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 Abi Tapia Q&A Abi Tapia

Q&A: My broccoli hasn't produced and it's time to plant tomatoes. What do I do?

Not sure whether to pull your cool-season crops or hold on a little longer? The answer depends on your garden, your appetite, and your timeline. In Middle Tennessee's long growing season, a slow transition almost always beats a hard reset. Pull plants that are bolting, pest-ridden, or simply finished. Leave anything that's still healthy, producing, and ending up on your plate. And don't overlook creative overlap strategies — like planting tomatoes beside a pea trellis before the peas are done, or tucking a pepper in next to your lettuce to serve as living mulch. Your garden can shift seasons gradually, and so can you.

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