Epic Gardening

Found this kneeling device for bricklayers last year and had to give it a shot in the garden. It’s a bit bulky to walk around in, but honestly, it made weeding and harvesting way easier than I thought! 🙌🏼 Still believe it could be a game-changer for us gardeners. What do you think—would you give it a try? 🤔

If you’re behind on planting seeds, here’s a little trick that might help.

Two years ago we planted some giant sunflower seeds, and they grew massive—about 15 inches across. 🌻🤯 Instead of letting the seeds scatter, we harvested them, boiled them in saltwater, roasted them in the oven, and tossed them with olive oil and ranch seasoning. The result was a delicious, fresh snack that tasted even better than store-bought. If you’ve got sunflowers, definitely give this a try! 🌻✨

Growing wasabi has been one of our toughest challenges. To date, we’ve yet to pull off a successful harvest. A big part of that struggle is trying to cultivate this cool, shade-loving plant in San Diego’s warm, sunny climate (Zone 10b). Wasabi thrives in temperatures between 45-70°F, hates direct sunlight, and is part of the cabbage family. It’s so difficult to grow that what you typically find in stores or on restaurant menus is often a blend of horseradish, mustard, food coloring, and other additives. For the real deal, look for Wasabi japonica as the first ingredient on the label—or better yet, try growing your own!

Meet Inga edulis, also known as the ice cream bean tree. Native to Central and South America, this fast-growing legume belongs to the Fabaceae family and thrives in tropical and subtropical regions. Its oversized, pod-like fruits can grow over 2 feet long. Crack one open and you’ll find a sweet, cottony pulp wrapped around shiny black seeds. The flavor? Think vanilla ice cream meets cotton candy, with some varieties even throwing in a hint of cinnamon. It’s easy to see why it’s a favorite among kids and foragers alike. But this tree isn’t just about sweet treats. Indigenous communities have long valued Inga edulis for more than just the fruit. Its nitrogen-fixing roots enrich the soil, making it a popular agroforestry species for regenerating degraded land. The wood is also used for fuel and construction, while the dense canopy provides shade for crops like coffee and cacao. Locally, it goes by many names—guaba in Ecuador, pacay in Peru, and cuaniquil in parts of Mexico. However you say it, the ice cream bean tree is a delicious and multifunctional gem of the tropics.

If you’re lucky enough to have a loquat tree in your backyard, you’re in for a treat. These tropical beauties are not only super tasty but also packed with nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber. Plus, they bring some serious style with their fragrant blooms and golden-orange fruit. Loquats thrive in warm climates and make for a stunning ornamental tree year-round. 🌳 Fun fact: loquats go by a bunch of different names depending on where you’re at – Japanese plum, Chinese plum, or even Pipa in China. The tree’s leaves and fruit have a long history in traditional medicine, with the fruit being used to ease coughs and the leaves believed to help with skin conditions and respiratory issues. 💊 If you’ve got the right climate, go ahead and plant one—it’s definitely worth it. 💯

New to gardening? Start with herbs. 🌿 They’re easy, low-maintenance, and save you $$$ on groceries. Plus, you can make your own spices, teas, and seasonings right at home. What’s your favorite herb to grow?

It might sound strange, but painting young fruit trees has made a huge difference in our Epic Orchard. We’ve planted over 40 fruit trees, and using an all-organic “paint” from our friend Charles at IV Organics (not sponsored) has helped keep them healthy. Trees can get sunburned, just like we can. Sun damage makes it harder for them to move water and nutrients, and it also makes them more vulnerable to pests like borers. Now when should you paint? 🖌️ Ideally, when you plant the tree. Cover the main trunk and major branches, especially on the southern side, since that gets the most sun. This works well for citrus, avocados, cherries, peaches, plums, nectarines, and more. And don’t worry—the paint is breathable and safe for the tree. 🌿 Have you tried this before? Let us know in the comments ⬇️

Pruning fruit trees can feel terrifying—what if you mess up and ruin years of growth? But after using this strategy on peaches for 3+ years, we’ve had so many peaches we have to give them away. 🍑✨ Here’s the pruning method we swear by: 🌿 3 D’s – Remove anything dead, diseased, or damaged first. It’s the easiest (and least stressful) place to start. 🌳 Open Structure – Peaches thrive with an airy, open interior. Remove crossing branches and those shaded inside the canopy to improve airflow and fruit quality. 📏 Lowering the Canopy – A shorter tree = easier harvesting! Even at 6’4", I struggle to reach the top, so I trim it down to 6-8’ for easier access. ✂️ Thinning Cuts – Too many buds = too many peaches = snapped branches. Cut back 30-50% of the length on overgrown branches to reduce fruit load and keep your tree strong. Yes, some cuts may seem extreme, but trust us—your tree will be healthier, stronger, and loaded with delicious peaches! 🍑💪🏼

