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It’s true that there is beauty in simplicity, and this applies to gardens, too. For someone with lots of time and space, growing dozens of vegetables, herbs and flowers can be a mix of enjoyment and exercise. But if you have limited space, fear not, ye child of the garden! You can still have a nice range of both edible and visual treats.
This is why we have started a new series here at Gurney’s Blog called “The Minimalist Garden.” Each month, we will discuss ways you can simplify and organize different aspects of your garden! Today’s entry: Vegetable seeds!
If you have a garden space, you can easily get by with a 4’ X 4’ area. No garden? No problem. Just get a half a dozen large pots, about 18-24” across the top, and fill ‘em with potting soil. Vegetables like lots of light, so both garden areas and pots need to be in a sunny spot.
Fresh veggies have lots of advantages. You know where they came from, you know what was put on them, and you will never get anything fresher. Ideally, you’ll want to start them from seed, so that you can be in complete control of your garden edibles. That’s why we’re focusing on vegetable seeds!
So what are you going to grow? Well, that’s up to you, of course. I like to grow lettuce, tomatoes, radishes, and maybe some spinach, but that’s me. Maybe you could try a pepper? Those are always fun to grow.
 Okay, so let’s assume lettuce is on your list (since it’s so easy to grow from seed). You can start lettuce as soon as winter’s last frost has passed (now, for most areas). First, moisten the soil. Next, get a small piece of wood, like a ruler. Press the edge into the surface to make a tiny valley. Sprinkle the seeds into your mini-valley ever so gently; try to get them about a half-inch apart. Press the soil back over them so they are about a quarter-inch deep.
Water lightly, and wait a few days for the seedlings to appear. When they are about 2” high, you’re ready for your first garden-fresh salad! You have to thin them out anyway, so might as well enjoy the greens. You’ll want to clip the plant down to about the soil level. About a week later, do it again, removing every other plant.
Lettuce and spinach will re-grow if you cut them about 1-1/2” above the ground, just above the heart of the plant. This method will get you several salads per plant. You can even sow the lettuce and spinach seeds at different times so you can enjoy fresh salad uninterrupted!
 The tomato varieties best suited to a small space are the cherry types. They come in all kinds of colors, and they are crazy prolific. Most cherry tomatoes need to be tied to a stake, and they’re very easy to start from seed.
Radishes come in three varieties: the familiar round, red balls; longer French types that look like red baby carrots; and Japanese daikon radishes. The first two pop up and mature with a couple weeks, while daikon takes twice as long. For a constant supply, sow more seed every two weeks, and make sure you thin them out, or they’ll get spindly roots that won’t fill out.
With these few plants, you can legitimately call yourself a vegetable seed gardener! Now go enjoy yourself a fresh and wholesome harvest!
Strictly speaking, herbal “teas” are actually called “tisanes” or “infusions”, while real tea is made from the leaves of the tea plant. Even so, the term herbal tea is now widely used for the dozens of varieties on the market. It’s easy to make your own from fresh herb leaves picked from the garden for a special treat!
 My favorite herb tea is mint, but some varieties are tastier than others. I use the English mint I grow in my backyard, which has a full mint flavor with no off notes. For a good mint tea, pick about a half-cup of leaves, packed, then bruise them on a cutting board. Place in a warmed teapot, add two pints of boiling water, and steep for about five minutes. Strain and serve…then enjoy! Apple mint is delicious, too, as is peppermint.
Use the same method with catnip (yes, catnip!), chamomile flowers, sage, dill (double the amount of leaves), Echinacea, lavender, thyme or rosemary (half the amount of leaves). You can also use an herb to flavor regular tea, especially green tea, for a delightful drink. Earl Grey tea is flavored with bergamot fruit rind to give its distinctive taste.
Lemony herbs, such as lemon verbena, make good teas by themselves or with other herbs. Lemon verbena with mint is a nice combination. If you use St. John’s wort, add about a tablespoon of thyme for a much better taste. With this and other herbal teas, the best sweetener is a good honey, which sweetens without masking the taste of the tea.
You likely heard it from your mother when you were a child: “Eat your greens! They’re good for you!” At the time, you probably tried to hide your greens under the mashed potatoes or scrape them off the plate and onto the floor in hopes the dog would eat them. But if only we listened to our parents!
