The Vegetable Patch

Well, there’s quite a lot to clarify between us and the tomato. This king of vegetables has already conquered our plates, that’s for sure!

Is the tomato a fruit or a vegetable? It’s a question many keep asking. Some call it a vegetable because we often pair it with salt, in main courses or sides during meals. Others, with quite a haughty attitude, quip back that it’s most assuredly a fruit!

Banana legs key facts: Botanical name – Solanum lycopersicum Common name – Banana legs tomato Family – Solanaceae Type – fruit vegetable

Dandelion is by far the most famous weed flower in our temperate climates. It can be appreciated all season long from March to November, but, it must be said,

Perennial leek is a species that grows in the wild but can be cultivated. Leek sprouts anew from its bulbs year after year. Perennial leek, a summary Botanical name – Allium polyanthum Common names – Wild leek, perennial leek, many-flowered garlic Family – Alliaceae Type – Perennial vegetable Height – 1 foot (30cm) Exposure – […]

Chayote is an exotic vine that produces large pear-shaped fruits that are very nutritious.

From planting to harvest, here are the practices that will help you grow beautiful potatoes.

Whether for vegetables or certain flower species, direct sowing or sowing in situ is very easy. It takes place in spring, once the last frost has passed, and during summer for most fall vegetables.

Most types of tomato plants are vegetables that never stop growing. The botanical term to describe this type of blooming and fruit-bearing is the word indeterminate.

“Climate change”. Hard to have a day go by when this phrase isn’t heard in a conversation. And, like it or not, seasons are changing: frost dates are shifting, winters get milder, summer heat waves strike stronger, drought becomes a thing where it previously never was…

Tomatoes come in many different varieties, some of which stand out when compared to others. This is the case for the ‘Black Krim’ tomato!

If you’re looking for a tomato with a strange shape, you’ll probably see the ‘Roma’ high up on that list! Great choice!

The ‘Pineapple tomato‘ is a variety that produces large red-orange fruits (even yellow ones) that have very few pips.

A classic in many vegetable patches, the ‘Marmande‘ tomato owes its success to its large, tasty fruits.

A tomato variety that’s over a hundred years old, the ‘Saint Pierre‘ is one of the tastiest varieties, on par with the more famous ‘Beefsteak’.

Chufa key facts Botanical name – Cyperus esculentus Common name – chufa Family – Cyperaceae Type – perennial

Let’s play a little guessing game: which vegetable patch fruit is shaped like a heart, has a strong taste and firm flesh?

Easy to grow, lacinato kale is also a tasty vegetable to cook with. Palm tree kale key facts Botanical name – Brassica oleracea acephala ‘Nero di Toscana’ Common name – Black Toscana, palm tree kale, dinosaur kale, black kale, palm tree kale

Cauliflower is a vegetable that has low calorie levels and high fiber, calcium and magnesium content.

These turn gardeners crazy during harvest time with their green color that just stays green! ‘Green Zebra’ tomatoes add a welcome touch of something different in the vegetable patch, and in the plate, too!

The small pits inside a tomato are the plant’s seeds. When you slice a fruit in half, the center of it is full of juice and small seeds. It’s possible to collect them, press out the juice, dry them, and sow them again in the following year. Did you know there were a few tomato […]

Broadcast sowing mostly relates to outdoor lawns. It also is the way to start practically all covered sowing. Outdoor plants can occasionally be sown in growing beds in this manner

Broccoli stands out with its distinct green flower head, and is a delicious vegetable that is easy to grow.

Its rough, bitter taste sends the weak-spirited away… since the 17th century! Nonetheless, Brussels sprouts are an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber, especially during the winter season.

Broad beans are a type of bean and part of the legume family. They’re easy and quick to

‘Indigo Rose’ tomato key facts: Botanical name – Solanum lycopersicum Family – Solenaceae Type – fruit vegetable

Primora tomato key facts: Botanical name – Solanum lycopersicum Family – Solenaceae Type – fruit vegetable Height – up to 6 feet (2 m)

Growing salsify starts in May whereas the harvest takes place in fall and winter.

Key Honey Moon tomato facts: Botanical name – Solanum lycopersicum Common name – Honey Moon tomato Family – Solenaceae Type – fruit vegetable

Beans, which come in many varieties, are very easy vegetables to grow.

Ha! Basella comes as an amazing diversification after the more classic spinach that most of us are familiar with.

‘Black Zebra’ tomato: key facts

Gardeners face each other off with pitchforks when it comes to this question… It’s a topic that’s almost as controversial as that of whether tomato is a fruit or a vegetable! Discover both options regarding sucker removal here, the pros of each and our tips to make the choice that’s right for you.

Arugula is now one of the most famous greens to appear in our plates.

Even if this might come as a surprise to many, the growing of artichoke is relatively simple to pull through.

Been wanting to start a veggie patch but not sure how get started? Find out how to start your first vegetable patch in 6 key steps!

That burst of juicy sweetness in the mouth makes these the queens of appetizers! Cherry tomato is easy to grow in a pot, ideal for urban gardeners. A bit of pruning is necessary to make sure your harvest is abundant – and your fruits ripe!

Should you prune your tomato plants? Experts admit that both “Yes” and “No” work very well, so take your pick! Discover the advantages of each method, and learn to easily prune and shape your tomato plant.

Save your own tomato seed instead of purchasing new ones every year! Learn how to select, harvest, and keep tomato seeds to make sure you get great plants in following years.

Ah, tomato! Summertime wouldn’t be the same without it! Delicious in so many ways, refreshing and nutritious, always a timely mouthful.

The Brandywine tomato has a fragrant taste, and many appreciate it for its dense, juicy flesh.

To maximize your crop this summer, remember to prune your eggplant correctly! To get things right, there are a few rules to follow. Let us tell you which ones.

A sprig of basil here, a couple oyster mushrooms or cherry tomatoes there… It’s possible to taste home-grown versions of these delicacies even if you live in an apartment!

Persons living in an apartment also have the right to grow their own vegetables, don’t you think? Actually, you don’t need to have a lot of land to plant seeds or plants. With our tips and tricks you’ll discover how easy it is to have your own vegetable patch on a balcony!

Experiment with companion planting which has by now proven its effectiveness in organic vegetable gardening. It’s easy, all pros and no cons: no treating and less work!

There it is! Spring! Rather than cramming to fit everything in a single month, stage your sowing and planting wisely to maximize your harvests and avoid spring burn-out.

For those of you in France who want to absolutely maximize your vegetable productivity, it’s important to follow a rigorous planting calendar. For that, it’s important to realize that not all regions have the same climate and weather conditions. Indeed, the climate isn’t the same in all parts of France, and this has a direct […]

Growing green peas is quite easy and is very enjoyable. It usually starts in the spring and continues during summer.

Much tastier than any tomato purchased in a store, tomatoes sown from seed are also more flavorful than those purchased in nursery pots.

Garlic is a perennial vegetable plant which is a must-have in the vegetable patch. It craves sun.

For the school holidays, nothing beats introducing your children to the world of gardening. This vegetable patch calendar will make them more sensitive to the environment and to the food they eat.