With brightly colored flowers and a lovely fragrance Phlox is a summer wildflower, an essential item in any garden. Whether used as a ground cover or towering perennial, evergreen or deciduous, phlox comes in an overwhelming array of colors, heights, forms and blooming times. Perhaps best of all, it’s a terrific companion plant. In shades of blue, white and pink, for example, they tone down hot yellows and oranges and buddy up to other cool-coloured perennials. With such a wide range of phlox available, there’s one for most garden situations, from dry to moist soils, in full sun to full shade. Choose the variety that fits your garden space and enjoy its gorgeous star-shaped blossoms all summer long. Read on to learn how to plant, grow and care for phlox.
Varieties
Different varieties of phlox serve different needs in the garden. Your local garden center or nursery can advise you on which species grow best in your area. All species of phlox produce flowers in a wide range of colors including white, pink, red, lavender and blue. Garden and meadow phlox are perfect for garden borders, since they grow quite wide and tall. Low-growing phlox varieties are perfect to use as ground cover in shady areas, especially as many are mildew-resistant.
Location
Although Phlox are low maintenance flowers that do well in most locations, most varieties will prefer full sun, but some are tolerant of partial or filtered shade. Find a location that works for the variety you have chosen. Keep in mind that Phlox grown in the shade often produce fewer flowers and they are also at increased risk for contracting a disease, so if you choose to plant phlox in the shade, look for a variety that is mildew-resistant.
Planting
Phlox plants prefer rich, porous soil with a layer of organic mulch. When watering, avoid wetting the foliage — a practice that spreads disease.If the area is wet, but not soaking, it should be fine for growing phlox.
You can plant phlox outdoors after all signs of frost have passed. Dig holes 6 to 24 inches apart depending on the species you are growing. You need to space shorter phlox varieties 6 to 12 inches apart, and taller species 12 to 24 inches apart. The holes should be twice as wide as the plants’ root balls] Set the phlox plants into the holes and pat soil around their bases. Water the phlox after planting.
Care
Keep phlox well watered throughout the growing season, from the base of the plant, rather than from the top. Avoid getting their leaves wet to decrease the chances that mold and mildew will form on the plants. Use well-rounded plant fertilizer which contains 10 percent nitrogen, 10 percent phosphate and 10 percent potash. Repeat a second application of the fertilizer when the plants are flowering.
Beautiful 2-lipped tubular flowers with intense color, each with 5 lobes – that’s what makes lobelias one of the most popular and most beautiful garden plants.
Lobelia is a genus of flowering plants comprising 415 species primarily found in tropical to warm temperate regions of the world, but in cooler climates as well. We know lobelia as an attractive annual herb with many varieties, all coming in different attractive colors. It is a beautiful addition to any garden. The best part about lobelias is that they are so easy to grow and care for! If you are mesmerized by their beauty and want to have them in your garden then you are at the right place as we are going to share everything you need to know on how to grow and care for lobelia.
Lobelia is an easy growing, versatile herb you can plant freely in your garden, use as a border, in hanging baskets, containers. ground covers etc. The one thing you should have in mind before choosing your lobelia variety is it’s mature height which is important for choosing the perfect planting location. L. inflata(Indian tobacco), L. cardinalis (Cardinal flower), and L. siphilitica are the most common varieties for home gardening.
One of the most popular varieties of lobelia is called Indian tobacco and this is because Native Americans once smoked lobelia plant to treat asthma. Another name for lobelia is pukeweed because it was once prescribed the plant to induce vomiting. We have to warn you though that the plant is poisonous so don’t try this at home.
Planting & Fertilizing
When choosing the perfect planting location for your lobelia, have in mind that almost every variety prefers partial shade, although they can grow quite nicely in full sun as well. As for the soil, make sure it is nutrient rich and well hydrated. Offer a water soluble fertilizer each month for best results.
Watering
Watering is important for lobelia’s blooming. Soil should be kept moist constantly. Water annuals with 1 1/2 inches of water per week while perennials less frequently but deeply. However, you should allow the top soil to dry between waterings.
Pruning
Another great thing about lobelias is that they are self-cleaning plants that don’t require removing of faded flowers like many other annuals. But when the first blooming season is over it is best to prune the stems which will encourage the production of new blooms.
