Welcome to an exciting new edition of Food Gardening Magazine, an ode to heirloom Italian gardening and more! It’s not quite spring yet, but we’re readying our seedling trays, receiving new orders of seeds, dusting off those we gathered last fall—and we couldn’t be happier because spring is on the way! The sun is rising a little earlier each day and setting a little later. Soon we’ll be getting out the row covers and spreading mulch. For now, though, it’s almost time to start seeds, and there’s still time to buy them!
Get ready to shake up your garden plans this month, and be inspired by diving deep into the history of heirloom Italian varietals, and so much more. Will you be trying out new seeds, or going with the tried and true favorites this year? We’re always working on a mix of both over here, because, for example, who doesn’t love a Black Cherry Tomato? That’s a must around here! But in the spirit of Italian gardening, there will certainly be some Costoluto Fiorentino tomatoes added to the patch, and some Friggitello Peppers too! You’ll learn all about those Italian varietals in our feature story, How to Grow an Authentic Italian Garden.
Speaking of what you’ll learn about in this month’s issue, there are also deep dives on three featured plants: Basil, Bell Peppers, and Cauliflower. And, as always, some delightful recipes are in store from the gardening guides highlighted in this issue.
Here’s a look at some of what’s sprouting in the February Issue of Food Gardening Magazine:
- 6 Essential Gardening Tools for Beginners to Buy in February: The first warm day after winter is the day everyone goes to get their gardening supplies, and even the online stores sell out of the high-quality stuff. That’s why now is a great time to stock up on all the things you think you’ll need. And you’ll get a little garden shopping therapy out of it while you’re eagerly anticipating seed-starting time.
- How to Grow an Authentic Italian Garden: While seed-buying time is still hot, gather up the information in this feature article which will introduce you to an array of heirloom Italian fruit, veggie, and herb varietals, including the only tomato varietal fit for an authentic Neapolitan pizza!
- How to Make Organic DIY Seed Tape for Perfectly Spaced Vegetables: Ever wish you could get those perfectly parallel rows of peas, soothing circles of spinach, beautiful boxes of beets? Now you can! Amanda, well-known and beloved for her Type A personality, will show you how.
- Hearty Winter Cacciatore: Tie in all the luscious flavors of your new Authentic Italian Garden with this recipe that is easy to pull together any day of the week thanks to your slow cooker. It cooks up just as well in 20 minutes on high in your pressure cooker, too!
- Never Too Many Cherry Tomatoes: In this gardening story, we find ourselves in the heart of winter, and there’s a remarkable tale behind the sprawling cherry tomato plant in front of her picture window. It’s a story filled with surprises, perseverance, and a touch of humor. Meet “Octopus,” the tomato plant, and a thriving tomato family that defies all odds.
- 3 Ways to Preserve Tomato Harvests: Learn how to preserve those ruby-red gems, all while savoring the journey and the history that brought these tomatoes to our tables today. It’s a voyage that connects you to the legacy of tomatoes through time, ensuring that their delicious story continues to unfold in your kitchen, one tomato at a time.
Plus, you’ll get our Italian Food Garden Planning Kit, an expanded version of our feature article, which includes 15 Italian recipes and 9 printable notecards.
The latest issue of Food Gardening Magazine also features our deep dive collections on basil, bell peppers, and cauliflower. You’ll get tons of tips for growing these three exciting plants, from choosing the type you want to grow to prepping your garden and all the way through harvesting and enjoying them in your kitchen.
There are so many varieties of basil, how can you know which one tastes best? Read 5 Different Types of Basil Gardeners and Chefs Love to get a shortcut to the answer—or at least to narrow down your list to just five!
Then, in When to Harvest Bell Peppers at Peak Flavor, learn how to get the best taste out of your bell peppers, from green, to yellow, to orange and red varietals!
And be sure to Discover the 6 Cauliflower Growing Stages. If you plan to grow cauliflower this year, this article will help your plant bloom! (…or not, if you prefer to say, eat it!)
We hope you enjoy the February edition of Food Gardening Magazine as much as we’ve enjoyed creating it. Open up the February Issue today and join us in dreaming, planting, and enjoying all things food gardening.
About Food Gardening Network, a brand of Mequoda Publishing Network: Food Gardening Network was founded by home food gardeners and for home food gardeners—the mission is to serve gardeners with tips, tools, advice, and recipes for growing and enjoying good food at home. During the Covid-19 pandemic that began in 2020, it became apparent that home food gardening would grow beyond a hobby for many home gardeners. Food Gardening Network launched in January of 2021 as an all-encompassing resource for gardeners of all skill levels, with in-depth articles on planning, planting, maintaining, and harvesting home garden crops. Food Gardening Network also includes easy-to-prepare recipes so home gardeners can enjoy the fruits of their labors in delicious, creative ways.
About Mequoda Publishing Network: Mequoda provides actionable ideas, inspiration, and advice for gardeners, cooks, and crafting enthusiasts—with the goal of improving their lives and increasing personal enrichment and enjoyment. We operate five multiplatform consumer brands, including six magazines, 28 email newsletters, and more than 100 digital books. We partner with dozens of sponsors to help them market their products to our audiences. For nearly two decades, Mequoda has explored and expanded the evolving art and science of multiplatform publishing and marketing. With in-depth research, aggressive testing, and cutting-edge strategy, Mequoda has developed a reputation as an industry leader for building and operating multiplatform communities that serve, engage, and delight consumers, sponsors, partners, and affiliates.
Contact: To learn more about our Email Marketing and Broadcasting Services, Exchange Program, or to become a marketing partner with any of our publications, please contact me at Christy@Mequoda.com or 781-556-1006.