The Gardners Path

Cilantro is a great herb addition to any outdoor garden. Not only is it a relatively easy plant to grow outdoors, but it actually boasts two herbs for the price of one. The name cilantro refers to the plant's green stems and flat leaves (which are best eaten fresh) while its other common name, coriander, refers to the seeds, which are used as a common cooking spice, especially in Indian, Middle Eastern, and Asian cuisines. Cilantro is best planted in the early spring and will grow quickly throughout the summer, often yielding its first harvest of leaves within 30 days. Its seeds will be ready for harvest closer to three months from planting. History of Cilantro (Coriander) Cilantro has been used for many centuries in the cooking of Mexico, India, Africa, Spain, Russia, China, many areas of Asia - especially Thailand, and the Middle East. It is thought to be native to North Africa or the Middle East. In addition to its many culinary uses, cilantro seeds were used medicinally, especi...

Growing celery from the base of the stalks is a fun, easy garden project that produces fast results. There are two ways to do it: using just water in a container or planting the base in potting soil. You might get more leaves than stalks when growing celery from its base, and your celery might not be as big as a store-bought bunch. However, there are great ways to use celery leaves in cooking. Not only is garden celery better-tasting than store-bought types, but also it’s less chemically laden. In cool spring and summer regions, plant celery in early spring. In warm spring and summer regions, plant celery in mid to late summer for harvest in late autumn or early winter. Think of them as an herb: They taste like mild celery and work well in soups, stews, and more; some people even use them as a substitute for cilantro. Here’s our advice on sowing, growing, and harvesting celery.  WHAT IS CELERY? Celery is considered both a vegetable and an herb belonging to the genus Apium and the f...

In addition to the satisfaction of cheating the seasons, these herbs make for frugal gardening, since you can start them from seeds rather than buying transplants. Here are five recommended herbs that are ideal for planting outdoors from seeds in early spring. Here is a list of herbs you can grow in April. Basil Chives Coriander Dill Parsley Basil As much as you hear about basil loving the heat (which is very true), it may surprise you that basil does best if started as seeds indoors (6 to 8 weeks before the last frost) and then transplanted outside when the weather permits. In fall, you can take root cuttings and transplant them into indoor pots and continue growing the herb through the winter. Basil will grow best in a location that gets 6 to 8 hours of full sun daily, though it can perform well in partial sun, too. Soil should be moist but well-drained. Basil works great in containers or raised beds, as these allow for better drainage. Basil is normally grown as an annual in USDA Gr...

There are a few spices that grow well in containers right at home, and ginger happens to be one of them. Popular in tasty Asian dishes and in many favorite baked treats, ginger adds zingy flavor to culinary delights of all sorts. And, ginger is super easy to grow in a container. In fact, it’s so easy to grow; you may not be able to stop yourself from running out today to get this simple gardening project started. You can have fresh ginger available to add to your own recipes in no time flat. Ginger has been a useful plant since before historical records even began. It’s believed to originate in India. It’s been a popular spice on the worldwide scale, second only to pepper, throughout time. Moreover, this plant is known for its medicinal properties, having antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. This plant, so appreciated around the world can easily be grown in pots. Here’s how to do this. You need: – fresh ginger root (you find it in supermarkets) – pot – topsoil Ginger r...

If your friendly yucca plants become yellow or may discover black spots on leaves then there may be chances of spoiling the growth of yuccas from blooming flowers. You need not worry as this problem can be easily solved by applying natural fertilizers and by providing sufficient water and sunlight to the plants. The Yucca plant is a perennial shrub in the family of Asparagaceae that is abundantly seen in the Caribbean and American countries. It is a super air-purifying plant and grows well in hot and dry climatic conditions. Plant leaves, stems and roots are poisonous if consumed directly. Though the plant is poisonous it contains powerful antioxidants that help to cure stomach ache, headache, and other skin-related problems in humans. Here in this article, we shared the detailed information related to the yucca plants, growing conditions and how it is helpful in your daily life to lead a happy life. Companion Plants Yucca combination plants include euphorbia, sedum, lilies, sage, rudb...