 If you’ve never liked spinach, chances are you haven’t eaten it fresh from the garden. Garden-grown spinach is mild, tender and totally delicious! Use it in salads or steam lightly just to wilt. Either way, spinach supplies you with plenty of vision-enhancing vitamin A. Cooked or raw, the dark green leaves of spinach are a super source of vitamins, minerals and cancer-fighting compounds; a healthful addition to any of your favorite recipes. Plus, spinach is one of the most nutrient-dense, low-calorie foods you can grow!
We have a new variety of spinach that we’re really excited about. It’s called Vital Green Spinach, and our growers swear that it is by far the biggest, tastiest spinach you can grow in your garden! Vital Green has a sweet, rich, non-bitter flavor that you’re sure to love. You might even be able to convince your own children or grandchildren to give it a try!
If you choose the right plants and provide what they need, your houseplants and fruit trees will be a lovely addition to your indoor garden for years to come! and
Light and temperature
 Most plants like bright, indirect light, like an east- or west-facing window. Some plants, especially those that flower or produce fruit, may require more sunlight. Too much direct sunlight can burn a plant, while too little light can lead to “legginess” since they stretch towards the light source. Even if the plant is getting the correct amount of light, it will tend to grow towards the light source. I rotate each of my houseplants every week when I check them for watering. This keeps the plant balanced and looking its best.
If the amount of natural light in your home is limited (and who’s isn’t?), use grow lights. I have found that a full-spectrum grow light is the easiest way to provide more light just where you need it, especially during the short days of winter.
Plants are also affected by temperature, and most do well in temperatures that you will find comfortable (55-85°). Sometimes light needs and temperature needs are in conflict. For instance, a drafty window may be too cold for a particular plant, regardless of the valuable sunlight it provides. Likewise, a plant may get too warm if placed near a radiator or heating vent. And keep in mind that these problem spots will change with the seasons. A vent that blows warm air in the winter may in turn blow cold air during the summer.
In addition to containers and potting mix needed for healthy houseplants, there are other variables that need to be taken into consideration. All plants need the basic elements of soil, water and light to grow in your home garden.
Water and humidity
 I like to use rainwater or distilled water because it is free of minerals and other chemicals. But if you use tap water, just let it sit for a few days to let the chlorine dissipate. Chemical fertilizers can also add minerals and salts to the soil. Instead, I use an all-natural fertilizer for all of my plants, but you should check the recommendations for the specific variety you are growing. If your plants already have white or crusty deposits on the soil surface or on the pot from mineral buildup, give it a good drenching soak and let the excess water drain completely in a sink or tub.
Overwatering can kill your houseplants as fast as anything. On watering day, I stick my finger into the dirt; if the soil is still moist, I don’t water. I also empty any standing water that collects in the saucers so that the plants don’t have “wet feet”.
Houseplants also like humidity. And in the winter, it can be too dry indoors with the furnace running. Some plants I keep on a tray of pebbles that are kept moist to provide some humidity. But for some of the larger plants and hanging baskets, I mist with a spray bottle.
I started gardening indoors many years ago when I moved into my first apartment. Of course, at the time, I only had a few houseplants that were easy to care for (a sansevieria and spider plant). But now I have an entire garden indoors. I just love indoor gardening, from tropical house plants to fruit trees – it’s a great way for me to get my gardening “fix” during the cold winter months. There are so many different kinds of plants that you can grow indoors – it’s impossible to provide a single list of dos and don’ts. But there are some general how-to houseplant guidelines you can follow.
 Pots and soil
When I’m planting (or transplanting), I use a pot that is slightly larger than the plant’s root ball. If the pot is too small, the plant will be rootbound, and if too big, it will tend to retain too much water. It’s best to have a drainage hole, but if your pot doesn’t have one, you can add an inch or so of small pebbles at the bottom for drainage.
I especially like to grow dwarf-sized fruit trees. They do well in containers, and are easy to prune to keep their height and shape under control. Some of the trees are native to my area and can remain on the patio even for the winter months. But I bring the tropical fruit tree containers indoors for protection during winter months.
I generally use a plant mix that is made especially for houseplants – then I know it is the right mix for indoors. Be sure to check the individual requirements of your plants though – some may require a specialized mix for best results, especially for those that flower or produce fruit.
What’s the difference?
So you want to grow tomatoes, but you don’t know where to start. With so many different varieties, it can be a bit confusing at first. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll be planting tomato seeds and plants with ease in no time!
