How to Grow

We’ve all experienced the shock that comes with walking out of a warm, cozy home straight into the blustery, cold elements that Mother Nature throws our way. Did you know that herb and vegetable plants can experience the same thing, referred to as plant transplant shock? When plant seedlings are grown and maintained in a greenhouse they haven’t experienced the temperature changes, wind, harsh sun rays, or other traits that nature brings. Just like the preemptive measures we take prior to heading outside; transitioning your Savor vegetables and herbs from greenhouse to outdoor life is an important step in making sure your garden is a success.

The first step comes when purchasing your seedlings. When possible, choose seedlings that are kept outside since they’ll already be used to the elements. If your options only include those kept in a greenhouse, don’t fret. Simply follow these tips to ensure you’re purchasing the strongest seedlings that have the highest likelihood of success. You need to choose the plant that’s just the right size. If the seedling is too small compared to the container, the plant may have been recently transplanted and doesn’t yet have the strong root system you’re looking for. On the other hand, if the plant is overbearing compared to the container, the plants root system may not be large enough to support the plant, otherwise known as being root bound. Fortunately Savor takes the guesswork right out of the equation. The natural coconut fibers in Savor coir pots allow roots to grow right through removing any chance of your herbs or vegetables becoming root bound. Did we mention they’re biodegradable too?

Once you’ve found the perfectly sized seedlings for your garden, the transition – or hardening off in official gardener lingo – can begin. In order to toughen the seedlings up, for the weeks prior to trans-planting them, gradually increase the amount of time they spend outside exposed to the elements. When it comes time to transplant, keep the seedling soil and roots damp. Also be sure to keep the root exposure to a minimum by quickly covering the roots with soil after placing them into their new home. Ensure that the soil in your garden is enriched with phosphorus and avoid fertilizers rich in nitrogen because these can actually burn the delicate roots of your seedling. When you properly harden off and create an inviting space for your seedlings, you’re on your way to fresh and tasty Savor vegetables and herbs all season long!

Looking to turn your backyard into the local neighborhood hot spot? Try planting your own cocktail garden. Yes, cocktail garden. Top shelf alcohol isn’t the only ingredient making the cocktails from your favorite bar a must have. Many signature drinks include aromatic herbs, savory vegetables, and delicious fruit – all ingredients you can grow at home. Still lost? Think mojitos, mint juleps, and appletinis.

Garden-to-glass is a catchy trend in gardening where cocktails are constructed with fresh herbs, vegetables, and fruit. Skip the high price tags and lines by creating these signature drinks for enjoyment in your own backyard. A cocktail garden can be a simple stand-alone structure or the ingredients can be added to your everyday vegetable or herb garden. It can also take on a whole new level by crafting an outdoor bar with a section where Savor vegetables and herbs can grow. This provides a unique, welcoming bar that you can pull a stool right up to, while allowing easy accessibility to all your fresh cocktail ingredients.

Whether using as flavorings or garnishes, the possibilities are endless when it comes to fresh ingredients for your signature drinks. Appletini^™ Mint, Mojito Cocktail^™ Mint, Hot Rod Pepper, and Marketmore 86 Cucumber are only a handful of the Savor must haves for your cocktail garden. Be creative with the ingredients you use in your signature drink recipes and you’ll be the talk of the neighborhood in no time!

What comes to mind when you hear the word “heirloom” plants? Many will define it in a similar way – an item of quality, of monetary or sentimental value that is passed down from generation to generation. Heirlooms are known to be tried and true and can stand the test of time. The pocket watch passed down to you from your great-great-grandfather isn’t the only type of item that qualifies as an heirloom. The word is also used when describing types of vegetables, like tomatoes.

The term heirloom is thrown around by gardeners, grocery clerks, and consumers alike. But what does the word really mean and how does it affect you? In layman’s terms, it refers to how the plant was reproduced. An heirloom tomato is open pollinated which causes it to remain true to its parent. They’re beautiful. They’re interesting. They’re full of heritage and the taste can’t be beat. Want to see for yourself? Bite into any Savor heirloom tomato like Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, and Mr. Stripey. The taste is undeniable.