Annual Lobelia
If you want to grow annual lobelia out of seeds then all you need to do is spread the seeds on top of the soil and water thoroughly then place them in a warm, light place. In a week or two, when the seeds start popping out, you can start thinning them out. When there is no fear of frost anymore and your plants are around 2-3 inches tall it is time to transplant them in the garden, ideally 4-6 inches apart.
Perenial Lobelia
During winter you should provide pine needles mulch to protect the root system. This is for perennial varieties of course. You can also cut back perennial lobelias to just above ground level after blooming has ceased. As for the annual varieties, pull them out and discard them once heavy frost kills them in autumn.
Rosemary is a fragrant evergreen herb native to the Mediterranean, with a wonderful smell that is often associated with good food and great time. It is also good for your health; it contains substances that are useful for stimulating the immune system, increasing circulation, and improving digestion.
Rosemary also contains anti-inflammatory compounds that may make it useful for reducing the severity of asthma attacks. The name rosemary derives from the Latin ros meaning “dew” and marinus meaning “sea” – “sea dew.” Rosemary’s leaves look like flat pine-tree needles, deep green in color on top while silver-white on their underside. There are many varieties of rosemary, each with slightly different properties. Some grow very bushy and tall, while others tend to trail; some have purple or blue flowers, some white. Grown from either plants or seeds, rosemary is an outstanding perennial performer in any herb garden. Plants can be brought indoors to overwinter in colder zones. Rosemary is also ideal for a rock garden or the top of a dry wall. You can even train rosemary into topiary shapes and the plants are tolerant of salt spray, making them a good choice for pots on the beach.
Propagation
Rosemary is easiest to grow from a cutting, rather than planting seeds. You can get cuttings preferably in late spring, from your local nursery, or even better find a rosemary plant you admire and clip off a few 4 inch pieces to propagate. You have to place each cutting into a small pot of soil filled with two-thirds coarse sand and one-third peat moss. Set the pot in a sunny place, but not in direct sunlight. Water the cuttings regularly and keep in a warm spot until the roots form, which should take about three weeks.
Planting
You can plant the rosemary either in pots or outdoors in your garden, as Rosemary will adapt to most growing conditions and is quite hardy. It will grow its best, in a warm to hot, fairly dry climate. If planting in the garden, choose soil that drains well. Rosemary can suffer from root rot in waterlogged soil.
Care
Rosemary prefers a drier soil, so don’t overdo the watering. It will be happy with the average garden watering. This is not a herb that needs fertilizer. However, make sure that there is some lime in the soil.
Rosemary prefers a drier soil, so don’t overdo the watering. It will be happy with the average garden watering. This is not a herb that needs fertilizer. However, make sure that there is some lime in the soil.
Since rosemary is evergreen, you can harvest it all year round, by picking rosemary leaves as needed. You can also freeze rosemary by placing it in food storage bags and storing in the freezer. Otherwise, strip the leaves from the stems and store in airtight jars. Stored this way, rosemary will slowly dry and will keep for several months.
How to use Rosemary
You can put Rosemary to both sweet and savory dishes. Use it to add depth to meat and chicken, bread or butter. Rosemary can be dried and made into scented drawer sachets, used as in ingredient in homemade soap or turned into fragranced water that makes your hair shiny and soft.
Prevention is the key to healthy plants in your gardens. Whether we are talking about veggies, fruits, flowers or herbs taking a proper care for them can prevent all kinds of diseases.
Using fertilizers, keeping a good air circulation around plants are just some of the basic steps to taking a good care for your plants. However, all kinds of insects and fungus can still damage your plants and if this happens then you must use some pest control. We all know that the market offers different kinds of pest control, but we also know that most of these sprays and solutions are expensive. Surprisingly enough you don’t need them to keep away pests – all you need are some simple ingredients you already have in your kitchen to prepare your own homemade natural garden pest control! Here are some useful, effective, cheap and incredibly easy solutions we totally love and recommend…
Garlic Spray
Want to get rid of those awful cutworms, wireworms, whiteflies, and slugs? Mix one pint of water with 1/4 cup of dish liquid , 2 teaspoons of paraffin and 6 tablespoons of chopped garlic. So easy yet so effective – garlic sprays are your best friends when pest control is in question.
