FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Quick answers about VegetableGardening.net: who runs it, where the figures come from, and how to use it. Gardening questions are answered in the guides themselves.
Don’t see your question? Email contact@vegetablegardening.net.
About the site
Who runs VegetableGardening.net?
Jummo Vegetable Garden runs the site. A team of four researches, writes, checks, and edits the guides, each with a defined area. You can meet them on the About page.
Are the guides based on your own garden?
No. Every figure comes from a university extension service, USDA, or a product label, and the guide names the source. We don’t publish advice that rests on one person’s backyard results.
Why are guides credited to the Editorial Team?
Because every guide passes through more than one person: a researcher, a writer, a fact checker who opens every source, and an editor. A single name would hide most of that work.
Who are the guides written for?
Home gardeners in the United States: first-time growers, raised bed and container gardeners, backyard plot growers, community gardeners, teachers, and anyone checking a fact before they plant.
Where is the site based?
In Bangladesh, where Jummo Vegetable Garden is based. The guides are written for US gardeners, so most of the research and rules they cite are American.
Sources and accuracy
Where do your figures come from?
Mostly from land-grant extension services matched to the region, and from USDA, the EPA, and NOAA. Our editorial policy lists the sources in order of preference.
Why do your planting dates differ from my seed packet?
Seed packets give general timing for the whole country. Our calendars name the region behind every date. Go by your own average last frost date, and check your soil temperature too.
Why do you ask for my frost date instead of my zone?
Because hardiness zones describe winter cold, not frost dates. Two towns in the same zone can have different frost dates, so your average last spring frost date is the better planting guide.
Why do you sometimes give two answers?
Because the sources disagree. K-State suggests testing soil every 3 to 4 years, while Nebraska Extension says every fifth year is enough. We show both instead of averaging them.
How current is the information?
Planting calendars are reviewed every winter, and hardiness zones follow the 2023 USDA map. When a figure changes, the guide is updated and the change is noted.
Do you ever get things wrong?
Yes, and we fix it. Email the page, the figure, your state or zone, and your source to editor@vegetablegardening.net. Each correction notes what changed and why.
Can I use your guides instead of my extension office?
No. The guides help you understand the research and ask better questions. Your county extension office and local Master Gardeners know your soil, weather, and pests.
Plants, food, and our limits
Can you tell what’s wrong with my plant from a photo?
No. Disease, insects, nutrient problems, and weed killer drift can look alike in a photo. Your county extension office or a plant diagnostic lab can test a sample and tell you for sure.
Why don’t you publish pesticide or weed killer rates?
Because the label sets the rate, the timing, and the safety steps, and the label is the law. Rates also change by product, crop, and state. Follow the label on the product you’re holding.
Do you publish canning recipes?
No. We point to tested recipes from USDA and the National Center for Home Food Preservation. Processing times depend on the food, the jar size, and your altitude, so follow tested recipes exactly.
Is my soil safe for growing vegetables?
We can’t tell from here. If your garden is near an older building or a busy road, a soil test that includes lead is a smart first step. Your extension office can point you to a lab.
Can you make a planting plan for my yard?
Not one by one. Our planting calendars and bed planner give you the method, and your county extension office can help with local details.
Products and money
How does the site make money?
Through affiliate links. If you buy through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Our affiliate disclosure explains the details.
Do you test the tools you recommend?
No. Gear guides use manufacturer specifications, extension guidance on what each job needs, and verified buyer feedback, and they say where each point came from.
Can a company pay for a mention?
No. Nobody can buy coverage, a rating, or a place on a list, and no company sees a guide before it’s published.
Why don’t you list prices?
Prices change too fast for a guide to stay accurate. You’ll see the current price at the retailer when you click.
Using the site
How is the site organized?
Into ten areas: getting started, when to plant, seeds and seedlings, soil and fertilizer, vegetables, garden care, pests and diseases, harvest and storage, organic gardening, and gear.
I’ve never grown anything. Where should I start?
With the Getting Started guides and the easy crops list on the homepage. Then look up your average last frost date, which tells you when each crop can go in.
Can I share or reprint your guides?
Share links freely, and quote short passages with credit and a link. Republishing a full guide needs written permission, so ask at contact@vegetablegardening.net first.
Is there a newsletter?
Not yet. If we start one, we’ll announce it on the site, and leaving it will take one click.
Getting help
How do I find my county extension office?
Every state’s land-grant university runs an extension service with local offices, and many have Master Gardener volunteers. Search your county name with “extension office,” or check your state university’s website.
Can I suggest a topic?
Yes, please. Send your question to editor@vegetablegardening.net with your state or zone. Reader questions shape many of our guides.
Do you accept guest posts?
No. We don’t publish guest posts, sponsored articles, or paid links. Every guide comes from the editorial team.
How do I contact you?
Corrections and sources go to editor@vegetablegardening.net. Everything else goes to contact@vegetablegardening.net. Expect a reply within three business days, and for a sick plant, contact your extension office first.
Last reviewed: 10/06/2026