Although there are many varieties of heirloom tomato plants in existence, they aren’t the only type of tomato available. Hybrids are an extremely popular type of tomato because of their ability to take on desirable qualities from two different varieties and create a tomato that carries the traits of both parents through cross-pollination. They’re known for their harvest consistency, high yield, and disease resistance, all things heirlooms can lack. Confused about what tomatoes you should plant in your garden? Since growing heirloom tomatoes and hybrids have different qualities and uses, try your hand at planting both. You won’t be disappointed.

The key to harvesting basil plant is patience. It’s easy to be caught up in preparing dinner one night, realize you’re short on basil, and go harvest the majority of your basil plant in one fell swoop. To harvest it properly, ensure the best tasting herb, and promote plant growth, simply follow these steps.

When your basil plant has three to five sets of mature leaves, pinch the top of the plant off just above the second set of leaves. This will encourage the basil plant to grow two new stems from the original one. By repeating this process to all of the new growth every few weeks, you’ll reap the benefits with cups of flavorful basil. Remember though, never pick more than one third of the leaves at any one harvest and give the plant time to recover between harvests.

If you wait too long between harvests, your basil plant will begin to bud and grow flowers. Although it may look nice, once flowers bloom your basil plant will stop producing new leaves and cause the current leaves to become bitter to the taste. Since basil is an annual, the flowers cue the end of the plants life cycle. Timing is everything and if you master that, you’ll be able to grow and harvest robust and flavorful basil.

Are the herbs in your garden riddled with flowers? Herbs, like many crops, exist to reproduce. They grow flowers that eventually turn to seeds, which cue the end of its life cycle. The plants focus and energy switches from growing healthy, great tasting leaves, to producing flowers and seeds for reproduction. This often time leaves your herb plants small and weak.

Regular pruning will prevent flowers from growing on your herb plants. However, have you considered that some herb flowers are not only edible, but taste great? Instead of pruning the flowers away, keep a close eye on your herb plants. When flowers begin to appear, pick the flowers for use as garnishes and in salads. Some have a mild, subtle taste, while others offer a punch of flavor. To ensure that the flowers in your salads maintain their bright, fresh colors, use dressings that are low in acidity and apply the dressing immediately before serving.

Ready to try your hand at creating meals with the flowers from your garden? The first step is determining which are edible. Some herbs that grow edible flowers include basil, chives, dill, fennel, lavender, oregano, rosemary, and sage. Once you’ve determined if you can consume the flowers from the herbs in your garden, be aware that any pesticides or herbicides used in or near your garden will remain on the flower. Keep your herbs free from any chemicals to ensure you’re eating and serving only the healthiest herbs and edible flowers.

Does your lettuce have a tendency to grow stems and flower? This is also known as bolting, and is detrimental to your crop. Why does lettuce bolting occur? Salad crops like lettuce have one purpose in their lifecycle – create seeds to reproduce. Seeds come from flowers, and once flowers grow on your lettuce the energy originally used in growing leaves now transfers to growing the seeds. This causes bitter tasting lettuce that becomes less tender and not as edible.

Lettuce is a cold weather crop. As the weather starts to turn warmer and the days of sunlight become longer, the lettuce has a higher likelihood of bolting. Starting your lettuce indoors early in the season, keeping it in the shade once outside, and ensuring it has plenty of regular watering are all steps that can be used to prevent bolting. Many gardeners also harvest mature outer leaves throughout the growing season. The belief is that this will keep the plant from maturing properly, thus making it less likely to bolt.

If your lettuce bolts, before ripping it from the ground and adding it to your compost pile, consider one of these options first. In small amounts, the bitter lettuce makes a wonderful addition to a salad when combined with sweeter vegetables and other lettuce varieties. The lettuce can also add great flavor and texture to smoothies and soups. If you prefer to leave the leaves on the plant, consider allowing the plant to flower, seed, and germinate the way nature intended.

Are you considering reusing the soil in your herb or vegetable containers? Before you do, answer this question: what do plants need in order to thrive? Plenty of sun, adequate water, some TLC, and healthy soil that’s rich in nutrients. Reusing the leftover potting soil in your containers can cause poor plant growth, inadequate drainage, and an increased likelihood of unwanted guests like insects and weeds.

