What is on this site
This site is about growing food from seed—how to start, what to plant, and how to troubleshoot when things go wrong. It covers everything from soil prep to harvest, with a focus on practical advice for home gardeners.
The content is organised by topic (plants, seasons, tools) and by task (planting, pruning, storing). Each guide includes step-by-step instructions, timelines, and notes on what can go wrong.
| Where | What is there | Go here if |
|---|---|---|
| The Homepage | Latest guides and seasonal highlights | you’re new here |
| Guides | Detailed how-to articles for specific plants | you’re starting a new crop |
| Library | Plant profiles, growing timelines, and troubleshooting | you’re stuck on a problem |
| About | How the site works and who runs it | you’re confused about anything |
How to read a page here
Every guide starts with a title, a short summary, and a list of tools or materials you’ll need. Numbers in brackets (like [3]) mark steps you can click to jump to later.
Timelines use weeks or months, not days, because plants grow on their own schedule. Measurements are in imperial by default (cups, inches) but metric equivalents are always included.
Ignore the ‘Also try’ and ‘Avoid’ boxes on your first read—they’re for when you’re confident and want to tweak things. Start with the main steps, then come back if you need to.
When it does not work
If a guide isn’t working for you, it might be because your climate or soil is different. Most advice here assumes a temperate zone with well-draining soil—adjust for your conditions.
Before you give up
- Check the ‘Notes’ section at the end of the guide for local tweaks
- Look for the ‘Troubleshooting’ tab if your plants look sick or stunted
- Search the Library for your specific plant’s profile—it may have extra details
- Try the contact page if nothing matches your situation
Who we are
This site is built by someone who’s spent decades turning dirt into dinner—and who still forgets to water the basil.
| The colophon | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Franklin Ingalls, who digs in a raised bed behind his apartment and writes about it |
| Tested in | A 4x8-foot raised bed in Brooklyn, New York, with tools that have seen better decades |
| Written with | A notebook, a phone camera, and the occasional curse word |
| Learned from | A retired farmer who said ‘Plants don’t care about your schedule’—and was right |
| Still getting wrong | The exact moment to harvest green beans (they’re ready when you are, not when the calendar says so) |
The best part of gardening isn’t the harvest—it’s the surprises along the way. The seed that sprouted where you swore nothing would grow. The tomato you forgot to pick that turned sweet as candy. This site is here to help you find those moments, even when the weeds win.
If you need something that is not here
If you’re looking for advice on commercial farming, rare heirloom varieties, or pest control for large-scale crops, this site isn’t the place. But if your question is about growing food at home—whether in pots, raised beds, or a backyard plot—start with the Library or the contact page.
The guides are grouped by category: Companion Plants, Fertilization, Flowers, How To, Lawn and Light Requirements.