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: These plants are all about to die when temps go below freezing, right?
Breaking down the definition of frost tolerance and discussing which plants will and won't survive when temps go below freezing.
Q&A: How do I keep lettuce and spinach from bolting if we get another hot spell?
Warm fall days can trick cool-season crops like lettuce and spinach into bolting — shooting up flowers instead of giving you tender leaves. The fix? Choose bolt-resistant varieties, give them afternoon shade, keep the soil consistently moist, and harvest often. A little attention now will stretch your salad season into late fall.
Q&A: Do I need to remove summer crops in order to plant the fall garden?
Should you clear out all your summer crops to make way for the fall garden? Not necessarily. In Middle Tennessee, peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants often keep producing well into September. By interplanting thoughtfully, you’ll enjoy summer harvests right alongside fall greens and root veggies — creating a smooth, abundant transition from one season to the next.
Q&A: Should I clean up the leaves that have fallen into my garden?
The why and when on removing fall leaves from your veggie beds.
Q&A: Why are my fall crops growing slowly?
Some reasons your fall garden may be slow to grow, and solutions to keep it thriving.