Late summer is such a vibrant time in the garden, but it’s also when some tempting new arrivals in garden centers can spell trouble down the road! I know how disheartening it is to battle a plant that spreads like wildfire, overtaking your carefully tended borders. As an avid gardener, I’ve learned the hard way...

Late August and early September bring that telltale chill in the pre-dawn air, nudging us to brace our gardens for the first frost. As a gardener who’s watched tender seedlings shrivel overnight, I know it’s such a bummer when a sudden freeze nips your peppers or zinnias. But with the right preparations—like adjusting watering schedules,...

Late summer often feels like the sprint before a marathon: blooms still blazing, heat still high, yet autumn whispers on the breeze. As a gardener who’s tripped over half-dead zinnias while dreaming of pumpkin spice, I know that awkward in-between feeling well! Taking deliberate steps now will ease your garden into a productive, beautiful fall...

Late summer is the perfect time to tuck away those spring-blooming bulbs before the ground cools—ensuring you’ll be greeted next year by a spectacular display of color after a long winter. As a gardener who’s eagerly scraped back mulch to reveal early crocus or snowdrops poking through frost, I know how magical that first burst...

Late summer is the perfect time to dream about next year’s water garden—when the heat begins to ease, you can plan and prepare without the frantic rush of spring planting. As a gardener who’s been both thrilled and humbled by aquatic experiments, I know how tempting it is to dive in headfirst without a roadmap—only...

Late August in desert gardens can feel like the ultimate test of your green thumb—scorching days, relentless sun, and soil that could give a cactus a run for its money! As an avid desert gardener, I know how daunting it is when drought-tolerant beauties start to wilt under the late-summer blaze. But with the right...

Late August brings a unique magic to the garden, where the heat of summer softens into balmy evenings perfect for lingering among blooms. As a gardener who eagerly watches for those final flushes of color, I find this transitional period both challenging and thrilling. It can feel discouraging when early bloomers fade, but it’s such...

Morning glories (Ipomoea purpurea), with their trumpet-shaped blooms unfurling at dawn, can be utterly captivating. I remember the first time I sowed seeds directly into a border without giving them any support—it was such a bummer to watch the vines slither through every nook and cranny, tangling my favorite daylilies and petunias! While these hardy...

Late summer is the perfect time to think ahead to next year’s wildflower extravaganza. As the sun slants lower and days begin to cool, your meadow is ready for the groundwork that will yield a carpet of blooms next spring. I know how disappointing it can feel to sow seed in spring only to watch...

Late August can be a challenging time for succulents. The intense summer sun may have scorched tender leaves, while irregular watering schedules can leave soil alternately bone-dry and soggy. I know how disheartening it is to notice your favorite echeverias (native to Mexico and Central America) dropping leaves or your jade plant (Crassula ovata, native...

Planting bulbs in autumn is one of my absolute favorite gardening rituals—it’s like tucking a surprise under the earth for spring’s grand reveal! But trust me, I’ve been there: excitedly pressing bulbs into the ground only to wonder where all my tulips disappeared come April. That disappointment stings, especially when you’ve dreamed of a riot...

Late summer can feel like a lull between the riotous blooms of early summer and the fading colors of autumn—but with a bit of care, your garden can shine even in August’s heat! I know how frustrating it is to see flower spikes slow down just when you’re craving fresh bouquets. That’s why I’m excited...