Cara Beth Graebner

September is one of those months when the garden seems to have one foot in summer and the other in fall. Warm-season plants may still be producing, but cooler nights are a reminder that it is time to prepare for the next season. Because harvesting, weed control, irrigation, routine pest scouting, food preservation, and general fall-crop planting have already been covered in previous months, this month’s list focuses on new September-specific jobs. Plant garlic for next summer. September opens...

By July, the garden is all about keeping things alive in the face of heat, pests, and diseases. This is the month when tomatoes begin to color, sweet corn starts tempting every raccoon in the county, berries need regular picking, and fall garden planning sneaks onto the to-do list while we are still sweating through summer harvests. The good news? July’s garden work is very practical. Harvest at the right time, keep plants healthy, plan for the next season, and don’t let small problems become...

By August, the garden can feel a little confused. Tomatoes and peppers are still shouting “summer,” the seed packets are starting to say “fall,” and next year’s strawberries are already quietly making plans of their own. That makes August less about starting something entirely new and more about timing what comes next. This month is a good opportunity to shift part of your attention toward the fall garden, preserve some of summer’s abundance, and make a few strategic moves that will pay off...