How to Select an Avocado: Become a Pro

How to Pick the Perfect Avocado: A Simple Guide

If you’ve ever sliced open an avocado only to find a stringy, brown mess—or a stubborn rock-hard pit—you’re not alone. Picking the perfect avocado can feel like a guessing game. But with a few simple tricks, you can become an avocado-picking pro and ensure your guacamole (or avocado toast) dreams stay intact.

Step 1: Know Your Avocado Goals

Before you even touch an avocado, ask yourself: When do I plan to eat this?

• Today or tomorrow? Go for a ripe avocado.

• In 3–5 days? Choose a firm, unripe one.

• Just browsing for the week ahead? Pick a few at different ripeness stages.

Step 2: Color is Clue #1

For Hass avocados, which are the most common:

• Bright green: Not ripe yet.

• Dark green to black: Likely ripe or close to ripe.

• Very black or wrinkly skin: May be overripe.

Note: Other varieties like Fuerte or Bacon stay green even when ripe, so color alone isn’t always a perfect indicator.

Step 3: Give It a Gentle Squeeze

Hold the avocado in the palm of your hand and gently press with your fingers (don’t poke!):

• Hard as a rock: Not ripe.

• Gives slightly with pressure: Ripe and ready!

• Very soft or mushy: Probably overripe.

Think of it like checking a peach or plum—you're looking for a little give, not a squish.

Step 4: Check the Stem Trick

This little trick can be a game-changer:

• Pop off the small stem cap at the top.

  • If it comes off easily and the color underneath is green, it’s perfect.

  • If it’s brown underneath, it might be overripe.

  • If the stem doesn’t come off, it’s probably not ready yet.

    
    

    

    Bonus Tips:

• Don’t rely on just one test—use all the clues together.

• Store unripe avocados at room temp. Once ripe, refrigerate to slow further ripening.

• To ripen faster, place avocados in a paper bag with a banana or apple. Ethylene gas = speedier ripening!

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In Summary: Picking a good avocado is about color, feel, and a little stem peek. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be slicing into perfect green gold every time.

Got any avo hacks of your own? Drop them in the comments please!

Try some of previous avocado recipes: 

Avocado Salad Dressing and Dip. delicious on any salad

Mexican Guacamole! Ole !!

Avocado Caprese Appetizer Platter a delightful appetizer

How to freeze an avocado before it goes brown

Rice, Tomato, and Avocado Salad (yum) 

My Notes: 

I'm still traveling but I'll be back commenting on your blogs mid- June. I set up some posts to publish prior to leaving for my cruise and family wedding in Spain!!       

No Garden? No Problem! Grow Lettuce in Containers on Your Deck

How to Grow Lettuce in a Container on Your Deck

Growing lettuce in a container on your deck is an easy and rewarding way to enjoy fresh, homegrown greens without needing a large garden space. Lettuce is a perfect choice for container gardening because of its shallow roots, fast growth, and ability to thrive in cooler temperatures. Whether you have a small patio, balcony, or deck, here’s how to successfully grow lettuce in a container.

1. Choose the Right Container

Lettuce doesn’t need deep soil, so a shallow container works well. Here’s what to look for:

• Depth: At least 6–8 inches deep for proper root growth.

• Width: A wider container allows for more plants and a continuous harvest.

• Drainage: Make sure the container has drainage holes to prevent root rot.

💡 Tip: You can use window boxes, pots, or even repurposed containers like wooden crates or plastic tubs—just make sure they drain well!

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2. Use High-Quality Potting Soil

Lettuce thrives in light, well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. Avoid using garden soil, which can be too dense for containers. Instead, choose a high-quality potting mix with added compost or organic matter for extra nutrients.

💡 Tip: Mixing in a bit of perlite or vermiculite helps with drainage and keeps the soil from compacting.

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3. Select the Best Lettuce Varieties for Containers

Some lettuce varieties grow better in containers than others. Here are a few great options:

• Loose-leaf varieties (e.g., Black Seeded Simpson, Red Salad Bowl) – quick-growing and great for cut-and-come-again harvesting.

• Butterhead lettuce (e.g., Bibb, Boston) – compact and tender.

• Romaine lettuce (e.g., Little Gem) – grows upright and fits well in smaller spaces.

💡 Tip: Choose heat-resistant varieties if you’re growing in warm weather, as lettuce can bolt in high temperatures.

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4. Plant Lettuce Seeds or Starts

From Seeds:

• Sprinkle seeds evenly across the container, leaving ½ inch to 1 inch between them.

• Cover lightly with ¼ inch of soil and mist gently with water.

• Keep the soil consistently moist until seeds germinate (usually 7–10 days).

From Seedlings (Starts):

• Dig small holes and plant seedlings 4–6 inches apart.

• Gently firm the soil around them and water well.

💡 Tip: If planting multiple containers, stagger planting times by 2 weeks to extend your harvest.

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5. Provide the Right Amount of Sunlight

Lettuce grows best in partial to full sun, needing 4–6 hours of sunlight per day. If your deck gets strong afternoon sun, provide shade with:

• A shade cloth

• Placing the container in a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade

• Moving the container under a patio umbrella on hot days

💡 Tip: Lettuce prefers cooler temperatures, so avoid placing containers on hot surfaces like concrete or dark wood, which can overheat the soil.

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6. Water Regularly but Avoid Overwatering

Lettuce needs consistent moisture, but soggy soil can cause root rot. Keep the soil evenly moist, watering when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry.

• In warm weather, you may need to water daily.

