It’s a goal of every food gardener to have an abundant harvest. But what are the best ways to get the most produce from your efforts? On this episode, we share tips for achieving a really productive garden and answer some of those tough harvesting questions every gardener faces.
As part of that story, we visit Mary Beth Shaddix, a young corporate type who decided that farming was her passion. Mary Beth left her job at Cooking Light Magazine 5 years ago to use her skills to sustainably grow and harvest fruits and vegetables to their best. Well, Mary Beth eventually found her way back to Cooking Light Magazine – but this time as the farmer who supplies the produce for all the photography and recipes developed for the issues. She delivers the best fruits and vegetables within hours of harvest for picture perfect produce, which will be seen by millions of people around the world.
Mary Beth takes us on a tour around her garden and gives us some tips on how she keeps her garden looking so good. She then takes us on her trip to Cooking Light Magazine as we get to see what goes on behind the scenes of a photo shoot and what happens to the food after they are finished using it in the studio.
Later in the kitchen, we have a special treat with canning expert, Theresa Loe as she shows us some fast and easy tips for preserving all those summer flavors using the freezer.
And finally, Joe takes us back and shows us how to get the best start at planting time and makes a special tool that is simple and easy to help in the planting process.
For more information, check out these links below:
Step by Step Instructions for Joe’s planting board
About GGWTV
Growing A Greener World is a national gardening series on Public Television that features organic gardening, green living and farm to table cooking. Each episode focuses on compelling and inspirational people making a difference through gardening. This gardening series covers everything from edible gardening and sustainable agriculture to seasonal cooking and preserving the harvest.
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Hello Joe, thanks for the awesome tips for freezing tomatoes! Now I’ll know what to do with my extra ones for the winter.
I do have a question on seedlings: Should I get them started in the garage using a heat lamp in the containers or wait till spring to get them started? I was thinking if I get them started in winter by the time spring rolls around I can just plant them.
Hi Hanna. Time your tomatoes to start from seed about 6 weeks before the last risk of frost is present for your area. If you start them too early, they can become too leggy and more work than it’s worth if you don’t have the proper setup. Too late is ok, but ideally a plant that has about 6 weeks of growth on it is quite ready for planting outside. Good luck.
This show is so informative and it makes me anxious for next spring to grow my first garden. This is a great addition to your line up. Thank too.
How great to see Mary Beth up there! What a great way to get re-plugged in at Cooking Light. The farm looks gorgeous … and so do you :-)! xo
Love the show and try to incorporate what is learned into my little backyard garden!
wonderful addition to your programming !
Keep up the good work!