Blossom End Rot Is Ruining Your Tomatoes, and It's Not a Disease

Blossom End Rot Is Ruining Your Tomatoes, and It's Not a Disease

Japanese Beetles Are Back: How to Actually Deal With Them This July

Japanese Beetles Are Back: How to Actually Deal With Them This July

Beat the Heat: Smart Watering Strategies to Save Your Summer Garden

Beat the Heat: Smart Watering Strategies to Save Your Summer Garden

Best Cover Crops to Plant in Your Garden Over Winter

Best Cover Crops to Plant in Your Garden Over Winter

Blossom End Rot Is Ruining Your Tomatoes, and It’s Not a Disease

Close-up of a tomato on the vine showing a dark, sunken patch of blossom end rot on its bottom

You go out to check on your tomatoes, feeling pretty good about the season, and there it is: a sunken, leathery, brownish-black splotch on the bottom of an otherwise perfect fruit. Your first thought is probably “blight” or “some horrible fungus is going to wipe out the whole plant.” Take a breath. It’s blossom end…

Japanese Beetles Are Back: How to Actually Deal With Them This July

Cluster of Japanese beetles feeding on a skeletonized rose leaf

If your roses suddenly look like lace doilies and there’s a metallic green bug orgy happening on every leaf, congratulations, Japanese beetles have found your yard. Early July is peak season for these guys, and they’re going to stick around chewing through your garden for another six to eight weeks unless you get ahead of…

Beat the Heat: Smart Watering Strategies to Save Your Summer Garden

A gardener watering a vegetable garden bed in the early morning sunlight

If your garden is starting to look a little wilted under the July sun, you’re not alone. Mid-summer heat can stress even the toughest plants, and knowing how to water efficiently makes the difference between a thriving garden and a crispy one. The good news? A few smart adjustments to your watering routine can save…

Best Cover Crops to Plant in Your Garden Over Winter

Cover crops, also known as “green manure,” are plants grown to protect and enrich soil when it’s not actively being used for crops. Winter cover crops help suppress weeds, prevent soil erosion, and add valuable organic matter for spring planting. Here’s a guide to the best cover crops to plant in your garden over winter…

Winter Garden Projects: Building Paths, Fences, and Raised Beds

Winter can be an ideal time for tackling structural projects in the garden. Building paths, fences, and raised beds during the colder months can give you a head start, so your garden will be ready for planting when spring arrives. Here’s a guide to creating these essential features in winter, with tips for working in…

A Guide to Winter-Sowing Seeds for Early Spring Growth

Winter-sowing is a clever technique that involves planting seeds outdoors during the colder months, allowing nature’s cycles to trigger germination naturally. This method is ideal for seeds that require cold stratification—a period of cold exposure before they sprout—and offers a low-maintenance way to prepare for a lush spring garden. Here’s a step-by-step guide to winter-sowing…