Gardenig in Switzerland. Tips & Guides

Rabbit’s foot fern (Davallia solida var. fejeensis) is a favorite of mine and one of the easiest tropical houseplant ferns to grow. Native to Fiji, the genus name, Davallia, was derived in honor of the Swiss botanist Edmond Davall. This beautiful fern has lacy, graceful fonds along with furry rhizomes that grow over the top of the soil and will drape over the sides of a container. Be sure to plant in a container or hanging basket where the fuzzy rhizomes can be seen.

I PUT MY BEANS UP ON A PEDESTAL because they are one of the crops that’s finally producing here in the Year of Big Rains. In fact, I just planted another whole row of bush beans, along with more collards and kale, among many things. Welcome to Week 3 of the cross-blog Summer Fest 2009: Beans and Greens Week, a perfect time (if you hurry) to fine-tune the vegetable garden and eke out some produce for late summer, fall—and beyond.

It wasLia Babitch of Turtle Tree Seed, a biodynamic supplier situated in the next town to where I live, who recommended the snowpea called ‘Schweizer Riesen,’ which translates as Swiss Giant. She told me that this Swiss heirloom was one of Turtle Tree’s original offerings, and produces lots of paler but sweeter-than-average pods (below, in the photo next to an open pod of ‘Mayfair’), with various other tasty parts: purple blossoms, tender foliage and tendrils—something delicious and distinctive to add to your salad even before you have a single pod to pick. What a generous plant! (5-to-6 foot vines; 70 days to maturity, but enjoy trimmings much earlier.)When

I BOUGHT A PACKET of ‘Sugar Magnolia’ from Oregon-based Peace Seedlings a few months back, just one of what the company calls it many “woddities” (as in wonderful oddities). The first purple-podded snap pea to be introduced is the result of 15 years of breeding by Dr. Alan Kapuler, father to one of the Peace Seedlings proprietors. This is a vigorous grower—to about 8 feet—and has beautiful purple flowers, too.  The pods are tasty; sweet enough, if not the sweetest of all, maybe, but so stunning in a salad, in particular, that I am hooked.  I expect this variety will continue to evolve under Kapuler’s watchful eye, and I’ll be watching, too. (My recent interview with Peace Seedlings.)a big, sweet snow pea, ‘schweizer riesen’IF I COULD ONLY GROW one pea (perish that thought!) I suspect it would be ‘Schweizer Riesen,’ a Swiss heirloom snow pea that produces oversized green peas (above) on vigorous, tall, purple-flowered vines (below). I’ve never been much of a snow-pea person, but this one changed me, when I was introduced to it a couple of years ago by the biodynamic seed company called Turtle Tree Seed, whe

Even in the week of July 7, Ken says, he notes 15 or 16 options on his sowing calendar, and that’s in our shared USDA Zone 5B, where frost can arrive around the start of October. Gardeners in zones with longer frost-free seasons have even more time, and opportunities.  Admittedly Ken starts fewer things each week now, but even through September, he’s starting multiple new plantings—and he makes November sowings of spinach and mache for extra-early spring harvest.“Sow now what?” as Ken asks (tee hee). The list is long, including peas, carrots, lettuce, broccoli, bok choy, Chinese cabbage, mibuna and mizuna, tatsoi, kale, collards, cauliflower, kohlrabi, swiss chard, scallions and more. You can even sow more bush zucchini (especially if your early crop is looking tattered or mildewed from tough weather); ditto with cucumbers. Bush beans are high on Ken’s list. It’s a great moment for bush types for dry beans, he says, which benefit from generally drier fall weather at their harvest ti

Thanks for submitting lots of good Urgent Garden Questions this month to me and Ken. You can always ask us anything, urgent or otherwise, on Facebook, or in comments on this website, or using the contact form here or on Ken Druse dot com.Plus: We’re giving away a copy of Ken’s book “Making More Plants.” See details for entering at the bottom of the page.ligustrumRead along as you listen to the Jan. 29, 2018 edition of my public-radio show and podcast using the player below. You can subscribe to all future editions on iTunes or S

