Farming Chart

The Christmas cactus gets the same treatment most of us give it. We water it sparingly, like it’s a desert plant that shouldn’t get wet. … Read more

To select a chamoe, you don’t just look at the color; you need to see it, smell it, and touch it. Unlike a banana or … Read more

If you think beets are all about the dirt flavor… And turning everything they touch pink, you probably wouldn’t grow any, since most people stops … Read more

The problem isn’t that hydrangeas are hard to grow; it’s just that they aren’t all the same plant. What I mean: One variety isn’t like … Read more

In your mind’s eye, you’re buying Thai bananas that will be dessert, but before you get around to cooking them up, they’ve turned to mush. … Read more

It gets better with age: That’s not how most fruit works. Within days of picking, berries mold and apples bruise. Not this one: A melon … Read more

The pale green skin of the honeydew melon catches your eye. At home you’ll cut into it, hoping for something sweet. What you get is … Read more

In midsummer, when fruit is so sweet it almost makes your teeth ache, you begin. That first bite: That’s what we’re growing for, right? It’s … Read more

Have you purchased an unfamiliar-looking kiwano melon and were disappointed in the flavor? That’s how it can get a bad rap. You might select green … Read more

Peony season starts with flowering extravaganza in late May. If you don’t make this typical error, they will be quite trustworthy in a temperate garden. … Read more

Identify the critters in your Michigan garden and take action accordingly. That’s the mantra: Identify, then do something about it. Which might be nothing at … Read more