Susan's in the Garden

Did you know that it’s super easy to grow lettuce? The seeds are inexpensive which means you can grow a head of lettuce for just a few pennies. And they’re so much fresher than what you find in grocery stores. Latin Name: Lactuca sativa Plant Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae) Cool-season crop Did You Know? Doesn’t it seem crazy that lettuce is […]

If you want to grow artichokes but you live in a cooler climate, you have to be sneaky. Learn how to make the plants develop heads in their first year of growth. Latin Name: Cynara scolymus Plant Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae) Warm-season crop Did You Know? Artichokes are grown as perennials. This means they will return year after year in hardiness […]

Would you like to grow kohlrabi in your garden this year? Find plenty of helpful tips about when to plant some, the spacing, and when to harvest. Use my tip below to keep insects away from your plantings. Latin Name: Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes Plant Family: Brassica (Brassicaceae) Cool-season crop Did You Know? Have you ever seen kohlrabi in the […]

It’s hard to imagine cooking without garlic and if you grow your own, so much the better. To get a large harvest, plant cloves in the fall and harvest the following spring. Latin Name: Allium sativum Plant Family: Onion (Amaryllidaceae) Cool-season crop Did You Know? Garlic has been cultivated for at least 5,000 years. It was primarily grown by many […]

Would you like to grow leeks? My special guide below is sure to give you the best results possible. Latin Name: Allium ameloprasum Plant Family: Onion (Amaryllidaceae) Cool-season crop Did You Know? It’s amazing that a tiny seed can grow into something as large as a leek. These elegant members of the onion family have a milder flavor and can […]

Who wants to grow tomatoes? Probably everybody, right? This detailed guide contains exactly what you need to know in order to be a champion tomato grower! I’ve got plenty of variety suggestions for you, too. Latin Name: Solanum lycopersicum Plant Family: Nightshade (Solanaceae) Warm-season crop Did You Know? The tomato is the most popular crop grown in vegetable gardens. Yet […]

My husband Bill loves to grow peppers every year and has amazing success. He shares his best tips below to help you enjoy growing them in your garden, too. Bill has grown them both in our small hoop house (shown in photo) and out in the garden. Latin Name: Capsicum annuum Plant Family: Nightshade (Solanaceae) Warm-season crop Did You Know? The genus for […]

We grow potatoes every year because they’re such a wonderful addition to our vegetable garden. As you’ll see below, there are a few important steps to follow but they’re well worth it. Latin Name: Solanum tuberosum Plant Family: Nightshade (Solanaceae) Cool-season crop Did You Know? In addition to potassium, potatoes supply us with complex carbohydrates, vitamin C and trace minerals. Types include […]

Would you like to grow tomatillos in this year’s garden? They’re easier than you might think. Just follow my tips below and you’ll be making fresh salsa verde before you know it! Latin Name: Physalis philadelphicaPlant Family: Nightshade (Solanaceae)Warm-season crop Did You Know? Tomatillos are also referred to as Mexican husk tomatoes and are related to ground cherries and the ornamental Chinese […]