Collard greens are one of the rare leafy greens that can tolerate both hot and cold temperatures. Long after our kale, spinach, and lettuce have bolted to seed, the collard greens will still be going strong! They are also more pest-resistant than the other members of the brassicaceae family.
This fast-growing, cool-season salad green (aka “Rocket”) – often ready to harvest as early as 4 weeks after seeding – adds a tangy, peppery or mustard-like flavor to salads and mesclun mixes. Arugula can be incredibly spicy as the temperature warms up, but sweetens as it cools.
Kale is one of the things we grow the most. Its leaves are very nutritious, containing high levels of vitamins A, B, C, and K and large amounts of fiber, potassium, and calcium. It is also one of the few plants that we can grow all winter long. We plant it in the fall, and it typically grows all the way until the following summer.
We love to grow beets because they’re full of vitamins, and the entire plant can be eaten. The greens from beets are great in salad mixes, and the roots are a sweet, earthy addition to a vegetable juice.
You can grow beans as snap beans, shell beans or dry beans. They are extremely easy to grow and will always be a staple on our garden. We plant new rounds of them every 3 weeks from spring until the end of summer. How to Grow: Bush beans can be planted as soon as the last spring frost has occurred until 10 weeks before first fall frost. In milder climates, bush beans can be planted […]
Aphids are tiny insects that can usually be found in groups on the undersides of leaves and stems. A few aphids can’t do much, but they reproduce quickly, are born pregnant, and can take over a plant in no time at all!
Ants are one of the few critters that can be listed on both the “good” and “bad” list. Generally ants are considered beneficial, but they can truly be a pest as well! Not only can they bite you if you get too close, but they also keep aphids alive and protect them in order to collect their honeydew!
Basil is one of our favorite herbs to cook with in the kitchen. It flourishes in warm weather and is one of the best things to plant alongside your tomatoes. Many people mix various types of basil in their gardens. It is also great for container gardening. Some of our favorite varieties are sweet, thai, lemon, cinnamon, and lettuce leaf.
I walked by this okra and saw it had a lot of flies on it. That gave me a clue in to a potential aphid problem. I also talk about how to handle aphids both manually and with nature’s help.
Ladybugs are great to have in the garden because they eat aphids. These little black bugs you see in the picture are soon to be ladybug dinner. The aphids would destroy the plant if left uncontrolled, but thankfully nature has checks and balances that prevent pests from taking over. Believe it or not, you can actually order ladybugs on Amazon. We ordered 1500 ladybugs in the spring and released a handful of them every night […]
