Amy Dees Amy Dees

Plant in Summer for a Fall Harvest!

Summer may be winding down, but your garden doesn't have to. Late summer—typically late July through early August in New Jersey—is the perfect time to plant a second round of vegetables for a robust fall harvest. The Garden State’s climate offers a generous growing window, and with a little planning, your beds can stay productive well into October or even November.

Here are the top vegetables to plant in New Jersey in late summer for fresh, homegrown flavor in the cooler months.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

Night Gardening: Plants That Bloom or Glow After Dark

When the sun sets and most flowers close for the day, a special group of plants comes to life—releasing intoxicating scents, opening luminous blooms, or even glowing faintly in the moonlight. Welcome to the enchanting world of night gardening, where your outdoor space becomes just as inviting after dark as it is during the day.

Whether you’re creating a peaceful moonlit retreat or just want to enjoy your garden after work hours, these night-blooming and glow-worthy plants will add drama, fragrance, and a touch of wonder to your evenings.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

DIY Shade Solutions to Protect Your Plants

When the summer sun turns relentless, even the most sun-loving plants can suffer. Intense heat and excessive sunlight can scorch leaves, stunt growth, and lead to sunscald on fruits and vegetables. The solution? Smart, affordable shade solutions that help your garden beat the heat.

Whether you’re growing vegetables, ornamentals, or delicate seedlings, here are several DIY ways to provide shade, improve plant health, and extend your harvest—all without breaking the bank.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

Summer Garden Pests and How to Get Rid of Them Naturally

Summer brings sunshine, blooms, and bounty—but it also brings out some of the garden’s worst enemies: pests. When the weather heats up, so does insect activity, and your garden can quickly become a buffet for hungry invaders.

The good news? You don’t need harsh chemicals to defend your garden. Nature offers a wide range of safe, effective strategies to keep pests in check. Here’s a guide to common summer garden pests and how to deal with them the natural way.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

10 Heat-Tolerant Plants That Thrive in Summer

When summer turns up the heat, not all plants are up for the challenge. But for those who garden in hot, sunny climates, there's good news: some plants don’t just survive the summer—they thrive in it. Whether you're growing flowers, herbs, or vegetables, choosing heat-tolerant varieties will help your garden stay lush and colorful even during the most intense heat waves.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Planting in Spring

Spring is an exciting time for gardeners — the sun is shining, the soil is warming up, and it's tempting to rush outside and start planting everything in sight. But even seasoned gardeners can make a few common mistakes during the spring rush. If you want your garden to thrive from the start, here are the top five mistakes to avoid when planting in spring.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

Traditional methods of pest control, such as chemical pesticides, may seem like a quick fix, but they can often do more harm than good. This is where Integrated Pest Management (IPM) steps in as a sustainable and eco-friendly approach to managing garden pests.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

Transform Your Outdoor Space with Creative DIY Projects

Spring is the perfect time to breathe new life into your garden, as nature shakes off the winter chill and begins to bloom. Whether you're an experienced gardener or just starting, this season offers endless opportunities to get creative and transform your outdoor space.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

The Best Vegetable Plants to Grow in New Jersey

New Jersey, also known as the “Garden State,” boasts a variety of climates and soils, making it ideal for growing a wide range of vegetables. Whether you have a sprawling garden in the suburbs or a smaller backyard in the city, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest with the right vegetable plants. Here are some of the best vegetables to grow in New Jersey and tips for a successful garden.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

March Check List - Spring Cleaning the Garden

Spring is just around the corner and it’s time to start thinking about getting your home garden ready for the new season. With the right preparation, you can create a beautiful and thriving outdoor space that will last all year long. Here are some tips to help you get started.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

Milk Jug Seeding - Easy, Cheap, and Creative

Gardening can be an expensive hobby, but with milk jug seeding, you can save money while starting your garden. Milk jug seeding is a method of growing seeds in recycled milk jugs, making it a budget-friendly way to get your garden started.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

Winter Gardening: Tips for Growing in the Cold Season

Winter may seem like the off-season for gardening, but with a bit of preparation and care, you can continue to grow beautiful plants, vegetables, and herbs all through the colder months. Winter gardening offers a unique set of challenges, but it’s also an opportunity to try new techniques and extend your growing season.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

DIY Fall Lawn Rescue!

Fall is a crucial time for preparing your lawn for the upcoming winter months and ensuring it remains vibrant and healthy come spring.

Proper fall maintenance can help prevent diseases, pests, and winter damage, resulting in a lush and green lawn next year. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

July Garden Check List

As summer hits its stride in July, gardens across the Northeast are brimming with life. This is a critical time for gardeners, as plants require careful attention to thrive during the warmest part of the year. Here’s a guide to help you navigate the key tasks and considerations for your garden in July.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

Those Pesky Weeds!!

Removing weeds becomes pertinent as summer arrives in full swing. Remove them before they get out of control!

What are weeds? Any plant not desired in its current location. There are annual weeds, biennial weeds and perennial weeds.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

June Garden To-Do List

As June rolls in, gardeners eagerly embrace the warmth and vitality of the summer season. With longer days and bountiful sunshine, this month presents a golden opportunity to nurture our gardens!

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

May To Do List For The Garden

May is a great month for gardening, as the weather starts to warm up and plants begin to bloom. It’s the perfect time to get out into the garden and start preparing for the summer months ahead. Here is a May checklist for gardening to help you get started.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

April Garden Check List

As the weather starts to warm up and the snow begins to melt, it’s time to start thinking about the April work in your home vegetable garden. Spring is a crucial time in the garden as it sets the foundation for the rest of the growing season. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or a beginner, there are several tasks that should be on your to-do list in April to ensure a successful harvest later on.

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