Fruit & Vegetable Gardening

Summer and winter squashes such as zucchini, crookneck, butternut, and pumpkin are all long-time favorites, but another unique variety is spaghetti squash. Ready to harvest in early fall through winter, (around 50 days after the fruit set), spaghetti squash can be turned into noodle-like strings when cooked. To be able to do this though, you … Read more

Flea beetles are a common pest for potato growers. These tiny insects can cause major damage to potato plants if left unchecked. Here is a comprehensive guide on identifying, preventing, and controlling flea beetles in potato crops. What are Flea Beetles? Flea beetles are small insects, around 1.5 to 2.5 mm in length. They are … Read more

Please note: if you click product links in this article, FigCommons.com may earn a commission on purchases you make. Learn more by reading our disclosure. Protecting your fig trees from birds can save endless frustration, since birds can easily decimate a very large portion of your season’s fig crop. There are a couple of main … Read more

Verbena is a popular flowering plant known for its showy clusters of colorful blooms With its mounding growth habit and tolerance for heat and drought, it makes an excellent addition to garden beds, borders, and containers When planting verbena, consideration should be given to selecting appropriate companion plants that will enhance the visual appeal, growth, … Read more

After moving to the farm we decided to design and build our dream garden, doing all of the labor ourselves. It has been an adventure, and we’re anxiously awaiting completion of the project and being able to put plants in the ground this spring. My wife Sherry and I moved back to the family farm … Read more

Planting onion sets or slips in autumn has some distinct advantages and is much like planting garlicor shallots. But success isnt always guaranteed. Timing, along with your specific growing zone, and choosing the right onion variety all make a difference between big, flavorful bulbs and small bulbs or ones that fail to develop. This guide … Read more

Dogs are notorious for getting their snouts into things they shouldn’t. Besides their dog food, they’ll happily snuffle and scarf up anything they come across, from litter on the sidewalk to the newly planted flower bulbs in your garden. And while some of the stuff your pooch comes across is just gross, other items can … Read more

It’s true, the skin color is tempting, though deceptive, because skin color often turns the color of maturity 4+ weeks before maturity is reached— though honeynut, with her built-in ripeness indicator below, is a fabulous exception! She is finally ripe once all the green has turned a deep pumpkin-y caramel color. Most winter squash skins … Read more

For zucchini and squash, companion planting—placing certain vegetables, fruits, and herbs next to each other in your raised garden bed or soil plot to enhance their growth—is just as beneficial as it is for other food crops. In companion planting, different plants help one another in different ways, either by offering protection from pests, amplifying … Read more

Sugar baby watermelons are a beloved fruit for gardeners to grow. Their compact size and sweet flavor make them perfect for smaller spaces. But knowing exactly when to pick these petite melons can be a challenge. Harvesting too early means you’ll miss out on peak sweetness and juice. Wait too long and you risk the … Read more