Featured Plants : healthy

Try The Thessaloniki Tomato, It's Very Popular!

patti-nhn — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 13:36:00 GMT

The Solanum lycopersicum 'Thessaloniki Tomato may be hard to pronounce but easy to grow and even easier to enjoy. This heirloom plant has been around since the 1950's in the United States. It originally was grown in Greece. The production of the plant is high. One of its best attributes is that it doesn't crack. It's size of fruits from 3-4 inches in diameter and weighing in at about 6 ounces makes it a good tomato when you need lots of tomato.

The Thessaloniki is often used for canning although it works just as well eaten fresh, in salads and any other recipes you usually use tomatoes in. Their flavor is considered earthy and slightly acidic. It is a very popular tomato. Like other tomatoes, it requires moderately moist well drained soil as well as full sun. It will harvest in 75 to 80 days. It will need support and is hardy from zone 3 to zone 9. Growing your own fresh tomatoes will help you save money and time driving to the grocers. Not to mention that fresh from your own garden just plain tastes better.

Sungold Organic Cherry Tomatoes Are Well Worth A Try

patti-nhn — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 20:06:00 GMT

The Sungold Organic Tomato Solanum Sungold is one of the best varieties of cherry tomatoes. It is a vigorous growing plant and very productive. The best time for eating is when they turn an orange color. Their flavor will knock you out it is so good. They will begin to produce early in the season and continue all summer long for you. These are very tasty, thin skinned and very sweet.

The Sungold being organic is a healthy choice. It is great eaten fresh whole and also cut up in salads and other types of recipes. The plant will grow on long trusses and vines. This cherry tomato is hardy from zone 3 to zone 9 and will harvest in about 55 to 60 days from planting. It will also need support while growing. Like other tomatoes, it needs moderately moist, well drained soil and full sun. Growing tomatoes in your own garden can save you lots of money on gas and the cost the grocers charge. Not only will they be fresh they will have a much better flavor. You should try these Sungold to change up your tomato choices.

Tollie's Sweet Organic Peppers, You Have To Try Them!

patti-nhn — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:24:00 GMT

Capsicum Tollie's Sweet (USDA Organic) Pepper is a pepper that many gardeners find to be one of their favorites. Its versatility is commendable. It is an Italian Heirloom so has been grown successfully for many years. The fruits are 4 to 5 inches long that will ripen to a deep red color. They are great for using in many recipes, eaten fresh and also making sauces and do well canned.

The Tollie's Sweet Pepper is easy to grow. It has good yields and is a dependable grower. Like most peppers it needs moderately moist well drained soil and full sun to produce its best. You can harvest these peppers in 85 to 90 days after planting. The Tollie's is hardy from zone 3 to zone 9. It does not need any support to grow properly. It is a dependable grower. The great thing about growing your own peppers is the availability of fresh produce within a few steps of your back door which will also save you the cost of gas and the cost of the peppers at the store. Being organice is also a healthy plus.

The Big Boy Organic Tomato Is Popular & Meaty

patti-nhn — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:10:00 GMT

If you want to hang out with the Big Boys, here is your chance! The Solanum Big Boy (Tomato) is one of the most popular tomatoes and being organic just gives you one more reason to grow them. The tomatoes weigh in at about 1 pound and are meaty with lots of juice and flavor. The Big Boys are bright red and resistant to cracking. They are hardy from zone 3 to zone 9.

Once planted, they can be harvested in 70 to 80 days. Like other tomatoes, they require well drained moderately moist soil and full sun. The Big Boy is also know to be a very heavy producer so if you like to can tomatoes or make salsas and sauces, these would work great for you. The nice thing about growing your own is that you only have to walk out your door to pick the freshest of tomatoes and being Organic they are healthier and it saves you time and gas going to the grocer.

Orange Blossom Tomatoes Will Cause Quite A Stir

patti-nhn — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:50:00 GMT

If you want some color in your garden and want a tasty tomato, you should try the Orange Blossom Organic Tomatoes Solanum Orange Blossom (Tomato). Not only do they have a mild flavor they have more Beta Carotene and Vitamin C than yellow tomatoes. Their shape is like a globe and the fruit has a medium firmness. They average about 6 to 7 ounces each.

They can be harvested in about 60 to 70 days and ripens earlier than most tomatoes. The Orange Blossom is hardy from zone 3 to zone 9. Tomatoes are easy to grow and with these being Organic it will add another plus. Tomatoes need well drained moderately moist soil and full sun to produce well. Enjoy growing your own fresh and tasty tomatoes. They will save you a trip to the store and will be more flavorful as well. You'll also save gas and money this way. Try the Organic Orange Blossom tomato for a little something different.

