A white head of cauliflower surrounded by its leaves

Growing Guide: Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a biennial crop belonging to the species Brassica oleracea, and requires a generous amount of space in the garden, especially in its second year of growth. Start cauliflower seeds in early spring and overwinter the plants to save seeds the following year.

A pile of orange-pink sweet potatoes of various shapes

Growing Guides

Growing Guide: Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes have significant cultural and culinary histories and uses across the globe. Growing sweet potatoes has very different requirements from growing potatoes.

Dry, brown and white beans on a wooden surface

Growing Guides

Growing Guide: Beans

Dependable and easy to grow, beans produce rewarding crops in gardens across the country.

A group of brussels sprouts on the stalk with leaves

Growing Guides

Growing Guide: Brussels Sprouts

These bite-sized greens are members of the species Brassica oleracea which includes broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and cabbage. They will flower and produce seeds in their second growing season after experiencing cold weather.

Growing Guides

Growing Guide: Cabbage

Cabbage varieties come in a spectrum of colors, from light green to dark purple. Sow cabbage seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before transplanting seedlings outdoors.

A pile of beets, ranging from purple to white

Growing Guides

Growing Guide: Beets

Beets are tasty and easy to grow, and both the roots and leaves can be used in cooking. Plant in early spring, as soon as soil can be worked. You can plant successive plantings until midsummer.

Group of different watermelon varieties on a deck.

Growing Guides

Growing Guide: Watermelons

Although watermelon requires a long growing season, if you start this sprawling plant early enough in the year, you can enjoy its fruits from late summer to early fall. Watermelons, like other vining plants, need plenty of space to grow.

A wooden box of red, orange, yellow, and white tomatoes of varying sizes

Growing Guides

Growing Guide: Tomatoes

Tomato plants can be either determinate or indeterminate. Determinate plants will produce tomatoes that all ripen around the same time, while indeterminate plants will continue producing new growth and new fruits throughout the growing season.