Welcome to the March 2026 issue of Food Gardening Magazine! Here in the Northeast, March truly comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. The early weeks bring snow squalls, biting winds, and stubborn ice that clings to winter’s grip. But gradually, something shifts. The light lingers. Birds return to their morning chorus. Almost overnight, crocuses push through thawing soil, quietly announcing that spring is on its way. READ MORE
How to Plant a Meatloaf (According to Dad) One sunny April morning, I caught my father kneeling in the bean row with a packet of seeds in one hand and a mischievous grin on his face. “I’m planting Sunday’s meatloaf,” he announced, pressing seeds into the soil like he was sowing gold coins. To hear… READ MORE
If meatloaf really does start in the soil—as my father insisted—then beans are the foundation. They bring the hearty texture, rich flavor, and plant-based protein that make a veggie loaf taste just as satisfying as its meaty cousin. Here are five of my garden-tested favorites, each with its own personality and growing notes for gardeners… READ MORE
My father always said, “Beans make the meatloaf, but herbs make it sing.” He meant that no matter how good your base is, the right blend of fresh garden flavor can transform your loaf from humble to heavenly. Here are five of the best meatloaf herbs to plant, grow, and harvest for the most flavorful… READ MORE
March in zones 4-6 is when every slightly warmer day has us pressing our noses against windows, watching for the first signs of spring. While our gardens might still be sporting patches of snow, March is actually a crucial month for starting our growing season. No, we're not quite ready to dig in the dirt… READ MORE
March in zones 7-8 is when the rest of the country is still dreaming of spring, and you can already get your hands dirty! While northern gardeners are starting seeds under grow lights, you're out in the garden, celebrating the return of proper planting weather. Sure, you might get the occasional frost warning (keep those… READ MORE
Think of March as your garden's sweet spot. The intense summer heat hasn't arrived yet, but you've got plenty of warm, sunny days perfect for growing just about anything your heart desires. From the last of the cool-season vegetables to the first tomatoes of the season, March in zones 9-10 is a gardener's paradise. So… READ MORE
One of the many things I love about beets is the excuse they give me to grow some tasty beet companion plants. To be clear, I'm happy to have a garden full of beets just because I love beets. But like tomatoes, which offer a great excuse to plant more basil, beets and several other plants work especially well together. READ MORE
When you decide to plant blueberry bushes, it can be pretty exciting. You imagine skipping the trek to the blueberry farm, and frolicking in your backyard instead, plucking plump blueberries and making pies. The thing about all these hopes and dreams is that if you don't know how to prune blueberry bushes, you might only… READ MORE
The humble onion is one of the most popular vegetables in the world. It comes in so many colors and flavors—it’s a cook’s dream and a gardener’s delight! And with so many uses for onions, you should know the best tips for handling onions. Right now, someone is chopping up onions for an omelet. Or… READ MORE
Did you know that cucumbers are the second-most popular vegetable in home gardens? Bite into one, and it's easy to understand why. We aren't the only ones who love cucumbers, though. This cool veggie is beloved by numerous pests, as well. That's why cucumber companion plants are so helpful in the garden. Think about it.… READ MORE
That's not entirely true. There are several ways to determine which tomatoes are the sweetest tomatoes to plant. Taste tests just happen to be my favorite, for probably obvious reasons. But you can also ask around, read blogs and articles like this one, or explore something called the Brix rating, which I'll get to shortly. READ MORE
A four-month garden planning system with customized growing schedules for zones 4–10—plus eight new recipes inspired by your late spring harvests. READ MORE
I have zero regrets about planting blueberry bushes in my yard. In fact, they are my prized plants! My daughter will in fact, only eat blueberries in season, from our bushes. She refuses to eat them from the store. (I mean, who can blame her, really?) I have four bushes now, but after many years,… READ MORE
There's an anonymous quote out there about gardening that says, "gardening is cheaper than therapy, and you get tomatoes." I don't know about you, but gardening is definitely my most expensive hobby (except maybe skiing). Sure, I could save all my seeds, work harder to make as much compost as I need so I don't… READ MORE
In the era of smartphones and razor-thin laptops, where convenience and efficiency are prized, gardening enthusiasts often find themselves yearning for user-friendly tools to help them plan and manage their green spaces. Unfortunately, the realm of garden planning apps has been marred by clunky interfaces that feel like a blast from the past. However, fear… READ MORE
If anyone ever said that a Type A personality and gardening didn't mix, they never heard of seed tape. Have you heard of it? This tool is the best way to feed your neuroses of perfectly spaced vegetables like carrots, lettuce, radishes, beans, and other seeds you tend to plant in bulk. It's a bit hard to find in stores, but that's fine because it's totally easy to make DIY seed tape. READ MORE
Winter is the season of garden planning, and once the holidays are over, I like to sit down and dream about what my garden will look like in the spring and get a head start on my gardening wishlist. It's a good time to think about what you like to eat from your garden all summer and plan accordingly. READ MORE
Looking for something light and refreshing? Try out this Quinoa Confetti Salad with Sugar Snap Peas! It’s going to be a sure hit for vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores alike because of its greens and high protein content. As you might already know, sugar snap peas are probably the sweetest among all the pea varieties. It’s… READ MORE
Delight your taste buds with these Stuffed Zucchini Boats filled with a hearty mixture of quinoa, feta, and fresh herbs. This nutritious and flavorful dish combines the earthy taste of zucchini with the richness of quinoa and the tanginess of feta for a satisfying… READ MORE
Let me tell you about this game-changing Chicken Parmesan Quinoa Bake that's become my go-to for impressive yet easy dinners! As someone who spent years avoiding quinoa (confession: I was that person who kept calling it "kwin-oh-ah" at Whole Foods as a young adult), this recipe completely changed my relationship with this protein-packed ancient grain.… READ MORE
Let me tell you about this flavor-packed vegetarian masterpiece that's become my secret weapon for Meatless Mondays! As someone who used to think "spicy" meant a dash of black pepper, this Quinoa and Pepper Medley Casserole recipe completely changed my perspective on heat and happiness in the kitchen. The magic starts with toasting the quinoa… READ MORE
First time making sushi? This recipe is a great place to start! With just veggies, you take the guesswork out of using fish and the result is still delicious and a healthy way to get your veggies. READ MORE
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