Also known as “spring mix,” mesclun is a blend of a number of different varieties of leafy vegetables that are first to sprout early in the season, sometimes mixed with flavorful herbs like sorrel, fennel, cilantro, and chives. Going for the gold has its appeal in certain circles, but as a diehard vegetable gardener, I prefer to go for the green. Or, more accurately, the greens. And one way I like to conveniently and inexpensively enjoy quite a few homegrown leafy vegetables at the peak of freshness, long before most other types of produce are ready for picking, is by growing mesclun....

You probably recognize celosia for its use in dried wreaths and as cut flowers in floral arrangements. Deep red is the most common color, like the ‘Arrabona Red’ variety that comes in bold red-orange color. Other vibrant colors such as purple, yellow, and pink celosia flower varieties have also gained popularity in recent years. They make a great focal point for any garden. This annual plant has a velvety, ruffled form that is often compared to a cockscomb, or even a brain....

We all like to hear stuff like “I love you”, “You mean a lot to me”, “I’m glad to have you in my life”, “You make my life better/easier”, etc. However, these sentences can sound meaningless or empty if they are not followed by appropriate actions – acta, non verba, as the old Latin proverb goes. And although there are a million “better” ways to show your loved ones that you care about them, in this article, we will focus on giving gifts....

For some reason, many new gardeners think that herbs are hard to grow. Well, if you’re new to it, then I have some great news for you! There are lots of easy herbs to grow, so you’ll have plenty to choose from. If you’re on the hunt for the absolute easiest herbs to grow in your garden, then this list is perfect for you! You might even be surprised to find that some that you thought would be difficult are on this list....

If you are one of those people who love to have plants in and around your house, then we have some awesome Houseplant Buying Tips to make sure you save money, get good deals, and end up buying the right plant for yourself! Here are the most spectacular houseplants you can grow Important Points to Consider Before Buying Houseplants Before buying houseplant ask yourself the following basic questions: How bright the location of your home is?...

If you want to add colors to your garden, pick one of these stunning Trees with Purple Flowers! Here are the most stunning vines with white flowers Trees with Purple Flowers Some trees on this list may not have pure purple blooms. 1. Jacaranda Tree Botanical Name: Jacaranda mimosifolia This tropical tree displays clusters of aromatic purple panicle flowers. Its arching branches create a beautiful canopy. Find out the best vines with purple flowers here 2....

Lantanas are some of the best plants that do well in full sun, are drought-tolerant, and thrive even if you neglect them for a long time. Here are the best Types of Lantanas for a splash of color in your garden with minimum maintenance! Get the best Lantana growing tips here Types of Lantana 1. Trailing Lantana Botanical Name: Lantana montevidensis As the name suggests, this variety has a trailing growth pattern and can grow up to 12-18 inches in height....

Looking for plants that can add a touch of bling to your interior? These Golden Houseplants are a perfect way to take a break from the common green foliage plants and introduce glam in your home. Here are some stunning red indoor plants you can grow Gorgeous Golden Houseplants The real golden color is not available in the plant world, but the leaves of these golden houseplants have a color or streak of gold and yellowish shade....

Here are some of the best Plants You Can Grow in Your Indoor Water Garden. They are easy to maintain, demand less attention, and are the best options for small spaces. Have a look at some awesome Indoor Water Garden ideas here Plants You Can Grow in Your Indoor Water Garden 1. Mosaic Plant Botanical Name: Ludwigia sedioides The mosaic plant offers a circular rosette of diamond-shaped leaves coiled outward upon the water’s surface in a mosaic form....

These Container Gardening Arrangements can make your entryway, patio, balcony, rooftop, and backyard stand out dramatically! Check out these arrangements that we have put together, keeping in mind their low-maintenance nature! Have a look at some fantastic plant combination ideas here Best Container Gardening Arrangements 1. Backyard Urn Planter What You’ll Need Petunia Purple Fountain Grass Sweet Caroline Jet Black Lobelia Creeping Jenny This classic urn relies on two contrasting shades, pink and purple, to liven up the space it’s placed....

Houseplants help you relax and sleep better by absorbing CO2 and increasing oxygen levels in the indoor air. Here are some Awesome Indoor Plant Bedroom Pictures to inspire you into growing these green little friends! Have a look at some best bedroom plants for clean air here Awesome Indoor Plant Bedroom Pictures 1. Small Bedroom with Monstera and other Potted Plants 2. Fern by the Bedside 3. Plants on the Bedroom Windowsill 4....

