August is a month of transition in the garden. Nights start to grow shorter but days are hot and dry. Early summer blooms begin to fade while buds for autumn blooms are now appearing and will break soon. Pests and diseases in the garden often peak this month. Roses and perennials need deadheading in August. […] More
After more than 30 years of growing basil in everything from raised beds to windowsill pots, I’ve learned that basil thrives with just a few key care habits: consistent watering, light feeding, and regular pruning. Here’s how to keep your basil plants lush, leafy, and productive all season long—whether in the garden or in containers. […] More
Growing strawberries in containers has become one of my favorite ways to enjoy fresh fruit without sacrificing garden space. Whether you’re working with a small patio, balcony, or just want a low-maintenance setup, container gardening is both efficient and rewarding. After a few seasons of experimenting, here’s what I’ve learned and recommend to make the […] More
Strawberries are more than just a spring treat—if you live in a warm climate, you can enjoy them nearly year-round with the right growing strategy. Having gardened in both Florida and California, I’ve learned how to work with long growing seasons, hot summers, and mild winters to keep my strawberry beds productive across all four […] More
Grow an early and late or main crop of celery each growing season. The early crop will be harvested in August; the late crop will be harvested in September or October, before the first fall frost. Start celery seed indoors. Sow seed for the early or August harvest in February. Set young plants in the […] More
Peas are a cool-weather crop. Sow pea seeds in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked or in late summer. Grow peas so that they come to harvest when the weather is cool. Peas can be classified by how large they grow: dwarf, medium, or tall. The taller a pea plant grows […] More
Radishes grow best in the cooler time of the year. Most are hardy to spring and autumn chills; a few varieties can withstand the summer heat. Sow seeds for small early varieties 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost. Plant midseason or summer varieties in mid to late spring. Late varieties—called winter radishes—should be […] More
You can grow vegetables for harvest in the fall. Plant a fall and winter harvest vegetable garden in mid-to-late summer. Hardy, cool-weather crops are best suited for the fall vegetable garden. Cool-weather vegetables like to get their start in warm soil and come to maturity when days and nights are cool. Cool-weather vegetables include leafy […] More
Growing a winter vegetable garden is a rewarding way to extend your harvest into the colder months. With the right techniques and plant selection, it’s possible to enjoy fresh vegetables all winter long. Winter gardening focuses on hardy crops, protective measures, and soil preparation to maintain productivity despite lower temperatures. Here’s how to get started, […] More
Citrus—oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, and kumquats—thrive outdoors where summers are warm and winters are mild. But citrus is not only for warm climates. Citrus fruits can be grown in cool regions in pots or planters that can sit outdoors in warm weather and be moved indoors in cool weather. Citrus fruits take months to ripen—six […] More
November is a busy month in the kitchen garden. Many gardeners would say November is the most important month–now is the time to prepare the soil for next spring and afterward put the garden to bed for the winter. (Of course, winter vegetable gardening can be very rewarding. So if you are continuing the fresh […] More
July is a busy month in the vegetable, herb, and fruit gardens. The summer harvest begins in July. Succession planting of warm-season crops continues and planting of cool-season crops for fall harvest can begin this month as well. Warm-weather crops coming to harvest this month must be picked at the peak of ripeness–just ripe, tender […] More
Stephen Albert