Crystal Meserole GYOV Team, Author at Grow Your Own Vegetables

Cutting Boards for Fresh Food Safety

Food safety is crucial when preserving and storing food, and one often overlooked tool is the cutting board. Choosing the right board can help prevent bacterial contamination, especially when preparing fresh produce. Here’s a quick look at the best cutting boards for fresh food safety.

Plastic, Glass, or Wood: Which Is Safer?

While plastic has long been considered the safest option, recent studies suggest glass is actually more bacteria-resistant. However, glass can be tough on knives and may cause food to slip. Wood offers the best balance of safety and practicality, with natural antibacterial properties that plastic and glass lack. Well-maintained hardwood cutting boards are less prone to contamination, making them an excellent choice for food safety.

Sterilizing and Caring for Your Wooden Cutting Board

Wooden boards are easy to clean and maintain. Simply rinse with warm water, sprinkle salt, rub with lemon, let sit for five minutes, and rinse again. This method avoids harsh chemicals while ensuring cleanliness.

Best Woods for Cutting Boards for Fresh Food Safety

Hardwoods like oak, mahogany, and maple are ideal. Maple, with a Janka hardness rating of 1450, is a solid choice, but higher ratings (2500+) offer the best durability and bacteria resistance. Crelicam Ebony, with a Janka rating of 3080, is an excellent option for a durable, antibacterial board.

Check out this amazing cutting board, the Stella Falone Reversible Cutting Board made of solid West African Crelicam Ebony Wood.

Affordable Hardwood Cutting Boards for Fresh Food Safety

Teardrop cutting board. Beautiful wood with red stripe across

For a more budget-friendly option, Purpleheart Wood (Janka rating 2520) is a great choice.

The Ziruma Teak and Purpleheart Wood Cheese Board is a stylish and practical option, cured with organic beeswax for extra protection.

The Downside of High-Hardness Wood Cutting Boards

Harder woods may dull knives faster, but regular sharpening will keep your knives in top shape. The added food safety benefits make the trade-off worthwhile.

A well-maintained hardwood cutting board offers the best food safety. Glass may prevent bacterial contamination, but it risks knife damage. Wood balances safety, practicality, and durability, making it the ideal choice for a cutting board.

AK, N., CLIVER, D. and KASPAR, C. (1993). Decontamination of Plastic and Wooden Cutting Boards for Kitchen Use. [online] Available at: https://meridian.allenpress.com/jfp/article/57/1/23/195718/Decontamination-of-Plastic-and-Wooden-Cutting [Accessed 7 Mar. 2020].

Ordering Seeds Like a Pro – Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of our seed ordering journey! If you’ve read Part 1, you’ve already learned how to plan and select your seeds, along with the importance of sticking with old favorites and venturing into new experiments. In this second part, I’m going to share some practical tips to save money, promote self-sustainability, and order like a pro. Let’s jump right into it!

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‘Ordering Seeds Like A Pro?’

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Let Them Re-seed

One way to save money and reduce waste is by letting your plants reseed themselves. Some plants naturally drop seeds that can sprout the following year, giving you a free crop for the season. Flowers like calendula and herbs such as cilantro tend to self-seed easily. If you let these plants reseed, you’ll enjoy an effortless supply of new seedlings every year—no need to reorder seeds for these varieties!

Grow Your Own Insecticide

Ordering Seeds Like a Pro - Marigold Plants with Blooms

Another cost-saving technique is to grow plants that naturally repel pests. By including varieties like marigolds, garlic, and nasturtiums, you can create a natural insecticide that helps protect your garden from bugs without using harmful chemicals. These plants work wonders for keeping pests at bay, and they also add beauty and diversity to your garden. It’s a win-win!

Order Like a Pro

When it comes to ordering seeds in bulk, be strategic. It’s not just about getting the best deals—it’s about ordering the right amount. Make sure you plan ahead and order what you need without overdoing it. Bulk buying works best when you know how much you’ll be using, and when you can spread the cost over many packets. By calculating the quantities you need, you’ll avoid buying more than you can realistically use in a season.

