Growing Techniques

Garden Fundamentals

Tomato Quirks

Sometimes a tomato doesn’t turn out looking like you’d expect. Here are some tomato quirks you might see that are caused by neither insects nor diseases — and what (if anything) to do about them.

Garden Fundamentals

Surgery for Squash Vine Borers

Surgery for squash vine borers is the last line of defense when borers have invaded your squash plants. Here is a simple description of how to remove them.

Garden Fundamentals

Planting Tomatoes Step-by-Step

Perhaps more than any other vegetable, tomatoes depend on proper planting so they can provide you with loads of fruit throughout the summer. Before you plan, check out our step-by-step instructions ...

Garden Fundamentals

Planting Squash Step-by-Step

Planting squash is easy. Just follow these simple steps to give your plants a solid start.

Garden Fundamentals

Planting Peppers Step-by-Step

Planting peppers in your garden, whether you plant in ground, in raised beds, or in containers, is easy with our step-by-step instructions.

Garden Fundamentals

Plant Tomatoes Deep, Deep, Deep

Each Bonnie tomato label urges you to plant tomatoes deep, 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 to four inches is buried. Why? Because the plant will have a better, stronger root system. Better roots mean better tomatoes.

Garden Fundamentals

Should You Stake Pepper Plants?

It's often a good idea to stake pepper plants. Although many peppers are strong plants that do a good job at holding themselves upright, sometimes they need a little help — especially toward the end of the season. If you live in an area in which the growing season is long, peppers tend to grow taller (sometimes three or more feet) than they would otherwise.

Garden Fundamentals

Let Cucumbers Climb

Instead of letting vines trail along the ground, let your cucumbers climb. Trellised cucumbers are easier to pick and less susceptible to disease.

Garden Fundamentals

Learn Tomato Growing Terms

There are a lot of tomato growing terms, from determinate and indeterminate to hybrid and heirloom. What do they all mean? Learn here.

Garden Fundamentals

For Early Tomatoes, Try This

Several gardening strategies will help you achieve early tomatoes. Planting early-maturing varieties is one way, but try these tricks for early tomatoes, too.

Garden Fundamentals

Conquer Blossom End Rot

If you see a black, sunken spot on the end of your tomatoes, you've got blossom end rot. Learn what causes blossom end rot and ways to prevent it.

Garden Fundamentals

Collard Country

Bonnie Plants' home in Union Springs, Alabama, is in an area also known as Collard Country. Let us give you a brief history, some tips, and benefits of collard greens.