Savvy Gardening

Basil leaves turning black or brown? 9 causes and solutions

Are your basil leaves turning black or brown? Basil isn’t difficult to grow, but the plants are prone to diseases like downy mildew, sensitive to cool temperatures, and attractive to insects like aphids. Below I outline 9 of the most common reasons for black or brown spots to appear on basil leaves. You’ll also find pro tips to prevent basil problems and learn more about five of the best disease-resistant cultivars to grow to enjoy plenty of fresh basil leaves. Keep reading to learn more about growing great basil.

How to freeze basil: Preserving that summer flavor for the winter months

by Tara NolanComments (0)

Basil is one of my favorite summer herbs, but I find it painful to have to buy basil to use in winter recipes when I grow it all summer. That’s why I freeze fresh herbs, so I can enjoy that fresh flavor if I don’t have an indoor herb plant at hand for my recipe. In this article, I’m going to share advice on how to freeze basil a few different ways.

When to harvest cabbage for the best flavors and yield

by Niki JabbourComments (0)

Homegrown cabbage is a garden treat and planting it in your vegetable beds means you can enjoy it at peak quality and flavor. The vigorous plants form tightly packed heads with layers of crisp, sweet leaves that are delicious raw, cooked, or fermented. While cabbage is fairly easy to grow it’s important to harvest the heads at the right time. If you wait too long they can split. Harvest too early and you’ll miss out on the main crop. Below I’ll highlight how you know when to harvest cabbage types including green, Napa, savoy, and even miniature varieties. Keep reading to learn more about timing the cabbage harvest.

How to freeze green beans from the garden

by Jessica WalliserComments (0)

Whether you like to use your homegrown green beans in a good old-fashioned green bean casserole or in modern stir-fries, learning how to freeze green beans for later use is important, especially when the garden is producing them like crazy. Thankfully, freezing green beans from the garden is an easy process, but there are some essential steps to follow for success. In this article, I offer simple step-by-step instructions so you can enjoy the fruits of your garden for many months to come.
READ MORE » about How to freeze green beans from the garden

How to dry chives for your spice rack

by Tara NolanComments (0)

Chives are one of those perennials herbs that you can enjoy in several ways—you can infuse the blossoms in spring to make chive blossom vinegar, chop the tender stalks to use fresh in salads or as garnishes in place of green onions, and dry the leaves to grab from the spice rack and enjoy later. In this article, I’m going to focus on how to dry chives.

How often should I water my garden? Tips for watering success

by Niki JabbourComments (0)

Of all the questions I get asked as a gardening expert, “How often should I water my garden?” easily cracks the top 10. It can be difficult to get watering frequency, watering amounts, and even watering methods just right. But doing so is critical to your success, as they influence everything from the flavor and storage capacity of the food you grow to the size and timing of blooms on perennial plants. There are plenty of tools and techniques to help you get a handle on how often you should water and how you can deliver the right amount of water when and where your plants need it. If you’ve ever wondered ‘How often should I water my garden?’ we’ve got the answers! Keep reading to learn when and how long to water.