Find a Local Group to Bulk Order With

Ordering Seeds Like a Pro - 3 large seed bags filled with seeds on a table

If you want to take your bulk ordering to the next level, consider teaming up with a local gardening group, family, or neighbors. This way, you can share larger seed packets, reducing the cost for everyone involved. Many communities host seed swaps or organize bulk-order programs. By joining in, you’ll cut your seed costs dramatically while fostering a sense of community among fellow gardeners.

With these strategies, ordering seeds for your garden doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. By selecting the right seeds, letting plants reseed, and teaming up with others to bulk order, you’ll have everything you need for a successful growing season. Here’s to a fruitful and cost-effective 2025 garden!

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‘Ordering Seeds Like A Pro?’

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Ordering Seeds Like a Pro

The 2025 growing season is upon us, and it’s time to get our seeds ordered and ready! For many of us, this is the most exciting part of the season—planning what to grow and how to make our gardens flourish. But it can also cause decision fatigue. In this two-part series, you’ll learn a successful approach to ordering seeds, from old favorites to exciting new experiments, plus some tips to help you save money along the way. Let’s dive into Ordering Seeds Like a Pro Part 1!

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‘Ordering Seeds Lika Pro?’

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Ordering Seeds

The first step in ordering seeds is to take a moment to plan. Before adding anything to your cart, think about your available space, growing conditions, and what your goals are for the season. Are you focusing on flavor, yield, or maybe something new to try? Take a look back at what worked well in your garden last year, and think about areas you’d like to improve. When reviewing seed packets, pay close attention to key information such as days to maturity, space requirements, and pest resistance. This information helps you order with confidence, ensuring your selections are suited to your space and growing conditions.

Old Favorites

Ordering Seeds Like a Pro- Part 1 Wodden chest with seed packets stacked at an angle with the front row of seed packets opened to show various seeds

Each growing season, come back to varieties you know consistently gives great results. These old favorites are tried-and-true, and offer reliable harvests year after year. For example, you might order the same heirloom tomato variety or greens like red Russian kale and Swiss chard you know you enjoy. If you’re new to gardening, stick to a few trusted varieties– it’s an excellent way to build confidence and set the stage for a successful year ahead.

New Experiments

While it’s important to stick with your reliable favorites, it’s also exciting to try out new crops each year. Experiment with purple carrots, unique herbs, or colorful peppers! Try new varieties to bring a fun twist to your garden. Just be sure to do a little research before diving in. Knowing more about your new choices helps set realistic expectations, ensuring you’re prepared for any surprises that might come up as you grow

Ordering Seeds Like a Pro- Part 1 Woman in her backyard sitting at a table with potted plants holding a seed packet

Stay tuned for Ordering Seeds Like a Pro Part 2, where I’ll dive into how to save money by letting plants reseed, creating natural insecticides in your garden, and mastering the art of bulk ordering!

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‘Ordering Seeds Lika Pro?’

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Fix Leggy Seedlings with These Simple Tips

Growing seedlings indoors can be a rewarding experience, but it can also come with its challenges. If you’ve noticed your seedlings turning leggy (overly tall stems that bend over from the weight of the tiny leaves), wilting, or even turning purple, don’t worry—you’re not alone. These signs often indicate that something is off in your growing setup. Let’s break down what might be causing the issue and how you can fix it.

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‘Fix Leggy Seedlings with These 3 Simple Tips?’

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The Mix to Fix those Leggy Seedlings

Fix Leggy Seedlings with These Simple Tips - 5 strong kale seedlings laid out on the dirt ready to plant.

One of the most common mistakes when starting seedlings indoors is using a poor-quality seed starting mix. A good mix is essential for seedling health. You want a well-draining, nutrient-rich medium to encourage strong root development. My go-to recipe is 4 parts screened compost, 1 part perlite, 1 part vermiculite, and 2 parts coconut coir. This combination ensures proper aeration and moisture retention without the risk of sogginess.

If you’re only using coco coir or peat moss (like the pods) to grow your seedlings, you need to know that these substrates have no nutrition for your seedlings. So your seedling will grow to the first set of leaves (the cotyledons) but quickly die thereafter from lack of nutrition. To keep your seedlings strong, you’ll need to add liquid nutrients.

