Growing Edibles

Propagating citrus trees from cuttings is not as reliable as budding them, but it is still possible and one of the simpler ways to get the job done, especially for the novice. Be advised that lime...

Experts do not recommend that you try to grown a fig tree from seed; it is possible to do but not without difficulty. Fig trees need to be pollinated, or fertilized to bear fruit. There is a...

Kaffir lime leaves are used in many exotic Asian cooking. The leaves are very aromatic. They're used in cooking just like bay leaves. Kaffir lime tree are not the same with the regular lime tree....

After a long, cold winter, most gardeners eagerly await the sight of new blooms on their fruit trees each spring. But we all know that Mother Nature has a mind of her own. A late spring freeze can...

The Relianace peach tree is a hybrid cultivar that grows and performs well in colder climate than most peach trees will tolerate. It is hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 8 and can survive winter...

Raising vegetables from seeds that the gardener has selected from his own garden, or the gardens of neighbors, family or friends, can be more rewarding than gardening from seeds purchased at a...

When most people think of gardening they picture going out in the spring and planting their crops, then taking care of their plants throughout the summer. If this is how you see your garden,...

Today most grains and other crops are harvested by large tractors and combines. Smaller versions are available, but for the amateur farmer who wants to grow only enough grain for personal use, a...

Strawberries are very good to eat. Picking the right strawberries can be fun but it is important to pick the perfect ones. Otherwise they look bad or have defects to them. Once you know how to...

Black walnut trees are prized for both their timber and their rich nuts. Black walnuts are produced on the tree in the late spring following flowering. They mature on the tree throughout the...

Pomegranate bonsai trees are also known as dwarf pomegranates. As the name suggests, they share much in common with their larger brethren with the exception of size: the fruit, flowers, leaves and...

Collecting your own seeds from this year's harvest will ensure a future crop that you can rely on, based on this year's progress. Replanting your seeds for the following year is economically cost...

Black walnut trees produce their rich nuts encased in several layers of protective coatings. The round outer husk covers a thin layer of black indelible dye which gives way to the hard outer...

It is time to take a new approach to the term "common weed." Instead of seeing these plants as lawn invading monsters, we should look at them for what they truly are: beautiful, delicious and...

The banana passionfruit, or curuba, a close relative of the common passion fruit, is a longer, thinner, yellow version of its cousin but some believe is even sweeter in taste. Passionfruit vines...

Seed potatoes, instead of actual seeds, are used when planting potatoes. The seed potato can be planted whole or cut into pieces, with each piece having at least one eye. Instead of using...

The queen palm tree is native to Brazil and Argentina, but can be grown in the warmest parts of the United States. It is the most popular tree in Florida, with its stately single trunk and large...

It is often a delight for bird watchers to spot birds stopping by a bird feeder in their back yard, but when the feeder is one of your trees and you're watching all the fruit disappear from it,...

Rice is an important staple in the world economy, as well as in most people's diets. Growing your own can be a simple and rewarding process. With a little bit of work and a lot of patience, you...

The pineapple Dracaena plant is tropical and works sufficiently as a house plant, due to its ability to survive with limited sunlight. The moisture needs of these plants varies depending on the...

Avocado trees require a tropical environment such as that found in southern California, Hawaii and Florida. There are some avocado types that are more tolerant of cold, but none survive freezes....

Green pepper seeds need to be started indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost. Only warm weather areas can seed green peppers directly into the garden. Picking green peppers during their...

The loquat tree is a common sight in the southern parts of the United States including Florida, California and Louisiana. It is a mid-sized tree that produces small yellow fruit sometimes called...

Melon plants produce both male and female blossoms on each plant. In order for a watermelon to grow in a garden, a male flower must pollinate a female flower. In standard gardens, this pollination...

The pomegranate tree has a long history, originating in areas that stretch from the Mideast to northern India. It was raised by cultures in Asia, Africa and Europe for centuries, and used in much...

