(aka Fresh Picked Salad for One) by Maria G. A great deal of thought and planning takes place when I look over the selections in the seed catalog in November. I hope to choose interesting varieties of seed that do well in my NJ garden and taste great when prepared for the table. Lettuce is an […]
Growing Lettuce from Seed vs. Direct Sowing Lettuce Read More »
Garden Planting Dates for NJ Zone 6 Mid-May isn’t the only time to plant a veggie garden, you know! New gardeners who are looking to expand beyond tomatoes and cucumbers may be interested to learn which crops should be planted at what time of year – spring, summer, and fall. Below, an overview of our
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Winter blues getting you down? Don’t just dream about garden planning for NJ’s spring planting season… do it! Even a first-time gardener can successfully grow healthy and delicious vegetables if they learn the basics of gardening and plan their plot in advance. Below, a list of things to consider before you lay the groundwork for
NJ Garden Planning in February? Yes! Start Now and Be Ready for Spring Planting Read More »
Fall gardening can be confusing for those of us who haven’t been gardening our entire lives. Can you really plant vegetables in September? What are the cutoff dates for getting cold-weather loving veggies in the ground? The answer to this depends on the type of vegetable, and the days that it will take for a
Fall Garden Vegetable Planting Guide for NJ Zone 6 Read More »
So you want to plant some cold-weather loving veggies, but it’s August, and it’s hot, and you just don’t have time? Guess again. If executed properly, all you need is one afternoon of light gardening to be on your way to enjoying some hearty soups, stews and side dishes that include your favorite greens this
Gardening Shortcut: How to Plant Your NJ Fall Garden in 2 Hours or Less Read More »
by Maria G. Thinking about growing cabbages in your organic garden this year? This is a cool-weather crop that thrives in the early spring and fall. If you’re reading this in April, you’ve already missed your chance to have organically grown cabbage this gardening season. But don’t worry – September will be here before you
Cool Weather Crop: How to Grow Cabbage in NJ Zone 6 Read More »
Companion planting is an effective way to keep pests and disease away from your organic garden vegetables without the use of chemicals and pesticides. My husband and I have been experimenting with organic gardening techniques for the past five years, and this has become part of our successful planting strategy. Companion planting works because certain plants
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Choosing a Fertilizer for Your Vegetable Garden Vegetables grow best in soil that contains 5 percent nitrogen, 10 percent phosphate, and 5 percent potash. The commercial fertilizers list this ratio on their bags, so if you see a fertilizer that’s labeled 5-10-5, then you know you’re buying the right thing. That being said, we do not generally
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Broccoli is a cold-weather plant that does best if planted in early spring for a June crop, or late August/September for a November-December harvest. Broccoli seeds can germinate in as low as 40-degree soil. Your broccoli plants will do best if planted in rich, composted garden beds. After 3 weeks, fertilize by adding compost to
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Best time to water your garden vegetables The best time to give your thirsty garden plants a drink is on a bright, sunny morning. Many people water at night, when they get home from work. Night air plus wet plants in your garden equals susceptibility to disease. If you find that watering just isn’t working
Best Time to Water Your Vegetable Garden, Best Time to Pick Vegetables Read More »