If you’ve ever stood in your garden—hose in hand—wondering why one part is thriving while another looks like it’s negotiating for survival… You’re not alone. And more importantly—you’re not doing anything wrong. You’re just using a watering strategy that wasn’t designed for your garden. Because here’s the truth most gardening books don’t say out loud:…  READ MORE 

If your garden feels inconsistent—if one area thrives while another struggles—it’s not your effort. It’s your approach. Because most gardens aren’t one environment. They’re three. Zone 1: In-Ground (The Deep Drinkers) These are your most forgiving plants. They benefit from: Deep watering Less frequent sessions Strong root systems Mistake to avoid: Watering too lightly, too…  READ MORE 

If you’ve ever had: A bitter cucumber A cracked tomato A woody carrot You’ve seen what inconsistent watering can do. Tomatoes: Consistency Is Everything Even moisture prevents cracking Mulch stabilizes conditions Leafy Greens: Light and Frequent Shallow roots Sensitive to drying out Root Crops: Even Moisture Shapes Growth Irregular watering = irregular shape Vines: Balance…  READ MORE 

Let me ask you a simple question. Have you ever watered your garden in the morning… Only to find it dry again by afternoon? That’s not a watering problem. That’s a moisture retention problem. Mulch Changes Everything Mulch: Slows evaporation Keeps soil cool Extends watering impact The Difference Is Visible Side-by-side: Bare soil dries quickly…  READ MORE 

As we step into the warm embrace of July, many of us might think it's too late to start planting. But let me tell you a little secret: July is actually a fantastic time to get your hands dirty and sow some seeds or transplant some seedlings. Sure, the air is thick enough to cut…  READ MORE 

July in USDA zone 7-8 is when the mercury climbs higher than a cat on a hot tin roof, and the humidity makes you feel like you're wearing a wet wool sweater. But don't let that deter you, intrepid gardeners! While your northern friends might be winding down their planting season, you're just hitting your…  READ MORE 

Should you really be planting things when you can cook an egg on your patio? The answer is yes! Fear not, my sun-loving friend! While your northern neighbors are harvesting their summer bounty, you're just getting warmed up (pun absolutely intended). July in these zones is not for the faint of heart. You're talking temperatures…  READ MORE 

There's nothing quite as rewarding as harvesting fresh zucchinis from your own backyard, and there's rarely a shortage, as most gardeners know. There's even "National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's Porch Day" which occurs every August 8th! So with such an abundance of these fruits, what comes next after plucking these beauties from the…  READ MORE 

In this month’s Food Gardening Magazine, you get everything you need to know about planting blueberries—a hearty and delicious fruit to complement all your food-gardening efforts. And planting and harvesting blueberries is not as difficult as you might think. If you want to know everything you need about planting blueberries and picking blueberries, this gardening guide is for you!   READ MORE 

In this month’s Food Gardening Magazine, you get everything you need to know about planting corn—a hearty and delicious food to complement all your food-gardening efforts. And planting and harvesting corn is not as difficult as you might think. If you want everything you need to know about growing and harvesting corn, this Gardening Guide is for you!  READ MORE 

Want healthy onions? Plant them in the right place, at the right time, in the right soil! Growing onions isn't very hard, but like all of us, they have preferences that will help them thrive in your garden at home.  READ MORE 

Bell peppers don't get the press they deserve. These fruits (yes, they are technically fruits) are one of the most commonly grown crops in the world. And they come in a wide array of colors and rich, sweet tastes. Those green bell peppers you get at the supermarket? Give 'em a few more weeks on the vine, and they'll develop colors ranging from bright red, glowing orange, delicate white, smooth chocolate, soft lilac, and more. That's when to pick bell peppers if you want those sweet, delicious flavors.  READ MORE 

Discover the joys of growing your own fruit, from the first spring blossoms to baskets of fresh berries, tree-ripened fruit, and sweet summer harvests. This comprehensive guide will help both new and experienced gardeners plan, plant, and maintain a thriving fruit garden.  READ MORE 

So you thought you’d just roll out of bed in July and start a garden, did you? Watch a little HGTV this weekend and decide to plant yourself a little victory garden? Considering that most veggies take 4-8 weeks to create a bounty, and the hot July sun isn’t an ideal base, you may have missed out on some opportunities for peak tomato season. But, all hope isn’t lost, because there are veggies to plant in July still, just don’t hit the snooze button again.  READ MORE 

A good old-fashioned spray with the hose is my favorite way to rid my veggie garden of leaf-eating pests, especially the Japanese beetles who love to munch on my basil. But you know as well as I do that waterboarding insects only goes so far, because whatever bugs are chowing down, will eventually come back.  READ MORE 

There was no small push by our team to delve into the wild world of "garden-to-glass" cocktails. Can you blame them? After all, fennel-infused cocktails are all the rage now, so you can always make fennel simple syrup. For those who love ginger, a ginger simple syrup sounds great too! For these recipes, I went…  READ MORE 

Forget everything you know about gardening. Hold up. Maybe that's a bad idea. But if you've always had an in-ground garden and you're planting in raised beds this year, there are some differences you may want to know about.   READ MORE 

If you have a beautiful garden that you're proud of, you probably like to show it off. Maybe you invite friends and neighbors to pick from your garden, or have little farm-to-table dinners in your backyard, because why not? For me, I'm still a kid at heart, so I love a good pizza party, and there's nothing better than grilled pizza.  READ MORE