Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are called happy, cheerful flowers. Perhaps it’s because young plants are heliotropic, with sunflower buds tracking the sun from east to west during the day. Once mature, they remain facing east, greeting the sun in the early morning and attracting bees. They bring height, color, and character to flower gardens with a […]
Best Seeds for Flower Gardens Featuring Sunflowers Read More »
There is a moment in mid-August when every hour spent hauling water, pulling weeds, and pinching suckers before and after work, every day of the week, makes complete sense. For me this year, it was when I cut into my first Virginia Sweet. I’ve never had a beefsteak variety that grew so large, was so
The Best Vendor for Heirloom Tomato Seeds Read More »
With five domesticated species in the genus Capsicum and 22 wild cultivars, an estimated 5,000 or more pepper varietals are available. For new gardeners or anyone new to growing peppers, this number could cause a freeze response: How do you decide what to grow? Naturally, start with tried-and-true advice from someone with pepper-growing experience who
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As an avid gardener, I have tried my share of different seed companies. Some were wonderful while others were a bit more disappointing. Still, it’s always a good idea to break out of your routine and try something new. After several of my gardening friends suggested I look at two companies, Ferry-Morse and Back to
I grew up in a household that planted a garden every year, so gardening isn’t completely new to me. But after a few years away from it, I wanted to refresh my knowledge before starting a garden of my own. I decided to compare two seed brands I’d been seeing frequently: Ferry-Morse and Epic Gardening.
Ferry-Morse vs Epic Gardening: Which Seed Brand is the Right Choice for You? Read More »
Every winter, I pull out the box of leftover seed packets and discover that I remembered planting season much more clearly in June than I do in January. There is usually an opened packet of basil tucked inside another envelope, a tomato variety with four or five seeds left, and more beans than I could
Old Seeds vs Fresh Seeds: How Long Do Garden Seeds Really Last? Read More »
The first time your tray of seedlings starts looking bad, it’s easy to make the problem worse by trying to fix everything at once. I’ve moved a tray closer to the light, watered it, opened a window for air, and then decided it needed fertilizer, all in the same afternoon. By the next morning, I
Why Are My Seedlings Dying? A Beginner’s Troubleshooting Guide Read More »
The spring I finally got serious about a vegetable garden, I stood in front of a seed rack at Tractor Supply holding Big Beef tomatoes in one hand and Kentucky Wonder pole beans in the other, trying to calculate how many hills I could fit. I bought both. I also came home with zinnias I
Where To Buy Garden Seeds You Can Trust Read More »
I’m sure I’m not the only one who has stood in front of the entire row that magically appeared right next to the entrance of the hardware store, looking at rows upon rows of Ferry-Morse seeds. I have basically been able to find everything I want there as far as basic crops are concerned. But
Ferry Morse vs Baker Creek Read More »
Planning your first real vegetable garden is pure excitement. Right up until you start shopping for seeds and realize there are thousands of options, dozens of seed companies, and a lot of conflicting advice about which brands and varieties are actually worth growing. Occasionally, newbies are persuaded to think that the secret to a productive
A Buyer’s Guide to the Best Seeds for Beginners Read More »
