The weather will direct your efforts in the garden in September — early autumn. While the first day of autumn will arrive on September 22, this month may seem like an extension of summer in many southern gardens. The first cold weather and even frost can come this month in northern gardens. Now is the […] More
The weather will direct your efforts in the vegetable garden in early autumn–September. Frost may strike even the mildest regions in early autumn. Know the average first frost date for your area. This date will allow you to plan your garden activities; you may have plenty of days to get new crops in or you […] More
Vegetable crops will begin to take longer to ripen in September. Give melons, limas, and tomatoes more time to ripen naturally. Eggplants are ready for harvest when they are shiny. Beans, cucumbers, melons, zucchini, and summer squash will not ripen or mature once they are picked. They will keep for a week or two in […] More
Over the years, I’ve learned that growing melons is as much about care during the season as it is about selecting the right variety or planting at the right time. Melons need consistent attention—from pollination to ripening—to deliver the flavor and size we all hope for. Here’s how I care for melons throughout the growing […] 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
Strawberries are known for being easy to grow—but growing them well, especially in hot summer climates like many parts of Florida, Texas, and California, takes a little strategic planning. Having gardened in both South Florida and Central California, I’ve learned that timing is everything. The secret to a successful strawberry harvest in warm zones? Don’t […] 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
Bulb onions are particular about where they grow. Onion bulb development is highly dependent on daylight and temperature. Not all onions will form bulbs where you live. You must pick the right onion variety for your garden if you are growing onions for bulbs. Onion bulb formation is triggered by the number of summer daylight […] More
Radishes are one of the easiest crops to grow. The radish is a cool-weather crop. Harvest radishes in spring or fall for the best flavor and texture. Radish is ready to eat as few as three weeks after sowing seeds. It is easy to understand why radishes are a favorite of home gardeners. Spring radishes […] 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
Stephen Albert