Research library
Each guide collects the numbers that actually decide whether a plant thrives — pH, soil and air temperature, spacing, sun and water — and links straight back to the university extension or horticultural source it came from.
19 guides
Cherry tomatoes are vigorous, heat-loving annuals that produce clusters of small, sweet fruits through the summer. They grow well in beds or containers but need sturdy support because of their indeterminate habit.
8 key figures · 3 sources
Genovese basil is a warm-season culinary herb with large, fragrant leaves. It is frost-sensitive and does best when harvested often so it never sets flowers.
8 key figures · 3 sources
Nantes carrots are cylindrical with blunt tips and a sweet, crisp texture. They need loose, stone-free soil for straight roots but tolerate heavier ground better than long tapered types.
8 key figures · 3 sources
Butterhead lettuce forms soft, oily-textured leaves in a loose rosette with a mild, sweet flavour. It is a cool-season crop that bolts quickly in summer heat.
8 key figures · 3 sources
Mammoth sunflowers are towering annuals that can pass 3 m tall and carry huge seed-filled heads. Once established they are notably drought-tolerant and draw in pollinators.
8 key figures · 3 sources
Jalapeños are warm-season perennials grown as annuals, producing thick-walled fruit of medium heat. They need a long warm season and steady moisture to develop flavour and heat.
8 key figures · 3 sources
Zucchini is a fast summer squash that carries heavy crops of tender green fruit on bushy plants. It needs room and steady water to avoid bitterness and powdery mildew.
8 key figures · 2 sources
Everbearing and day-neutral strawberries fruit from late spring until the first frost instead of in one June flush. They stay compact, so they suit containers and raised beds with well-drained sandy loam.
8 key figures · 2 sources
Soil texture — the ratio of sand, silt and clay — sets the environment roots live in, deciding how much water is available and how fast it drains. Available water capacity (AWC) puts a number on it.
8 key figures · 3 sources
Irrigation drives produce quality — vegetable fruit is roughly 80 – 90% water. Deep, infrequent soakings beat frequent light sprinkling.
4 key figures · 3 sources
Crops are grouped by how much cold they take, and growing degree days predict how fast they mature. Both decide when it is safe to plant out.
5 key figures · 2 sources
Useful companion planting is about pest management and sharing light, water and space — not folklore pairings. Trap crops and shading are the best-supported tactics.
4 key figures · 2 sources
Blueberries need strongly acidic, free-draining, moisture-retentive soil. In alkaline ground they yellow and stall, so containers of ericaceous compost are the common fix.
5 key figures · 2 sources
Summer-fruiting raspberries crop on canes grown the previous year. They like slightly acidic, rich soil and need support wires.
4 key figures · 2 sources
Dwarfing rootstocks keep apple trees small enough for small gardens or large pots. Most varieties need a compatible pollination partner and winter chill.
4 key figures · 2 sources
Lemons are frost-tender and grow best in pots moved under glass for winter. They want bright light, steady warmth and free-draining citrus compost.
4 key figures · 2 sources
Figs love heat and sun. Restricting the roots in a pot encourages fruiting over leafy growth.
3 key figures · 2 sources
Mint is a vigorous, spreading perennial herb that tolerates partial shade and needs constant moisture. Grow it in a container to stop it taking over.
3 key figures · 2 sources
Lavender is a Mediterranean shrub that needs full sun and very free-draining, low-fertility soil. Wet winters kill it more often than cold.
4 key figures · 2 sources