Beet greens Beet greens, encompassing all plants in the beet family, are a canvas of vibrant root colors from deep red, pink, and white to yellow and orange. Their leaves, in an array of shades, make them not just a culinary delight but also an ornamental beauty. With the exception of the Sugar Beet, which is primarily for sugar production, all other varieties are versatile and can be enjoyed raw, cooked, or canned. Their leaves and stems are equally edible, offering a wide range of culinary possibilities. While we primarily consume the leaves and stems of spinach and Swiss chard, not the root, I’ve included them in this chapter. If…
-
-
Simple gardening – all about UMBELLIFERS /9
Umbellifers (Apiaceae) Umbellifers include fennel, celery, root vegetables such as carrots and parsnips, and herbs such as parsley and cilantro. Note that their leaves and umbrella-shaped flowers are very similar. Many umbellifers are cool-season crops, especially carrots, parsnips, and parsley, which prefer spring and fall. However, some (like dill and fennel) can grow in warmer months. Planting and harvesting umbellifers Planting and propagating Once umbellifers produce flowers, they will form seeds as the flowers dry. These seeds can then be collected and stored for planting next season. Since parsley and carrots are biennial, they take two growing seasons to produce seeds, so you’ll need to wait until the second year…
-
Simple gardening – all about NIGHTSHADES /8
Nightshades (Solanaceae) Nightshade vegetables belong to the Solanaceae family, which includes a wide variety of plants, some of which are commonly grown as food crops. The name „nightshade“ is thought to have originated from the fact that some of these plants can be toxic or have medicinal properties. The family includes both edible and poisonous species, so not all nightshades are safe for consumption. However, those we commonly grow in our garden have safe fruits after they ripen. The nightshade family boasts a diverse range of vegetables, including the familiar tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplants, and goji berries. When choosing the right variety for each nightshade, think about the purpose. For…
-
Simple gardening – all about BRASSICAS /7
Cruciferous plants (Brassicas) These resilient plants, including various types of cabbage, thrive in cooler climates. They can withstand excessive sunlight and heat, blooming prematurely or halting growth. Depending on our local climate, we can typically plant them in the fall, winter, or early spring. Some varieties, like black cabbage or Brussel sprouts, are even harvested in winter. Cruciferous vegetables can be categorized based on the parts we consume: the leaves (black cabbage, savoy, kale, arugula), undeveloped flower (cauliflower, broccoli, roman cauliflower), or the bulbs (turnip, kohlrabi). When we start with brassicas, the best is to start with leafy ones, such as black cabbage. They are easy to grow and can…
-
Simple gardening – introducing to individual plant families, all about LEGUMES /6
Individual plant families and their specifics In the section on rotation of crops and interplanting, which are key sustainable gardening practices, we learned that each plant family has its specifics and needs different conditions for good growth. Now, we will look at the individual families in more detail to know how to grow them and next to which plants. It’s important to note that no garden will have every plant family represented simultaneously. Instead, choose the ones that fit your preferences, climate, and soil conditions, and adjust your selection as needed each year. This way, your garden remains diverse and tailored to your needs while promoting healthy growth for all…
-
Simple gardening – What to grow, types of plants, bulbs vs tubers, tree pollination /5
What to grow. When deciding what to grow in our garden, we must consider the space and time we can realistically dedicate. If there’s only one piece of advice to remember, it’s this: start small. Starting small allows you to learn and adapt as you go, reducing the risk of feeling overwhelmed and increasing the likelihood of success. It’s easy to get carried away with ambitious plans—dreaming of growing all your produce, stocking up for the winter, and never needing store-bought fruits or vegetables again. But it’s much better to build up to that gradually rather than dive headfirst into such a massive commitment. Gardening and handling the harvest can…
-
Simple gardening – Garden planning, crop rotation, and interplanting /4
Garden planning Plant arrangement, crop rotation, and interplanting are the cornerstones of effective garden planning. Understanding these basics is crucial for selecting the right plants for our garden. We can achieve optimal results based on the available space and our gardening goals by growing the right plants. When planning what and where to grow, consider the following points: Space Requirements Each plant has its personal space preferences. It needs enough room to stretch its roots and grow to its natural height, length, or spread. Sunlight and Positioning Plants, like us, have their preferences when it comes to sunlight. Generally, shorter plants should be positioned on the sunny side to bask…
-
Simple gardening – Storage, gardening tools, greenhouse, and hotbed /3
Space for storage When considering space, it’s essential to factor in storage for tools. I recommend a dry, well-ventilated area close to where you’ll be working. The farther away, the more likely you’ll leave your tools outside, leading to quicker deterioration. Depending on what plants we want to grow and in what quantity, we must carefully consider whether we have enough space to store and process the harvest. This detail might seem obvious, but it is often overlooked. If we plan to make sauces, jams, or other preserved foods at home, we’ll need ample kitchen space or a separate area. This includes room to store all the necessary equipment, such…
-
Simple gardening – Fences, paths, and borders in the garden /2
Fences. I recommend fencing the entire property with a high and solid fence. Plenty of wild animals are attracted to enter your garden. Depending on your location, the animals will vary, of course. In my location, there are families of boars who like to dig in the ground, especially when the crops are almost ready to be harvested. They will eat everything they find on the ground. Badgers destroy plants’ roots when they search for worms, and roe deer eat lettuce, trees, and other young plants. Not to mention passers-by and neighbors who like to taste something or „borrow“ tools (yes, we all have neighbors like that!) :-). A basic…
-
Simple gardening – Soil types, no-dig and minimal dig method /1
Gardening starts with thinking. Let’s say we have an idea for a garden. What do we need to think about and consider first before digging a hoe into the dirt? A place. The location of our garden is one of the most important things. Based on the location of our place, we can choose suitable plants to grow. It is nonsense to want to grow tropical palms and cacti in a place where winter temperatures drop below freezing. I recommend looking around—what plants grow freely in nature here, and do they thrive? What do the other neighbors have in their gardens? I will elaborate more on this topic in the…