Sweet potatoes aren’t just for Thanksgiving casseroles—they’re the gift that keeps on giving. Growing slips is just the first part of the journey. The real fun (and reward) begins when you plant those slips and watch them sprawl across your garden, turning into a hidden treasure trove of tasty tubers underground. The first time I…
Hey there, garden friends! 👋 It’s that magical time of year when spring crops like radishes, lettuce, and a bounty of fresh herbs are bursting from the soil. If you’re like me, you don’t just want a harvest—you want a great harvest! So grab your gloves, a cute basket (because why not?), and let’s dive…
Introduction Tomatoes are the stars of the summer garden, but they don’t like to grow alone. Companion planting is one of the easiest and most natural ways to boost tomato growth, improve flavor, and keep pests away—all without relying on chemicals. I’ve tested many companion plants in my Zone 9 garden, and I can tell…
Introduction Transplanting tomatoes is one of the most important steps in growing a healthy, productive tomato plant. Whether you’ve started your seedlings indoors or purchased young plants from a nursery, knowing when and how to transplant them into their final growing space can make all the difference in yield and disease resistance. I’ve been growing…
Pumpkins are one of those crops that make you feel like a real gardener. Maybe it’s their sprawling vines, the way they take over a patch of your yard, or the satisfaction of harvesting a plump, homegrown pumpkin just in time for fall. Whatever it is, I’ve found that growing pumpkins in Zone 9 comes…
When I first embarked on my gardening journey, I quickly discovered that succession planting was one of the most effective strategies for maximizing my garden’s productivity and ensuring a steady supply of fresh produce, no matter the season. Instead of overwhelming myself with a single huge harvest, staggering my plantings allowed me to enjoy continuous…