The revised fig book is now on Kickstarter The special hardcover edition of
Grow Figs Where You Think You Can’t and registration for the October 15 and 22 Fig Camp are available now. A lower-priced softcover will follow this fall.
See the book and Fig Camp options.---
Growing tomatoes in a cool or maritime climate can feel like an uphill battle. It doesn’t have to be.
In this episode, I’m joined by tomato expert Holly Farrell, author of
The Tomato Grower’s Handbook, to talk about how to get reliable, flavourful harvests even when summers are mild, damp, or unpredictable.
We dig into practical strategies for gardeners in places like coastal Canada, the UK, and the U.S. Pacific Northwest—where heat is limited and blight is always lurking.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why variety choice matters more than anything else
- The difference between bush (determinate) and cordon (indeterminate) tomatoes
- How to use microclimates (walls, courtyards, sunny corners) to your advantage
- Simple ways to add protection—from cloches to greenhouses
- How to reduce risk from blight in damp conditions
- Tips for growing tomatoes in:
- Balconies
- Containers
- Garden beds
- Tunnels & greenhouses
- How to deal with wind exposure (especially coastal winds)
- Holly’s favourite tomato varieties for different uses
If you’ve ever struggled to ripen tomatoes or deal with disease pressure, this episode will give you a clearer path forward.
What is Food Garden Life Show: Helping You Harvest More from Your Edible Garden, Vegetable Garden, and Edible Landscaping?
Want to grow your own food but need creative ideas so you can get the most from your space and your growing zone? Our passion is the edible garden.
We help people grow food on balconies, in backyards, and beyond—whether it’s edible landscaping, a vegetable garden, container gardens, or a home orchard.
There are many ways to approach edible landscaping. Find out how to harvest enough fruit, vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers. Get top tips for exotic crops. And learn how to garden in a way that suits any situation.
Host Steven Biggs was recognized by Garden Making magazine as one of the “green gang” making a difference in Canadian horticulture. His home-garden experiments span driveway straw-bale gardens, a rooftop kitchen garden, fruit plantings, and an edible-themed front yard. He's a horticulturist, award-winning broadcaster and author, and former horticulture instructor with George Brown and Durham Colleges in Ontario, Canada.
Get started with one of our fan favourites. Season 6, Episode 10: Big Harvests from a Small Space with a Vertical Vegetable Garden.