Growing Basics
Thin Seedlings With the Final Spacing in Mind
Seedling thinning is easier when you know the crop’s final spacing. Use the seed packet and plant condition to decide what should remain.
SOIL · CROPS · FARM PRACTICE
Good growing starts below the surface.
A practical agriculture journal about soil, water and the observations that help growers make better decisions.
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Soil & Roots
Test Stored Seeds Before Giving Them a Whole Bed
Use a small germination check to learn about stored seed, record the conditions and interpret the result as a sample rather than a promise about the whole crop.
Growing Vegetables
Harvest Leafy Greens Without Turning the Basket Into a Bruise
Harvest leafy crops into clean, shallow containers, limit heat and handling, and use crop-specific guidance for cooling and storage.
Growing Vegetables
Seedling Labels Should Survive Longer Than the First Watering
Label seed trays with variety, sowing date and a durable reference so watering, moving and transplanting do not erase the information you need.
Growing Vegetables
A Vegetable-Bed Map Helps You Rotate More Than Names
Plan vegetable crop rotation by plant family, using a bed map that records planting history and the limits of a small garden.
Soil and growing systems
Mulch Works Best When It Leaves the Stem Room to Breathe
Apply mulch with attention to the trunk, existing depth and local growing conditions, rather than building a mound that hides the plant’s base.