Discover how this versatile fruit is becoming popular in the U.S., in both garden plots and meal plans. — My daughter texted me from a Tennessee supermarket last spring, asking, “What the heck is chayote?” Knowing it was a trendy food that year, I informed her that chayote is a squash-like fruit in the gourd family, and jokingly told her to buy one so she could be on-trend. …

We may not be gardening right now, but we still have needs! — Even though there is snow on the ground and summer’s gardens are a distant memory, we gardeners are planning for the upcoming growing season. Just because we are not out there digging and planting doesn’t mean we are not gardening in our minds. …

Fall chores and looking forward to next year — Frost has arrived signaling the end of the growing season and time for garden clean-up. There are two schools of thought about fall chores. One calls for a thorough cleaning of the whole landscape, while the other says leave it all until spring. I am usually ready for the season…

Next time you eat a tomato, put the seeds aside for processing. — The tomato is the most popular garden vegetable in the US and Canada. If you like starting them from seed in the spring, consider saving the seed of your favorite varieties. You do not have to sacrifice a tomato in order to get the seed, unlike other crops. Many vegetables…

Grow UP! — Every home can have a garden, even the smallest balcony, deck, entryway, or patio. To fit as many plants as possible in your space, grow UP. You can have ornamentals or food or both with a little planning and imagination. The basic vertical support is the trellis. These can be…

Filter toxic air pollutants with a little bit of greenery — In September 1989, NASA published a study about using houseplants to reduce indoor air pollution. Who better to be interested in healthy air in an enclosed area? Furniture, clothing, and household cleaners give off toxic gasses, sometimes for years after manufacture. Houseplants can remove benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene, three common…

Save natural resources and reduce CO2 emissions — Lawns are thirsty. The average homeowner uses 60 gallons per day on their lawn. And for what? What does a huge expanse of grass do? It takes up space, might be pretty and might provide a soft play area for children and pets. …

Invite rich nutrients and history into your garden with chickpeas, one of the oldest crops in the cultivated world. — Once my daughters grew up and moved out, I had the opportunity to make my garden my own and fill it with vegetables I love. My garden has undergone many transformations since, as I’ve experimented each season with new crops. …

Plan now for visual interest next year — As I look out my window this morning in the new year, the gardens I did not clean up in fall are outlined with frozen fog. Backlit by the early morning sun, flower stalks, tree branches, and wire fences seem so delicate they would break if touched. …