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...
Gardening
Back to the Garden ShedGuide 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...
Why Pollination Matters in Your Garden + How to Attract Bees
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.One of the essential ways to maximize yields in your garden is to have a high pollination percentage on the plants you are already growing. It's common practice to plant flowers specifically to bring in the pollinators and promote...
How to Build a 4-Square-Foot Potato Box for a Bigger Harvest
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Here's the background to this project of building a potato box for maximum harvest:My friend sent me the graphic below of how to grow 100 pounds of potatoes in 4 square feet, and I knew I needed to try it out!Since my townhouse backyard...
Watering Seedlings: Best Techniques & How Often to Water
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Caring for little seedings sometimes feels like taking care of a baby because they can also be fragile and hard to read. Too much water can drown the seedling’s roots or cause disease, while too little can stunt their growth or cause...
Garden Patch Grow Box: Benefits, Tips, and How to Maximize Your Space
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Before I begin, keep in mind that this blog post is not sponsored! I have used this product for years and love it so much. The Garden Patch Grow Box is hands down my favorite garden product!If you find yourself struggling with...
Understanding Garden Light and Shade: A Simple Guide
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.A common reason I see friends and family struggle with failed gardens is a lack of understanding of how much light their garden receives. Understanding this is simple, yet key for success.Not only will this help you know where to set up...
Seed Germination Tips: Improve Growth with Seed Soaking and Heat Mats
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Getting your seeds to sprout successfully is one of the most crucial steps in gardening. And yet, many gardeners struggle with slow or inconsistent germination. It can be tricky!The good news is that there are a few simple techniques...
How to Start Seeds: Proper Depth, Moisture, and Soil for Success
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.I often hear from my family and friends that gardening can overwhelm them because of one of the very first steps: their seeds fail to germinate properly. As a result, they struggle to enjoy gardening as a whole and miss out on the...
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.
