Optimal Lighting for Seedlings

Seedlings require ample light to grow strong and healthy. Without it, they become leggy, stretching toward the light source. If you’re growing indoors, consider using grow lights for 12-16 hours per day minimum. Place the light source close enough to prevent stretching but far enough to avoid burning the delicate seedlings.

Managing Algae Growth

Fix Leggy Seedlings with These 3 Simple Tips - 5 strong kale seedlings laid out on the dirt ready to plant.

Algae thrives in moist, warm environments and can quickly overtake your seedlings. While not directly harmful, algae can steal nutrients from the soil and impede seedling growth. To prevent this, keep the top of the soil free from excess moisture and ensure your growing area has proper airflow.

Recommendations for Healthier Seedlings
By following these steps—starting with the right soil mix, providing adequate light, avoiding overwatering, and managing algae—you’ll give your seedlings the best chance to thrive.

If you notice persistent issues, consider adjusting your setup. Every plant is unique, and fine-tuning your approach will lead to better results. Take the time to evaluate your setup and make adjustments where needed. Happy growing!

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Growing Seedlings Indoors: Case Study in Brooklyn

Meet Martha: The Joy and Magic of Gardening with Kids

Big news ahead! We’re only days away from releasing the Joyful Garden Docuseries. Before we dive into that exciting journey, let’s hear a fun story from Martha, a valued member of our Grow Your Own Vegetables community. What’s Martha all about in this video? Gardening with Kids. It’s magical.

Martha, a retired gardener from Ontario, is living the dream of nurturing her garden and sharing the joys of gardening with her grandkids.

Watch the video at the bottom of this post instead to hear Martha’s story directly!

Gardening with Kids: A Special Connection

Meet Martha: The Joy and Magic of Gardening with Kids - Grandma and Grandchild planting red flowers

Martha’s love for gardening shines through when she shares how her granddaughter has enjoyed the garden from an early age. Even at just two years old, her granddaughter knew exactly where the carrots were growing and would eagerly pull them right from the ground and munch on them. “They taste so much better than what you buy,” Martha says with a smile.

This connection to fresh, homegrown food is one of the true joys of gardening. It’s not just about the harvest – it’s about the experience of nurturing something from the earth, watching it grow, and then enjoying the fruits of that labor.

Gardening with Kids: A Garden to Call Her Own

Martha’s granddaughter now has her very own little garden plot. She grows tomatoes, cucumbers, and anything else she can imagine. Martha explains that these plants are “things she wants to grow,” which helps make the garden experience feel personal. What you choose to grow impacts how you connect with your garden – and this is a great way to teach kids the importance of caring for something.

Gardening also creates a sense of independence. Her granddaughter is learning how to take ownership of her own little patch, fostering both pride and responsibility.

The Taste of Fresh, Homegrown Food

Meet Martha: Experience More Joy From Your Garden — Grandma and Grandchild standing in front of garden greens

There’s something magical about walking outside and picking vegetables directly from the garden. For Martha, it’s not just about growing food; it’s about the quality and taste. “You just walk out the door and get what you want,” she explains. Homegrown produce, like tomatoes and cucumbers, is often more flavorful than store-bought alternatives. Plus, there’s no rush or stress; it’s simply a joy to pick what you need when you need it.

This sense of convenience combined with the satisfaction of growing your own food makes gardening even more rewarding.

Gardening with Kids: Experience Joy and Connection

Martha’s story is a reminder of how gardening can strengthen bonds, create memories, and offer unique experiences for you and your family. Whether you’re growing food with kids or simply enjoying some time in nature, gardening brings pure joy.

Martha’s story invites you to reflect on your own garden experience and perhaps inspire you to share it with others. Gardening offers so much more than food; it gives you an opportunity to connect with nature, enjoy quality time with loved ones, and witness the beauty of growth in every season.

So, what’s stopping you from starting your own garden? Take a moment to enjoy the simple, joyful process of growing something beautiful with those you love!