Read by Matilda Longbottom Listen Now: Dear Gardeners, Can you feel that crisp October air? I don't know about you, but here in New England, I love the way the leaves are starting to paint the landscape with their warm hues. It's like Mother Nature's giving us one last burst of color…
Food Gardening Magazine • October 2024
Fresh Takes
Fine, I'll admit it; I've been guilty of scrolling through social media, admiring those picture-perfect greenhouse lounges. You know the ones - cozy chairs nestled among lush greenery, fairy lights twinkling overhead. It's enough to make anyone dream of sipping hot cocoa in a tropical paradise, even as the snow piles up outside. But here's… READ MORE
Oh, October in zones 4-6 - when the leaves are putting on their autumn best, and most gardeners are hanging up their trowels for the season. But not us, right? We're the diehards, the ones who see the first frost as a challenge, not a finish line. Sure, our neighbors might think we're a bit… READ MORE
Welcome to October in zones 7-8, where the gardening season isn't winding down - it's revving up for round two! The scorching summer heat has finally backed off, leaving you with warm soil and crisp air - perfect conditions for a whole new cast of cool-season characters to take center stage. Gone are the days… READ MORE
USDA Hardiness Zones 9-10 are the envy of gardeners across the country, and for good reason. These zones typically cover parts of Florida, southern Texas, Arizona, and coastal areas of California. We're talking about a climate where winter is more of a concept than a reality. In October, while northern friends are watching leaves turn… READ MORE
I've always been a bit obsessed with growing lettuce. There's something so satisfying about harvesting crisp, fresh leaves right from your own garden. For years, I've been on a mission to grow lettuce year-round. In the depths of winter, I rely on my hydroponic setup indoors, but for a long time, I struggled with the… READ MORE
Personally, I love growing celery. I might be lucky, but celery grows easily in my raised beds, and are generally no-nonsense unless the bugs get to them. But it wasn't always that way for me; in fact, in other homes and other garden beds, I didn't have much luck at all! So before diving into… READ MORE
I've been growing squash in my backyard for years. It started with a few zucchini plants and quickly grew into an obsession with winter squash. There's something satisfying about nurturing these plants from seed to harvest, watching the vines sprawl across the garden and the fruits swell throughout the summer. For a long time, I… READ MORE
You know, after years of gardening, I thought I had it all figured out. My tomatoes were plump, my lettuce was crisp, and my herbs were fragrant. But there was one area where I kept stumbling: bitter vegetables. And let me tell you, bitter Brussels sprouts were at the top of that list. It all… READ MORE
The first time I lost an entire crop of lettuce to an early frost, I was devastated. I remember that crisp autumn morning vividly. I had stepped out into my garden, steaming mug of coffee in hand, breathing in the sharp air that hinted at the coming winter. As I surveyed my plot, my eyes… 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
Featured Kit
Embark on a flavorful journey with our comprehensive Herb Garden Planning Kit - your gateway to a thriving, aromatic, and nourishing herb haven. READ MORE
Featured Videos
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already dabbled in the art of growing your own pumpkins. And with the spooky season right around the corner, it's high time we talk about turning those pumpkins into masterpieces. So, grab a cup of hot apple cider, cozy up, and let’s dive right into the world of… READ MORE
Pickling is so much fun, but there's a lot of confusion around it, so many people are a little afraid to do it! I totally get that too, because fermented pickles are a science show all on their own. But that's not the only way you can pickle, and in fact, there are many ways to do it. 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
In the cooler months, one of my favorite gardening activities is looking through seed catalogs and planning my spring garden. And I don't know about you, but I know that in my experience it can be very tricky to get my hands on certain varieties of seeds that are either rare or in high demand. That's why I don't like to leave it to chance when I find a veggie I love, like a special heirloom tomato. Saving seeds from vegetables may seem like a lot of work, but if you enjoy it, it's really just part of the gardening cycle. If you want to learn how to get seeds from your vegetables, I'm going to show you how! READ MORE
Pumpkins are for more than just carving and pies, you can make a number of dishes with them. And if you’re growing and tending to the little wildlings that are sugar pumpkins, then you deserve a bigger menu to choose from! That’s where this pumpkin grilled cheese comes in. Sugar pumpkins are your most traditional pumpkins for cooking, but you can also use Butternut Squash (aka Butternut Pumpkin) and Dumpling Squash (aka Dumpling Pumpkin) which are both sweet. READ MORE
Featured Recipes
Nothing says welcome Fall as much as a slice of warm apple pie. As soon as the first notes of the crisp fall air arrive, it is a great time to start warming up the insides with some fresh baking. Apple pie is a stable for a simple yet… READ MORE
Chicken and rice soup sounds a lot like congee — also known as rice porridge — but hold your horses (or your chickens) because it’s worth noting that there’s a difference between the two, even though they might seem related. While both are perfect companions for the cold weather, the stark difference between congee and… READ MORE
I'm excited to share a recipe that's become a real favorite in my house lately - a super tasty One-Pot Chicken and Corn Skillet. It all started when I found myself with way more corn than I knew what to do with from my garden. You see, I've been trying to grow corn for years,… READ MORE
Did you know that walnuts can help protect you against heart disease? All the more reason to add a serving of walnuts wherever you can, and this ravioli is the surprisingly delicious meal you’ll love to make with your heart in mind. This traditionally heavy dish becomes lighter and healthier with lemons, asparagus, and spinach too. READ MORE