Even in the dead of winter in the Upper Midwest, here are some garden-related chores you can tackle ...
March
The ground is finally starting to thaw ...
May
The garden's finally heating up ...
July
Kick back and reap what you've sown ...
September
That summer heat is fading into fall ...
November
Brace yourselves—another winter's coming ...
February
Show your garden some love during the Valentine's season ...
April
Early spring to-dos ...
June
Summer's setting in ...
August
Weed, water and harvest ...
October
Leaves, pumpkins and winding down ...
December
And just like that, it's winter again ...
Getting Started
Dig in!
New to northern gardening? High five! Let us help you find your zone, prep your soil and get started ...
Harvesting and Preserving
Is It Ripe Yet?
Knowing when to pick vegetables for peak taste and texture is a skill many gardeners develop after years of trial and error. Generally, however, vegetables fall into two categories.
Preserving Herbs
As we get to the end of the gardening season, herbs become more precious than ever. What’s your favorite way to preserve herbs for the winter?
Savoring Summer Squash
You’re busily attempting to keep up with the watering and weeding that midsummer necessitates; and all the while, you’re eyeing the ever-growing number of summer squash populating your plants...
When To Harvest Vegetables
Generally speaking, picking early and often is the best way to harvest vegetables for maximum production. However, there are crop-specific approaches to harvesting.
Preserving the Harvest from Your Vegetable Garden
You have several options preserving the harvest to enjoy next winter when its home-grown taste will be so appreciated!
Is My Melon Ready?
You may be looking at the wild vines in your vegetable garden and wondering if your melon is ripe yet. Here’s how to tell.
Planting and Care
Summer Bulbs: Planting and Care
Summer bulbs are the show-offs of the garden. They’re big, they’re bright, they’re colorful, some are even a little bit loud—and that’s what we love about them!
Roughing Up Roots for Summer Planting
Whatever plant you buy, it has been sitting in its pot a long, long time. Now is a time when a gardener needs to get rough.
Top 3 Tips for Fall Bulb Planting
If you have a new garden, fall bulb planting is a great way to add to the spring beauty of your garden before your shrubs and perennials come into their own.
Fall Planting: How Late Can You Go?
Fall is a great time for planting, though as we get past mid-October, the question is how late in fall can you plant?
Sowing and Saving Seeds
Winter and Spring Sowing
How to get started and hints to keep growing.
Our Favorite Seed Sources for Vegetable Gardens
If you’ve tried to start your own vegetable seeds, you’ll find a lot of choices —both for varieties as well as places to buy them. Here are some catalogs that we like.
How to Make Seed-Starting Mix
Gardeners who start a lot of plants from seed or want to control all the elements of their seed starting may want to make their own seed starting mix.
Seed Shopping Tips for Budget-Conscious Gardeners
The snow looks gray and gross, the sun hasn’t been out in weeks, and April seems a long way off. Time for some seed shopping!
When To Start Tomato Seeds?
Yes, the thermometer out my window reads 10 degrees F; today is a good day to start tomatoes from seed. Read to find out why!
Seeds vs. Starter Plants
How do you figure out which seeds to start indoors and which starter plants to buy from the garden center?
Ready to grow?
Sign up for our free e-newsletter and join 14,000+ northern gardeners of all ages and skill levels who are enjoying monthly growing tips and updates!