Organic Rosemary, Decorative And Useful In Many Different Applications

patti-nhn — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 11:30:00 GMT

Rosemary is found in an abundance of useful items. This "Rosmarinus (USDA Organic) Rosemary, Arp, Rosmarinus officinalis 'Rosemary, Arp', is not to be outdone. Used fresh, it can be used in salads, as an herb rub on meats and in egg omelets or casseroles as well. It is very flavorful. Rosemary is also popular as a scent in many cosmetics and used in spas with it being very aromatic. It is said to sooth the soul. The Arp variety grows about 4 to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide in zones 6 to 8. It is hardy from zones 3 to 9.

Moderately moist, well drained soil is the best and full sun is necessary for proper growth. This plant does not require any support, it is strong enough to hold its own. You can freeze Rosemary but it will be a lot stronger than fresh. If you like Rosemary, just imagine having it in your own backyard to bring in fresh whenever you need it saving you a trip to the store.

Try Sugar Baby Watermelons That Are Sweet and Sugary

patti-nhn — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:58:00 GMT

This Sugar Baby Watermelon bursts with a sweet and sugary flavor. Citrullus Sugar Baby (Watermelon) as the name denotes, it a smaller variety of watermelon that won't take up too much room in your garden. The melon's will weigh about 10-20 pounds, are firm and sweet with brown seeds. The dark green skin resists cracking. The flesh is orange to red in color and extremely tasty.

Watermelons need moderately moist, well drained soil. Full sun is needed for the fruits to produce. You can harvest these in early fall. They are hardy from zones 4 to zone 9. The Sugar Baby is an early maturing variety that also produces a large amount of fruits. A sandy loam with a pH of 6 to 6.8 is a good soil for these watermelon. They don't need any special watering but you will want to make sure that they don't get too wet. Wouldn't it be great to pick your own watermelons from your own back yard. You will save money and gas growing your own.

How About An Orange Blossom Special?

patti-nhn — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:00:00 GMT

This Orange Blossom Special Organic Tomato is great to grow and will add some new color into your recipes. Solanum Orange Blossom (Tomato) is a firm tomato in a globe shape. The fruits will grow to about 6 to 7 inches. The orange tomatoes contain lots of Vitamin C and Beta Carotene. It is low acid with a mild flavor.

The Orange Blossom Special Organic Tomato is hardy from zones 3 to 9. Like most tomatoes, it likes moderately moist, well drained soil. Full sun is required for the fruits to ripen. The harvest period is from 60 to 70 days from planting. You will need support for the tomato plant like a trellis or fence as well as the cone shaped wire type that encloses the plant. Tomatoes can be grown on your patio in pots as long as they get 6 hours or more of sunlight. It is also best to use a plastic pot to keep the moisture in. Growing your own tomatoes is healthy, cost saving and the freshest produce you can get!

Organic German Lettuce Stands Up To Light Frosts

patti-nhn — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 02:39:00 GMT

This German Organic Lettuce Lactuca Winter Density (USDA Organic) Lettuce - Bib Romaine), Lactuca sativa 'Winter Density' is cold hardy down to zone 3 and up to zone 9. German Organic lettuce is an heirloom variety that is easy to grow and will harvest in 55 to 65 days from planting. Winter Density can be planted in spring for early summer harvests and in late summer to early fall for autumn harvest. This is a sweet tasting, tall variety of lettuce at 8 to 10 inches in height. The heart of this lettuce is the sweetest part.

As with most lettuce plants, it will require moderately moist, well drained soil and full sun. Even though it is tall it will not require any support. The German Organic lettuce leaves are a dark green color to light green at the bottom of the leaves. It is very hardy and growing your own lettuce can save you money at the grocer or farmers market and also on gas to get there. The nicest attribute is that you will have the freshest lettuce for your eating pleasure.

This Royal Raspberry Could Feed A Royal Family

patti-nhn — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:25:00 GMT

The Royalty Raspberry Rubus 'Royalty' is known for its large fruit size. The Royalty is a cross between a vigorous purple and a high quality red raspberry. Its berries have the light flavor of a red raspberry if picked while still in the red stage. They begin ripening in mid-July and are hardy and produce a high yield. Insect resistance is high. Royalty is great for jams and jellies, desserts and eaten fresh.

This plant will mature from 3 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. It grows upright and will need some protection from strong winter winds. Moist, well-drained soil and full sun is required for raspberries. The Royalty will flower in white and the fruits will ripen in mid-July. Raspberries are self-fruitful but will produce a larger harvest if one or more other raspberries are planted closeby. Birds like raspberries too so you will want to watch them and see if they need some protection or plant enough bushes to share!

LaCrescent Grapes Great For Desserts And White Wine

patti-nhn — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:41:00 GMT

The LaCrescent Grape Vitis 'LaCrescent' is known for making excellent white wine and is its primary use. However, it is also delicious in desserts. This dark purple grape has high acidity which gives it good structure. It grows in medium sized clusters. It is extremely winter-hardy and has low susceptibility to Powdery Mildew and Black Rot. It has moderate susceptibility to Downy Mildew. The LaCrescent grapes are also highly resistant to berry splitting and Botrytis.

