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The cultivar that I prefer to grow is Red Russian Kale, mostly due to the beautiful coloration on the stem — a light, pinkish-red hue that paints a stark contrast with the green leaves. It’s a cheap seed to get as well. Kale Microgreens Quick Info Flavor: fresh, milder than most other brassicas. Soak – No Rinse / Drain – No Germination – 2-3 days Ideal Harvest – 8-12 days You can either watch the full grow-along video or follow the step-by-step guide....

Do you love Thai cuisine? If you do, then you’re probably aware of the elements that go into a good Thai curry. And you can grow an essential ingredient in your own garden. If you’re into stir fries, and tangy lime zest, try growing a kaffir lime tree! Table of Contents Although these trees are native to tropical southeast Asia, it’s very easy to cultivate them outside that region. With a little shifting in the colder seasons, you’ll have kaffir lime all year round....

Luscious, delicious leeks! They’re on every fine chef’s menu somewhere. In the UK, they’re a staple part of the daily diet, and they appear heavily in Asian cuisine as well. Leeks are found in the most elegant dishes and at the finest restaurants. Table of Contents But they’re also in the finest of gardens, too. Today, we look at the leek, explore some of the diversity of this allium, and learn the best way to cultivate these culinary delights....

Picking out a bag of potting soil at your local garden center can be a bit overwhelming for the first-time gardener. If you’re trying to start seeds for the very first time, rows of regular potting soil, organic seed starting mix, and other potting soils may seem overwhelming. It’s obvious they have different uses, but what are those uses, and which one do you need for your project? Understanding the difference between seed starting mix vs....

One interesting wild yam species is Dioscorea japonica, also known as Yamaimo. It’s a Japanese wild yam with high value in Japanese cuisine. Similar to the Chinese yam, it’s known as the Japanese cinnamon vine, distinguishing it from the Chinese cinnamon vine. Their common names are often used interchangeably. Table of Contents It stands out among other yam species because it’s one of the few that’s eaten raw. It’s also cold-hardy, differentiating it from Chinese yam, or cinnamon vine....

Pistachios have exploded in popularity, becoming one of the most convenient and irresistible healthy snacks. Unfortunately, a bag of healthy convenience comes with a high price tag. If your pistachio cravings are weighing heavy on your wallet, growing pistachios may be an excellent option! A fully mature tree can produce anywhere from 20-50 lbs of pistachios. Pistachios can be stored for up to a year, so you will never have to buy pistachios from the store again....

Anyone who has a fireplace or wood stove knows the difficulty of preparing their firewood for winter use. But there’s a wealth of options out there for turning stumps into logs or kindling. I’ll delve into the details of log splitters and see what option may be the best for your home! Table of Contents Best Slide-Hammer Splitter: Woodeze 5MH-S-SplitterBest Manual Splitter: Sun Joe LJ10MBest Electric Splitter: Boss Industrial ES7T20Best Gas-Powered Splitter: Boss Industrial GD16T21Best Large Hydraulic Splitter: Swisher LSRB87528 How To Choose The Best Log Splitter There are two different types of force that are used for splitting logs....

It’s difficult to know where your seeds come from…unless you buy them from a seed company that’s devoted to organic and heirloom practices. The seed companies below offer non-GMO, heirloom, organic, and open-pollinated seeds. Click on the map below to jump to your state. Table of Contents A few states have no seed companies listed – I couldn’t find any companies for those states! If you like this resource, spread the heirloom and organic love by sharing it!...

The St Johns wort plant is a useful garden shrub providing multi-season visual interest in garden design, especially from early summer to fall when its bright yellow flowers bring cheeriness to a shady corner. St. John’s wort may be one of the most adaptive plants you will come across in horticulture, growing well in most types of soil and exposed locations, even tolerating drought conditions. Once established, this pretty plant will look after itself, but don’t be fooled by its unassuming nature!...

Dipladenia is a beloved tropical plant among flower gardeners, due to its trumpet-shaped flowers and branching foliage. Aside from its beauty, growing dipladenia plants attracts hummingbirds and bees to your garden, supporting nearby fruit and vegetable production. Table of Contents Because it’s tropical, those in areas with cold winters have the luxury of growing a dipladenia plant indoors. Dipladenia plants can bring a burst of color to a sunny window, or they can live in hanging baskets giving growers a vibrant plant to admire even in winter light....

