How To Grow - TOOTHACHE PLANT

 

The first time I grew a toothache plant was in 2021, and I'll be completely honest—I didn't buy the seeds because of its traditional uses.

I bought them because I thought the flowers looked cool.

The unusual little yellow and red blooms reminded me of eyeballs, so around here I've always called it my eyeball plant.

I purchased seeds for Bullseye Toothache Plant, and once I started growing it, I discovered there was a lot more to this strange little plant than its appearance.

Best of all, it was incredibly easy to grow.

PLANTING, GROWING, & HARVESTING - PINEAPPLES

 

I never thought I would say this, but growing a pineapple is surprisingly easy.

Yep, that tropical fruit you probably assumed could only be grown somewhere warm and sunny year-round can be grown almost anywhere. If your winters are too cold, simply grow your pineapple in a pot, treat it like a houseplant during the winter, and move it back outside when the weather warms up.

Even better, you don't necessarily have to buy a pineapple plant. You can start one from the top of a pineapple from the grocery store.

And don't worry—I'm not going to make this complicated.

How to Grow - CUCUMBERS

 Cucumbers are one of those vegetables that can make you feel like a successful gardener pretty quickly. Once the weather warms up, the vines grow fast and it doesn't take long before you're searching through the leaves for cucumbers.

They're also easy enough for a beginning gardener. Give them warm weather, sunshine, plenty of water, and somewhere to grow, and they'll do most of the work themselves.

Whether you want cucumbers for salads, fresh eating, or homemade pickles, here's what you really need to know.

Pickled Habanada Peppers for Canning

 When I first started growing Habanada peppers, I had a hard time finding recipes specifically for them. My plants produced so many peppers that I needed a good way to preserve them, so I decided to pickle some.

Habanadas have the fruity flavor and beautiful orange color of a habanero without the intense heat. Pickling them gives the peppers a tangy flavor while letting that natural sweetness come through.

They turned out so well that pickling has become one of my favorite ways to preserve a big Habanada harvest. 

Classic Southern Pimento Cheese

Pimento cheese is a Southern classic for good reason. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with little bites of sweet pimento, it’s one of those simple recipes that works for just about any occasion. Spread it thick on sandwiches, serve it with crackers, scoop it up with fresh vegetables, or keep a bowl in the refrigerator for an easy snack. This homemade version combines sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, cream cheese, and pimentos for a rich, flavorful spread that’s hard to stop eating. 

Creamy Ritz Chicken Casserole

Creamy Ritz Chicken Casserole is the kind of easy comfort food that’s perfect for a busy weeknight or a cozy family dinner. Tender chicken is baked in a rich, creamy sauce and topped with buttery Ritz cracker crumbs that turn golden and crisp in the oven. It’s simple to put together, uses everyday ingredients, and is a great way to use leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken.