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As a crop that's fed humanity since prehistoric times, turnips deserve more respect in our modern gardens--and in our kitchens. No other vegetable gives you the choice between supernutritious greens […]

In a perfect growing season, 1 inch of gentle rain falls each week. Gardeners dream of such a season, but plants know better than to expect perfect weather. In response [...]

Starting your seedlings indoors, or purchasing greenhouse-grown transplants from your local garden store, can give you a head start that will add weeks to your growing season. This practice can […]

The trouble with crows is that they are so smart. Captive crows have proven capable of learning to mimic the human voice, match symbols with numbers and solve simple puzzles. [...]

Rosemary imparts a refreshing, resinous flavor to a variety of foods, savory and sweet, as well as to herbal teas. It contains so many antioxidants that it has historically been [...]

Thyme pleases people in so many ways it should be no surprise that more than 300 types have come into cultivation. The thymes preferred by cooks, broadly categorized as English [...]

The most delicately flavored member of the onion family, chives have been hardy garden plants and tasty kitchen staples for more than 5,000 years. Regular (or 'fine') chives (Allium schoenoprasum), [...]

Asemitropical member of the hibiscus family, okra (.Abelmoschus esculentus) produces edible flowers, greens, pods and seeds. Some folks even roast the meatier seeds for a coffee substitute! Okra grows best [...]

Two of the easiest-to-grow crops in the cabbage family, kale and collard greens are closely related, super-nutritious veggies that have similar cultural requirements. You can grow quick crops of kale [...]

Myths about Sweet William are debunked. It is really a perennial, day-neutral flower that does not need a lot of watering. It is a hardy plant that originated in Russia and needs less protection than many other flowers. Tips on growing Sweet William, and sources are given.

In almost any climate, the best time to start most tomato seeds is six to eight weeks before your average last spring frost. (You can find your frost dates at [...]

How do I get rid of stink bugs? My house is full of brown marmorated stink bugs, and they're in my garden, as well! I understand your frustration. For the [...]

Warning: Do not bring compost into your garden from outside sources unless you're certain it was made from herbicide-free materials! We've been reporting since 2008 on the U.S. Environmental Protection [...]

I'm ready to garden! What are the best crops for me to grow in my first garden? To guarantee the success of your first garden, stick with the easy vegetables [...]

Potatoes aren't the only terrific tuber out there. Native to central North America, Jerusalem artichokes (Helianthus tuberosus)--often called by the more modern name 'sunchokes'--grow so well they can become invasive, [...]

True or False: In conventional food production systems, all pesticides are applied to a plant's exterior. Therefore, washing fruits and vegetables before you eat them is sure to reduce your [...]

I will be starting my new organic garden in the clay dirt of South Carolina. Should I get earthworms to help the soil? Any recommendations? Brenda Powell Mount Pleasant, South [...]

Imagine you're a young turkey being raised in an enormous, enclosed barn during a chilly Minnesota spring. You're fed processed corn and soy products laced with synthetic vitamins. You never [...]

Last year, I used a steam canner for preserving produce. I've heard that the U.S. Department of Agriculture doesn't consider steam canners safe, however--is that true? An atmospheric steam canner [...]

I've heard that compost accelerators speed up composting and result in better compost. Are these claims true? Most independent studies have concluded that those products aren't worth the expense. The [...]

Rats and mice do more damage inside our homes than any other mammal in the world. They spoil food, spread diseases and chew essential parts of the home such as [...]

How people ever figured out that mushrooms could be enjoyed at the table is amazing considering poisonous species far outnumber delectable edibles. But they did. Egyptian hieroglyphics depict mushrooms as [...]

What would A julep be without the mint? Or a creamy Middle Eastern raita? The many uses of mint (Mentha) range from making our favorite drinks and dishes, settling upset [...]

Native to North Africa and western Asia, marjoram (Origanum majorana) is sometimes called 'knotted' marjoram because the tiny white flowers emerge from knot-shaped buds. You can use this flower characteristic [...]

Taking time in spring to build fertility and loosen soil will set you up for a more productive year. First, a few weeks before you plan to plant, work in [...]

The common culinary sage, Salvia officinalis, is one of the oldest cultivated herbs in the world. In ancient Europe and China, and later in North America, it was used as [...]

Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) is really two herbs in one. The leaves, called cilantro or Chinese parsley, impart a musky, citruslike (some even say 'soapy') flavor to Mexican, Chinese and Thai [...]

Fresh basil may well be the signature herb of summer, perfuming our gardens and flavoring our foods with its delightful clovelike essence. Historically, basil has been associated with emotions ranging [...]

I want to start my own vegetable seedlings this year. Will I need special light bulbs? Suitable supplemental lighting is better for starting seeds than the light coming through most [...]

A new study from Harvard University has concluded that systemic neonicotinoid pesticides contribute to honeybee colony collapse disorder (CCD), which has claimed billions of bees since it was first identified [...]

Every summer, I find being outdoors after dusk impossible because of mosquitoes. Which trap should I use to control them? Several synthetic and organic pesticides will poison mosquitoes on contact, [...]

Pesticides and other chemicals in food are a threat to people of all ages, but a batch of recent studies shows that children and expectant mothers pay the highest price [...]