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Harvest beets when the greens are 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long and the roots are about 2 inches (2.5 cm) in diameter–1 inch for baby beets, up to 3 inches for mature beets. Large beets are not as tender or as flavorful as medium-size or smaller beets. A beetroot should be firm and deep colored.

Sowing: Sow parsnip seeds in spring for autumn harvest; sow seed 2-4 weeks before the last expected frost to 4 weeks after the last frost. In mild-winter regions sow in early summer for winter harvest or in autumn for a spring harvest. Sow seeds ¼-½” (6-13 mm) deep. Parsnips can be slow to germinate—from 5-28

Sowing/Planting: Garlic is grown from cloves taken from garlic bulbs. The cloves are planted like seeds. Seed clove size is important: larger cloves yield bulbs larges than small cloves. Cloves should be chilled in storage at 41°F (5°C) for several months before planting. Garlic prefers short, cool days at the start of growth and long

Sowing: Sow turnips in early spring 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost for a summer harvest. (Sow every 3 weeks until midsummer for a succession of harvests.) Sow 6-8 weeks before the first expected frost in autumn for an autumn and winter harvest. Sow seeds ½” (13 mm) deep. Seeds will germinate in 3-10

Crops that are relatively drought tolerant are best for containers or gardens where water is not easily accessible. Water-wise crops are a good choice for balconies, rooftops, and patios. All crops need water to grow—especially when first planted and until they are well-established. The best course is to keep the soil just moist—not too wet

Vegetables and herbs generally prefer sun, but some crops can tolerate shade and are good choices for balcony or patio container gardens that fall in shade most of the day. Leafy crops are commonly the best choice for shade gardens; they crops have large surfaces for photosynthesis. Fruiting crops such as tomatoes and peppers demand

Bio-degradable pots and trays for seed starting. It is easy to grow your own plants from seed. By starting your own seedlings you can choose from hundreds of varieties that are not available in garden centers. The cost of plants will be far less than those sold in nurseries. You can also have transplants ready

Organizing seeds for the growing season Starting plants from seed can be challenging and satisfying. You will save money—starting your own seed is much less expensive than buying transplants—and you can choose from a greater number of varieties than you will ever find in a garden center. But growing from seed requires time, space, and

Cherokee Purple is known for its complex flavor. Tomato flavor is a balance of acid and sugar recognized by the tongue and the effect of volatile compounds within the fruit that cause aroma recognized by the nose. Simply put, the human perception of tomato flavor involves the integration of taste and smell. Tomato flavor is

Bitter melon is a favorite in Asian and Southeast Asian cooking. It can be stuffed with pork or shrimp and steamed or pickled or curried and served with meat or in soup. Bitter melons are—as their name suggests–a bitter and mouth-puckering acquired taste—something like the acquired taste of a grapefruit or very dark chocolate. The