Growing long white leeks is probably the most rewarding prize for any passionate gardener, but there are so many tricks to get to grips with that knowing how to grow big leeks can feel more than a little overwhelming. The first time I grew leeks I was at university, with my first allotment. After seven…
To prune or not to prune? This is the question many gardeners ask themselves when it comes to cherry tomatoes. Some don’t touch them at all, others prune them diligently, and there’s no right or wrong way to do it. Cherry tomatoes are a different kind of beast – and they really do grow into beasts – so I personally prefer pruning just to keep them under control.
Rutabaga, or Swede (swedish turnip) – as it’s known in most parts of the world – is a close cousin of turnips and part of the brassica family. It’s sometimes difficult to get this vegetable to a decent size because so many things can go wrong – starting the seeds at the wrong time of…
Every year, home gardeners toss away tons of old spent compost because, well, they just don’t know what to do with it. Did it go bad after just one year? Can it be saved and refreshed? Buying fresh compost or potting soil is always more satisfying, but not necessary, and definitely not cheap. If you’re…
We’ve all been there before – the weather is finally improving, the garden is bursting with new growth and all is well, except – what is that? Why is your lettuce turning into a small tree? If you’re growing lettuce for the first time and wondering why it’s getting so tall, you’re in the right…
You may have heard all the buzz surrounding coco coir and its new role in horticulture. Many are finding success using coco coir as a soilless growing medium in hydroponic systems, and home gardeners and farmers are catching on. Coco coir is starting to rival peat moss as a favorite growing medium for our treasured…