Diverse and delicious, from small-headed early maturing types to large, late season winter varieties there’s a cabbage variety out there to suit each gardener. Let’s learn a bit more about the different types of cabbage and our favorites for growing in the garden. If you’ve decided to plant cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) in your garden this season, one of the first decisions you’re going to need to make is which variety to choose....

QUESTION: In seed catalogs and product descriptions for tomato plants, I see lots of grape tomatoes and cherry tomatoes. I’m not sure which of these smaller tomato varieties to choose. What is the difference between cherry tomatoes and grape tomatoes? — Elise V. ANSWER: The two plants are similar enough that you can substitute cherry tomatoes for grape tomatoes (or vice versa) in most recipes. Due to the differences in size and shape, grape tomatoes should not be substituted for cherry tomatoes in recipes where the tomatoes are stuffed....

One interesting wild yam species is Dioscorea japonica, also known as Yamaimo. It’s a Japanese wild yam with high value in Japanese cuisine. Similar to the Chinese yam, it’s known as the Japanese cinnamon vine, distinguishing it from the Chinese cinnamon vine. Their common names are often used interchangeably. Table of Contents It stands out among other yam species because it’s one of the few that’s eaten raw. It’s also cold-hardy, differentiating it from Chinese yam, or cinnamon vine....

There are many herbs that you can use to add flavor to your salads and stews! Keeping that in mind, we have combined an exclusive List of Cooking Herbs that are going to come in handy while you prepare your favorite recipe! 1. Parsley USDA Zone: 4-9 Botanical Name: Petroselinum crispum Common Names: Peterselie, Prezzemolo, Peterselie, Persilja Growing Requirements: Full sun to partial shade, evenly moist, mildly acidic soil, feeding with slow-release fertilizer before and during planting, seeds started indoors...

Grafted tomatoes: Here are the claims made by companies that sell grafted tomatoes: Bigger, stronger, and more vigourous plants! Excellent resistance to soilborne diseases (like Bacterial Wilt, Fusarium Wilt, and Verticillium Wilt)! Larger yield and longer harvest season! But, what’s the truth? I turned to Andrew Meffert, tomato expert and the senior trial Technician at Johnny’s Selected Seeds in Winslow, Maine, to set the record straight on grafted tomatoes. Johnny’s has been carrying grafted tomatoes for professional growers for almost a decade and Andrew has been running the trials on these plants for the past six years....

USDA Zones— 5 – 11 Difficulty— Easy Other names — Phaseolus vulgaris var. pinto (Scientific Name)Frijol pinto, Speckled bean, Poroto frutilla, Strawberry bean, Carioca bean, Mottled bean, Phaseolus vulgaris and Common beans. Pinto beans are annual plants that grow best in areas with long hot summers as they take three to five months to mature for harvest. How to Grow Pinto Beans Varieties Pinto beans grow on both vine (pole) and bush....

Salsa verde I freeze salsa portions in jars and enjoy it throughout the winter. It’s delicious served over chicken and fish, and I especially like adding spoonfuls to tacos! Ingredients About 10 to 12 medium-sized tomatillos (roughly the size of a plum or a golf ball – use more if they’re small) * 1 small hot pepper if you like a bit of spice * 1 to 2 cloves of minced garlic (I use a fine grater to grate it right into the food processor) * 1 tbsp of lime juice * 2 teaspoons of liquid honey * a pinch of salt * 2 to 4 green onions, thinly sliced, or fresh chives (optional) * Fresh cilantro (optional) Mixing it together Remove the husks from your tomatillos and give them a rinse to remove the sticky coating and any debris....

QUESTION: How do you grow big cabbage? Is there particular variety I need to plant? -Kari R. ANSWER: Growing big cabbage heads takes a bit of extra effort and time, but growing a giant cabbage takes some serious focus. If you are trying to break the record, your goal is to grow a cabbage head that is just over 138.25 pounds, as that is the size of the largest cabbage ever grown, which was cultivated by Scott Robb, a farmer from Alaska....

One of the challenges new gardeners face is how to determine how much sunlight an area gets. The best way to figure it out is to measure hours of sunlight in your garden, and create a garden sun chart. Don’t worry, it’s easy. In this post, I’m going to show you exactly how to determine the sun exposure in your garden. People ask me for plant recommendations all the time, it’s probably the most common questions I get from gardeners....