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...
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here. If you've ever grown your own seedlings before, sadly you may that it's not always a smooth road. In fact, I feel like every year I face some sort of issue with at least some of my seedlings. Oftentimes, I’m able to correct the issues...
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...
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Microgreens are young vegetable or herb seedlings harvested just after their first true leaves appear, usually around 1 - 3 inches tall. They’re grown densely, harvested quickly, and pack intense flavor and nutrients into small, tender...
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Winter squash is one of my favorite crops to grow for a few reasons. On top of having great nutritional value and taste, they can also produce substantial yields. Perhaps above all else, winter squash have impressive shelf life that...
Green beans are a favorite among home gardeners because they’re quick to mature, highly productive, and versatile in the kitchen. Whether you enjoy them fresh, sautéed, pickled, or frozen, green beans can provide plentiful harvests from a relatively small space....
Although blueberries are a delicious and rewarding fruit to grow, they can be tricky for gardeners. Unlike other common fruits such as raspberries, strawberries, or grapes, blueberries require specific soil conditions and growing care.With proper preparation,...
Saving seeds from your garden is one of the most rewarding ways to bring gardening full circle. It allows you to preserve your favorite varieties, save money, and grow plants that are better adapted to your local growing conditions. That being said, saving your own...
Deadheading is one of those simple garden tasks that can make a big difference.At its core, deadheading means removing spent flowers, buds, or unnecessary growth so plants can use their energy more effectively. In this photo, I am deadheading my tomatoes. I usually...
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.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.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...
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.
