Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.You may have seen gardeners pinching flowers off their tomato plants and wondered why they would remove something that eventually becomes a tomato.The reason is simple: when a tomato plant starts producing fruit, it diverts energy away...
Gardening
Back to the Garden ShedHomemade Kimchi Recipe
Kimchi is a common traditional Korean and Japanese side dish that consists of fermented cabbage and other vegetables that are seasoned with Korean chili flakes (known as gochugaru).Think of it like the Asian version of sauerkraut - but in my opinion, way better....
My New Favorite Versatile Garden Bed
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.One of the most common questions I get as a gardener is: “What garden bed should I buy?” In this blog post, I’m sharing the raised garden bed I personally use and love.Before I dive in, I want to mention that this blog post is not...
Which Plants to Directly Sow Instead of Transplanting
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Not all vegetable transplants are worth buying. Some crops don’t tolerate root disturbance, while others grow so quickly from seed that buying starts adds very little benefit.Here are the types of crops that are usually better planted...
How to Build a Gutter Garden on a Fence
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.As many of you know, figuring out new ways to maximize garden space is my favorite way to make the most of my backyard. This is how I learned about gutter gardening. Gutter gardening is a simple way to turn unused vertical space, like a...
5 Ways to Plant Tomatoes
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Tomatoes are unique because they can grow roots directly from their stems. If you look closely at a tomato stem, you’ll often notice tiny fuzzy hairs or bumps. Those are actually potential root sites.When part of the stem is buried, the...
How to Build the Tomato Trellis that I Use in My Garden
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.The main reason I got into gardening is because I love homegrown tomatoes. One of the first major projects I took on was DIYing a sturdy, two-row tomato trellis that could support 20 plants. After 5 years of growing 100+ pounds of...
My Experience with Vego’s Elevated Garden Bed
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.This last weekend I put together my new elevated garden bed from Vego. I thought it may be helpful to share my experience and list some tips that I learned along the way. First off, here are some of its key features listed on its...
Potato Planting Guide
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Potatoes are one of the most rewarding crops you can grow. They’re productive, forgiving, and incredibly versatile. It’s also so fun finding out how big your harvest will be at the end of the season.If you want large, healthy potatoes...
Temperature Guide for Common Garden Plants
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.As planting season arrives, it’s tempting to get crops in the ground as soon as a few warm days show up. But early planting often leads to problems. I experienced this last year (although technically, it wasn't considered early. We just...
Protecting Your Garden from Wildlife: Deer, Squirrels, and More
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.As an avid gardener, the number one question that I get is how I keep all the critters out. The truth is, I am very lucky to have very little animals coming into my garden. My biggest adversary is my neighbor’s cats that like to use my...
How to Up-Pot Plants: A Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.In my time gardening, I have found that potting-up my plants once before planting outside is ideal for maximum harvests. I'll touch on why exactly in this blog post!I especially love doing this with my tomato plants because tomatoes are...
8 Reasons I Swear by This Fertilizer in My Garden
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.There are a few garden products I simply don’t garden without anymore. And to be clear: this is not a sponsored post. After consistently strong results over the past five years, I wanted to share why this specific brand's fertilizers...
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...
How and Why I Brought Native Bees to my Garden
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Every year, I hand pollinate my tomatoes (hand pollinating a tomato means manually helping the plant transfer pollen from the male part of the flower to the female part so it can produce fruit). There’s something satisfying about knowing...
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.
















