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Close-up of a woman's hands holding a cluster of small red tomatoes on a vertical stem tied to a bamboo stake, illustrating common tomato-staking mistakes to avoid.

Edible

Stop Making These 5 Tomato Staking Mistakes

Tomato staking seems straightforward until your plants start falling over or developing problems from poor support. These common mistakes can ruin an otherwise healthy crop, but they're easy to avoid once you know what to watch for. Gardening expert Madison Moulton explains how to stake tomatoes properly.

A yellow swallow-tailed butterfly rests on giant sunflowers with large yellow petals and dark centers, illustrating seeds to plant now to feed fall butterflies.

Seeds

7 Seeds to Plant Now to Fuel Fall Butterflies

Fall is a vital time for butterflies as they prepare to migrate and hibernate. Pollinator enthusiast Melissa Strauss discusses ways to support them during this vital time and what plants you can choose to provide them with the necessary nutrients.

Clusters of small, fragrant pink and white flowers bloom among deep green leaves.

Shrubs

13 Unusual Alternatives to Boring Shrubs

With a mix of dynamic shrubs, no landscape need be boring. Even adding one or a few unusual selections tailors the aesthetic and boosts curb appeal, not to mention pollinator and wildlife support. Join gardening expert Katherine Rowe in unusual shrubs to set the garden apart.

Gardener’s hands gently plant a young tomato seedling with tender green leaves and sturdy stem into rich garden soil for a fall harvest.

Gardening Tips

When to Plant Fall Tomatoes: Timing and Tips

While tomatoes are usually a spring-planted vegetable, fall planting can be successful, too. It all depends on your climate and timing. Gardening expert Melissa Strauss explains when to plant fall tomatoes, and shares some tips for a successful season.

Clustered rosettes of large, textured leaves surround compact, tree-like green centers showcasing one of the fast-growing vegetables for planting in August.

Vegetables

You Can Still Plant These Fast-Growing Vegetables In August

The late summer garden makes way for new plantings that bridge the warm and cool seasons. In August, fast-growing crops give a successional round of fresh, nutritious vegetables to enjoy in a flash. Join gardener Katherine Rowe in quick and easy crops to start this month for a swift turnaround.

Snails and ladybugs on green leaf in the garden.

Gardening Tips

Garden Mimics: These Bad Bugs Look Like Good Bugs

While we know it’s of benefit to attract certain insects like pollinators to the garden, it can be challenging to distinguish helpful insects from devouring pests. We join Meg from the Epic Gardening team as she breaks down the nuances between garden friends and foes. Knowing what to promote and what to deter is half the battle in preserving healthy crops and ornamentals.

A close-up shot of a monarch butterfly feeding on nectar of a composition of pink flowers, showcasing late summer pollinator plants

Gardening Tips

15 Essential Pollinator Plants That Boom in August

As the summer comes to an end, pollinators search for sources to provide nourishment for migration and hibernation. By planting these late summer bloomers, we can create a refuge for them in our gardens. Join beekeeper and pollinator enthusiast Melissa Strauss to learn about August bloomers that support pollinators.

Upright clumps of green lance-shaped leaves topped with large clusters of star-shaped pink blooms, often part of perennials cut back in August to encourage healthier regrowth.

Ornamental Gardens

11 Perennials to Cut Back in August

Late summer is prime for some perennials to get a refresh. With August cutback, we may get another round of flowers, manage for shape, keep the look fresh, and limit the spread of diseases. Gardening expert Katherine Rowe looks at certain perennials that benefit from a light touch this month.

A close-up shows tall, spiky purple flower stalks, common among native midwest perennials, with numerous small blossoms emerging from a bed of green foliage and blurred yellow flowers in the background.

Ornamental Gardens

13 Beautiful Native Perennials for the Midwest

The Midwestern U.S. is a hotbed for native perennials that offer ecological services and multi-season appeal with high color, texture, and the energetic buzz of pollinators. Gardening expert Katherine Rowe explores superlative native perennials to incorporate into Midwest gardens for a well-rounded garden system.