Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.When most people think about starting seeds indoors, they picture tomatoes, peppers, or eggplants. Cabbage usually doesn't make the list. But I'm here to convince you that it absolutely should!!It turns out that starting cabbage seeds...
Vegetable + Fruit Growing Guides
Back to the Garden ShedWhy Is My Ripe Tomato White? Did I Harvest an Albino Tomato?
Recently, I harvested two tomatoes from the exact same Granny Cantrell's tomato plant. One was the beautiful pink color you'd expect from this heirloom variety.The other was almost completely ivory white.So… I had to ask the question, did I just harvest an albino...
How to Prune Tomatoes for Maximum Harvest
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...
Increasing 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...
Should You Remove Flowers From Tomato Plants?
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...
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...
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...
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...
Choosing the Right Temperature for Seedlings
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...
Microgreens: A Complete Beginner-Friendly Guide
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...
What You Need to Know About Growing Winter Squash
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...
Growing Green Beans: Tips, Harvesting, and Trellis Ideas
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....
Beginner’s Guide: How to Grow Blueberries in Your Garden
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,...
How to Save Tomato Seeds
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...
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.
