• In cooler temperatures, watering every other day is usually enough.

💡 Tip: Water in the morning to help prevent disease and evaporation.

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7. Fertilize for Healthy Growth

Lettuce is a fast-growing crop that benefits from light feeding every 2–3 weeks. Use:

• A balanced liquid fertilizer (like 10-10-10 or fish emulsion)

• Compost tea or a light sprinkle of worm castings

💡 Tip: Avoid over-fertilizing—too much nitrogen can cause excessive leaf growth with less flavor.

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8. Harvesting Your Lettuce

Lettuce grows quickly and can be harvested in 30–45 days, depending on the variety.

Two Ways to Harvest:

1. Cut-and-Come-Again: Snip the outer leaves when they are 4–6 inches long, allowing the center to keep growing. This method provides continuous harvests for weeks!

2. Full Harvest: Pull the entire plant when it reaches full size (typically 6–8 inches tall).

💡 Tip: Use clean scissors or garden shears to cut leaves just above the base. This encourages regrowth and prevents damage.

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9. Keep Your Lettuce Cool and Prevent Bolting

As temperatures rise, lettuce may bolt (grow tall and produce flowers), making the leaves bitter. To prevent this:

• Provide afternoon shade if temps go above 75°F (24°C).

• Water consistently to keep soil cool.

• Choose heat-tolerant varieties like ‘Summertime’ or ‘Jericho’.

💡 Tip: If your lettuce starts bolting, harvest it quickly and replace it with a new batch!

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10. Replant for a Continuous Supply

To keep fresh lettuce available all season:

• Plant new seeds every 2 weeks (succession planting).

• If summer is too hot, take a break and replant in late summer for a fall harvest.

💡 Tip: In hot climates, try growing lettuce indoors in a container near a sunny window or under grow lights!

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Final Thoughts

Growing lettuce in a container on your deck is a simple and rewarding way to enjoy fresh greens without needing a large garden. Choose the right container, provide proper care, and harvest regularly. It will be fun and healthy to have a steady supply of delicious, homegrown lettuce right outside your door.

Are you growing lettuce in containers this season? Add your favorite varieties and tips in the comments below! 

My Notes: 

I am still traveling. I planned some posts to schedule in advance. 

I'll be visiting your blogs and commenting when I return After June 11-

From Freezer to Table: An Easy Frozen Broccoli Side Dish

A Simple and Delicious Frozen Broccoli Side Dish with a Ginger, Rice Vinegar, and Tamari Dressing.

Do you like broccoli, but don't like cleaning and cutting it? Use frozen broccoli for a no fuss, no mess experience. 

Even something as simple as frozen broccoli can be brought to life with an interesting sauce such as my ginger tamari combo.

Eating well doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, the best dishes come together with just a few ingredients and minimal effort.

I'm trying to eat lighter, healthier, and lose some weight. Therefore I'm sharing lighter recipes because that's what I'm eating. This quick and easy recipe highlights the natural goodness of broccoli with a flavorful Asian-inspired sauce that comes together in minutes.

With frozen broccoli, you can skip the washing and chopping while still enjoying all the healthy benefits of this nutrient-packed cruciferous vegetable. 

I am a natural vegetable lover and enjoy steamed broccoli totally plain- however, not everyone does. So I'm offering a way to make a simple dressing.

This simple recipe calls foe grating and combing some fresh ginger with rice vinegar with some naturally gluten free tamari sauce. The delicious flavor  will have you coming back for seconds.

I haven't tried this sauce combination on other vegetables, but it might work with cauliflower too. 

Enjoy over rice noodles, with tofu, or rice.

The Easiest Broccoli Side Dish

Ingredients:

1 bag of frozen broccoli florets (12 ounces)

2 cups of water- divided

2 tablespoons of rice vinegar 

2 tablespoons of tamari sauce (gluten-free)

1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger

Optional: Toasted sesame seeds for garnish

Directions

Heat a wide rimmed skillet, add broccoli and 1 cup of water. Cook on a high heat uncovered until broccoli begins to thaw somewhat (about 3 minutes). While broccoli is cooking in the skillet, grate ginger and mix together with the vinegar and tamari. Pour the mixture over the broccoli and allow to continue cooking another minute or two until broccoli is soft but still green. Add small amounts of water if needed to prevent burning.

Why Eat More Cruciferous Vegetables?

Broccoli belongs to the cruciferous vegetable family, which also includes kale, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. These vegetables are rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, making them an essential part of a balanced diet. They are especially known for their high levels of sulforaphane, a powerful compound that supports detoxification, may reduce inflammation, and may even help protect against certain diseases.

While fresh broccoli is always a great choice, frozen broccoli offers the same health benefits and is often even more convenient. It’s picked and frozen at peak ripeness, locking in nutrients and ensuring you always have a healthy option on hand. Plus, it cooks quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

The Convenience of Frozen Broccoli

Using frozen broccoli means you can whip up this dish at a moment’s notice, without worrying about washing, trimming, or wasting any unused portions. It also cuts down on prep time, making it an easy way to get more vegetables into your diet.

Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a family, this broccoli side dish proves that healthy eating doesn’t have to be time-consuming or complicated. With just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes, you’ll have a vibrant, flavorful addition to your meal—

My Notes: 

1. Cooking frozen broccoli in a skillet uncovered for 3-5 minutes is perfect for firm green yet tender broccoli. 

2. This recipe is gluten-free, oil-free, and vegan.

3. I'm traveling til mid June, but I have set a few recipes set to publish automatically such as this one.