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How to Garden

Garden Care Cards

Garden Care Cards explain how to plant, care for, and harvest specific plants.

Container Gardening

View container gardening information from Greater Lansing Food Bank and ISU Extension, or check out Fruition Seeds' free courses.

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Cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, summer squash, tomatoes, herbs, mixed greens, and single-vegetable plants like carrots or onions can be grown in containers. Choose smaller varieties for easier management.

Pest Management

Click here to read more about pest management from ISU Extension.

Trellising

Several plants like tomatoes, peas, beans, cucumbers, squash, and melons grow better with a trellis. 

Soil Testing Information

Click here for information on taking a soil sample. ISU Extension no longer does soil testing, but you can send soil samples elsewhere.

Check out this document from ISU Extension for more details about when to plant and harvest certain vegetables.

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Basic tips: harvest vegetables when they look like they would in a store

  • Pick cucumber, summer squash, and eggplant relatively early

  • Harvest broccoli before heads bloom

  • Harvest brussels sprouts from the bottom of the stalk up as they mature

  • Harvest garlic when tops fall over and begin browning

  • Harvest corn when the silk is dry and brown (MSU Extension)

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