Black Spot Spray
one tablespoon bicarbonate soda
4.5 liters of watter
1 tbs oil spray concentrate (you can make one by mixing 500ml vegetable oil with 1/2 cup of dishwasher soap or any liquid soap)
Combine the ingredients and mix well. Spray your plants on weekly basis to prevent black spots.
All-Purpose Natural Insect Pest Spray
one garlic bulb
one small onion
one teaspoon cayenne pepper dissolved in one quart of water
one teaspoon liquid dish soap
Grind the garlic and onion then add the dissolved cayenne pepper. Leave the solution for 1 hour then strain it through cheesecloth. Add 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap and mix well. Now you are ready to spray your plants! Do it thoroughly – including the leaves. You can store the solution in the fridge for up to one week.
Spearmint-Hot Pepper-Horseradish Spray
1/2 cup of hot red peppers
water
1/2 cup of fresh spearmint
1/2 cup horseradish
2 tablespoons of liquid detergent
1/2 cup green onion tops
Mix all the ingredients (without the detergent) with enough water to cover everything. Then add extra half gallon of water and the detergent. This is a concentrate – to use it mix 1/2 gallon of this solution with 1/2 gallon of water.
Skim Milk Solution
Here is another great way to fight fungus and prevent black spots and mildew. It is pretty simple – just mix one half skim milk with one half water and spray on the foliage. It is best to do the spraying in the morning so the leaves can dry on the sunlight.
Citrus Spray
Lemons and oranges are natural repellents for white flies. Get 2 cups of orange or lemon peels and add them to 4 cups of boiling water. Remove from heat, cover and let it cool. Strain and use – can’t get any easier and cheaper!
Tomato Leaves Spray
Tomato leaves are poisonous so we are warning ahead not to use this spray on food bearing plants! Now, to make this effective pest control spray crash some tomato leaves and soak them into water. Leave for couple of days then stray the mixture. Spray plants to protect them from grasshoppers and white flies.
Onion Scraps Bug Spray
All you have to do is save your onion peels. ends and skins and keep them in the fridge until you have a full zip lock bag. Place them in a pot and fill with warm water. Leave it for couple of days – to a week, then strain and store in a spray bottle. This is one of the best ways fight aphids and pests naturally.
Chile Powder
Most of the natural garden pests are already in your kitchen but you just don’t know how to use them. Take chile powder – the hot pepper that is part of it will keep away moles, voles, mice and squirrels. Sprinkle some on the bulbs and leaves, but also on the soil to keep cats and dogs from digging around the plants.
Salt Spray
Chewing insects, spider mites, cabbage worms, caterpillars – they will all stay away from your plants if you use this simple salt solution. Mix 2 tbs salt with 1.5 gallons warm water. Let it dissolve, cool to room temperature and voila – your spray is ready to use.
Smart gardening means doing our best to reduce our footprint in today’s pollution and improve the health of our family and our planet. This is why including herbs and vegetables in your garden is very important. But this doesn’t mean we must sacrifice any beauty and fragrance. In fact, perfumed plants can encourage beneficial insects to the garden and improve pollination. Gardens should delight all the senses. They should look beautiful, include tasty produce and smell gorgeous. So make sure you add fragrant plants in your garden. Here are some of the best scented flowers that will transform your backyard into a fragrant paradise…
Lavender
French lavender (Lavandula dentata) flowers from autumn right through until late spring, producing masses of perfumed flower spikes on a plant about one meter tall. Plant as a hedge for colour and fragrance for much of the year.
Jasmine
A fragrant evergreen climber, jasmine flowers profusely throughout spring and then produces batches of scented blooms on and off during the summer months.
Freesia
Bursting through the soil from late winter and flowering right throughout spring, leave a few freesias in the garden year after year. When left to naturalise, the sweetly scented flowers will keep blooming each spring, giving you a better display every year.
Tuberose
If you’re a gardener who loves scent, you’ll flip for tuberose. This bulb produces tall flower spikes with numerous tubular blooms and a fragrance that is rich, sultry and seductive.
Roses
Praised for their rich colors and luxurious shapes with a subtle aroma that varies among species, there are over 100 different species. Roses requires a lot of sunlight, frequent pruning and fertilization, but their beauty, complexity, and complexity, and intoxicating fragrance are extremely rewarding.
