Row covers, floating row covers, garden blankets, and shade cloth are made from varying weights of synthetic materials and are used to protect plants. Heavyweight rows covers and garden blankets or quilts are used to protect plants from cold temperatures, chilling winds, and frosts–most often in late autumn, winter, and early spring. Lightweight floating rows
Vegetable crop yields and the number of vegetable plants to grow for each person in your household will help you estimate the space needed for a home vegetable garden. Crop yield estimates and consumption predictions are largely base on experience. Keeping a food log and garden record can help you hone your vegetable garden needs
Harvest potatoes young or mature. Mature, full-size potatoes are called maincrop potatoes. Maincrop potatoes are often cured and stored for later use. Maincrop potatoes are ready for harvest when most of the top foliage has withered Small, round, immature potatoes are often called “new potatoes.” New potatoes are usually eaten skin and all. New or
Harvested sweet potatoes Harvest sweet potatoes as soon as they are big enough to eat—usually when the ends of the vines begin to turn yellow. Harvest sweet potatoes before the vines are touched by frost. Frost can damage the tubers below. When to Harvest Sweet Potatoes Most sweet potato varieties are ready to harvest 95
Pumpkin seedling Pumpkins are a tender, warm-weather crop. Pumpkins are a type of winter squash—grown through the summer for harvest in the fall. Sow pumpkins indoors 3 to 2 weeks before the last expected frost in spring the transplant them into the garden after all danger of frost has passed.Sow pumpkins outdoors when the soil
Radicchio grows best in the cool weather of spring and fall. Radicchio has a lettuce-like head that colors to a deep rosy red as the weather grows cold in autumn or winter. The slightly bitter taste of radicchio sweetens with cooler day temperatures. When to Plant Radicchio Direct seed radicchio in the spring as soon
Radish seedlings Radish is a cool-season crop. Radishes are best grown in spring and fall. Direct sow radishes in the garden 6 to 3 weeks before the last frost in spring. Sow succession crops every 3 weeks after. Growing tip: Shorter and cooler days result in radishes with rounder roots. For mild and tender roots
Rhubarb seedling Rhubarb is a perennial plant grown for its leaf stalks. Rhubarb grows best in regions where the ground freezes each winter. Winter chill results in rhubarb plants with thick stems and red color. Rhubarb is not productive in areas with very hot summers.Rhubarb is commonly grown from root divisions called “crowns”, not from
Rutabaga is tasty served mashed with butter, cream, and spices. Sauté rutabaga in butter with apples and brown sugar, or dice and add rutabaga to vegetable soups and stews. Rutabaga harvest comes from late summer to early spring. How to Choose Rutabaga Rutabagas are a cool-weather vegetable and taste best after the first frost. They
Spinach is a cool-weather crop that grows best when the daytime temperature remains consistently below 75°F–commonly in spring or fall. Young plants will bolt when exposed to temperatures below 40°F, but mature plants can withstand temperatures as low as 20°F. Spinach is ready for picking in about 40 days; for a continuous harvest, sow spinach
