Size: About 12 inches tall
Sunlight requirements: Partial shade
Water requirements: Keep soil moist
Soil requirements: Moist, fertile soil, enriched before planting, with pH level between 6.5 and 7.5
When to plant: Spring
Where to plant: A site that’s protected from strong winds and heat
When to harvest: Cut stems 6 inches long before flower buds open
Produce storage: Place unwashed shoots in plastic bag, and keep in refrigerator for up to three days
Size: About the size of a date
Sunlight requirements: Full (minimum of six to eight hours)
Water requirements: A minimum of 1 inch per week. Keep water at roots so the leaves don’t become moldy.
Soil requirements: Soil high in nitrogen. Rick Gush suggests burying a bucket-size amount of cow manure 2 feet below each plant.
When to plant: Transplant after the last frost, when nights are warmer than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Where to plant: Garden; containers; on stakes; can hang over walls or lean up against stakes up to 8 feet tall
When to harvest:
Produce storage:
crop-profiles/gold-medal_300.jpg
Photo Credit: Frank Hyman
Size: 1 to 2 pounds
Sunlight requirements: Full (A minimum of six to eight hours per day is ideal); can grow in cool nighttime temperatures.
Water requirements: A minimum of 1 inch per week—water the root zone as needed and keep foliage dry to deter foliar diseases. Proper mulching aids in prevention of blossom end rot, drought stress and other issues associated with fluctuations in soil-moisture levels.
Soil requirements: Well-drained soil rich in organic matter is best. Soils high in nitrogen will result in excessive foliage growth at the expense of good fruit production.
When to plant: Plant in spring after the danger of frost has passed and nights remain warmer than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds should be started indoors under lights four to six weeks before transplanting outdoors.
Where to plant: Garden; containers (8-gallon minimum)
When to harvest: 85 days after transplanting.
Produce storage: Use for slicing; store at room temperature.
Size: 1 1/2 to 2 pounds
Sunlight requirements: Full (A minimum of six to eight hours per day is ideal.)
Water requirements: A minimum of 1 inch per week — water the root zone as needed and keep foliage dry to deter foliar diseases. Proper mulching aids in prevention of blossom end rot, drought stress and other issues associated with fluctuations in soil-moisture levels.
Soil requirements: Well-drained soil rich in organic matter is best. Soils high in nitrogen will result in excessive foliage growth at the expense of good fruit production.
When to plant: Plant in spring after the danger of frost has passed and nights remain warmer than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds should be started indoors under lights four to six weeks before transplanting outdoors.
Where to plant: Garden; containers (8-gallon minimum)
When to harvest: 80 days after transplanting.
Produce storage: canning, juicing
Size: up to 1 1/2 pounds
Sunlight requirements: Full (A minimum of six to eight hours per day is ideal.)
Water requirements: A minimum of 1 inch per week — water the root zone as needed and keep foliage dry to deter foliar diseases. Proper mulching aids in prevention of blossom end rot, drought stress and other issues associated with fluctuations in soil-moisture levels.
Soil requirements: Well-drained soil rich in organic matter is best. Soils high in nitrogen will result in excessive foliage growth at the expense of good fruit production.
When to plant: Plant in spring after the danger of frost has passed and nights remain warmer than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds should be started indoors under lights four to six weeks before transplanting outdoors.
Where to plant: Garden, containers (14-inch minimum)
When to harvest: 80 to 90 days after transplant.
Produce storage: Store at room temperature
Size: 18 to 25 inches tall.
Sunlight requirements: Full sun.
Water requirements: Keep soil evenly moist.
Soil requirements: Needs extra potassium, so wood ash is good to add to soil; well-drained soil.
When to plant: Early spring or late fall.
Where to plant: On stakes, to keep off the ground.
When to harvest: When they are about 6 inches in length; early spring if over-wintered.
Produce storage: Can be dried and eaten in soups or eaten fresh; can be used as a cover crop because of high amount of nitrogen; store in airtight jars or bag in a cool, dry place.
Size: 2 to 5 inches in diameter.
Sunlight requirements: Keep between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
Water requirements: Water meter should read between 35 and 45 percent until fruiting begins.
Soil requirements: Do not place in soil; mushroom will decompose.
When to plant: Inoculate in the spring, after last frost.
Where to plant: On an oak log.
When to harvest: 6 to 12 months after inoculation.
Produce storage: Refrigerate fresh mushrooms for up to a month; dry and store for up to two years.
Size: 2 to 8 inches in diameter.
Sunlight requirements: No sun; keep in the dark between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Water requirements: Spray with water every other day.
Soil requirements: Do not place in soil; mushroom will decompose.
When to plant: Fall.
Where to plant: In coffee grounds inside a container, sterilized straw or sawdust; on a piece of wood.
When to harvest: 25 to 35 days.
Produce storage: Refrigerate fresh mushrooms for up to two weeks; dry and store for up to two years; pickle or can.
Size: 18 to 25 inches tall.
Sunlight requirements: Full sun.
Water requirements: Keep soil evenly moist.
Soil requirements: Neutral to alkaline soil; pH from 5.8 to 6.4; well-drained.
When to plant: Late May.
Where to plant: On stakes, to keep off the ground.
When to harvest: 118 days after planting; mid-September.
Produce storage: Store in airtight jars or bags in a cool, dry place.
Size: 30 to 36 inches.
Sunlight requirements: Light shading.
Water requirements: Keep soil evenly moist.
Soil requirements: Sandy, well-drained soil.
When to plant: After danger of frost is gone and soil is warm.
Where to plant: On stakes, to keep off the ground.
When to harvest: 90 to 100 days after planting.
Produce storage: Store in airtight jars or bags in a cool, dry place.
