Ever-grow an open-pollinated or heirloom variety from seed, only to have it not look or taste like the photo on the packet—or even like the “same” variety when you grew it before? Maybe not your fault. Seeds aren’t like widgets; someone has to take care of the living genetics to make sure subsequent generations remain true to type, and even continue to evolve. But who’s doing that critical, demanding work? I interviewed geneticist and longtime plant breeder Dr. John Navazio—former senior scientist with the Organic Seed Alliance and now manager of plant breeding at Johnny’s Selected Seeds—to answer those seedy questions and more. 
Mushroom growing: Have you ever grown mushrooms? Or perhaps they've just grown themselves in different parts of your garden at different moments of the...
One thing that Ken Druse and I are certain about when it comes to plants: that they will often surprise you, Some grow bigger...
Around this time each summer I look forward to the onslaught of fresh tomatoes—while at the same time hoping against hope that what I...