Q: I’m confused about the planting zones in NJ. After doing some Googling on the subject and finding various colored maps, I still don’t get it. I live in Hunterdon County and I’ve heard that our state has many sub-zones. Which one are we? Does this mean I should avoid planting certain vegetables at certain times? […]
Hardiness Zones in NJ Read More »
A Shady-Yard Vegetable Garden: Is It Possible? A reader emailed us asking if there was any hope for growing garden vegetables in her shady yard, in which the sun was being blocked out by several mature oak trees. We did some research, and some thinking, and this is what we came up with. If anyone
Growing Vegetables in Shade Read More »
Trying your hand at tomatoes this summer? While some first-time farmers shy away from the seemingly more complicated crops like corn or beans, nearly every newbie is willing to stick a few tomato plants in the ground and hope for the best. If you’ve never grown tomatoes before (or you have but you’re still learning),
Growing Tomatoes in New Jersey: Some Tips for Beginners Read More »
Ever considered planting tomato seeds? Perhaps you’ve grown tomatoes from transplants for a few years now, like we have, and are looking to get a little more experimental and hands-on with your NJ tomato crop. As my NJ gardener pal, Laura, is likely to tell you, growing tomatoes from seed requires a bit of extra
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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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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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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
Broccoli Planting Instructions for NJ Zone 6 Read More »