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 do I bring my citrus and other frost-sensitive plants inside?
Wondering when to bring your lemon tree and other frost-sensitive potted plants inside in Middle Tennessee? The short answer is well before the first frost, which averages around the end of October. Learn why citrus doesn’t go dormant like our native trees, what to expect after the move (leaf drop, spider mites, and winter blooms), and how to ease your tree back outside in spring.
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.
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.
Q&A: What’s the difference in raised beds versus smaller containers versus in-ground gardens in the fall?
We’ve posted a lot about fall gardening on Instagram recently, and we’ve gotten some thoughtful questions about how our garden advice applies to fall plants in smaller containers or directly planted in the ground. Although raised beds are certainly our jam, the difference in growing plants in raised beds, container, or in the ground really matters in the fall, and it can be helpful to dive deeper. All three approaches can produce a beautiful crop of lettuce, kale, carrots, herbs and other cool-season vegetables. But the soil around those plants behaves differently depending on how much of it there is—and how exposed it is to the air around it.
Here’s what to keep in mind:
Q&A: Should we be planting summer or fall veggies right now? (August 1)
Answering the big mid-summer question: when is it too late to plant warm-season veggies?
Early November Garden To-Do List
What to plant, harvest, and tend in your early November garden.
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.