If you live in climates that stay warm longer than average, you may not have to let go of growing tomatoes quite as soon as you think. The process of layering tomatoes allows you to extend the tomato growing season. In this article we we learn how to root tomato cuttings and layer tomato plants. [Read the rest of this entry...]
Gardening can be expensive, especially for new gardeners who believe every ad and commercial that shows how much they need this product or that. One expense that can be all but eliminated for gardeners of all skill levels is the seed starting pot. With just a few minutes of your time we are going to show you how to make your own newspaper pots for seed starting.
The entire process takes just two basic tools that you already have around the house. By making your own seed starter pots at home you eliminate the need to purchase prefab seed starters from home improvement stores. Even better, if you run out and still need a few more all you have to do is make them up in no time.
Seed saving is a time honored practice and one that anyone interested in sustainable agriculture should become familiar with. While seeds can be saved from nearly any vegetable plant, we often get asked how to save tomato seeds because it is a slightly more involved process than some others.
Depending on the particular variety of tomato, there may be anywhere from dozens to hundreds of seeds in a single mature fruit. You have probably noticed that the seeds are surrounded by a jelly-like substance that most recipes call for removing. With just a few simple steps and a little patience you can save tomato seed from your favorite heirloom tomato plants and grow them year after year.
Tomatoes are the most popular garden plant in the United States, so it comes as no surprise that we get a lot of readers asking how to grow tomatoes from seed. While they do take a little extra care and attention, starting a tomato plant from seed is not anything that requires a lot of specialized training. Here you will learn what you need to know to get those tomato seeds started fast in a few short steps.
If you grow basil, it is quite simple to collect and save basil seed once you get an idea what you are looking for. Because the seeds are tiny they are easily missed, but once you have seen the basil seed itself and gathered it even once you will be able to do it year after year without a problem.
When the basil plant begins to go to seed it will produce attractive long stems of small flowering buds. Pinching these buds off the plant will prolong the growing season, but if you plan to collect basil seed, you’ll need to allow those blooms to stay on the plant undisturbed. Given some time they dry out and turn brown. Though you may be tempted, pinching them off before this stage may result in immature seed that will not germinate properly.