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.

What to plant, harvest, tend, and plan in the Mid-May garden for Middle Tennessee.

What to plant, harvest, tend, and plan in the early May garden for Middle Tennessee.

Tomato Time in Tennessee!
April has officially ushered in frost-free gardening, and you know what that means—tomato season is here! While kale and broccoli have been holding down the fort, it’s finally time to plant the summer stars. But with dozens of varieties available at local nurseries, how do you choose the right one? In this blog, I’ll help you narrow it down based on your garden space and how you want to use your tomatoes—whether you're craving a BLT, stirring sauce from scratch, or just trying to get your kids to eat something red that isn’t candy. Let’s geek out on tomatoes together.