May 11, 2019 - Issue #408

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Right from the beginning of the book, you really get the idea that not only does Acadia know what she's talking about, she is passionate about it! This book isn't technical, but also doesn't talk down to readers. Acadia is right there with you, explaining everything, encouraging you, and giving you all the info you need on growing various perennial vegetables. I love that she covers not just the details about varieties but how to grow and harvest each one.

Mulch is simply a covering over the soil that keeps moisture in, blocks weeds and protects low-growing tomatoes from resting on the ground and developing rot. There's some extra benefit to using organic mulches such as grass clippings, hay, leaves or sawdust because these materials -- unlike plastic, aluminum or other synthetic mulches -- decompose, providing food for the millions of microorganisms that live in the soil, making nutrients available to your plants and improving soil structure.

Rosemary means dew of the sea, an appropriate name for this popular garden herb, watered by the ocean mists in its native habitat along the arid coastline of the

Annual bluegrass (Poa annua) is a cool-season annual that forms dense clumps that are lighter green than cultivated turf grasses. Unlike perennial bluegrass, the tips of annual bluegrass leaves show a slight curve, like the bow of a boat.

Gardeners love to share their interest in gardening, and sharing with their children can be particularly rewarding. Even 2- and 3-year-olds can help plant their own little patch, and watch as life unfolds around them. Here are some suggestions for making gardening enjoyable-and safe-for young children.

Summer squash is one of the most gratifying crops to grow in the vegetable garden. Simply stick in a few seeds, wait a while, and suddenly you're harvesting tender green and gold squash by the armload.

One of the great joys of gardening is reaching for the first red-ripe tomato on the vine and biting into it. There's a flavor, juiciness and pleasure you'll never find in a supermarket tomato. Because tomatoes ripen from the inside out, when the outer skin is firm and red, you know you've got a beautiful ripe one.

If you don't have room for a garden, or only want to grow a few vegetables, planting in containers is the best way to go. Almost any vegetable can grow in a container and with a little care can produce abundantly. Here's how to get started.