The good news is you don’t necessarily need to get rid of all of the soil. Here are some things to consider when determining if and how much soil you can reuse: Was the soil root bound? After watering, does the water quickly run out of the bottom of the pot? Did your previous crop show signs of disease or pest infestation? Are you starting your crop from seeds and not seedlings? If you’ve answered yes to any (or all) of these questions, it’s in your plants best interest to use fresh potting soil in your containers.

If your soil seems to be in good health – it drains well, does not have roots throughout, and appears to be disease free – you’ll simply need to revitalize the soil that’s left. There are many ways to do so, but the simplest way to add missing nutrients to your container soil is mixing in compost, vermiculite, or organic fertilizers. By reusing potting soil, you’re reducing waste and creating less of a footprint on the earth – a win for everyone (plants included).

Every now and then those special friendships come into your life. You know, the ones that make you grow and thrive, and make you a better you. The same idea applies to vegetables and it’s called companion planting. When planted next to each other, some vegetables provide shade or other physical support, attract beneficial insects or repel harmful ones, or provide nutrients to help promote healthy growth. Vegetable relationships can work the other way too – plant the wrong ones together and a decreased harvest isn’t far behind.

Companion planting has been used for centuries in this country. The Native Americans implemented their own version of companion planting, known as the Three Sisters. They planted corns, beans, and squash together, providing each with an ideal growing environment. The beans provided the soil with nitrogen that the corn required, the corn supplied a strong structural support for the bean vines, and the squash acted as weed control for all.

Garden best friends include broccoli and potatoes, beans and cucumbers, carrots and lettuce, and onion and tomatoes. Garden foes include beans and onions, broccoli and tomatoes, carrots and cabbage, and potatoes and cucumbers. Although the list is widespread, if you follow the basic companion planting guidelines, you’re on your way to a bountiful vegetable garden!

Are your tomato plants being defoliated and you’re not sure why? Look closer. Blending in among the foliage lay an insatiable foe – the tomato hornworm. Undetected, they’ll eat entire leaves, small stems, and even take bites out of young fruit in late summer months. Due to their remarkable ability to camouflage themselves, you’re more like to spot the damage to your plants well before you spot the culprit.

Tomato hornworms are large…about three to four inches long…and are green with seven diagonal white stripes and a black or red horn sticking from their back. The easiest way to rid your plants of them is to pick the hornworms off and destroy them. A trick to ensure you find them all is to spray water on your plants. The hornworms will thrash around and give away their location.

Even though it may be tempting to eliminate every hornworm you see in your garden, there is one circumstance where they should be left alone. If you see a hornworm covered in what resembles the grains of white rice, do not destroy the worm. These protrusions are parasitic wasp larvae and use the hornworms as a host by feeding from it and eventually killing it as it pupates. Once hatched, these wasps move on to protect your garden from other unwanted pests.

Did you know that tomato plants can easily develop roots directly out of their stems? This unique trait makes planting tomato seedlings that much easier. More roots means a stronger, healthier plant, so when you plant, plant deep. When your seedlings have reached about six inches tall and the weather is consistently above 55-60° F, it’s safe to transfer them to your garden.

To do so, you’ll need to determine how tall and wobbly your tomato seedling is. For seedlings that are strong enough to be planted upright, dig the hole deep enough so that only the top layer of leaves are above the soil. For seedlings that are weaker, dig a shallow trench and lay the plant sideways, gently bending the top to an upward right angle. Bury the stem in this position, leaving the top layer of leaves above the soil line. Tomato plants love heat and sunshine, so the plant will naturally grow towards the sun.

If you decide to use stakes or cages to support your growing tomato plants, placing them at the same time you plant your seedlings is ideal. This will ensure that you don’t damage the growing root system of the plant at a later date. The support system you choose will also help you determine how far apart to place your plants. Rule of thumb is three feet apart if using cages, two feet for stakes, and three to five feet if letting the tomato plant grow naturally. Whatever the method of planting or support, following these tips will help you in growing – and consuming – this popular vegetable all Summer long!

Have you ever heard the term “cool weather crop” and wondered what in the world that means for you and your garden planning? To put it simply, cool weather crops are typically started and grown in the Spring when temperatures are low. Some of these crops can also be grown again in the Fall, as long as you provide them adequate time to grow before the first frost.

