While most Napa cabbage is green, ‘Merlot’ shakes things up with bright purple leaves. Join farmer Briana Yablonski to learn how to grow this colorful and delicious veggie. If you love the taste of ‘‘Napa’ cabbage but are looking for something new, put ‘Merlot’ on your list of brassicas to grow. This variety produces leaves with a taste and texture similar to other types of Chinese cabbage, but they’re bright purple instead of green! ‘Merlot’ has similar care requirements as other cabbages but is pickier about water and temperature. Therefore, you should pay special attention to planting time and irrigation. Keep reading to learn the ideal planting windows, how to deal with common pests, and more. What Is It? While you may think all heads of cabbage are round, Chinese cabbages produce thinner leaves and upright heads. They’re popular additions to soups and stir-fries and are a key ingredient in kimchi. Like most brassicas, ‘Merlot’ grows best in cooler weather. Since it matures more quickly than traditional cabbage varieties, it’s a good option if you’re working with a short growing season. Characteristics While most types of Chinese cabbage have green leaves, the ‘Merlot’ variety is vibrant purple. The plants have an upright, elongated shape and feature leaves with thick, crunchy ribs and thinner foliage. The heads grow to about a foot tall and can weigh upwards of a pound. Planting You can grow ‘Merlot’ cabbage from transplants or seeds. However, since this variety is somewhat new and rare, you may have to start from seed. I recommend starting the seeds in seed trays and planting them outdoors when they’re a few weeks old. How to Grow Growing ‘Merlot’ Chinese cabbage is similar to growing green Napa cabbage like ‘One Kilo’. However, this purple variety is likelier to bolt and experience tip burn. Therefore, they are slightly more challenging to grow than their green cousins. Maintenance Fortunately, ‘Merlot’ doesn’t require much maintenance! After the plants are in the ground, you should keep an eye out for weeds and remove them when they’re young. Adding mulch around the bases will limit weed growth and decrease the amount of time you need to spend pulling weeds.

Everyone's looking to cut costs these days, and grocery bills are a good place to start. Though not all of us have the luxury of space to start growing our own veggies, herbs are generally low-maintenance and low-material plants you can grow in your own kitchen. Not only that, but some of them you don't even have to buy seeds or a plant for. Here are five herbs you can start from the ingredients you buy at the grocery store for a lower grocery bill and fresher ingredients. Mint Mint is a plant that is famously easy to grow and hard to kill. This is because (when planted in-ground) it's actually considered invasive, meaning it grows robustly, choking out other plants for light and nutrients. In a container on your kitchen counter, however, this just means an endless supply of fresh herbs. To start your own plant, take a few sprigs from the grocery store and place the stems in water. Ensure that no leaves are touching the water, as this can lead to rot, mildew, and mold. Change the water every few days, and in a few weeks, you should start to see root growth. Take these sprigs, plant them in a small container, and ta-da! You've got a plant that will continue to give fresh ingredients whenever you need them. Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more! Basil Basil is not only easy to grow in the kitchen—It will also add a lovely aroma to your space. As with mint, simply pick a few leaves with developed, long stalks from what you bought at the supermarket and place them in water. After a few weeks of changing the water regularly, roots should begin to appear. Replant them in a medium-sized, well-draining pot, and harvest leaves as needed for cooking. Oregano Though it might take a while, oregano is yet another herb you can grow from supermarket propagations. Follow the same steps as for mint and basil: Pick a few healthy stems, put them in a cup of water, and pick off any leaves that might sit on or below the waterline. Change the water every few days to prevent mold, mildew, or rot. When you see roots form, transplant to a well-draining pot with soil. Water and provide light as with any other plant. Don't Prune Too Much For all herbs, make sure you're never taking more than 1/3 of the plant at a time. Rosemary Grow supermarket rosemary the same as basil: Pick sprigs with long, hardy stems and put them in water (with no leaves touching the water). Change water frequently, and plant in a pot when roots have grown out. Thyme For thyme, follow the same processes as for other herbs: Pick strong stems, place in water, replace water every few days, and—when roots have formed after a few weeks—transplant to a well-draining pot with soil and care for normally.

Bergenia plants, or pigsqueaks, are low-growing perennials perfect for borders, beds, and neglected pathways. They’ll spread over time, filling your garden with bright-colored blooms and squeaky foliage. Join seasoned grower Jerad Bryant and learn how to plant, grow, and care for these lush flowering plants. Easy-growing perennials are incredibly valuable in the home garden. They require little care and maintenance to thrive and grow well in a wide range of environments. Poor soils, harsh exposures, and low moisture levels are no match for rugged perennials. Bergenias, or piqsqueaks, are a group of tough plants that fit the bill. They sprout thick, glossy, and round leaves that squeak when you rub them together. In spring, pink, white, and purple blossoms emerge atop thin stems above the foliage. Attract pollinators, fill empty spaces, and beautify your garden with bergenias. They’re adaptable and dependable, working well around your yard. Learn how to best take care of them, and they’ll thrive for years to come! What Are Bergenias? These spreaders are evergreen, semi-evergreen, or deciduous depending on the species and the growing location. They’re exceptional garden plants, tolerating droughts, frosts, and extreme weather events. When other plants fail, piqsqueaks thrive! Native Area These perennials originate from parts of Asia. They’re native to the Himalayas and other mountain ranges in China. Though they’re native to mountainous regions, they work well across the globe in various gardens. Part of why bergenias are tough and durable is because of their native range. They need frost, drought, and heat-tolerant qualities to survive extreme alpine weather conditions. When you plant them at low elevations instead of up high in the mountains, they retain their durable qualities without growing weak or frail. Characteristics Many pigsqueaks resemble each other, though some species have distinct qualities. They sprout heart-shaped green leaves with toothed edges that sprout off long stems in a central rosette. They resemble cabbage plants before they form their heads. After new leaves appear in spring, flowering stems emerge from the rosettes. Clusters of white, pink, or red blooms open on each stem, creating a lush effect in the springtime garden. They attract hummingbirds with their sweet nectar. Some bergenias are extremely hardy; they have a thick, rugged rootstock that protects them from water loss in summer and frigid temperatures in winter. Though tough, their leaves may wilt after many weeks without water. Planting Whether you’re transplanting potted plants or growing seedlings from seed, getting bergenias into the garden is a simple, straightforward process. Many hybrid varieties are only available as potted plants from nurseries and retailers, while heirloom varieties and bergenia species grow well from seeds.