 First things first, what the heck is a Hybrid tomato, what is an heirloom tomato, and what’s the difference? A “hybrid” plant is when plant breeders cross-breed compatible types of plants, usually in an effort to create something better or distinctive. Most modern vegetables are the result of cross-breeding, which is a good thing, because horticultural experts, especially the ones here at Gurney’s, are always coming up with great new plant breeds.
An “heirloom” plant is one that has been saved, grown for a period of years, and passed down from generation to generation, remaining genetically intact.
Some people favor heirloom tomatoes, and swear by their diversity and distinct, flavorful taste. Others champion hybrid tomatoes, citing their improved disease resistance, reliability and consistency. Here at Gurney’s, we like ‘em both! We carry tons of different hybrid and heirloom tomato seed and plants in order to give you, the customer, a choice. After all, it’s your garden, and you know what’s best!
“Where’d you get it? I’ve Gotta Have It!” That’s what my friends and family always ask me when they taste the fresh Gotta Have It sweet corn I grow in my vegetable garden. We’ve been growing it here at Gurney’s for several years and we still stand behind or claim that it’s the best tasting corn available. If you like sweet corn, this is sure to be your new favorite.  Picture the richest, sweetest, most flavorful corn you’ve ever tasted. Got it? Now add a whole lot of sugar – that’s what Gotta Have It tastes like. You’ve never had corn this sweet!
This spring, we are introducing a new sweet corn variety: Gotta Have It White! It has all the same outstanding taste and qualities of the extremely popular bicolor favorite in a new white corn variety. Juicy kernels, long shelf life, and of course, incredibly sweet flavor!
Our customers have always raved about our Gotta Have It sweet corn. It’s been a customer favorite since its introduction! And now, due to its popularity and versatility, we are expanding our Gotta Have It options for those who prefer a white variety without losing any of the great flavor.
If you’ve ever grown our Gotta Have It sweet corn, feel free to leave a comment and let everyone know what you think! Is it as sugar-sweet as we claim?
Full-Size Apples from Miniature Trees!
In the new Spring catalog, we talk a lot about Li’l BIG Trees, but I often forget that the concept is still fairly new. So what is a Li’l BIG Apple Tree? It’s how the average gardener with limited space grows full size, full flavored apples! Bearing fruit just 16 months after planting, Li’l BIG Apple Trees only grow to about 6 ft. tall, while a regular apple tree can grow up to 25 ft. tall. By the time they reach full maturity, Li’l Big Trees Will yield over ½ a bushel or more each year!
 Best of all, you don’t need a ladder to prune, spray or harvest them. And they need no special care beyond what you would give ordinary apples. Many commercial growers are switching to this popular type of tree because they can get more production per acre. Li’l BIG Trees are also grown on specific root-stock that makes them resistance to fire blight, a nasty disease common to fruit trees.
Li’l BIG Trees may not be for everyone, especially if you have plenty of growing space that can accommodate a standard apple tree. If you plan on stocking your shelves with homemade apple sauce or apple butter and if you have enough room, you may want to stick with a standard tree that will bear fruit 3-6 after planting and produce 5-10 bushels at full maturity.
Li’l BIG Trees do require support, as the fruit they produce often tends to weigh down the tree. We offer special Deluxe Li’l BIG Tree packages, which come with a free tree support, tree fertilizer, calcium, and a tree guard.
If you have limited space or simply want a little tree with big benefits, Li’l BIG is for you. Try it this year – we’re sure you’ll love it!
Click here to check out our YouTube Video about Li’l Big Apple Trees, featuring Felix, one of our horticultural experts!
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a great holiday. It’s 2010, and a new year of gardening is before us. I don’t know about you, but I am ready to get back into my garden!
 Last summer, I had the chance to grow some new tomato varieties. I officially have a new favorite tomato: Nonna’s Prize (VFF). It’s a new Gurney’s Choice tomato seed variety that we are introducing in our spring 2010 (request your copy of our new catalog here!).
Take my word for it; this is the richest-flavored tomato you will ever grow! It resembles an heirloom tomato in looks, but grows like hybrid, which is something I’ve personally always looked for in a tomato seed.
I think what I like most about this new tomato variety, aside from the taste, is the color and shape. It has the distinct, ribbed teardrop shape of a traditional Italian heirloom type, but it yields as well as our finest hybrids. It has a meaty texture and a tangy flavor, which is simply perfect for sauces and fresh eating. And did I mention they are highly disease resistant, and won’t crack or scar like many heirlooms? Simply put, if you love growing tomatoes like me, you’ll love growing Nonna’s Prize!
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