The Almanac

Short seasonal notes from Verna on what to plant, what is coming next, and how to care for the garden you are actually growing.

First Frost Is a Window, Not a Date

A first frost date is a midpoint, not a deadline, and frost can land a couple of weeks either side. A calmer way to think about fall timing.

What to Plant in July for a Fall Harvest

Midsummer is when a fall garden gets set up. What to sow now, and how to know what still has time where you garden.

July Planting Guide for Warm-Season Gardens

July is peak season for the heat lovers, and there is still time to add to them. What to start now, and what to hold.

Start These Seeds in July for a Fall Garden

A fall garden begins in summer heat. The seeds to start in July, plus tips for getting them up in hot, dry soil.

Getting Seeds to Sprout in Summer Heat

Why summer sowings stall, and the simple fixes that get them up: steady moisture, a little more depth, and shade until they sprout.

Succession Planting: Never Run Out of Salad

The simple habit that keeps fresh salad coming all season instead of arriving all at once.

Planting Garlic: What to Know First

Plant it in fall, harvest it next summer. What to know before you plant, from seed garlic to hardneck versus softneck.