Tomato planting tip: Don’t mess up your timing 🍅 Most gardeners do the first part right - starting 6-8 weeks before the last frost where they live. But they miss the second step… The secret is waiting until soil temps hit around 60°F or higher consistently. 65°F is even better! You can get transplant shock and a struggle to thrive if temps are too low, EVEN if there's no more frost in your area. Use a soil thermometer to check - they're about $10 at the local garden center. Get it right and watch those tomatoes thrive 🌱

First few weeks of spring harvest check-in: fresh eggs, a monster beet, and a garden bursting with promise. I went through the usual rounds, and everything’s coming along... some ready to pick, others taking their time. What're you harvesting right now? ⬇️

If you want your citrus to thrive, you need to fertilize it and NOW is the perfect time. Right when winter breaks and spring starts to creep in. Use a slow-release organic fertilizer, clear out a circle roughly the circumference of your tree's canopy and sprinkle over the soil, then cover with mulch. This is what I've done for 4 years with my 15-tree citrus hedge and it's EXPLODED with growth. 🍋

Borage is the MVP of chill, low-maintenance plants. You plant it once, and boom.. it comes back every year (which can be part of the problem). Those bright blue flowers? Absolute bee magnets. 🐝 Predatory insects such as hoverflies and wasps also love to feast on the nectar of the borage flower making it a great companion in the vegetable garden. Borage flowers have a subtle flavor of cucumber and make a perfect garnish for salads or candied decorations for cakes. But if you really want to impress your guests, try freezing flowers in ice cubes and adding them to cool summer drinks. 🍹 The #1 problem you'll run into growing borage is its untidy and sprawling appearance as it grows bigger. Trim it up now and then so it doesn’t turn into a floppy mess. Keep it standing tall, and it’ll keep your garden looking fresh. ✨

My 1/3-acre suburban garden is STACKED right now...30 types of lettuce, rows of veggies, fruit trees, and even an ice cream bean (haven’t eaten that yet, let me know if you’ve tried it yourself). If you’re growing something TOTALLY new this year, let me know down below ⬇️

More gardeners need to consider adding mushrooms to their garden plans. Not only are they absolutely delicious, but they help improve your garden in a myriad of ways. For example, adding a species like wine cap to your garden pathways, which might be made of straw, woodchips, or some other organic matter, helps break down material MUCH faster, and gives you a rare edible mushroom you don't often find at stores. They can boost your plant yields, too - @jacquesinthegarden is testing this out with a tomato experiment based on a study we found. Best of all, they're actually easier to grow than most plants 😂 especially when you do something as simple as the buried block technique demonstrated in this video.

Even though we own a seed company (@Botanical Interests) and we print specific plant spacing guidelines on the back of our packets, we still wondered… what if you ignored them? 🤔 So we did. And we found that spacing at maximum recommended distance or further resulted in the heaviest cabbages on a per cabbage basis, but cramming tighter resulted in more OVERALL yield. 💡 If you're a small space grower, this is a key finding. You can get a lot more overall mass out of your garden by spacing tighter, BUT you're also increasing pest / disease pressure (due to increased moisture, density, and contact between plants) and you're also removing more organic matter from the soil, so will need to supplement with more fertilizer. 🌱 What do you think - have you tried something like this in your garden?

Ever walked out to your garden and found it totally dug up? @jacquesinthegarden went through the same thing. But he figured out who the culprit is and how to stop it. 🚨 Here’s the fix: red crushed chili flakes. First, he moves the soil back, covers the roots, and sprinkles these bad boys everywhere. Next time the digging pest comes through, they’ll get a nose full of spice and rethink their plans. 💥🌶️ It won’t last forever though, so keep reapplying when they strike. Lesson learned. 👌🏼

Growing ginger at home? It’s way easier than you’d think—just grab some from the store, and boom, you’ve got a plant. 🫚

Artichokes don’t get nearly enough credit. These unique plants aren’t just vegetables—they’re unopened flower buds that, if left to bloom, transform into striking blue-violet thistles. Whether you’re growing them for their beauty or their flavor, artichokes make an excellent addition to any garden with plenty of space. 🏡 To get started, plant artichokes in early spring or late fall, ensuring the soil temperature is between 50-85°F (10-29°C). Seeds should be planted half an inch deep and thinned to six feet apart, while transplants need three to four feet of space. Compost boosts their growth, and a layer of mulch helps retain moisture. With the right care, these perennials can keep producing for 5-7 years, making them a long-term investment in your garden. 🪴 When it’s time to harvest, artichokes bring a rich, nutty flavor with a meaty texture. They’re delicious steamed and dipped in butter, added to soups, or even tossed on pizza. While their relatives were once used medicinally, today we simply enjoy their one-of-a-kind taste. Give them a try, you might just find a new favorite crop. 💯

Starting your first garden? The key to success is growing crops that are easy AND fast. These 5 groups of crops will give you a quick harvest and boost your gardening confidence. 🚀🌱