Growing garlic is something that is fairly new to me, so, I am far from an expert. But, over the last 2 years I have learned plenty about my favorite little Alliums. Mostly, I've learned what not to do with garlic and how not to braid it. I grew garlic for the first time last... Continue Reading →
Growing Rat-Tailed or Aerial Radishes; A delicious addition to the late Spring garden
When I started writing this Backyard Gardening Economics post, I knew I would have a difficult time narrowing down my topics. There are many money savers that I want to praise. There are also plenty of crops that I choose to grow for other reasons, even though I know I'm not saving money by doing... Continue Reading →
There are many great reasons for growing food in your own yard: flavor, aesthetics, health, environmental, and sometimes cost. We all like to think that the hard work we put into our gardens will be rewarded with bountiful harvests of perfect produce that will lower our grocery bills. But, that may not always be the... Continue Reading →
Cherry tomatoes have never been what I would consider an important part of my summer gardens. I've grown one or two each year for snacking and salads, but they haven't been useful for much else. My Grandaddy Joe always told me I was silly for growing them. He couldn't stand those thick skinned little things.... Continue Reading →
Pak Choi is one of my favorite cool season vegetables. Like many Asian greens, this little cabbage is a great addition to Southern gardens. I have always been able to effortlessly grow beautiful pak choi in my fall gardens. But, when planted in the Spring, it sometimes gets shocked by our rollercoaster weather patterns. If there are too many hot days... Continue Reading →
Every year when summer fades and there is nothing left to be canned, I feel a compelling need to obsess over the next year's garden plans. Like many gardening freaks, I spend countless hours every fall and winter with my graph paper and pencils, plotting and calculating. When Spring returns, I usually know the precise number... Continue Reading →
At first appearance, young sword leaf lettuce is a a pretty ordinary little loose leaf lettuce. But it is far from the ordinary salad green. It is a resilient cool weather crop; a plant of many names and many uses. With very little effort I have grown plenty of delicious sword leaf salads over the... Continue Reading →
When modern gardeners are planning their summer gardens, tomatoes and peppers are usually given the most attention. We will also usually make space in our garden plans for green beans and squash. But, what about beans and peas for dry storage? Not many home gardens include them these days. Dried legumes have never been on... Continue Reading →
Growing potatoes in the South
Digging Food 