“The Great Dixter Cookbook,” just out, is by Aaron Bertelsen, the vegetable gardener and cook at–you guessed it–Great Dixter, on the border of Kent and Sussex in England.Aaron was on book tour in the United States lately, and made time just in the nick before boarding the plane home to talk about the Dixter vegetable garden, and what all he concocted from its long harvest season to serve up the 70ish recipes in “The Great Dixter Cookbook.”Read along as you listen to t

Many companies ship extra-early, based on rough frost-date estimates for each area that may not be exactly what’s going on at your place, but is that really when I want the starts to arrive? I asked for advice from Alley Swiss of Filaree Farm, a longtime certified-organic farmer in Okanogan, Washington, whose main crops—garlic, shallots and potatoes—are favorites in my garden, too.(You might recall the popular garlic-growing Q&A Alley and I did together, and our later garlic-growing piece in my column in “The New York Times.” I’ve learned a lot from our ongoing conversations–including that it’s OK to wait a little while for the seed potatoes to arrive.)how to grow potatoes, with alley swissQ. When is the right time to plant—is there a cue in nature to remind us, or a

In between his daunting chore list—Alley harvests more than 20,000 pounds of Allium sativum a season, representing a staggering 100-plus varieties from around the world—he made time to answer all my garlic-growing questions, from the best varieties for various regions, tastes from hot to mild, and more.my q&a with alley swissQ. In my Zone 5B Northeastern location, I have done very well with hardneck varieties [detail above, and growing in my raised beds, top photo]. As a seller of garlic to customers all over the U.S., can you suggest the best variety choices for different regions?A.  Many people don’t know that they can grow garlic where they live. At Filaree Farm, we have he

With awesome large and lush green leaves, the monstera looks simply fabulous in any type of decor. If you want to maintain it without a fuss, then learn everything about Split-leaf Philodendron Care here.

Transform your home into a flourishing garden with the Most Productive Vegetables for a Balcony and Patio Garden, ensuring a plentiful yield in limited space and enhancing your green thumb experience.

Arugula, Eruca vesicaria, is a leafy salad green in the Brassicaceae family that also includes broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and Swiss chard.It’s a self-seeding annual for Zones 3 to 11 tha

The best part about growing a Swiss Cheese Plant is its easy to multiply nature. Let’s have a look at How to Grow Monstera from Cuttings at home easily!

If you’re looking to expand your collection of Swiss Cheese Plants, then here are the best tips and methods on How to Grow Unlimited Monstera Adansonnii from Cuttings!

Here are the Best Aroid Soil Mix Ideas that you must use for your plants! These carefully curated soil blends will provide the perfect foundation for healthy growth and vibrant foliage.

If you want a houseplant that offers an eye-catching appearance with fancy foliage, then pick one out from the best Types of Monstera that we have for you in this article!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Beets do double-duty in the kitche

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Swiss chard is a le

Spinach is a popular green to grow in gardens, but it’s also an ideal vegetable to plant in pots. The compact plants don’t need a lot of root space and they’re very quick to go from seed to harvest. Growing spinach in containers just outside my kitchen door means I’ve always got a supply of the tender leaves on hand for salads and cooked dishes.The key to success for cultivating spinach in pots is to pick the best types of containers, fill them with a rich growing mix, and provide consistent moisture. Below you’ll learn everything you need to know about growing spinach in containers. Read on! 

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Saturday morning was filled with house chores and food shopping, and the afternoon was filled with a bell ringing competition, so there was no time in the day to pop out in the garden. So on Sunday after a little morning ringing (usual) and then a tip trip (not usual) first thing, when I finally got home I was in the garden for the rest of the day.

