Vegetables, herbs, sowing, harvest, food-growing methods and home food preservation.
Quick answer: Build raised beds no wider than 120 cm (4 ft) so you can reach the middle from both sides, and at least 25–30 cm (10–12 in) deep. A 1.2 × 2.4 m (4 × 8 ft) bed at that depth takes roughly 750–900 litres (1–1.2 cubic yards) of soil. Site it in six…
Quick answer: The best raised bed crops are the ones with shallow roots and a short season. Lettuce, spinach, chard, arugula, carrots, radishes, beets, kale, snap peas, bush beans, garlic and scallions all thrive. A standard 1.2 × 2.4 m (4 × 8 ft) bed holds 32 lettuce heads, 350 radishes or 128 garlic cloves.…
Quick answer: Most herbs grow well in a container garden if they get at least 6 hours of sun, well-draining soil, and a pot of at least 3–5 liters (1–1.3 gallons) per plant. Group herbs by water needs rather than by flavor — Mediterranean herbs like rosemary and thyme in one pot, thirstier herbs like…
Quick answer: Grow carrots by sowing seed directly 1–2 cm (1/2–3/4 in) deep into deep, stone-free, free-draining soil once it reaches 7 °C (45 °F), with rows 25–30 cm (10–12 in) apart. Seed takes 10–21 days to emerge, so keep the surface evenly moist. Thin to 4–6 cm (11/2–21/2 in) and cover the bed with…
Quick answer: Dry sturdy herbs like rosemary, thyme and sage by air-drying or in an oven at 95–120°F (35–50°C) until they crumble — stored well, they hold their flavor for 8–12 months. Freeze soft herbs like basil, parsley and dill whole or chopped in an airtight container at 0°F (-18°C) or below, where they keep…
Quick answer: Plant onion sets once the soil has warmed to around 50°F (10°C), pushing each bulb into loose soil so the tip sits level with the surface, spaced 4–6 in (10–15 cm) apart. Water evenly, stop feeding nitrogen once bulbs start to swell, and harvest when about half the tops have yellowed and flopped…
Quick answer: Most microgreens are ready to harvest 7–21 days after sowing. Sow seed thickly into moist seed compost or a growing mat, keep it dark and damp for 3–5 days until it germinates, then move the tray into bright light and water from below until the first true leaves appear.
Quick answer: Sow courgette (zucchini) seeds indoors 3–4 weeks before your last frost, or direct-sow outdoors once the soil has warmed to at least 15°C (60°F). Space plants 75–100 cm (30–40 in) apart in rich, well-drained soil in full sun. Water deeply and consistently, and start picking fruit at 15–20 cm (6–8 in) long, about…
Quick answer: Yellow leaves on a tomato plant are usually caused by natural aging of the lowest leaves, inconsistent watering, or a nutrient shortfall — most often nitrogen or magnesium. Check where the yellowing sits and how it’s shaped: a few old leaves at the bottom is normal, while yellowing that spreads fast, shows up…
Quick answer: Greenhouse tomatoes grow faster and yield more than outdoor plants, but the enclosed space changes the rules. Keep daytime temperatures around 20–26°C (68–79°F), nights no lower than 13–15°C (55–59°F) if you can help it, water evenly at soil level, vent the structure the moment it heats up, and hand-pollinate the flower trusses since…