Canning, Jamming, Preserving, and Storing
Known primarily for its large, custard-like fruit, the pawpaw is also an attractive native plant for the landscape. The pawpaw is indigenous to eastern North America and, in its native habitat, grows in wooded areas as an understory tree. Pawpaws serve as host plants for …
Horseradish (Armoracia rusticanais) is a perennial vegetable grown in Pennsylvania. While the leaves are edible, it is grown for its pungent roots. Generally, horseradish is planted in early spring and harvested in late fall after a frost sweetens the roots. The roots are prepared and …
Herbs are easy to grow and rarely damaged by diseases or insects. A few short rows in a vegetable or flower garden will provide an adequate supply of herbs for the average family. Herbs are easily preserved and stored up to a year for future use.
Herbs are either annual, biennial, or perennial. Keep this in mind when locating them in the garden. Group herbs according to light and watering requirements. Most herbs prefer a location with four to six hours of sun, well-drained soil, and a pH around 6.0 to 7.0.
Continue reading Growing, Harvesting, and Preserving Herbs
Beginning in early fall and throughout the warmer days of winter, I wander through my garden planning for spring and looking for weeds to pull. Summer annual weeds die with the first frost. Many perennial and biennial weeds have gone dormant. But you will find …
Basil is a favorite herb to grow every summer. Basil tastes great in Italian dishes and is a key ingredient in many other ethnic cuisines. I use it to make homemade pesto sauce for pasta, and I love it in summer sandwiches in place of …
As we approach the midpoint of the tomato growing season, let’s review some steps you can take to keep your plants healthy and productive.
Many common tomato diseases are fungal and soil-borne. They include early blight, Septoria leaf spot, late blight, anthracnose fruit rot and buckeye rot. Some are physiological problems, including blossom-end rot, sunscald, fruit splitting, leaf roll and cat-facing. A link with images of common tomato diseases can be found at https://extension.psu.edu/tomato-diseases-and-disorders-in-the-home-garden.
While there is little you can do about what Mother Nature provides by way of rain, humidity and temperature, there are many ways to modify the microclimate around your tomato plants to discourage problems and encourage higher yields.
Continue reading How to grow better, bigger tomatoesThe tomato is a much-loved and incredibly versatile fruit. Tomatoes are simply delicious eaten warm off the vine or chopped or sliced for salad, gazpacho or salsa. A bit more effort yields the freshest pasta sauce, savory tarts and soups redolent with its summery flavor. …
Warmer soil temperatures in late May are perfect for tomato seedlings, but keep an eye on the thermometer. Frost will kill them and blossom drop will occur if nighttime temperatures dip below 55 degrees or rise above 75 degrees. Generally, Memorial Day is a reliable …
Seed catalogs are brimming with varieties of tomatoes, many more than you’ll find as seedlings this spring at local nurseries and garden centers. Growing tomatoes from seed requires a bit more work, but with minimal investment, you’ll have healthy seedlings ready to transplant on Memorial Day.
For starters, you will need a warm location for seed germination and a bright spot for the seedlings. You’ll also need water, soluble fertilizer, containers, a tray with a cover and labels. A sterile, lightweight potting mix is optimal for seed starting and decreases the incidence of disease. Do not use garden soil to start tomatoes.
Continue reading How to grow tomatoes from seedAlthough the snow is blowing, it’s not too early to plan your summer tomato garden. Review catalog offerings, seek out reviews from fellow gardeners and consider which ones performed well last season. Select cultivars you’ll enjoy eating fresh and preserving. Since tomatoes are heat-lovers, don’t …