Daffodils
With all the easy grow traits of daffodils only much more fragrant, are ideal in pots where their perfume can be brought straight to your door. And they are just as popular indoors as cut flowers. Place a bunch in the bathroom for a constant supply of spring fragrance.
Syringa or Lilac
A cool climate favorite, lilac is a star-shaped reddish purple flower which appear in large dramatic clusters in early spring. The scent is spicy sweet,the essence of spring.
Philadelphus or Mock Orange
With the strong smell of orange blossom, hence their common name of mock orange, are frost hardy and easy to grow in sun or light shade. Flowering from late spring throughout early summer, the profusion of white blooms fills the garden with their glorious aroma.
Boronia
A fragrant Australian native, boronia produces its famed perfume not from the flowers but from the foliage. They prefer constantly moist, free-draining soil. Cut for use in a vase inside, they flower from spring through summer.
Stock or Matthiola incana
A brilliantly scented annual flowering from late winter through spring, stock -Mathiola incana is an excellent cut flower which is best collected from your garden first thing in the morning. Varying in height from 15cm right up to around 90cm, there is a variety of stock for each situation. Sow seed in January and February in warm climates and from September to December in cooler areas for flowers next spring
Wisteria
With a delicate sweet perfume, wisterias help to create an outdoor scene that’s ideal for outdoor entertaining in spring. Deciduous, wisterias create a canopy of shade from the summer sun, while allowing the winter sun to penetrate and warm the area, giving you the best of every season.
Hyacinths
Great in pots or on a windowsill in a bulb vase, hyacinths come in a variety of colors, each has a slightly different fragrance, much like individual roses, so you’ll have to grow a few to find your favorite.
Growing your own vegetables is so rewarding. You have total control of the process and can be certain that what you eat is healthy and safe. And it is easy if you know what, when and where to sow!
Most veggies are easy to grow even by beginners. Of course, different vegetables require different conditions. This is why you should plan the sowing and growing carefully. To make things easier for you, we are sharing useful tips on how to sow and grow the most popular vegetables out there.
Usually the sowing of the vegetables starts when the weather gets warmer which is around March, depending on the climate and the year of course. It is probably the best to wait for April especially if you are sowing for the first time. For those who want to sow outside, in the garden choosing the right vegetables is very important. Try carrots, turnips, beetroot, lettuces, rocket, radishes, broccoli, calabrese, cauliflower, kale, brussels sprouts, leeks, leaf beet and spring onions. If you have weeds, than sowing in pots and trays is a smarter choice. March/April is the perfect time to sow brassica crops, lettuces, leeks, beans and peas. If you have a greenhouse consider summer salads, French beans and herbs.
When May comes the weather is already nice and warm and you can sow lots of vegetables. If you have already done the job in March/April your veggies might have already started to grow so prepare for weeding! Besides the crops we have mentioned for the previous two months, for outside sowing you can add herbs, summer salads, fennel and sweetcorn(only if the weather and soil are warm). If you can place your trays and pots somewhere warm you can sow courgettes, squashes, cucumbers and melons this month as well.
June is the last month to sow summer crops. Keep your courgettes, squashes, cucumbers and melons in pots and trays and add some oriental salads (mizuna, mibuna, mustard greens etc) to your garden.
July and August are the months when your vegetables will grow the most. They will need plenty of sunshine. but also enough rain to grow perfectly. This doesn’t mean you should stop sowing! Now is the time to start sowing vegetables for the winter and the beginning of the next year. For outside, sow winter radishes and swedes, oriental greens (mizuna, mibuna, komatsuna, mustard greens etc) and turnip greens, spring cabbage (from late July), bunching and spring onions.
The last sowing can be done in September/October. These includes winter salads and greens in the ground, bunching onions and broad beans and hardy peas. Also it is time to think about protecting your crops over the winter.
The end of the year is for tidying up your garden and getting it ready for the new year. You can still plant garlic outside just make sure you choose the biggest cloves. And don’t forget composting!
Before deciding which vegetables to choose and when to start sowing check out our easy “Sow What?” guide that includes when to start indoors and move outside the most popular plants for sowing in Spring:
This stunning small deciduous tree from the family Aceraceae that origins from Japan is a beautiful ornamental tree that grows a height of 1.5 up to 3 m in height. The Japanese maples brings color and texture to every garden with it’s its beautiful leaves that have deep notches, and are noted for their bright orange-red, red, red wine and red autumn colors, which are located on a beautiful wide canopy. If you are enchanted by this beautiful tree and desperately want to have it on your garden there are some basic things you should know first. Our short guide on planting and caring for your Japanese maple will surely help you have a beautiful and healthy plant in your garden, Just browse through our useful tips to learn everything you need to know. And don’t worry – growing Japanese maples is quite easy!
