August is one of the most rewarding months in the vegetable garden. After months of planting, tending, and patiently waiting, the harvest is in full swing. Tomatoes ripen by the handful, beans seem to appear overnight, peppers are reaching their peak, and there's always another zucchini hiding beneath the leaves. It's a season of abundance that reminds us why we spend so much time nurturing our gardens in the first place. At the same time, summer heat means our gardens still need plenty of attention. Consistent watering, a layer of mulch, and a little extra care help plants continue producing through the hottest days of the season. READ MORE
When the Garden Gives Its All Every gardener knows the moment. The tomatoes ripen all at once. The herbs surge. The beans keep coming. The apples begin to drop. It’s a beautiful kind of overwhelm—the kind that reminds us why we plant in the first place. But it also raises an important question: What do… READ MORE
As we all know, August can be a tricky month for gardening, with scorching temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns. But fear not! With a little know-how and some careful planning, you can still create a thriving garden that will provide you with a bountiful harvest well into the fall. You're probably thinking that August, being… READ MORE
August in USDA zones 7-8 presents a unique opportunity for gardeners to balance the waning summer heat with the promise of a bountiful fall harvest. These zones, characterized by their longer growing seasons and milder winters, offer an extended window for planting that many gardeners in cooler regions can only dream of. As the dog… READ MORE
As gardeners in USDA zones 9-10, August presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. While much of the country is winding down their summer gardens, you're gearing up for a second round of planting in some of the hottest conditions of the year. August in zones 9-10 is characterized by scorching temperatures, often soaring… READ MORE
Most gardeners think of beets as a cool-season crop, and they’re not wrong – these ruby-red roots do prefer temperatures between 60–65°F. But here’s a little-known secret: with the right varieties and techniques, you can absolutely grow delicious beets even when summer temperatures soar into the 80s and 90s. The key is understanding what makes… READ MORE
When someone says that something is peachy-keen or just peachy, that means divine, excellent, dandy, marvelous, and just absolutely splendid! And that's because perfect peaches convey the essence of excellence, goodness, and deliciousness. Imagine biting into a perfect peach that oozes flavor and juiciness—not one of those hard, unripe store-bought peaches. … READ MORE
Nothing’s more frustrating than eagerly pulling up your radish crop only to find massive, lush green tops attached to skinny, woody disappointments underground. If your radishes are producing gorgeous foliage but pathetic roots, you’re not alone–and more importantly, you’re not doomed to repeat this leafy letdown. When radishes go “all top, no bottom,” they’re essentially… READ MORE
Growing lettuce at home can be a rewarding experience and give you access to delicious greens from spring, through the summer, and even into fall. However, brown edges around the leaves, known as lettuce tip burn, can be an issue if not prevented. Tip burn is a common problem in lettuces, as well as cabbage,… READ MORE
I remember my first attempt at seed saving. It was a bit of a disaster, to be honest. I harvested too early, stored the seeds improperly, and ended up with a handful of moldy, useless beans. But oh, how things have changed! Now, saving green bean seeds is one of my favorite end-of-season rituals, and… READ MORE
There’s something magical about picking fruit that you’ve grown yourself. Whether it’s the first ruby-red strawberry of the season, a handful of sun-sweetened raspberries, juicy blueberries still warm from the afternoon sun, or a crisp apple plucked straight from the tree, homegrown fruit has a flavor that simply can’t be matched. Growing your own fruit… READ MORE
There's a lot to say about watering. And there is definitely enough to put it into a "Watering A to Z" list. I will tell you, though, this was challenging. I could have repeated some letters several times! Watering is a tricky task. I have overwatered, underwatered, and completely forgotten about that poor plant in… READ MORE
If you want a happy garden, you can't really set it and forget it. If you ignore your garden for a few days in mid-summer, especially if you go away on vacation, you might come back to a jungle! And even if you're not skipping a few days of upkeep in the middle of summer, there are lots of mid-summer garden chores that will creep up on you quickly. READ MORE
Some people think that gardening is a summer’s game, but not only are there such things as succession crops—which you plant in the same place as your spring crops—but you can start planting vegetables in the fall that will pop up next spring. READ MORE
If you've been looking for a way to grow more squash in your vegetable garden, but don't have the space or time for lots of plants growing every which way they please, then you should know how to train squash to grow vertically. It's easy and it will help maximize your space without sacrificing yield. Plus, squash and trellises are basically made for one another. Squash vines are vigorous, they love to sprawl out and they need support on which to climb. READ MORE
Oh, late August, what a wonderful time of year. Just when you’re sad that the summer is winding down, you get reminded that fall is just around the corner when fresh corn sweetens and ripens with the season. Corn is a fickle vegetable to grow, so if you’re growing it yourself, high five to you! But if you’re supporting your local farmers at the farmer’s market, it will taste just as sweet, maybe even sweeter! READ MORE
Prepare to bow down to the Ice Queen Lettuce Wedge Salad, a dish so magnificent it'll make you want to roll out the red carpet in your dining room. This isn't just any wedge salad – it's the Beyoncé of salads, fierce and fabulous. We start… READ MORE
I love experimenting with unexpected ingredient combinations, and I also grow a ton of lettuce. That's how I came up with this lettuce smoothie, a unique blend that's become a staple in our household. The star of this smoothie is Red Salad Bowl Lettuce from my garden. Its slightly peppery flavor adds an interesting dimension,… READ MORE
Let me tell you about how I came up with Garlic Garden Lettuce Stir Fry. When I got my first apartment, one of my first big purchases was a wok. I appreciated the simplicity and efficiency of cooking an entire meal in one piece of cookware. It was easy to put dinner together, and cleanup… READ MORE
There’s something so satisfying about dinner hot off the grill. Summer is high grilling season, but even in a region with frigid winters, we keep the grill fueled up and ready to go for those days when it’s not blowing snow sideways. That's why I adore this Grilled… READ MORE
Traditional wisdom says soup is served hot; salad is served cold. But some traditions were made to be broken. Can you say gazpacho? I think the way we use lettuce in our culinary creations is colored by our earliest experiences with this particular food. I grew up enjoying delicious salads made with ingredients fresh from… READ MORE
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