While there are many scientific ways and gadgets to determine your soil quality, they can either be a little time-consuming or expensive. But one quick and straightforward way to do this is to Bury 2 White Underwear in the Garden. Confused? Read more below!

With the help of these Small Bathroom Organization Ideas, you can transform the look of your mini bathroom utilizing every single inch of space cleverly!

Though the Swiss Cheese Plant is quite popular for its unusual cut foliage, you can also grow it for something else! Yes, for something that you can actually relish. Here’s all you need to know about How to Grow Monstera Deliciosa Fruit.

Of all the Asters which we have grown, Frikartii Monch stands out as one of our favourites.

Plants with Holes in Leaves are some of the most captivating specimens in the botanical world. They feature large, intricate foliage with strikingly symmetrical patterns of holes and cuts, creating a visual landscape that is both striking and otherworldly. Read on know more about Best Fenestrated Plants.

We are firm believers in the positive power of plants – plants help us relax, but they also help us to focus, get more creative, and find inspiration. In our book PLANT TRIBE we have delved into the strong power of plants when it comes to being creative. We pledge that you surround yourself with nature in order to trigger your creativity and boost inspiration. Hence, plants in (home) offices are the way to go! And thanks to the new plant modules from Swiss design brand USM Haller you can now combine a piece of design furniture with your love for plants.

We are firm believers in the positive power of plants – plants help us relax, but they also help us to focus, get more creative, and find inspiration. In our book PLANT TRIBE we have delved into the strong power of plants when it comes to being creative. We pledge that you surround yourself with nature in order to trigger your creativity and boost inspiration. Hence, plants in (home) offices are the way to go! And thanks to the new plant modules from Swiss design brand USM Haller you can now combine a piece of design furniture with your love for plants.

Two things we really like are coffee and plants. Ok, let us add a third thing that we truly love: nice, personal and green interiors. For our series ‘A World of Plants for USM Haller’ we traveled this time to the German city of Fulda and visited the creative local Simon Zimmermann in his stylish home.

When it comes to vegetable gardening, many of us focus solely on the practicality of growing fresh produce. However, there is a fascinating world of Ornamental Vegetables that not only provide a bountiful harvest but also add visual appeal to your garden and platter!

Let’s explore the origins of these flavorful nuts and discover the fascinating history behind them. From the ancient pine forests of the Mediterranean to the modern-day harvests in Asia and North America, let’s uncover the story of “Where do Pine Nuts Come From?“

I found the big show gardens a big disappointment. It’s telling that I took very few photographs of them, while I took plenty of my favourite small gardens. I did photograph a few for their curiosity value rather than their inspiring ideas. The Azorean Garden reflects the fact that volcan

Think twice before throwing away banana peels into the trash bin as they can be important for your plants and can give an excellent boost in growth. Learn how to make Dried Banana Peel Powder Fertilizer at Home for Any Plant !

I recently had the great pleasure of spending three hours walking round the garden of the 82 year old hydrangea expert and breeder, Maurice Foster. Despite the fact the temperature had plummeted from 28º the previous day, to 13º – and it was pouring with rain throughout – I loved every moment and came away determined to grow more hydrangeas – especially those of the non-mop-head species. Inspired by him I took a closer look at the hydrangeas in my own garden and at Wisley. I am anti mop-heads, far from

At the Thompson & Morgan press day a couple of months ago we were all given packets of Terrain peas and Sweet Horizon mangetout with the instructions to go home and sow them that weekend.  They are new downy and powdery mildew-resistant varieties that will keep growing for picking through October and November. Rather than sow them in the ground, I’ve put them in large pots accompanied by Swiss chard and plan to move them into the greenhouse as soon as the tomatoes have finished cropping. A friend

Colin Randall, T&Ms veg expert is no fan of Swiss Chard considering it a very inferior vegetable, but even he likes ‘Fantasy’, which has been bred for a softer leaf and a sweeter flavour.  I think the secret to enjoying chard is to take a bit of trouble when you cook it.  I separate leaves