A guide to picking the sweetest fruit at just the right time There’s nothing like the taste of a perfectly ripe, sun-warmed melon straight from the vine. But how do you know when it’s time to pick? I’ve definitely made the mistake of harvesting too early—cut into a cantaloupe that smelled heavenly only to find…
A Quiet Morning and a Trowel in Hand This morning, as I walked barefoot through the dew-speckled grass, coffee in one hand and pruners in the other, I was reminded of my own mama. She always said a garden was where her soul could breathe. It’s no wonder that I find myself turning over…
How to Transplant Peppers Without Damaging ThemA gentle, hands-on guide from my Zone 9 garden to yours I’ve grown a lot of peppers over the years—everything from jalapeños to banana peppers to rare little hot ones that made me question all my life choices. But you know what always made or broke the season? The transplanting process. Peppers are drama queens….
Your backyard doesn’t have to melt—and neither do your herbs. Some folks think summer is the end of the herb garden. Not in Zone 9. While tender greens may bolt and basil might get a little dramatic, there are actually a whole bunch of herbs that thrive in the heat—some even need it to…
Simple morning and evening habits that keep your Zone 9 garden healthy and productive—all season long If you’re gardening in Zone 9, you already know: things grow fast here. That’s a blessing and a challenge. Between the early spring warmth, the long summers, and the nonstop pest activity, it doesn’t take much for a…
There’s nothing worse than waiting forever for your tomatoes and peppers to ripen, only to pick them too early… or too late. Over the years, I’ve learned to tune into my plants like I’m on their frequency—and once you get it, harvesting becomes one of the most rewarding parts of the season. This guide walks…