When a plant dies before we think it should, our first instinct is often to search for the mistake. Did I water it enough? Did I water it too much? Did I miss a pest? Should I have fertilized it?

Sometimes there is something we could have done differently. But more often than not, a plant’s decline is the result of weather, disease, or insect pressure that no gardener can completely prevent. Learning to separate what is within our control from what isn’t can make us better gardeners—and keep us from taking every dead cucumber personally.

Here’s how to tell the difference.

Tired of BLTs, pickles, zucchini bread, and fried okra? These late-summer recipes take the vegetables filling your garden and turn them into something new, unexpected, and worth cooking again.

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.

What to plant, harvest, and tend in your early August garden.

What to plant, harvest, and tend in your early July garden.

What to plant, harvest, and tend in your late June garden.

What to harvest, plant, and tend in your early June garden.

What to plant, harvest, and tend in your Mid-July garden.

The easiest, fastest way to turn an over abundance of cucumbers into a tasty snack that will last months in the refrigerator. It’s Quick Pickle Time!