Are you looking to add interest to your houseplant collection? Tradescantia “Nanouk” is the plant for you! This trendy plant is a brand new cultivar that was patented in 2017. Yes, this is a patented plant that has quickly gained popularity for its purplish-pink-streaked leaves and unusual growth habit. Tradescantia plants originated in South America, however, this cultivar developed in the Netherlands. (In fact, you can read the actual patent for the plant here....

Table of Contents One of the more common questions I’m asked on the blog is about plastic use, specifically, “What plastics are safe for use in the garden?” Since a lot of Epic Gardening readers are into hydroponics and aquaponics over soil gardening, there are a lot of people with a lot of plastic in their setup that are curious about their safety and place in the garden. Well, I was curious too, so I decided to go deep into the world of plastics and figure it all out for you all!...

We love our almond milk, trail mix, and marzipan, but how much attention do we pay to the producer of these nutty gifts? As it turns out, the almond tree is quite a spectacular plant, with beautiful blossoms, delicious fruit, and majestic form. What’s better is that growing your own is a project that will put your gardening skills to the test. Table of Contents Almond trees are used to being outside, but they can be potted and brought indoors (your family will love the fragrance!...

Echeveria elegans is as classic as succulents get. If asked to think of a succulent, we’d bet this is the one you’re picturing. It has tight rosettes of plump leaves, blue-green-grey coloring, and a healthy coating of farina (also called epicuticular wax). It’s no wonder you’ll hear this succulent called “Mexican gem”. Table of Contents Also nicknamed Mexican snowball, Echeveria elegans is a drought-tolerant, Mexico-native plant that’s shaped like a sphere....

Of the organic fertilizers and amendments available, worm castings are some of the best. It’s not because they’re packed with a high NPK. It’s because they provide microbes that improve the uptake of slow-release fertilizer over a long period of time! Table of Contents These powerhouse poops provide beneficial bacteria and enzymes to the soil. This addition ensures plants can more readily take up the nutrition in that soil. And while the worms make this wonderful stuff, they’re wiping out waste products!...

Water is everywhere, so it all must be the same, right? Table of Contents Wrong. You might be using tap water for your garden and wondering if there’s a better option, or already using some other type of water (distilled, reverse osmosis, etc). Regardless, as a gardener you can know a lot about plants, nutrients, and growth cycles and miss out on one of the most important ingredients… The water you are using to nurture your plants....

One of the most widely used herbs, parsley is a bright green biennial plant with feather-like leaves. Native to the Mediterranean region, it prefers temperate climates but thrives in a range of climatic conditions. There are two primary varieties of parsley: flat-leaf parsley and curly parsley. Table of Contents While curly leaf parsley is the more popular of the two, both varieties are used for culinary purposes. The curly leaf variety is generally used as a garnish....

Mandarin oranges have easily become one of the most popular snacks among children and adults. They are deliciously sweet, healthy, and easy-to-peel. Mandarins are a great on-the-go snack, but can also be used in a lot of different recipes. They can be used in salads, marinades, and an assortment of desserts. They also make excellent juice. There are a ton of different varieties that can be grown. Adding a single mandarin tree to the garden will provide plenty of fruit for the family and enough to share with friends....

As gardeners, we’re very protective of our plants. They need a lot of protection! Taking plant species out of their native habitats gave us the gift of gardening, but along with it came the dangers of new problems. Our gardens face pests, disease, rain, wind, heat, and frost. It’s enough to make any flower wilt!. That’s why we’d like to discuss what may just be the most valuable thing in your garden: raised bed covers....

Kicking off next season’s garden by starting seeds indoors can be a great way to ensure healthy, productive crops for your vegetable plot. Sowing seeds inside can help you have more control over your growing season, expand the varieties you have available, and trim your garden budget. Table of Contents Nurturing root systems before planting outdoors prepares your young plants for success before the final frost hits. By sowing your seeds inside, you will protect your plants against the elements when they are young....