Russell

Ginger: Plant it in spring, keep watering it, then watch it grow, underground. By the time leaves emerge, the rhizome is hiding. When’s it ripe … Read more

Sometimes a mint looks healthy, with shiny foliage… but it stops growing. No matter how much you think you’re doing right, light? Check. Soil? Your … Read more

Estimating germination time for maize isn’t about calendar dates; it’s more about how soil physics work. And that’s not determined by the calendar but by … Read more

Waiting for your beans to germinate makes you anxious. So you sprinkle seed on, then douse it gently with water. And wait. Days go by … Read more

How do chile seeds grow? Knowing the answer lowers typical kitchen stress. Is there something wrong with it if you’re constantly checking in on a … Read more

Clover seeds, like other things in nature, are not magic; put them on the ground, and presto: green appears. This is why we sow them. … Read more

Anxiety is A GARDENER’S constant companion, and so it was when I stared into an empty row and realized: Did my coriander seeds fail? Watered … Read more

It is mid-March. A field’s edge, a spreader held in hand, an uncertain prediction: It can seem like a choice between two options, either apply … Read more

During hay season, your head will spin with conflicting numbers. There’s an empty barn but a full field. It is not a trick of voodoo. … Read more

Or maybe you go to the nursery, see a potted blueberry bush that’s attractive, and take it home. You water it…and wait for some fruit. … Read more