If you grow only one vegetable other than tomatoes, it should be lettuce. Growing lettuce is so easy, takes up little space, and you can even grow it among flowers. here are a few things to think about when adding lettuce to your garden. Since lettuce is a cool weather plant it’s best to plant them in the spring or fall. You can also do succession planting to be able to have lettuce harvest all season long. To succession plant, you’ll want to plant a few seeds and then a week or two later plant a few more. This way your lettuce will be ready to harvest at different times, so you don’t have a huge harvest of all at once. When to Plant Lettuce is a cool weather plant and does well in most areas when planted in the spring and fall. Lettuce seeds can be started indoors 4-6 weeks before the last spring frost. Lettuce seeds can be direct sown into the garden as soon as the soil can be worked. Lettuce usually grows well at temperatures between 45 and 65 degrees. Hotter weather tends to make l...

There’s nothing quite like the experience of going out into your own backyard and picking fresh fruit right off the tree. But fruit trees can be discouraging to many gardeners who like to see a quick turnaround in yield. Many fruit trees can take years to start bearing fruit, and represent a significant time and space investment in any garden. Some citrus trees can take between six and ten years before you see the first piece of fruit! For those of us that like to see a quicker turnaround from our gardens but still don’t want to give up the idea of fresh fruit, there are several types of fruit trees that will bear fruit fairly quickly. Figs, mulberries, peaches, and even limes can all give you a successful fruit harvest within the first year they are planted when well cared for. The key to getting a quick first harvest from many fruit trees is to purchase grafted stock. Grafting is a technique where a budding stem of one tree is inserted into the rootstock (roots and some portion of th...

Growing Bell Peppers In Containers Peppers are a complete joy to grow if you live in a continuous hot weather climate that is! If you don’t have the space to grow them in a garden, it gets a little trickier, but don’t fret, a pot is all red peppers need to grow! It’s container gardening at it’s finest! After you’ve got your hands on some pepper seeds or a plant from the local nursery, the next step is, yep you guessed it, you need to find a pot! Time to start growing bell peppers! Pots Or Containers : When browsing for suitable pots, make sure its at least 10 inches deep and 10 inches in width. Drainage holes at the bottom are definitely recommended, a pot of this size can easily grow and maintain 2-3 plants. Avoid place pots if you’re already in a hot climate for your plants will attract a little too much sun. Seeds: If you choose a plant from a nursery you can skip to the next section, however, if you simply purchased some seeds you’ll want some seed food or potting mix as well. Fill...

While beets don't look like much on the outside, on the inside they're a vibrant colour. Usually, they're red, but brilliant golden and bright white beets also exist! Whatever variety you plan to grow, homegrown beets can make a delicious addition to recipes or can be made into homemade dehydrated beet chips! You'll be able to grow your best beet crop ever after reading these 6 Great Tips for Growing Beets. 6 Great Tips for Growing Beets 1. Have the right soil. Beets are very particular about the PH of the soil they're planted in. There's a very short range of pH that they thrive in- 6.5-7. They like this pH best because in this range, phosphorus is easily available to them. To make sure you grow great beets, ensure they're in soil with the appropriate pH and that there's already enough phosphorous in their soil. If necessary, you can add phosphorous to the soil via a fertilizer. 2. Provide good space. To ensure your beet crop does well, give each plant ...

Carrots make for a healthy snack, and they are a vegetable that even children can’t wait to get their hands on. If you want to try growing carrots in your garden this year, take a peek below at these helpful growing tips. Below you will find tips for growing carrots in your own garden, so you can enjoy their sweet and crunchy taste all season long. Here is what you need to know! Tips for Growing Carrots in the Garden How to start carrots from seed: When planting carrot seeds, you want to head outdoors about 4 weeks before the final frost of the season. There is no need to wait until the threat of frost has passed. Choose a spot that offers full sun. Be sure when planting your seeds the soil is fine and free from foreign matter. Carrots have deep roots (the vegetable itself), so you want to be sure they have plenty of room to stretch. If anything blocks their way (such as rocks in the soil) their growth could be stunted. When planting, seeds should be placed at least 4 inches apart. Try...

So you don’t have space for an in-ground garden. That’s no reason to give up on growing food at home. You can absolutely grow vegetables in containers! Growing veggies in containers are only a little different from growing in the ground or raised beds. And there are lots of advantages to container gardening. Container gardens do not have to battle weeds, can be placed in any location, and they don’t have to take up very much space. FIVE TIPS FOR GROWING VEGETABLES IN CONTAINERS Here are some tips for getting good results from your veggies grown in pots. CHOOSE AN APPROPRIATELY SIZED CONTAINER. Make sure your container is large enough to provide adequate space for your plant’s roots. The larger the adult plant, the larger the pot. Larger containers mean you’ll have plenty of space for the roots to spread out. Stunted space for root growth leads to stunted plants. Smaller containers will also require more frequent watering and fertilization. CHOOSE AN APPROPRIATE LOCATION The ability to ...

