There’s Sumthin’ About These Pumpkins
I grew Rouge Vif D’Etampes (aka: "Cinderella") French heirloom pumpkins the first time both for Halloween and for fall squash dishes (pie!). Here are my notes.
Sweet Corn and Summer’s Last Hurrah
Summer is gone, but the sweet corn isn't. Cool(ish), wet weather helped make the sweetest, plumpest corn of the season ready in the garden in mid-October.
Orb Weaver (Araneus diadematus) in Action
Orb weavers are common garden spiders. The females grow quite large - 2 inches or more across, Males only half that. In the autumn they mate. Then she eats him.
How to Make an Easy Compost Turning Tool
Got a small compost pile that’s a bit of work to turn? Here’s a simple tool you can put together in a couple of minutes that’ll make it easy to do.
Rubber Rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa)
Rubber rabbitbrush is a tough, drought tolerant plant native to the U.S. west from Canada to Mexico. In autumn it puts on a show of yellow flowers bee's love.
Don’t Toss Those Pepper Plants!
Summer might have ended, but that doesn’t mean your peppers have to. Here's how to easily overwinter pepper plants and have fresh peppers again next spring!
Root Beer Plant (Piper auritum)
A lush Central/South American native Piper auritum has root beer scented leaves and a peppery-licorice flavor. Also known as Mexican pepperleaf or hoja santa
The best zucchini varieties for home gardens
We grew three different heirloom zucchini varieties and rated them based on space, productivity, and flavor to find the best combo for our home vegetable garden
Vegetable Garden Trials: Carbon Black Heirloom Tomatoes
Two thirds of the way through the growing season, Carbon Black Heirloom Tomatoes have been a standout for the size and quantity of the tomatoes they produce
Recipe: Old Fashioned Ketchup (c. 1915)
Wonder how classic, homemade American ketchup tastes? It tastes like awesome! If you've got a few tomatoes, here's a simple, delicious ketchup recipe from 1915.