Find out when to cut back ornamental grasses and the steps to trim them properly. Marty Baldwin Ornamental grasses add gentle muted colors, vertical accents, and graceful movement to a landscape. This guide explains how to time this task right, the best tools and techniques to use. Credit:Marty Baldwin Warm-Season vs. Cool-Season Grasses Ornamental grasses are divided into two broad categories. Cool-season grasses, such asfescue(Festucaspp.) andfeather reed grass(Calamagrostisspp.) Credit:Kritsada Panichgul...

Find out exactly when to cut back peonies and how to do it properly to benefit next years blooms. Herbaceous peonies(Paeonia lactiflora)are among the easiest flowering plants to grow. One key to success is knowing when to cut back peonies and how to properly make your cuts. Credit:Bob Stefko They do best withgood drainageand plenty of air circulation, which helps reduce disease issues. By cutting back peonies and disposing of the foliage, gardeners remove the existing fungi and their food....

Use these simple beet harvesting tips to pick the most flavorful roots and greens every time. Fast-growing and cold-hardy beets are some of the easiest crops for beginning gardeners to grow. Carson Downing When Are Beets Ready to Harvest? Credit:Carson Downing Beets arecool-season cropsthat are usually grown in spring and autumn gardens. In climates where the ground doesnt freeze, they can even be grown in winter. After seeding, beet roots are usually ready to harvest in about 50 to 70 days....

Harvest cabbage from your garden at the right time with these tips. There are several differenttypes of cabbage, and they each mature during specific seasons. Types of Cabbage Generally, cabbages are categorized according to when they are harvested. Credit: Jay Wilde When selecting which variety to plant, think ahead to what types ofcabbage recipes you want to make. There are several fast growing varieties that mature and can be harvested within 50 to 60 days....

Take the guesswork out of harvesting cauliflower with these simple tips. This quick guide covers how and when to harvest cauliflower for peak freshness and the tastiest flavor. Extreme cold can damage cauliflower crowns, so harvest your cauliflower crop if a hard freeze is forecast. Credit:Dean Schoeppner Leave this covering in place until youre ready to pick the cauliflower. If you dont want to bother with blanching cauliflower, select self-blanching varieties....

Use this guide to ensure you pick corn when it’s perfectly ready to eat. Pairing corn on the cob with a burger and a slice of watermelon is a summer staple. Sweet corn is one of the most popular vegetables grown in home gardens. Credit:Yulia Naumenko/Getty Images Here’s precisely how and when to harvest corn from your garden. Corn comes in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. it’s possible for you to find varieties with blue, red, and evenmulti-colored kernels....

These simple peanut harvesting tips will help you pick and cure homegrown goobers like a pro. Peanut harvesting is a little different than you might think. These fascinating plants are technically legumes like beans andpeas, but theyproduce their pods underground. Credit:Rob Cardillo Thats why you should probably look for other signs that indicate your peanut crop has finished growing. Most of the peanut pods should remain attached to the plant....

Bob Stefko You watched yourpea plants grow, flower, and start to form green pods. But how do you know when to harvest peas? Pick them too early, and they dont taste like much. Credit:Bob Stefko Fortunately, judging ripeness is easy to get the hang of once you know what to look for. This guide explains how and when to harvest peas in your garden at their peak flavor. Peas arecool-season vegetablesthat are sown early in spring and again in the fall in some areas....

Learn how to pick and store mild and hot peppers for the tastiest flavor and spicy heat. This quick guide will give you all thepepper harvesting tipsyou need to pick delicious mild and hot peppers. Then you’ll be ready to enjoy them fresh orcooked in your favorite recipes. Credit:Carson Downing Pay attention to size and color. One of the interesting things about peppers is that most varieties change color as they reach maturity....

Pick your homegrown pumpkins at exactly the right time with these essential tips and visual clues. Pinpointing when to harvest pumpkins from your garden may feel like a riddle. When harvested at the pinnacle of maturity, pumpkins last two or more months. Credit: Kritsada Panichgul Always carry a pumpkin by the base and never by the stem. To figure out exactly when to harvest pumpkins, check the rind of the fruit and the plant....

Sweet potatoes are easy to grow and delicious to eat. They actually becometastier and sweeter in storageas their starches convert to sugar. When to harvest sweet potatoes for the best crop? Credit:Marty Baldwin In fall, when the weather begins to turn cool and the vines start to wither. Marty Baldwin Sweet Potato Harvesting Tips Sweet potatoes bruise easily, so handle them gently. It helps to cut and remove the vines two or three days before you harvest....

Learn about planting times and techniques for the cheery spring flowers. It’s so simple to plant daffodil bulbs that, honestly, everyone should do it. Happiness, hope, and renewal are all associated with these beautiful flowers. Credit: Peter Krumhardt And once you plant daffodils, they’ll return year after year and even multiply. Here’s how and when to plant daffodil bulbs to enjoy their cheery colors for many springs to come. Types of Daffodils Daffodils (Narcissusspp....

But first you have to start with the small, plain-looking bulbs. Gladiolus bulbs are not actuallytrue bulbs like tulipsanddaffodils. Botanically they are called corms, which are structured differently than true bulbs. Credit:Cameron Sadeghpour You’ll also find a wider selection of varieties to choose from than you might at a brick-and-mortar store. Plant them inwell-draining soilthat is amended with compost.Compost adds nutrients to the soiland helps retain moisture. Consider growing gladiolus in raised beds if you have heavy or clay soil....