Cool weather crops typically don’t have a long growing season, which makes them a perfect candidate for one last crop before Winter hits. When planted in the Spring, cool weather crops will start to bolt (grow flowers and seed) when the weather gets warmer and the days get longer. When vegetables bolt, they turn bitter tasting and are not very edible. Bolting isn’t a concern when planting your final Fall cool weather crop.

Artichoke, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, celery, and potato are all cool weather crops that can only be grown in the Spring due to their long growing season. If you’re looking to grow two crops, one in Spring and a second in Fall, look to planting beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, lettuce, radish, spinach, and turnip. Cool weather crops are a sure fire way to ensure amazing salads for all season long.

Warm weather crops are known as the summer group – these vegetables not only love the heat and sun, they rely on it. These crops can’t tolerate even the lightest frost – so planting seedlings or seeds will need to wait until there is no chance of a frost, even a late Spring one. Warm soil, high temperatures, adequate sunshine, and a slight cooling off at night are what make warm weather crops thrive and steadily produce plentiful vegetables.

If you’ve started your warm weather crops inside and are itching to get them out of your house and into the ground, there are ways to protect them against the elements that Spring sometimes brings. Some warm weather crops are more prone to disease and rot if the soil temperature isn’t high enough or is too damp. If you want to ensure the soil stays warm enough to keep your crops healthy, consider protecting them by using an empty milk jug or plastic cloth which will both trap heat.

Corn, cucumber, eggplant, herbs, peppers, pumpkin, summer squash, tomato, watermelon, and winter squash are all considered warm weather crops. They all typically have a growing season of 75-100 days until they reach maturity. Once the weather turns hot, these crops will show the most growth and although they tend to take up a lot of room in the garden, they allow for multiple harvests throughout the season.

Have you reached the point in your herb garden voyage where you’re able to pick the basil you’ve been tending to all season? Picking, also known as harvesting, your bounty of Savor Basil is an exciting and important part of your gardening adventure. With a few simple tricks, you’ll be on your way to homemade pesto, mouth-watering sandwiches, and an endless array of culinary master pieces with Savor’s Pesto Perpetuo^™ and Red Wine Vinegar^™ Basils.

The most important rule – don’t be afraid to prune your basil plant every couple of weeks. If you just let it grow without giving it a haircut every now and then, your basil bush will most likely not resemble a bush at all. Every time you prune your basil plant, the plant focuses its energy to that location and will actually grow two branches from that one you pruned. Cool, right? The more often you prune your basil plant, the more basil your plant will produce. Even cooler is the leaves you pruned off are completely edible. Basically, as you’re relishing in the aromatic sauce you just created using That’s Italian^™ Basil, your basil plant is already growing new leaves for your next batch.

Everyone appreciates the appeal of flowers; however, flowers on basil plants aren’t something to strive for. The big question on when to pick your basil comes down to this – if you see buds forming on the tips of your basil plants, pick them off and prune your plant. If you give your basil plants the haircuts mentioned earlier, it should help ward off those unwanted flowers. When flowers bloom on basil plants, the leaves of your plants become tough and don’t taste as amazing as they otherwise would. This is because the plant energy put into growing flavorful leaves moves its attention to growing the flowers. Don’t let your basil plant down, it’s relying on you for the TLC it deserves.

Remember your excitement as a child picking out that perfect pumpkin, meticulously carving the design of your choice, and then watching with glee as the crooked smile glowed from your front porch on Halloween night? Now imagine taking that adventure up a notch. How you wonder? By growing your very own pumpkin! Pumpkins, like Savor’s Howden, are an easy and fun vegetable to grow – something the entire family can appreciate.

As you’ve seen from driving by any local pumpkin patch, the plant vines take up a lot of room. However, this doesn’t mean you need to live on a five acre plot of land in order to grow your own pumpkin. As long as you have some free space with good drainage, full sun, plenty of water, and lots of compost, you’re that much closer to out of this world jack-o-lanterns ready for October. Pumpkins are heavy feeders and are comprised of a large percentage of water. This is why adding compost and watering frequently are extremely important to the success of your pumpkin. They’re also prone to rotting, so be sure that the leaves and pumpkin are kept dry, keeping the moisture in the soil and roots.

