It's right about the time when tomato plants look like they're doing something, and we start to see fruit on squash and cucumber plants. Exciting times, gardenerds. All that work is about to pay off. Let's take a moment to enjoy the progress in our gardens, and savor the late spring garden excitement.
As a result of our recent YouTube video about pinching basil, we got a request to do a similar video about growing cilantro and parsley. So we did! Our latest video covers how both of these delicious herbs grow, and how to help keep them from bolting to seed.
This week's guest on the Gardenerd Tip of the Week Podcast is an inspiration in every way. Tasha Powell took her own journey toward growing food, and turned it into the community-led non-profit organization now called Appetite for Change, in North Minneapolis, MN.
When I posted a photo of these Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies on social media, there were a number of requests for the recipe. Bread makers are always looking for ways to use sourdough discard, and this is one of the best. It involves an extra step, but it's worth it.
It's basil season, and to keep your plants growing strong, you need to employ a key garden task: pinching basil. Most gardening books describe how to pinch basil in a way that isn't quite accurate, or at least, not the best way to do it. Our latest video breaks down how and why to pinch basil.
Our guest this week is Lisa Steele of Fresh Eggs Daily. She shares how to keep chickens and a garden at the same time. Listen in and learn more.
Every once in awhile we get a question or comment from a fruit gardener that their citrus fruit tastes terrible. This week, Paul Marini wrote in to Ask Gardenerd with a different question that is related: "I know the Meyer lemon tree is a combination of lemon and mandarin orange. I am pretty sure there are orange branches growing out of the bottom half [of my tree]. Is it OK to leave them on, or should I cut them off?"
Not all days are rosy in the garden, some days it's a mix of sunshine and clouds. This week we celebrate the clouds (pests, failures) as much as the sunshine (successes and progress). If you're feeling defeated, don't give up. Gardening is about learning from failure more often than not. Dust off and try again.
Christy's on fire this week taking about summer squash vs. winter squash after a conversation with a so-called nursery professional. The names of these squashes imply one thing, but the truth may surprise you. Get all the squashy details in this week's YouTube video.
Amanda Thomsen was one of the early bloggers on the gardening scene, and her attitude is best explained by the title of her blog and first book: Kiss My Aster. Amanda is our guest this week on the Gardenerd Tip of the Week Podcast, where she shares her philosophy along with some great tips for garden design, planting success, and more.