The Gravenstein apple is one of the earliest—if not the first—apple to ripen in the Northern Hemisphere each year. It comes to harvest as early as late July and early August, a good month or two ahead of most fall-harvest apples. Considered one of the best all-around apples, the Gravenstein has a crisp, slightly acidy
Plantain is a perennial plant, usually a weed. There are two common species of plantain—the broadleaf plantain and the buckthorn plantain. Plantain has thick, egg-shaped, wavy-edged leaves that grow from a ground-hugging rosette. Plantain weed thrives in rich, moist, compacted soil. Plantain grows from seed and from resprouting roots. The leaves are so wide and
The month of May will bring Spring weather to almost all regions of the Northern Hemisphere. May is the time to direct sow warm-weather vegetable seeds in all gardens. Once the last frost is past, vegetable seedlings can go into the garden as well. May planting and transplanting tips Few seeds will germinate if the
August is a month of endings and beginnings in the kitchen garden. In nature, change is about. Summer will begin to fade in many gardens during August giving way to autumn and cool weather. In hot summer regions, heat may continue for several more weeks then give way to warm but not cool temperatures. In
May is the month to get your summer vegetable garden growing in earnest. Warm-season crops can be sown in the garden or transplants set out. The soil in most vegetable gardens in the Northern Hemisphere should now be warm enough for summer crops. If you live where nights can get chilly, keep row covers at
May is the month to get your summer vegetable garden planted and growing. Almost all warm-season crops can either be sown or transplanted into the garden by mid-May. If you live in a short growing season region (Zones 3 to 6) keep crop protecting devices such as row covers and plastic hoop tunnels and
Arugula seedlings Arugula grows best in the cool weather of spring and fall. Arugula is also known as rocket and roquette. The leaves and flowers of arugula resemble those of the radish or turnip. Direct seed arugula in the spring as soon as the soil can be worked or start seed indoors 12 to 8
The average date of the last frost in spring and the number of days in the growing season are important starting points when sowing seed indoors or out. The time to plant seeds in the garden or start seeds indoors depends on the variety of plants and the average date of the last frost in
Soybean seedling Growing soybeans is not difficult. If you pay attention to the soil, sun, and temperature, you can grow soybeans. The vegetable soybean (not the field soybean) can be used like green peas or lima beans or can be dried and used like navy beans or can be sprouted like Mung beans. Soybeans are
Many culinary herbs will attract bees to your garden. Grow herbs and you will get double-duty attracting pollinators and bringing flavorings to the kitchen. Many herbs can be harvested cut-and-come-again, leaves, flowers, and seeds. That means you can enjoy many of these herbs all season without replanting. Bees in the garden are a good thing.
