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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

Compost and Fall Soil Care for Your Annual Vegetable Garden

Introduction As the growing season comes to a close, it's time to turn your attention to an often-overlooked aspect of gardening: soil care. Proper end-of-season soil maintenance is crucial for ensuring a thriving spring garden, and composting plays a vital role in...

Harvesting Tomatoes Early and Ripening Them Indoors

Introduction For many gardeners, enjoying homegrown tomatoes during the summer is a big reason to cultivate a garden. While larger varieties, like heirloom and beefsteak tomatoes, can keep ripening into early fall, the season eventually winds down. To make the most of...

Raised Bed Fencing for a Pest-Free Garden

Introduction Are you tired of deer or other pests devouring your garden? Whether you live in an urban environment, the suburbs, or a rural area, pests can be a persistent problem for home gardeners. Animals nibbling on your plants or digging up your beds can undo all...

Winterizing Your Raised Beds: Essential Tips for October

Introduction With fall gardening season in full swing, it’s time to look ahead to preparing your garden for winter. It’s important to clear plant debris, amend the soil, and plant any crops that need to overwinter before hard frosts hit. All of these steps will ensure...

Fall Garden Maintenance: Should You Fertilize in Fall?

Introduction When discussing fall garden maintenance tasks like summer garden clean-ups, crop rotation and soil care, one question we get asked is: should I fertilize my vegetable garden in fall? Not necessarily. This article will explore the right time to add...

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...

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: