It’s always tomato girl summer in my garden. I purposefully lean down and focus on what I grow in my spring garden beds to prepare and make room for the eight to 12 tomato plants that are a combination of favorites started from seed and new varieties picked up at the local farm’s heirloom tomato pop-up. It’s definitely taken me many years to perfect my gameplan, but over time I listened to my space and learned what worked best for me. I think that’s what is most important here: to understand that not every garden guide is a strict must-follow. Think of this as just a few new ideas or suggestions in the pursuit of full harvest baskets this summer. From seed starting in soil blocks to homemade trellising that will maximize your yield—I hope you feel inspired to try something new. Happy tomato growing my friends. Here’s to a bountiful season ahead!
Here's How To Grow Fresh Cucumbers In Your Garden This Summer
04.06.2024 - 22:21 / southernliving.com / Arricca Elin SanSone
There’s nothing like a crisp cucumber freshly harvested from your garden, then chilled to perfection. They’re so much better when you grow them yourself! They’re also one of the easiest vegetables to grow from seed. New compact varieties of cucumbers grow well in containers on a deck, patio or balcony, too.
Cucumbers mature quickly, typically from 40 to 60 days, in a bush shape or on a vine. The vining types can be “trained” up a trellis, which they’ll grasp with tiny tendrils. Using a trellis also creates a healthy environment for your cucumber plants, permitting airflow and keeping fruits off the ground where they can rot. Growing them vertically saves space in your garden, too, and makes them easier to harvest.
You can grow more than one crop of cucumbers per season in your garden because they mature so quickly. There are both pickling and slicing types, as well as many different varieties including striped, yellow and round. While you can buy plants or start them indoors two to three weeks before the last expected frost in your area, it’s best to direct seed cucumbers into the garden because they’re a little fussy about having their roots disturbed.
Can You Freeze Cucumbers? Plant Attributes Growing From SeedCucumbers love the heat, so wait until all danger of frost has passed in your area and soil temperatures are 65 degrees or warmer. They will not tolerate even a light frost.
Plant a few seeds together about an inch deep, spacing rows about a foot or so apart. Press down to cover the seeds, and water. To extend the harvest, sow seeds again in a few weeks, up until mid-summer.
When the plants are about 5 inches tall, thin them to preserve the healthiest plants. Place the trellis now so you won’t disturb the
Easy Ways to Decorate Your Space for Summer Entertaining
Oliver Furth, a fourth-generation Los Angeles native, A-List interior designer, and AD100 winner, is best known for his irreverent ability to blend different styles and eras seamlessly. He is a firm believer that making a home for oneself is in itself an act of optimism and the most important ingredient when designing any space is joy.
How To Get Rid Of Geese, According To An Expert
Geese are beautiful in their natural setting. But they’re not so great when congregating on your lawn, damaging your turf, honking loudly, and leaving behind droppings. “Geese can be destructive,” says Robert Pierce, PhD, state extension fisheries and wildlife specialist at theUniversity of Missouri. “Once they have a nest, it’s difficult to get them to leave. It’s easier to move them off your property in the winter before they start breeding.”
How to Make Sure Your Ceiling Fan Is Going in the Right Direction for Summer
Ceiling fans can make a stuffy room feel pleasantly cool, but unlike air conditioners, they don’t actually lower the temperature of a room. Instead, fans generate a breeze, creating a wind-chill-like effect as the moving air helps you eliminate body heat. But if your ceiling fan only pushes around hot air, this phenomenon won’t be nearly as effective. To keep your home cool (and comfortably warm in the winter), learn how to change your ceiling fan direction for summer and winter.
How to Prune Cucumber Plants to Get Bumper Harvest
After all that hard work, a bad harvest can spoil your mood. Not anymore, though; with these tips and tricks on pruning cucumbers for a juicy harvest, you’ll have plenty of these veggies, and that too, really good ones!
Should You Try "Meadowscaping" Your Lawn and Yard This Summer?
Aesthetics and style trend have taken over our interiors, and we love that trends are spreading into our outdoor spaces, too. This year, as organic decor and biophilic design continue to dominate our home decor feeds, a similar gardening trend is growing—literally.
How to Use a Fork as a Weed Puller in Your Garden
There are so many great gardening hacks out there. From using eggshells as fertilizer to creatively sourcing free plants, we all know you can create a stunning outdoor space with plenty of things you can't buy at your standard garden center.
How To Get Rid Of Flea Beetles, According To An Expert
Flea beetles are tiny pests that feed on a variety of garden plants. “Flea beetles can cause a lot of damage on edible and ornamental plants,” says Alejandro Del-Pozo, PhD, assistant professor and extension specialist atVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. “If you have an infestation and do nothing, they’ll become a problem because they’re prolific and resilient.”
How to grow fuchsia flowers | House & Garden
Fuchsias originate from South America
How To Get Rid Of Clover Mites, According To An Entomologist
Clover mites feed on more than 200 different species of plants, preferably clover, which gives them their name. But, surprisingly, they typically aren’t a huge problem for homeowners outdoors. It’s when they head indoors—in large numbers—that it’s a little more upsetting. “Clover mites are an occasional invader into our homes,” says Eric Benson, PhD, professor emeritus and extension entomologist withClemson University. “In some years, you’ll see more than others. When the temperature and moisture levels are right, the population can explode.”
3 Reasons Why Birds May Not Be Using Your Bird Bath
Watching birds sip and splash around in your bird bath is enjoyable, and it’s also a great way to support a healthy bird population year-round. “During hot summer months and drought, there aren’t many water sources, and a bird bath can become quite popular amongst the local birds,” says Jennifer McCarthy Tyrrell, engagement manager, Audubon South Carolina. “During the winter when water is locked up in the form of ice, providing fresh water with a bird bath heater can bring in many birds for a drink.”