It’s fragrant, fast-growing, green, and compliments fruits, vegetables and meats. It’s also its own ice cream flavour. So what’s not to love about mint? If you’ve ever grown the herb, you know where I’m going with this, but if you haven’t and are interested: read on for the dos and don’ts of successfully growing mint in your home garden or in a container. Like cilantro and basil, mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow; however, its roots, which are called “runners,” are incredibly invasive: they quickly grow, sprouting new leaves and new plants as they go. Mint will overtake a flower bed or garden in no time if you’re not careful. DO When choosing a location for your mint, find one where the plant will receive morning sun and partial afternoon shade. Plant on a patio, in a container. When planting the herb in a flower bed, first submerge a container (either a pot, a mesh bag or edging to at least 5 inches deep), leaving the rim above ground level when potted, so the mint’s fast-growi...

They say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade, but you really should do a whole lot more than that. This little citrus fruit not only offers a multitude of health benefits, but they’re also one of the most alkaline-forming foods on Earth, which makes them great for balancing an acidic body. Lemons were first created as a cross between a lime and a citron. It was the Arabs that first introduced them to the Europeans, and Christopher Columbus himself brought them to the New World during his second voyage in the late 15th century. A few centuries later during the California Gold Rush, lemons were commonly eaten by the miners to protect themselves against scurvy, a disease that results from a lack of vitamin C. While lemons are well known for their high level of vitamin C, they also contain riboflavin, thiamin, iron, magnesium, pantothenic acid, fiber, vitamin B6, potassium, copper, calcium, and folate. EATING LEMONS REGULARLY IS A GREAT WAY TO:  Boost your immune system Keep your...

Ginger is one of the best tremendous and helpful root plants you can purchase, but what if you could own an endless supply grown right at the house? Ginger can be costly to buy, and that's why getting your personal is highly valued. Not only that but growing your ginger guarantees that there are no pesticides or extra unhealthy ingredients. Now we'll tell you how to grow ginger in containers or pots and receive an endless supply! HOW TO GROW GINGER IN CONTAINERS or POTS 1. SOAK THE GINGER Most ginger roots in markets are treated with a germination inhibitor, which limits them from growing. So first, soak your ginger root in water for 24 hours to get rid of that issue. 2. LOOK FOR GROWTH BUDS After having soaked them for 24 hours, bring them out from the water and see for growth shoots. The sprout will begin on the indention of the cover of the root. If your ginger doesn't enhance some buds, place it near a window sill till shoots begin growing. This process may demand for s...

Sweet potatoes are grown in the Southern U.S. They are planted in the springtime by slips of sweet potatoes. Did you know you can harvest a small crop of sweet potatoes with a single sweet potato? You'll need to start this plan with one sweet potato – market-bought is accepted for optimal outcomes, around mid-March. Varieties of Sweet Potatoes : Thre are two types of Sweet potatoes in general: vegetable varieties bred for their delicious roots, and other varieties bred primarily for their ornamental trailing foliage. Both varieties relate to the Ipomoea batata varieties, and both edible and ornamental varieties are relatively easy to grow in containers. HOW TO GROW SWEET POTATOES This whole process is too easier than you might imagine. To get started, look for firm sweet potatoes without any major bad spots. It's more helpful if they haven't been refrigerated. SIX EASY STEPS FROM BEGINNING TO HARVEST… Step 1. Get a sweet potato and leave it in a glass of water almost mid o...

Do you have a few favorite “go-to” herbs? Why not grow them in water and keep them close at hand on the kitchen window sill or right on the counter? Water-grown herbs are just as flavorsome as those you grow in the garden. You don’t have to mess with soil or worry about regular watering or changing seasons. Most herbs will be happy growing in water, but those propagated from cuttings are easier to start in the water. Seed-grown annuals like cilantro, mustard, and dill are a bit tricky because you need to sow the seeds in soil or some other medium and then transfer the seedlings to water. Soil to water transition is not impossible, but it may not always work out because soil-grown roots are a bit different from water roots. WHAT YOU NEED TO GROW HERBS IN WATER WATER For a simple herb stand in the kitchen, you can root herb cuttings in plain water in glass bottles. Avoid using chlorinated water directly as the bleaching chemical is not exactly friendly to plant tissues. Tap water that ha...