Quirks
Why Does pH Matter?
You may have heard of soil pH. You may have even heard some people say that they don’t worry about testing the soil; that it is usually okay. That’s often true. But if the soil pH is not okay, how … Continue reading
What Is the Trick to Cilantro?
Knowing how it grows. Cilantro easily grows into a leafy rosette of aromatic fresh flavor that just can’t be replaced by the dried leaves in the grocery spice rack. However, don’t be surprised when the longer days of spring cause … Continue reading
Tomato Quirks
Sometimes a tomato doesn’t turn out looking like you’d expect. Here are some odd things you might see that are caused by neither insects nor diseases. Bizarrely shaped fruit. Also called catfacing, this has nothing do with cats; the word describes … Continue reading
The Secret Life of Broccoli
A closer look at how broccoli develops will help you grow perfect heads. Broccoli is temperature sensitive. When plants sit exposed to cold below 40 degrees for a week or two, they suffer chilling injury. This triggers heads to form … Continue reading
Surgery for Squash Vine Borers
When squash vines suddenly collapse, it’s may be the work of squash vine borers. You can read about them in our pest ID section. If you find that borers are at work, here is a last ditch technique to perhaps … Continue reading
Plant Tomatoes Deep, Deep, Deep
Each Bonnie tomato label urges you to plant tomatoes so that a full 2/3 of the plant is underground. That means that if you buy a 10-inch tall plant, all but the top three inches is buried. Why? Because the … Continue reading
Conquer Blossom End Rot
When tomatoes, peppers, melons, and eggplant develop a sunken, rotten spot on the end of the fruit, the cause came long before you found the problem. It’s called blossom end rot, and here is why it happens. Vegetables need calcium … Continue reading
