Plants for a Windy Balcony or Roof

The perfect thing about cauliflower is that the size of the head is no indicator of quality. Big heads or small snack-sized heads–as long as they are fresh–will be equally tasty. Cauliflower is best harvested in late spring or fall when temperatures are moderate to cool. How to Choose Cauliflower Select heads of cauliflower that

Cut off the top of your pumpkin, scoop out the seed, carve a face in the flesh, place a candle inside, and replace the top. That is the story of Jack-o’-Lantern. Well, not quite. Actually, Jack—so the legend goes—was a rather lazy though crafty farmer. He made his way through life less by farming than

Endive and escarole are cool-season crops. They can be grown in early spring and in fall. Sow endive and escarole seeds directly in the garden 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost in spring. To set out transplants start seeds indoors 4 to 5 weeks before transplanting. Set transplants in the garden 4 weeks

Shepherd’s purse Shepherd’s Purse is a cool-weather annual that is commonly found in lawns, gardens, orchards, vineyards, and along roadsides. It is also called lady’s purse and pepper plant. Shepherd’s purse is a member of the Brassicaceae or mustard family and so will grow easily where mustard grows. The young leaves of shepherd’s purse, like

Olives grow best where summers are long, hot, and humidity is low. They are easy to grow and care for. There are dozens of olive varieties, the fruit varying slightly in size, shape, and flavor. Olives are too bitter to eat raw. They are either cured for table serving or pressed for cooking oil. The

Artichokes grow best in areas of long mild winters and cool summers. Artichokes do not grow well where the summers are very hot, and where winters are cold and the ground freezes, artichokes must be replanted each year. Perennial artichokes should be cut back to about 12 inches in winter and the roots and crown