing. Set them out too early and tender roots can … Read more

Strawberries are forgiving enough that they’ll grow in a wide range of home gardens, but the difference between a patch that limps along with small, sparse fruit and one that produces baskets of sweet, plump berries almost always comes down to conditions. Sunlight, soil, temperature, water, and even the layout of the planting site all … Read more

A productive strawberry patch depends on more than sunlight and water. Like most fruiting plants, strawberries pull a steady supply of nutrients from the soil in order to build healthy foliage, develop strong root systems, and set sweet, well-formed fruit. Without the right feeding routine, plants can still survive and even produce a modest crop, … Read more

Few things in the garden bring as much satisfaction as walking outside and picking a handful of sun-warmed, ripe fruit straight off the plant. They’re compact enough to tuck into a small garden bed, a raised bed, or even a hanging basket on a balcony, and they reward even first-time growers with a harvest that … Read more