Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) is a herb that earns its keep. Hardy in zones 3 to 10, it wants full sun and rich, moist soil. Perennial clump that returns yearly – divide every 3 years. Snip leaves; eat the purple flowers too. Get those basics right and the plant does the rest. What follows is the … Read more

If you grow one vegetable this year, make it zucchini. Known to botanists as Cucurbita pepo, it suits zones 3 through 11 and goes from planting to harvest in roughly 45 to 60 days. Remember this and you are most of the way there: one or two plants feed a family – harvest at 6-8 … Read more

Of all the fruits you can grow, grape (Vitis spp.) is one of the most rewarding. It thrives in USDA zones 4 to 10, asks for full sun, and once established, it feeds you for years with little fuss. The short version of success: prune hard every winter – grapes fruit on new wood. choose … Read more

Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) is a flower that earns its keep. Hardy in zones 3 to 11, it wants full sun and poor to average soil. Thrives on neglect – rich soil and fertilizer give leaves instead of flowers. Self-sows freely. Get those basics right and the plant does the rest. What follows is the complete … Read more

If you grow one herb this year, make it dill. Known to botanists as Anethum graveolens, it suits zones 3 through 11 and goes from planting to harvest in roughly 40 to 60 days. Remember this and you are most of the way there: sow where it will grow – dill hates transplanting. self-sows freely, … Read more

Of all the vegetables you can grow, cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is one of the most rewarding. It thrives in USDA zones 3 to 11, asks for full sun, and goes from planting to harvest in roughly 50 to 70 days. The short version of success: direct sow after soil reaches 70f; cucumbers resent root disturbance, … Read more

Raspberry (Rubus idaeus) is a fruit that earns its keep. Hardy in zones 3 to 9, it wants full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Summer-bearers fruit on second-year canes; everbearing types give a fall crop on first-year canes. Trellis or contain – canes spread. Get those basics right and the plant does the rest. What … Read more

If you grow one flower this year, make it zinnia. Known to botanists as Zinnia elegans, it suits zones 3 through 11 and goes from planting to harvest in roughly 60 to 70 days. Remember this and you are most of the way there: cut-and-come-again – the more you cut, the more it blooms. water … Read more

Of all the herbs you can grow, parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is one of the most rewarding. It thrives in USDA zones 4 to 10, asks for full sun to part shade, and goes from planting to harvest in roughly 70 to 90 days. The short version of success: slow to germinate – soak seeds overnight. … Read more

Jalapeno Pepper (Capsicum annuum) is a vegetable that earns its keep. Hardy in zones 4 to 11, it wants full sun and warm, fertile, well-drained soil. Start early indoors – hot peppers are slower than bells. Harvest green for mild heat, red for full heat and sweetness. Get those basics right and the plant does … Read more

If you grow one fruit this year, make it blueberry. Known to botanists as Vaccinium corymbosum, it suits zones 3 through 9 and once established, it feeds you for years with little fuss. Remember this and you are most of the way there: test your soil – blueberries demand acidity; amend with sulfur and peat. … Read more

Of all the flowers you can grow, sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is one of the most rewarding. It thrives in USDA zones 3 to 11, asks for full sun, and goes from planting to harvest in roughly 70 to 90 days. The short version of success: sow directly – sunflowers dislike transplanting. stagger sowings every 2 … Read more