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a shrub or small tree with evergreen leaves and deep red fruit that is similar in appearance to an apple. Bright, red flowers adorn the shrub, making the...

The common beet has something more than a common history. Both the ancient Greeks and Romans grew beets and harvested the leaves for medicinal purposes, with the Romans beginning to cultivate the...

Key limes are native to the Florida Keys, hence the name. They are very small, green fruit that have a sweeter taste than their larger lemon or lime cousins. The fruit is good for garnishing...

Fruits take up less space if grown on trellises or arbors. And because they take up less space, you can grow more plants (and produce more fruit) in your garden. Many gardeners also find it's...

Wheatgrass is one of the easiest plants to grow. All you need is some wheatgrass seed, soil, water, adequate light and proper growing temperatures and you'll be seeing green sprouts pretty...

Before planting pepper seeds, you need to prepare the seedlings so that they grow in optimum conditions. Growing peppers is already a bit complex because these plants are very susceptible to...

Kiwi have aggressive growth rates of up to 15 to 20 feet in one season and can produce up to 300 lbs. of fruit a year. Proper pruning and training of kiwi vines is integral to managing the growth...

Juniper berries have a long history and a number of uses. There are recipes for wild game, wine, medicine and a variety of tinctures. It has also been used to make an herbal salve, or oil, that...

Pumpkins are one of the many delights of the autumn season. They make a delicious addition to muffins and pies, and are nearly entirely edible. The pumpkin flesh is the most commonly used portion,...

Potatoes are a staple in most families. They can be grown in many different kinds of containers in small spaces. I like to grow them in plastic laundry baskets because reasonable space is allowed.

Bell peppers are some of the most common peppers grown because they are used in countless dishes and enjoyed in many cuisines around the world. These sweet peppers are usually found in colors like...

Growing a fruit tree from seed never guarantees the tree will bear fruit, but the process of preparing the seeds and planting them properly improve the chances of a productive plant. Save the...

Mosaic fungus can manifest itself in many ways on your pepper plants, such as wilting leaves or discoloration, and affect the overall health and fruit yield of your botanical. These viruses come...

Banana peppers are also known as banana chiles or yellow wax peppers. Banana peppers are four to six inches long and are yellow and shaped like a banana. They aren't hot like jalapenos, and have a...

The ripe, soft flesh of juicy end-of-season fruits are perfect for picking with the purpose of extracting seeds. Saving them correctly may ensure future generations of the same tasty crop. Fruit...

Celery (Apium graveolens) grows a head of long stocks topped with light green foliage (also edible). It loves composted soil rich in potassium.

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)is a leafy vegetable that produces a head of tightly packed, highly curled leaves. It is best grown in cool climates with weekly rain.

Roma tomatoes are a variety of plum tomato. These fruits are oblong with a grainy inside texture and contain few seeds. The skin of a Roma tomato is very firm when it is ripe. Unlike other...

If you have ever tried to grow chili peppers, maybe you have had the experience of sowing the seeds and waiting for them to sprout and turn into plants (germinate), only to find that they remained...

Cucumbers are among the most popular vegetables for gardeners to grow. Container gardening is possible even for vine crops like cucumbers. Choosing smaller varieties of plants and practicing...

Pruning hot pepper plants helps to ensure a bountiful harvest. When you remove excess leaves or dying appendages, you give the remaining peppers a better chance of thriving because the roots can...

Cucumbers are vitamin-laden, tasty vegetables. If grown properly, your garden will overflow with cucumbers, since they produce throughout the entire growing season. An important part of making...

Pears and apples are some of the most popular fruits for home growing. Their sweet taste is universally appealing, their blossoms are sweet and refreshing, and the trees are among the easiest...

Starting your own peppers indoors gives you the advantage of enjoying them on your dinner table earlier in the season. In harsh climates, indoor germination prevents seed loss from frost heave and...

Brown turkey figs are sweet fruits with pinkish flesh. Originating in Provence, the brown turkey is a staple of California's fig crop. The trees bear fruit twice per season, once off of winter...