Pepper

Before the summer storm: why you should get to your beds today

Friday is not a normal weekend — storm warnings for Saturday. If your raised bed is in the shade: harvest right now. Ripe fruits that turn brown after hail won't do you any good.

Bell peppers in the raised bed: why they're still green in August — and what helps now

Mrs Schneider is standing in front of her raised bed and every single pepper is still green. End of August. What is she doing wrong? Nothing at all. But there are a few things that make a real difference right now — and a point after which waiting no longer makes sense.

Aubergines in the raised bed: how to tell when they're ready to harvest

Frau Schneider is waiting for her aubergines. They're large and dark purple. But she's leaving them on the plant because she thinks bigger is better. That's exactly the moment when aubergines start to turn bitter.

Peppers in the raised bed: why the fruits are still green in July — and what actually helps

Peppers need patience — and a few specific things that make the difference in midsummer. Why the fruits are still green, what helps them turn red faster, and when to just harvest them green.

Raised bed while you're on holiday: who waters when you're gone

Two weeks away in high summer, and the bed sits in full sun. No plan, and you come back to hay. One hour of prep, and you come back to tomatoes. The low-tech tricks that actually last — plus the things you must not do before you leave.

Aphids in the raised bed: what really helps in June — and why I don't spray anymore

First it's a few, then they sit in dense colonies on the shoot tips. Aphids are part of June. What works without poison, what's a waste of money, and who does the work for free.