Being winter hardy, the LaCrescent can be grown from zone 4 to zone 8. It will flower in June with white flowers and ripen in mid-season. The foliage will turn a red color in the fall. With the twisted vines, grapes make very ornamental plants in your landscape and garden. This variety will mature from 8 to 10 feet tall and will spread from 3 to 4 feet tall. Grapes require moist, well drained soil and full sun. You will need a strong structure to grow them on like arbors or trellises, even fences. Growing your own grapes can be cost saving and they tend to taste better when you pick them fresh off the vine.

Adaptable & Dependable Organic Freemont Cauliflower

patti-nhn — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:36:00 GMT

The 'Brassica Freemont (USDA Organic) Cauliflower, Brassica oleracea 'Fremont (Cauliflower)' is a wonderful variety of cauliflower due to its dependability of yield and adaptability in your garden setting. It is cold hardy from zone 3 to zone 10. The Freemont is an annual that can be planted in late spring to early summer. If you are in the cooler regions, you should be able to harvest in summer and fall. In milder temps where you typically don't have heavy freezes and longer growing times, it can be overwintered for a spring harvest as well.

The Freemont is uniform with 2 to 2 1/2 pound heads that are white. While the head can be eaten fresh and cooked, the green leaves are not generally eaten although they can be cooked in broths and stocks for some added flavor. They would then be discarded after use. Well-drained, moderately moist soil is best and it is best if there is a good amount of organic matter combined with the soil. The pH of the soil should also be in the range of 6 to 7 for best production and quality. The nutrition in the vitamins from cauliflower and the fact that you will be able to eat it right as you harvest it, make it a great combination that you will want to try.

Tasty, Nutty And Visually Stunning, The Romanesco Cauliflower Is Hard To Beat

patti-nhn — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:39:00 GMT

Brassica Romanesco (USDA Organic) Cauliflower, Brassica oleracea 'Romanesco (Cauliflower)' is a very interesting plant. It would be worth growing just for the enjoyment of its growth pattern. Its tender florets grow in spirals as opposed to the round heads you typically see. It has a light green color which also adds interest. Its sweet flavor is somewhere in between broccoli and cauliflower. There is also a nutty flavor that is a nice addition with your recipes.

Cauliflower is best grown in well drained, moderately moist soil. This Romanesco variety should be planted about 18 inches apart. It is hardy from zone 3 to zone 9. Cauliflower is best planted in summer for harvest in the fall, or midwinter in mild climates. Generally it will be about 70 to 80 days after planting for harvest. The heads are a bit smaller than typical cauliflower but just as tasty, maybe even moreso with the combination of flavors.

Flat Head Cabbage Grows Quickly

patti-nhn — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:02:00 GMT

Our USDA Organic approved 'Premium Late Dutch Flat Organic USDA Cabbage Brassica oleracea' is known for it's flat head and large size, about 10 to 15 pounds. It is a low growing variety and is very solid. This cabbage requires well-drained soil with moderate moisture and full sun. It can be grown from zone 3 to zone 8 and is considered a very winter hardy plant. The Premium Late Dutch Flat is a fast grower as it can be harvested from 105 to 160 days from planting.

Cabbage is full of healthy vitamins and is said to help deter diseases. Growing your own cabbage will save you money and is also fresher than what you may obtain at the local grocery. You will also have the satisfaction and exercise from working in your garden. Cabbage is easy to grow and keeps well if you are unable to eat it right away. Mainly known for making coleslaw there are many other recipes that are out there. Stuffed cabbage leaves being one of many that you will enjoy.

This Organic Gypsy Broccoli Will Not Disappoint

patti-nhn — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:49:00 GMT

Gypsy Broccoli Organic 'Brassica oleracea Gypsy (Broccoli)' is USDA organic and a tasty treat. Not to mention all the wonderful vitamins it provides for your healthy body. Growing your own broccoli is less expensive than purchasing them from the grocery. You can also harvest it when it is the freshest from your garden. It would also save on gas to the store! Somehow, homegrown vegetables just taste better. Gardening is very enjoyable and is good exercise as well making it a rewarding venture.

Broccoli prefers well-drained soil, preferably soil with some organic material added for disease resistance. You will want to plant in full sun. The Gypsy Broccoli will grow from zone 3 to zone 9. It is heat tolerant and resistant to downy mildew. The dome shaped heads have a medium-small bead size and a medium sized stem. The harvest period is 65 to 70 days after planting and does not require any support as it grows. Delicious in many recipes, fresh or frozen. Being organic this Gypsy Broccoli will be just what you are looking for.