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This Week in Your Garden

Spring Harvest

As we head into summer, quick spring plants will start to bolt and go to seed in the summer heat. Signs of plants bolting include flowering, and sending stalks upwards instead of continuing normal plant growth.

Now is the time to harvest quick spring crops like radishes and baby greens! To learn when everything in your garden is ready to harvest, don’t forget to scan the QR code plant labels to access our Harvest Toolkit.

Plant Supports

As summer approaches, install plant supports to ensure a bountiful harvest. Metal tomato cages provide sturdy support for your tomatoes, helping them grow upward and saving ground space.

Vertical growth improves air circulation, reducing disease and pest risks. Trellises also make harvesting easier by keeping produce off the ground, preventing rot and damage. With proper support, your garden will be more productive and visually appealing, leading to an abundant and delicious summer yield.

Shallot Scapes

In mid-May, you might see your shallots start to send up “scapes,” or flowers. These scapes will look like green buds on long, tube-like stalks. Garlic will undergo a similar process in late June/early July.

For an optimal harvest, you don’t want shallots to redirect their energy from the bulbs into flowering. So, go ahead and trim the scapes at the base to harvest bigger and more flavorful shallots in late summer. The scapes are edible, have a mild shallot flavor, and can be used to add depth to dishes like pesto!

Backyard Eats Blog: Seasonal Gardening Advice

Enhance Your Edible Landscape This Fall With These Additions

Introduction Like the plants that you grow in it, a garden can also grow and change over time. In previous posts we’ve discussed the benefits of a garden renovation, the importance of crop rotation and ongoing soil care, and adding essential infrastructure like...

How to Dry Homegrown Dill for Long-Term Storage

Introduction Dill’s feathery green leaves and distinctive aroma make it stand out in any vegetable garden. Whether you use it fresh or dried, dill adds a refreshing flavor to a variety of dishes: from pickles and salads to soups and seafood. Dill is easy to grow and...

7 Quick Summer Veggie Recipes For Your Kid’s Lunch

Easy Summer Lunch Ideas As summer draws to a close and back-to-school season begins, home gardeners are often blessed with a bounty of fresh produce, from crisp cucumbers to juicy cherry tomatoes. While this abundance is a joy, it can also present a...

The Health Benefits of Growing Your Own Food

Gardening offers a wealth of benefits that extend far beyond the simple pleasure of harvesting fresh fruits and vegetables. By cultivating your own garden, you not only gain access to nutrient-rich produce but also engage in an activity that enhances physical fitness,...

Why You Should Plant Perennials in Fall

At Backyard Eats we’ve developed a proven system for designing, installing, and maintaining raised bed vegetable gardens to make growing food at home easy. However, did you know that we also offer edible perennials like blackberries, Mediterranean herbs, and other...

Personalized Gardening Success: Stories from the Backyard Eats Community

Everyone has a reason for wanting to grow their own food. Maybe you want to recreate cherished memories of spending summer afternoons in the garden with your parents or grandparents with your own family. Maybe you want to reduce your footprint and know where your food...

How to Prepare for Fall Gardening Season

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The Ultimate Guide to Preserving Your Summer Harvest

Introduction It’s the middle of summer and we hope you’re enjoying bountiful homegrown harvests! However, sometimes it can be challenging to keep up with eating everything fresh from the garden. If you’re tired of making endless tomato sauce or loaves of zucchini...

Garden Renovations: Upgrading Your Raised Beds for the Fall Season

Introduction As the summer harvests from your edible garden come rolling in, it's tempting to focus solely on storing, cooking, and enjoying your fresh produce. However, now is the perfect time to evaluate your garden and plan for fall. If your garden has struggled...

Master Tomato Gardening: Preventing Blossom End Rot

Introduction Have you ever noticed brown watery or leathery spots on your homegrown tomatoes? Your plants may be suffering from blossom end rot (BER). When left untreated, BER can drastically reduce the amount of usable produce you’re able to grow, harvest, and enjoy...

Harvest Toolkit

With our Harvest Toolkit Directory, you learn when and how to harvest, store, and cook your backyard harvest. Simply scan a QR code plant label in your garden, or click the link below to view the full Harvest Toolkit directory:

Seasonal Recipe Inspiration

Do you have a favorite recipe that you love to make with your backyard garden harvest?

Maybe it’s an old family recipe, or a great way to use up a lot of produce at once. Help share the magic of homegrown food with the Backyard Eats community! Complete this form to be featured in our very own Recipe Index: