Your raised beds may need more than extra water to survive the summer heat. Mulch can help soil stay cooler, hold moisture, and resist weeds—but in an intensively planted kitchen garden, your plants may already be doing the job. Here’s how to tell.

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.

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.

We crave crisp salads in summer, but the garden has other plans. Lettuce is not a natural July phenomenon in Tennessee, and learning what summer actually wants to grow might make you a better, happier gardener.

Summer goes fast — fifteen weeks from Memorial Day to Labor Day, to be exact. This year, we're being intentional about it. From defending a State Fair Blue Ribbon in the zinnia competition to hosting a build-your-own-bouquet party (a true introvert challenge), making panzanella with peak-season tomatoes, and finally canning a spicy salsa — this is our summer garden bucket list. We've also got hammock naps, lavender lemonade popsicles, and a secret weapon for mosquito-free evenings on the agenda. What are you putting on your list before September sneaks up?

What to plant, tend, and harvest at the end of May.

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.

Can you plant tomatoes in early April? Technically, yes—but in Middle Tennessee, it’s usually better to wait. Even when the weather feels warm, soil temperatures may still be too cool, and we’re often not fully past the risk of frost. Early planting can lead to slow growth and stressed plants, while tomatoes planted just a couple weeks later often catch up quickly and perform better. Plus, your spring garden is still producing—why rush it out? If you’re feeling eager, you’re not alone. But a little patience now can lead to stronger plants and a more abundant harvest later.

Still waiting on ripe tomatoes? You’re not alone. In this post, we explain why your plants might be slow to produce, when peak tomato season really hits in Middle Tennessee, and how factors like variety, weather, and planting dates affect your harvest. Plus, we make the case (again!) for keeping garden records — and share a few delicious ideas for using green tomatoes in the meantime.

It’s 100 degrees outside, and everyone’s asking for lettuce — but your garden has other ideas. In Tennessee, mid-summer is the time to get creative with what is growing: juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, tender squash, okra, beans, and more.

In this week’s blog, I’m sharing four no-lettuce salad recipes that celebrate the season and help you eat like a gardener. Plus, a little pep talk on why skipping grocery store lettuce is one of the best choices you can make for flavor, freshness, and local living.

Want to try growing something new in the summer garden? Here are our recommendations for delicious, fun, and easy-to-grow summer veggies that are just a bit outside the norm. From unique peppers and varieties of basil to ginger and a sweet snack, these are our favorites for those who are up for a garden adventure this year.