Helen Chesnut

3 weeks ago | timescolonist.com | Helen Chesnut

Dear Helen: As they emerge from the soil, some of my squash seedlings have struggled to divest themselves of seed coats that keep the tips of the first leaves glued together. I never know whether to intervene in the process by pulling the seed coats away from the leaves. G.P.This is a common occurrence, particularly when larger, harder seeds are involved, such as squash seeds. I hesitate to intervene in the process unless the seed appears to have only a very light hold on the leaf tips.

3 weeks ago | theprovince.com | Helen Chesnut

Sturdier stems are better able to bear the weight of the large flower headsPublished Jun 03, 2025  •  Last updated 6 minutes ago  •  1 minute read You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account. The taller, Autumn Joy types of sedum may flop over with the weight of the flower heads in late summer if not cut back in May or June. Photo by Postmedia filesArticle contentReviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected.

3 weeks ago | timescolonist.com | Helen Chesnut

Even after decades of gardening, I still feel the same delight every spring when the first shoots of green growth emerge from the soil where I have planted seeds — both indoors and in the open garden. Most satisfying are the ones that emerge on fat little stalks that develop substantial leaves, like the five zucchini varieties that germinated indoors in pots early this month. The first to germinate, in six days, was a new listing in the 2025 Johnny’s Selected Seeds catalogue.

1 month ago | timescolonist.com | Helen Chesnut

Dear Helen: The staking tomato transplants I’ve grown from seed have developed long stems that I think will not be strong enough to remain sturdily upright after transplanting. What can I do to help them establish successfully? T.L. This is an easily solved problem. Before unpotting and planting your tomatoes, nip off the leaf stems growing from the main stems, leaving only the top tuft of foliage on each plant.

1 month ago | theprovince.com | Helen Chesnut

Reader asks how to avoid crowded plants and blossom end rotPublished May 27, 2025  •  Last updated 25 minutes ago  •  2 minute read You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account. Garden expert Helen Chesnut advices on how to avoid issues such as blossom end rot and crowded plants when growing tomatoes. Photo by PNG FilesArticle contentReviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected.