An overgrown garden can make every job look urgent at once. The grass is too tall, weeds have moved into places you vaguely remember planting something, shrubs have lost their shape, and somewhere underneath it all may be plants you actually want to keep. Before you start pulling weeds or cutting things back, decide what…
Toward the end of a crop’s productive run, there is always an awkward stretch when the plant isn’t exactly dead, but it isn’t doing much either. Maybe the bottom leaves are yellowing. There are fewer flowers than there used to be. You’re still watering it, still checking it, and every few days you find one…
There was a time when most gardeners could count on a fairly predictable growing season. Summers were hot, certainly, but a stretch of ninety-degree days still felt unusual. Today, many gardeners find themselves facing weeks of relentless heat, little meaningful rainfall, and watering restrictions just when their gardens need moisture the most. It’s tempting to…
If you’re wondering what to plant in August, you’re not alone. By August, the garden can look like it’s winding down—tired vines, bolted greens, and empty patches where spring crops once stood. But in many parts of the country, August is actually when the fall garden begins. It’s one of the few times of year…
Saving garden seeds is one of the most rewarding skills a gardener can learn, but one of the most satisfying moments doesn’t happen at planting time or even during harvest. It happens when you save seeds from this year’s garden, knowing they’ll become next year’s harvest. For generations, gardeners carefully saved seeds from their healthiest…
There’s a certain satisfaction that comes with harvesting the last tomato, pulling the final row of beans, or cutting the season’s last head of lettuce. Months of planning, watering, weeding, and waiting have finally paid off. It’s tempting to look at an empty garden bed and think the work is finished. In reality, it’s just…
One of the most satisfying moments in the garden is learning when harvesting something you’ve grown yourself. After weeks—or sometimes months—of watering, weeding, and watching tiny seedlings slowly mature, you finally get to enjoy the reward. Then comes the question every beginner asks: “How do I know when it’s ready?” It’s a fair question, and…
One of the first questions new gardeners ask is, “How often should I water?” It sounds like a simple question, but it’s a bit like asking how often someone should eat. Learning the difference between overwatering vs. underwatering plants is one of the most valuable skills a gardener can develop. The answer depends on the…
Common signs of plant stress often appear long before a plant begins to fail. Walk through your garden on any summer evening and you’ll probably notice a plant that doesn’t look quite right. It’s easy to assume the worst. Many beginning gardeners immediately reach for fertilizer, insect spray, or another product that promises a quick…
Starting a garden is one of the most hopeful things a person can do. A packet of seeds costs a few dollars. A handful of plants fit neatly into a shopping cart. A freshly prepared garden bed looks full of promise. It’s easy to picture baskets overflowing with tomatoes, crisp salads harvested just steps from…