Since the delicate vines tend to have a mind of their own, make sure when planting that you’re allowing for adequate space to spread by giving each plant about twenty feet of space. In order to control the vines, once the pumpkins have started to grow don’t be afraid to trim back some of the vines. This will encourage the plant to divert its energy from the vines to the pumpkin – helping it grow that much bigger. Your pumpkin will be ready to be turned into your latest and greatest Halloween masterpiece when it’s vibrant orange with a hard shell.

When you hear the word “dill”, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Undoubtedly it’s pickles. Savory, zesty, incredibly delicious dill pickles. But did you know that pickles (and other pickled items) aren’t the only foods that dill makes a tasty addition to? Adding sprigs of dill to plain yogurt will create a cooling dip perfect for hot Summer days. Dill also makes a perfect accompaniment to fish, salad dressings, and vegetables like potatoes and green beans. The culinary versatility of Savor’s Pickle Me^™ Dill is virtually as exciting as how easy it is to grow.

As far as herbs go, dill isn’t very fussy. It loves bathing in the glorious mid-day sun, but can also tolerate a bit of afternoon shade. Since sun is so central to the success of your dill plant, be sure to plant your dill outside after the last frost of the Spring season. Like most herbs, it does best with a marginally acidic soil (with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5) which aides in its most efficient absorption of soil nutrients. If you’re unsure of the pH level of your soil, soil testing kits can be found at local hardware stores and garden centers. Gardening gurus are always happy to assist a fellow gardener on their growing adventure!

When planting your Pickle Me^™ Dill in the garden, leave about one foot of space between plants allowing adequate space for your dill to grow. Dill has a very deep root system, so if planting your dill in a container, make sure that the container is at least ten to twelve inches deep to accommodate the plants root system. Regardless of whether you plant dill in a garden or container, provide plenty of water to your dill plant to prevent drying out in the sun. Since dill grows quickly, you’re not far off from enjoying the flexibility of this amazing herb – and some remarkably delectable dill pickles!

Zucchini is certainly no stranger to local Summer farm stands. And for good reason. It has exciting versatility and exceptionally amazing flavor, something that chefs and bakers of all skill levels can utilize and appreciate. From sweet zucchini bread to savory ratatouille, the culinary use of this squash is about as extensive as the varieties. You’re probably thinking, “What varieties? I thought all zucchini was large, elongated, and deep green.” Quite the contrary. Savor’s Aristocrat is the typical zucchini you envisioned, but Savor’s Safari Zucchini is deep green with white stripes running lengthwise – a unique twist on a classic vegetable.

Regardless of the variety, zucchini is easy to plant and grow. It also produces a large, healthy harvest of delicious squash. Zucchini is a warm weather crop, meaning they thrive off hot, sunny weather. When planting your zucchini, ensure you leave plenty of space between plants. They need about three feet on all sides in order to not overrun each other or hog all of the nutrients in the soil. To avoid risk of the soil drying up in the Summer sun, be sure to provide about two inches of water per week.

To avoid tough squash with large seeds, harvest your zucchini when it’s on the immature size – not too large. The smaller zucchini will be much more tender and flavorful – something imperative to all dishes made with this squash. We all know that zucchini pairs beautifully with other vegetables and herbs in the kitchen, but don’t let the friendship start there. By planting zucchini with companion plants like Hungarian Cheese Blend Peppers, Homeslice tomatoes, and Pasta Perfect^™ Parsley, your zucchini will have a leg up on fighting off garden pests and aiding in nutrient intake. On the other hand, avoid planting your zucchini next to potatoes – the two will fight for the soil nutrients and ultimately cause growing issues in one or both. Save that relationship for the casserole dish.

Have you ever walked into grandma’s kitchen and let the pungent, aromatic nature of fresh rosemary take over all your senses? That experience can easily be duplicated in your very own kitchen with Savor rosemary grown in your own garden. In addition to smelling incredible, this member of the mint family provides meals with unforgettable flavor, and many rely on its natural healing abilities for common day ailments. This easy to grow herb is one that you’ll thank yourself for planting every time you use it.