Planting, Watering and Fertilizing
Plant your young Japanese maple plant in a semi shaded location. Older plans can tolerate sun without a problem. However, have in mind that you should avoid planting your maple in full sun. Japanese maples don’t like wet, soggy soil. Don’t over water your plant. Sometimes even rainfall is enough. During summer water your maple on weekly basis. Water the roots – do not sprinkle the leaves as sunshine will cause scorched marks on them. Fertilize only in spring using a low nitrogen fertilizer.
Growing a Japanese Maple in Container
If you want to plant and grow your Japanese maple in a container – just choose a smaller variety and you are good to go. Try varieties like Butterfly, Hoshi kuzu, Red Dragon, Pixie or Waterfall. Choosing a good container is also important. The rootball to fit comfortably inside and the pot should also provide good drainage. Allow soil to dry between watering. Water only when soil feels dry or just slightly moist and cool. You should also pay attention to the soil type – it should be a well draining soil. A container Japanese maple should be fertilized weekly through spring and mid summer with a half strength liquid fertilizer. Stop fertilizing after July.
Winter Care
Japanese maples are deciduous trees and they go dormant during winter. This allows the plant to rest. In colder climates you should protect your plant, especially if it is grown in a pot. Bury larger pots in the ground over winter if possible, or keep them in an area that is protected from cold. If your plant is grown in the ground cover with mulch over the roots, just keep the mulch no closer than four inches from the trunk.
Pruning
If you want to prune your Japanese maple then do it selectively. This way you can prune anytime of the year. However, winter and summer are the seasons when pruning a Japanese maple is the easiest. Why winter? When the leaves are gone you can easily see the branch structure and make the right cuts. Summer pruning on the other hand stimulates less growth so you can get away with a little more and the tree will stay thinned out longer. Never remove more than one-fifth of a Japanese maple’s crown to avoid stress and unsightly growth.
Japanese Garden
Maples are a must have plant if you want to design a Japanese garden. If you seek inspiration for a Japanese garden design or just want to admire some beautiful old Japanese maple specimens explore the Portland Japanese Garden located within Washington Park in the west hills of Portland, Oregon, USA. Experience peace, harmony, and tranquility and witness the beauty of extraordinary Japanese maples…
It is said that you are what you eat, meaning healthy food will make you healthier and happier. We live in a modern world, always rushing somewhere, living on fast food and coffee, caught in computers, so, we kind of forgetting how important is to eat healthy and live without stress. Between the busy working and studying schedules we just grab something to eat, chips, chocolate, some lame sandwich, forgetting that is much better for us and our organism to get an apple, orange juice or salad. It is a fact that you and your family must eat healthy, your diet should be rich in vitamins and fresh product. And the best way for that is to grow your own, and if you have a garden or yard, now is the right time to do it.
Growing vegetables is one of oldest agriculture tradition and you need to practice it. Eating product fresh from your garden, not only that is beneficial for you, but it is also good for the nature and environment. A perfectly ripe, juicy tomato, still warm from the sun. Sweet carrots and potatoes, pulled from the garden minutes (or even seconds!) before they’re eaten. The freshest onions or pepper that don’t even need to be cook. A vegetable garden is like having your own market, but with extra fresh and healthy products. Growing your own vegetables is one of those activities that balances practicality and indulgence. Vegetables start losing nutrients as soon as they’re harvested, and quality diminishes as sugars are turned into starches. For the tastiest veggies with the best nutrition, try growing a few of these nutrient-dense foods in your own garden. To be honest, gardening does require work, but by learning a few basic skills and techniques, you can make your vegetable gardening experience a pleasant one. If you need help choosing the kind, here are few we warmly recommend to plant in your garden. Tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, spring onions, potatoes and peas don’t need a lot of care and work, but for sure they are delicious and you want then on your table, right after you harvest them from the garden.
