Here in the Northeast, May is a month of great anticipation—and caution. My hands are in the dirt, amending soil and laying down weed cloth, but I’ve learned (the hard way!) not to get too excited about planting before Memorial Day. Every time I jump the gun, Mother Nature steps in with a frosty reminder. So instead, I take May to prepare, observe, and plan—letting the rhythm of the season guide my next moves. READ MORE
In USDA zones 4-6, May isn't just about what to plant – it's about what not to plant too early, because one late frost can send your garden dreams back to the drawing board faster than you can say "I should have waited until Memorial Day!" Let's face it – if you live in these… READ MORE
May in USDA zones 7-8 – when your garden is basically screaming "PUT ALL THE PLANTS IN ME!" If you're wondering what to plant in May in these delightful middle zones, I have to laugh because the better question might be: what shouldn't you plant? May is absolutely prime planting time when the soil is… READ MORE
May in planting zones 9-10 - covering places like southern Florida, southern Texas, parts of Arizona, and coastal California - are hitting their stride right now with temperatures that make northern gardeners green with envy. But May in zones 9-10 comes with its own special considerations. While your friends up north are celebrating the end… READ MORE
Ever stared longingly at a neighbor's cherry tree bursting with blossoms or dripping with fruit and thought, "I want that"? I get it! Cherry trees are the showstoppers of the spring garden and reward you with either gorgeous flowers or delicious fruit (or both if you're lucky). But here's the thing about cherry trees -… READ MORE
Are you stuck in lettuce limbo, endlessly scrolling through Instagram-perfect hydroponic setups while glancing guiltily at your perfectly good garden plot outside? You're not alone! The great lettuce location debate has divided gardeners more dramatically than opinions on whether cilantro tastes like soap. (It doesn't. Or does it? No, we're not opening that can of… READ MORE
Look, let's not beat around the bush (or the squash vine, if you will) – our summers are getting hotter. While you're sweating through your garden hat and chugging iced tea like it's going out of style, your summer squash might be staging a dramatic death scene worthy of a horticultural soap opera. But fear… READ MORE
Bean there, done that with the green bean feast-or-famine cycle? You know what I'm talking about - that annual garden tradition where you wait forever for beans, then suddenly you're drowning in them faster than you can say "not another bean casserole!" Then, just as quickly, they're gone, leaving you bean-less and bewildered for the… READ MORE
As someone who eagerly awaits pea-planting season each year, I know firsthand the frustration of discovering something has been feasting on your precious crop overnight. My garden journey has been filled with triumphs and setbacks—from the pride of harvesting sweet, plump pods to the dismay of finding yellowing plants or leaves that look like they've… READ MORE
Discover how the Summer Food Garden Planning Kit equips you with everything from top-performing crop varieties to zone-specific planting calendars that turn garden chaos into bountiful harvests. When summer hits, your garden doesn't just grow - it explodes. Those tomatoes, peppers, and herbs aren't just surviving, they're throwing a botanical block party. There's nothing like… READ MORE
Keeping your garden warm in late fall or early spring can be accomplished in a number of ways. One of the more permanent solutions is to build a cold frame. A cold frame attaches to your raised bed and can be propped up to offer a greenhouse effect during the day, and closed to keep… READ MORE
Pole beans are my favorite things to grow. If I had to choose only 3 things to grow, it would be tomatoes, peppers, and pole beans. I harvest them all, cook with them constantly, and while some gardeners get overwhelmed, I say "bring it on!" READ MORE
Are you familiar with using grow bags for vegetables, fruits, or flowers? Grow bags are plastic or fabric-based "bags" made of felt or non-woven fabric, or polypropylene (similar to weed barriers) with flat bottoms and usually reinforced handles built-in. You simply fill them with the same type of soil and amendments you would for a… READ MORE
Beans, beans, they're good for your heart, the more you eat, the more you...want to eat them! But do you want to know what's funny? Green beans aren't even actually beans, they're legumes. READ MORE
Tacos have long been celebrated for their versatility, offering a canvas for endless flavor combinations and culinary creativity. This recipe is a tantalizing twist on the classic taco recipe with Paprika Chicken Tacos—a dish that promises to delight the taste buds and elevate your taco night to new… READ MORE
I love a good, easy dinner that is basically served to me when I arrive home. The beauty of these slow-cooker salsa chicken tacos is their simplicity. Just toss some chicken breasts into your slow cooker, pour over your favorite salsa, and let it work its magic while you're out conquering the world (or at… READ MORE
I discovered this Steak 'n' Veggie Tacos recipe last summer during a particularly ambitious grilling phase (you know, when you're convinced you're going to grill EVERYTHING for three months straight). The first time I made these tacos, my neighbor actually wandered over "just to say hi"—which we… READ MORE
Tacos get the summer treatment when fresh fish is easier to come by. A simple blend of common seasonings lets the flaky fish take on all of the flavors without being too heavy. Cabbage slaw adds the perfect crunch to this beachside meal. READ MORE
The last thing you want to be doing is slaving over a hot stove in the summertime heat. This slow cooker pulled pork recipe is great to throw together in the morning hours without having to heat your whole house all the while making a delicious main course. Serve with corn tortillas and your favorite side dishes. READ MORE
