Welcome to the October 2025 issue of Food Gardening Magazine! Here in the Northeast where I live, October is pure magic–the kind of month that makes you want to spend every daylight hour outside, knowing winter’s waiting just around the corner. My garden is heavy with pumpkins sprawling across their beds, apples hanging from branches, and cucumbers still producing like they’re racing against the first frost. It’s pickle season, and my kitchen counter is lined with mason jars waiting to be filled.
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Pickling is having a moment, and it’s no longer confined to grandma’s cellar or dusty jars in a pantry. Across America, home gardeners are diving into this tangy tradition with relish (pun intended). From small-scale home kitchens to thriving farm stands, pickling is now a culinary adventure that combines creativity, preservation, and a splash of… READ MORE
As we prepare for a tangy and tantalizing 2026, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and plan the garden of your pickling dreams. Whether you’re a dill devotee, a bread-and-butter buff, or an adventurous fermenter, this guide will help you select the best cucumbers and companion veggies to grow for pickling success. We’ll also… READ MORE
Get ready to transform your garden’s cucumber harvest into a crunchy, tangy delight—kosher dill pickles! These pickles are the third feature in our pickling series, and we’re diving deep into the steps, ingredients, and tips to create a garden-fresh masterpiece. Whether you’re a seasoned pickler or a brining beginner, this guide will have you pickling… 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
Radicchio tends to divide people. To some, it’s a beautiful, scarlet burst in the garden, with leaves that look like they belong in a Renaissance painting. To others, its bitter bite is an acquired taste, better admired than eaten. But whether or not radicchio makes it to your salad… READ MORE
It's getting to be that time of year when you try to figure out how to use pumpkin, because your pumpkin patch is producing big time ... or you have lots of pumpkins left over from seasonal decorating. And you've probably seen enough pumpkin pie and pumpkin muffin recipes, so here are some fun and… READ MORE
Grating fresh ginger into a stir-fry delivers a bright, zesty bite, while a cup of tea brewed from dried ginger feels hotter, almost peppery, and more lingering. Both experiences come from the same plant, but the difference in flavor isn’t just a matter of freshness–it’s chemistry. Ginger’s signature “heat” comes from a handful of natural… READ MORE
All hail the mighty (and versatile as heck) onion! From subtle flavors to sharp zings, onions can add so many dimensions to your recipes. Being able to use your own homegrown onions all winter long is the ultimate Little House on the Prairie dream. It’s also super cost-effective and adds peace of mind knowing that… 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
How to grow fresh, flavorful food at home—no matter the season or space Indoor gardening is more than a seasonal hobby–it’s a way to bring fresh food, vibrant green life, and a sense of calm into your everyday environment. Whether you live in a small apartment, experience long winters, or just want to harvest herbs… 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
When you come up with a plan for your garden, do you usually have a cuisine in mind? I know that when I plant, I always want to have tomatoes and basil on hand for Caprese salads, pesto, and tomato sauce. Though in reality, because my garden is always so full of fresh juicy vegetables, they sometimes go to waste because I haven't gotten to them in time. I'm sure you know what I mean, frustrating, right? READ MORE
The joy of a bountiful harvest is unmatched, especially when it's the ever-versatile potato. From savory dishes to hearty meals, there's no end to what you can create in the kitchen. But what happens when you've got more spuds than you know what to do with? If you've been following along here for a while,… READ MORE
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
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
If you’ve had Cincinnati Chili, you know that the cinnamon and chili spice combination is hard to beat! Make your own with this recipe and serve over noodles. READ MORE
Ah, chili. That warm, hearty bowl of comfort that somehow manages to taste even better when the weather starts turning crisp. Enter Easy Slow Cooker Beef Chili, a recipe that’s as fuss-free as it is delicious. It’s perfect for those days when you’d rather wrap yourself… READ MORE
Pulled pork chili is an ideal dish any time of year, whether you want something with a barbecue vibe in the middle of summer or need a warm ray of sunshine on an icy winter day. Usually, pulled pork requires a fair bit of planning ahead. You need to mix your spices, rub the mix… READ MORE
The first time I made Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili, I was prepping for a big game-day party. You know the kind—friends coming over, everyone decked out in team colors, and the table overflowing with snacks. I wanted something that felt substantial and a little bit special but could still hang with the chips and… READ MORE