In addition to the uses mentioned above, rosemary like Savor’s Happy Trails^™ makes an appealing addition to any garden or landscape with its gorgeous groundcover. Since rosemary can grow three to four feet tall and have a widespread root system, planting your rosemary 18 to 24 inches apart is ideal. Rosemary thrives off hot and humid weather, where it requires little water. Plant your rosemary in at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight and allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering. Once dry, water completely, soaking the soil surrounding the plant. Good soil drainage and regular pruning are also imperative in successfully growing rosemary.

Like most herbs and vegetables, companion planting is ideal in creating the best growing environment for your plants. Try planting Roasting Rosemary^™ or Shish Kabob^™ Rosemary with Packman Broccoli, Hot Rod Peppers, or Savory Sachet^™ Sage – all of which provide and receive nutrients to help each other flourish. Since rosemary is known to be somewhat of an insect repellant, it is frequently used to keep garden pests away from many of its companion vegetables and herbs. Whether planting rosemary alone or with friends, the amazing culinary benefits from this incredible herb can’t be denied.

There’s no denying the cooling effect that biting into a crisp, fresh cucumber spear on a hot Summer day has on the taste buds. Whether pickled, added to a salad, or used to concoct a delicious adult beverage, cucumbers have a uniquely refreshing flavor that has been around for thousands of years. The distinctive taste combined with their bountiful harvest and ease of growing has made these vegetables climb to the top of the must-have list for home gardeners.

You need to first determine what you plan to use the cucumbers for – pickling or slicing. If you choose to pickle, Savor’s Bush Crop and Fancipak Cucumber varieties will do incredible things paired inside a jar with some distilled vinegar, garlic, and Pickle Me^™ Dill. If you’re looking to eat your cucumbers raw or add them to a salad, give Savor Marketmore 86 and Miniature White a whirl. Regardless of the type, cucumber plants tend to sprawl while growing, so plant them with about three feet of space in between plants. Prior to planting, your garden soil should be prepped by loosening the soil and removing any rocks or twigs. It should also be rich in nutrients and be well-drained.

Once the threat of frost has passed, it’s safe to plant your cucumbers outside. When organizing your garden space, plan to accommodate for a cucumbers’ lighting preference. They thrive off of sunny, humid weather but can tolerate some afternoon shade. Since cucumbers are comprised of a good amount of water, adequate watering of your plants is essential. Watering regularly and keeping the soil moist, but not soaked is the best way to achieve deliciously crunchy vegetables. Cucumbers will also benefit nutritionally from having companion plants nearby. Packman broccoli and Amazing cauliflower are two superb choices when companion planting. With not much fuss, you’re quickly on your way to a large harvest of cool, crisp cucumbers all Summer long.

Have you ever heard the saying, variety is the spice of life? Well, when it comes to tomatoes, this couldn’t be more spot on. With over 35 different kinds of Savor tomato varieties, you’ll be able to have your hand at growing a different kind of tomato for every culinary use imaginable. From Savor’s Old German slicer heirloom to the unique markings and color of Green Zebra – you name it and there’s a variety that fits exactly what you’re looking for. Due to the sheer range of varieties and uses in the kitchen, tomatoes have become the number one vegetable (we know, it’s technically a fruit) grown in home gardens across the country. It also helps that tomatoes are relatively easy to successfully grow at home for novice and expert gardeners alike.

When planting your tomato, you have two options – plant it in a deep hole, covering the bottom few leaves or plant in a shallow trench, allowing the stem to develop roots for a sturdier plant. No matter which way you choose to plant, make sure the soil you’re planting in is rich in nutrients and has adequate drainage. This drainage will come in handy with the regular watering your plants need to thrive. Do your best to avoid irregular watering – don’t forget to water for a week and then try to make up for it the week after with daily drenching. This will cause your tomatoes to potentially rot – something no gardener wants to see happen to their delectable fruit.

Equally important is that Savor tomatoes love sun and need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight to grow and ripen into the gorgeous hues of green, red, and yellow they’re meant to. Since tomatoes are vine plants, if not using a cage or stakes, you’ll want to make sure you plant them about two feet apart. This will avoid overcrowding and give them enough space to spread their vines. With some proper planning and a little extra care, you’ll be able to enjoy dozens of different tomato varieties for many months to come. Just add some culinary imagination!