10 Easy to Grow Vegetables
Carrots
Carrots is a root vegetable, usually orange in color and it is an awesome addition to salad, soups, stews and roasting meat, but you just take bite from a fresh one, because it is so tasty and healthy. To grow carrots in your garden all you need to do is finding a plot of soil that is free from rocks and deep enough to handle this root vegetable. Carrots are ready for harvest when their tops breach the soil line. If you don’t have a garden, you can plant them in a deeper pot and leave it on the balcony.
Spring Onions
Spring onions are easy vegetables to grow in your garden, or sow them directly into the ground throughout the summer for a succession of crunchy, colorful crops. Select an open area in your garden that receives plenty of sunlight. It has a relatively mild onion flavor, and it can be raw or cooked. You can add it in your salads, soups or dips. If you don’t have space just plant the in a pot.
Potatoes
There is no person in the world who doesn’t love potato, cooked, fried, in a salad, baked or mashed, it is so delicious, and yet so easy to grow in your garden. Plant potatoes during late February and March. Dig straight, shallow trenches, 2 to 3 feet apart, in prepared soil. Plant seed potatoes 12 inches apart and cover with about 3 inches of soil. When the shoots reach 10 to 12 inches tall, use a hoe or shovel to scoop soil from between rows and mound it against the plants, burying the stems halfway. Repeat as needed through the growing season to keep the tubers covered. This is a simple, inexpensive, and proven method that farmers have used for millennia.
Peas
It is a cool season crop grown in many parts of the world; planting can take place from winter to early summer depending on location. Sow them directly into the ground from March to June and look forward to the incredible sweet flavor of fresh picked peas from June to August. All they require is support for their stems – simply erect some chicken wire or netting between supports at each end of the row. You’ll be amazed at how good fresh peas taste and use them for a side dish, tasty stew or as a salad addition.
Tomatoes
With a little water and a lot of sun, tomato plants will grow and fruit all summer long in your garden so you can have them fresh for your favorite salad or pizza! Most people prefer to buy starter plants from nurseries or home improvement stores, which is an easy, time-saving way to start. Tomatoes are fragrant and nutrient-rich and you can use them in so many dishes, salad and sauces.
Lettuce
Nothing beats the taste of a crunchy and fresh lettuce with some olive oil and lemon, so tasty and so healthy, the perfect salad. Lettuce is so easy to grow, takes up little space, and you can even grow it among flowers. Lettuce grows for many weeks in the mild weather of spring and fall. Give lettuce fertile, well-drained, moist soil with plenty of rich organic matter.
Beets
We just love beats – they are earthy, sweet and delicious! You can even eat the greens – try baby ones raw in a salad or cook the more mature ones. Beets are low in calories and filled with Vitamin B, folate and betanin, a phytochemical that’s thought to bolster immunity. And what is best about beets is that you can easily grow them in your garden. They grow quickly and you can choose from different varieties. As a cool season crop, they can survive frost and almost freezing temperatures. Plant them in a soil with pH higher than 6 and have in mind that good nutrition and a high phosphorus level to germinate. Keep the soil moist. Early crop can be planted in March/April, and late crop anytime from June to September.
Radish
This super fast crop grows in cooler climates or in light shade. It takes only 28 days to get a crunchy crop! Radishes are perfect for new gardeners. Just plant them 4-6 weeks before the average date of last frost, after aged manure or organic fertilizer has been worked into soil. When the radish seedlings are about two inches tall, thin the plants to three-inch spacings.Water in moderation.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are easy to grow and even beginners can try them out in their garden. All you need to do is follow some simple rules like making sure you provide thim with enough space so they can stretch their roots because they can easily sprawl. You can plant them once all the danger of frost is gone as they are tropical vegetables and like warm climates. To avoid bitter tasting cucumber make sure you keep them hydrated, mulch them with organic mulch, give them sunlight and good soil and enjoy their sweet freshness.
Spinach
Do we even need to talk about the benefits of spinach? Filled with iron it is a wonderful addition to salads, soups and many many delicious dishes. Another great thing about spinach – it is so easy to grow in your garden! Start sowing seeds as soon as possible in spring as spinach is a cool weather crop. Make sure the soil is moist and nitrogen-rich. In 6 to 8 weeks you can start harvesting from any plant that has at least six leaves 3 to 4 inches long. Carefully cutting the outside leaves will extend the plants’ productivity, particularly with fall crops.
Varieties 
