August 31, 2026
Romaine lettuce shows what indoor germination can do
Two romaine seedlings, two starts, and a big difference in size. The indoor-germinated plant got a serious head start.
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Posts from August
Every August post, across years.
August 27, 2026
The First Fig Finally Shows Up in Late Summer
A single green fig appears on a tree that spent two seasons struggling in a pot before finding its footing in the ground.
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August 22, 2026
Cat Grass Makes the Table on Caturday
A tray of fresh cat grass turns Caturday into a full garden event - even the cat gets a harvest day.
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August 21, 2026
One Eggplant Plant, More Fruit Than We Can Eat
One prolific eggplant plant, a couple of cucumbers, and basil that reseeds itself - a late-summer harvest that just keeps giving.
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August 20, 2026
A Summer Batch of Fermented Jalapeño Hot Sauce
Colorful jalapeños from the garden ferment into a tangy hot sauce that keeps in the fridge for a year, using nothing more than salt, water, and time.
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August 18, 2026
A Small Gate Opens Onto Our Next Garden
After several summers of raised-bed growing on concrete, a small gate now opens onto a stretch of turf next door - the start of a much bigger garden.
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August 17, 2026
August Vines Escape the Raised Beds Into the Yard
Sweet potato and squash vines have spread past their raised beds into the lawn this August - a sign of a healthy, hot-weather kitchen garden.
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August 14, 2026
Basil Loves Shade When August Gets This Hot
A giant Tulsi basil is thriving in the shade of the patio this August, proof that basil doesn't need full sun all day to grow big, juicy leaves.
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August 13, 2026
Bell Peppers, Timing, and Finally Staking Them
Bell peppers have never come easy in my Tennessee garden - this year timing and staking finally paid off with a full bowl of green, orange, and yellow.
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August 11, 2026
Finally Got Potato Timing Right in Tennessee
After several seasons of trouble, a Tennessee potato bed finally came through - full trays of tubers, and not a drop of irrigation all summer.
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August 10, 2026
Lunchbox Peppers Turn Into Pickles for Sandwiches
Small orange Lunchbox peppers from the summer garden turn into a quick pickle - the kind of homegrown touch that makes a plain sandwich something guests ask about.
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August 5, 2026
Fermenting Tomatoes Again After Three Years
Every few years the urge to ferment tomatoes comes back around. This time a friend's yellow tomatoes and a handful of under-ripe fruit are going into the jar to test the texture.
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August 4, 2026
Judging Tomatoes and Pumpkins at the County Fair
A weekend learning how county fair judges evaluate garden produce, from tomato plates to pumpkin stems, and what it means for anyone thinking of entering their own harvest.
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August 3, 2026
Lunchbox Peppers Take Over the Late Summer Harvest
Lunchbox peppers are a small, sweet variety - one of the season's most reliable producers.
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August 2, 2026
Braiding Red Torpedo Onions for Basement Storage
A messy but satisfying job - braiding this year's onion harvest and tucking it away in a cool, dark basement for the months ahead.
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