Garden Journal
An open book of musings, inspiration, seasonal tasks, our recent projects and big ideas. Browse the latest articles below or search for a topic that interests you. Leave a comment and join the conversation.
Q&A: When are my sweet potatoes ready to harvest?
Not sure when to dig your sweet potatoes? You're not alone — it's one of the most common questions we get, right alongside carrots and regular potatoes. Since you can't see what's happening underground, it's tempting to pull them early just to check. This guide breaks down the real signs to watch for (hint: it's not just the calendar), why frost is the deadline that actually matters, and how curing is what turns bland, starchy roots into the sweet potatoes you're picturing.
Early October Garden To-Do List
What to plant, harvest, and tend in your Early-October garden.
Q&A: Did I miss my chance to plant a fall garden?
Did the heat wave wreck your fall garden? It's not too late. Here's what you can still plant in Middle Tennessee this fall, from quick greens to garlic.
Late-September Garden To-Do List
What to plant, harvest, and tend in your late-September garden.
Mid-September Garden To-Do List
What to plant, harvest, and tend in your Mid-September garden.
Early September To-Do List
What to plant, prune, and watch for in your Middle Tennessee garden in early September — this year's to-do list, Dolly-style.
The Busy Gardener's 2-Hour Fall Power-Planting Session
Only have two hours this weekend? Here's exactly what to do first for a thriving fall garden in Middle Tennessee — no wasted time.
Q&A: What Should I Plant in My Fall Garden?
Fall gardening in Middle Tennessee is one of the best seasons in the kitchen garden — and after six years working with clients across Nashville, we' love that their question is no longer whether to plant a fall garden, but what to plant and how to make it work for their lives right now. From quick salad greens you can direct sow this week to showstopping Graffiti cauliflower and Romanesco, we've organized our full fall planting list by effort level so you can find your fit and get growing.
Mid-late August Garden To-Do List
Mid-August in Middle Tennessee is the perfect time to savor the summer harvest, refresh your garden, and gear up for fall planting. From picking peak-season produce to tackling pests and planning for cooler weather crops, this to-do list will keep your garden thriving through the late-summer heat.
Early August Garden To-Do List
What to plant, harvest, and tend in your early August garden.
How to Leave Your Garden for a Week (Without Coming Home to a Mess)
Every August, we hear the same story: "My neighbor was supposed to look after the garden, but I don't think they did much." The problem isn't laziness — it's fear. Garden sitters don't harvest because they're afraid to hurt something. And in a summer kitchen garden, doing nothing is doing damage. This guide walks you through exactly how to prep your garden before vacation, what to tell your sitter (including the permission slip they desperately need), and what to do the moment you get home. Plus: a printable Kitchen Gardener's Vacation Checklist so nothing gets left to chance.
June Bug Bingo
Squash vine borers and hornworms have already shown up early this year — but not every bug crawling through your Middle Tennessee garden is bad news. We made a bingo card to help you spot the troublemakers, the secret allies, and the ones just there to glitter. Curiosity, not combat, starts here.
Mid May Garden To-Do List
What to plant, harvest, tend, and plan in the Mid-May garden for Middle Tennessee.
Early May Garden To-Do List
What to plant, harvest, tend, and plan in the early May garden for Middle Tennessee.
Mid-Late April Garden To-Do List
What to plant, harvest, tend, and plan in the late April garden for Middle Tennessee.
Early April Garden To-Do List
What to plant, harvest, tend, and plan in the early April garden for Middle Tennessee.