They still make my top-12 list because when they grow, they grow and grow and grow! Tomatoes can add a juicy shot of flavor to a variety of dishes, such as salads, sandwiches and pasta. Some vegetables are simply cheaper to buy at the grocery store, and no amount of gardening savvy will result in a cost-saving benefit. Once you've put your garden to bed in the fall, you can spend the winter planning your second garden, with corn, cucumbers, eggplants, melons and other plants that need more attention. Buy two packets — one that’s mostly lettuce and another that includes mustards, kales or escaroles so you can learn how all these greens grow. It is right on so many levels. It saves money, saves the planet and satisfies our epicurean appetites. They don’t tolerate freezing temperatures, and will mature mid-summer. When planning your garden, remember that most vegetables require a minimum of 6 hours of direct sun. Just make sure you have a deep pot if you aren’t planting outdoors. Some plants, like cauliflowers or lettuce for example, they just don't like heat. Good soil, and getting the watering just right is the key to success. You kill every plant you try to grow, including the so-called "unkillable" plants that everyone else on the planet seems to have no problem with. It's helpful, then, to back up and try to understand how coffee brewing works and how brewing equipment differs.
