From top to bottom (basil, lettuce, peppers). I planted all of them on April 7, and this photo was taken on May 10, just a month later. Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Living in a small space doesn’t mean you have to give up on your gardening dreams. In fact, there are...
Real Farmer Jeff
Back to the Garden ShedIncreasing Tomato Yield: How To Pollinate Your Tomatoes by Hand
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.If you’ve ever struggled to get a good tomato harvest (especially during hot, dry summers) hand-pollination might be the secret weapon you’ve been missing. Even though hand-pollination goes above and beyond what the average gardener...
Growing Tomatoes Upside Down: A Space-Saving, Dog-Proof Gardening Hack
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Upside-down gardening might sound like a gimmick at first, but it’s actually a clever, practical solution for growing healthy, productive plants - especially if you're short on space or dealing with pets, pests, or limited garden...
Reencle Indoor Composter: The Easiest Way to Turn Kitchen Scraps into Garden Gold
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by composting - tracking the right ratios, avoiding meat or dairy, or dealing with outdoor bins - I highly recommend the Reencle Indoor Composter.It is truly incredible how it can turn nearly all food...
The Benefits of Fabric Grow Bags in Gardening
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Fabric grow bags are one of my favorite garden containers that I would highly recommend to anyone!Apart from being incredibly versatile, grow backs perhaps give the most cost effective harvest of any garden containers.In this post I will...
Pollination in Your Vegetable Garden: Why It Matters & How to Help
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.If you’ve ever planted a vegetable garden and ended up with lots of flowers but very little fruit, chances are you’ve run into a pollination problem.Most fruiting vegetables (including tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, squash, melons,...
Growing Potatoes in Towers: Fact vs. Fiction + Plant Growth Explained
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.When my friend sent me the graphic below showing how to grow 100 pounds of potatoes in just 4 square feet, I was intrigued. With only ~250 square feet of backyard space behind my townhouse, I'm always on the lookout for space-efficient...
Guide to Vermicomposting — Plus My Wormlet Kit Review
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.If you've ever thought about turning your kitchen scraps into garden gold, vermicomposting is a fun option. Not only is it a sustainable way to reduce waste, but it also produces one of the most nutrient-rich soil amendments available:...
The Ultimate Guide to Mulching Raised Bed Gardens
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Mulching your raised beds is one of the simplest, highest-impact things you can do for your garden. While it certainly enhances the garden’s appearance, the real benefits go far beyond aesthetics. For me, mulching is essential to...
How to Plant Tomatoes: Spacing, Depth, and Best Companion Plants
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Tomatoes are one of the most rewarding and popular crops to grow in a home garden. Their flavor, versatility in the kitchen, and wide variety make them a favorite for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike. They definitely are a personal...
How to Choose the Best Vegetable Transplants for Your Garden
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Buying vegetable transplants from a nursery or garden center is a great way to jump-start your growing season. These young plants, often called “starts,” save you the time and effort of germinating seeds indoors or waiting for them to...
How to Start Seeds Outdoors: A Beginner Gardener’s Guide
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Starting seeds outdoors is an exciting time of the year!It's amazing how quickly vegetables spring to life with the right weather conditions. Additionally, it's so nice to not have to harden off plants that are started outside.This guide...
How to Achieve Ideal Soil Texture for Perfect Aeration and Drainage
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.The biggest point of learning that I’ve had this gardening season is the absolute importance of aeration in the soil. I haven't had a lot of struggles with this in the past, but this year has been different. Creating soil with the right...
Root Development: Supporting Early Growth and Hardening Off
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Roots might be out of sight, but they’re the most important part of a healthy plant.Understanding how roots develop during early growth can make all the difference when you're starting seeds or transplanting young plants. It’s not just...
Soil vs. Dirt: Understanding the Difference and How to Make Your Own Soil
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Whether you're a beginner gardener or a seasoned grower, understanding the foundation of plant health - soil - is crucial.Many people use the terms soil and dirt interchangeably, but in gardening and agriculture, they are very different...

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.