Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.I learned from one of my followers (shoutout Alyssa!) that you can sometimes find free seeds at local libraries.I was so intrigued that I checked out three libraries in my area. I found that one library didn’t have a seed program,...
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Few flowers are quite as awesome and iconic as sunflowers. Not only do they bring me instant happiness, but they’re also very useful. They can draw in pollinators, produce edible seeds, and beautify the garden. Sunflowers are deeply...
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.There’s nothing quite like picking a ripe, juicy tomato from your own garden. Harvesting tomatoes at the right time and handling them properly helps ensure the best flavor and freshness. Whether you grow slicing, cherry, heirloom, or...
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.In this blog post I will share the 3 main types of garden containers that I use and recommend. Note that I use many types of containers, but these are my favorite ones!I will also list out the pros and cons of each so that you can...
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.If you have ever bitten into a bland supermarket tomato and thought, “This doesn’t taste right,” you're not imagining it. After years of growing tomatoes in my garden, I often find myself thinking about them during the off-season...
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Pruning tomato plants correctly can do wonders for your garden. It boosts your harvest, improves airflow around the plant, and helps prevent common diseases like blight and powdery mildew.But before you start snipping away, it’s...
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Over the past two decades, solar lights have gone from a novelty to a common garden decoration. Thanks to advancements in solar panel efficiency and LED technology, they’re now a practical, affordable, and eco-friendly option for outdoor...
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.A Tomato Hornworm (pictured below) is a large green caterpillar that feeds on tomato plants and later transforms into a moth that lays eggs, continuing the cycle of garden damage. They're one of the most infamous pests for home...
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Tomato flowers are self-pollinating, but they still need movement to release pollen. This can come naturally from buzzing bees or wind. However, conditions may not be ideal in various situations that include, gardening indoors or not...
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Blossom-end rot is one of the most frustrating issues for gardeners growing tomatoes, peppers, squash, and some other vegetables. It can ruin a significant portion of your harvest, and because the damage often appears after the fruit has...
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.When planning a garden, one of the most common questions is whether to grow heirloom or hybrid vegetables.Both have their own strengths, weaknesses, and ideal growing situations. In this blog post, I'll explain what sets the two apart...
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Cross-pollination occurs when pollen from one plant is transferred to the flowers of another plant, usually by insects, wind, or animals. It only affects the genetic makeup of the seeds and not the fruit in the year that cross...
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.I recently had a frustrating experience in the garden. My tomatillo plant looked healthy, had tons of flowers - both male and female - and yet no fruit.I assumed it would pollinate itself just like my tomatoes do. But after some digging,...
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Upside-down gardening sounds great in theory. Theoretically it can: save space, reduce pests, improve airflow, make harvesting easier, and keep produce cleaner by growing plants suspended off the ground. It flips the script on...
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Tomatoes are self-pollinating, which means each flower contains both male and female parts. However, that doesn’t mean they’ll pollinate themselves without a little help. The most common ways they'll pollinate naturally are through wind,...
Jeff has a deep passion for gardening. Each year, he cultivates hundreds of pounds of vegetables—along with the occasional fruit—turning his garden into a thriving and productive space. Combined with Kyrié’s cooking, together, they create exciting meals using Jeff’s harvest.
