Gardening Advice by Season

Spring

In spring, it's time to prepare your garden for the upcoming growing season. Start by cleaning up any debris, pruning back winter-damaged plants, and applying compost or fertilizer to enrich the soil. Plant cool-season vegetables like lettuce, spinach, and peas, and start seeds indoors for warm-weather crops.

Summer

Summer is the peak growing season for most plants. Make sure to water regularly, especially during hot spells, and mulch around plants to retain moisture. Harvest your summer vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and zucchini when they are ripe for the freshest taste.

Fall

As temperatures start to cool down, focus on planting cool-season crops like carrots, radishes, and kale. Clean up your garden beds, remove any dead plants, and add a layer of mulch to protect your soil during the winter months. Fall is also a great time to plant spring-flowering bulbs.

Winter

While your garden may be dormant in winter, there are still tasks to do. Plan your garden layout for the next year, start seeds indoors for early crops, and clean and sharpen your gardening tools. Consider planting a cover crop to protect and enrich the soil during the colder months.

Summer Harvesting Tips

When it comes to harvesting your summer garden, timing is crucial for the best flavor and nutrition. Here are some tips:

• Harvest tomatoes when they are fully colored and slightly firm to the touch.
• Pick cucumbers while they are still firm and before they turn yellow.
• Zucchinis should be harvested when they are small to medium in size for the best taste.
• Beans are best picked when they are crisp and before the seeds inside swell.
• Eggplants should be harvested when the skin is glossy and firm.

By following these seasonal gardening tips and harvesting your summer crops at the right time, you can enjoy a bountiful and delicious harvest from your garden.