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Yaffa's Yard

Co-Founder | Director

In the United States, July is a great time to plant a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Here are some suggestions based on different regions:

Northern and Midwest Regions:

Vegetables:

Bush beans

Beets

Carrots

Chard

Cucumbers

Kale

Lettuce (heat-resistant varieties)

Radishes

Spinach (heat-resistant varieties)

Herbs:

Basil

Cilantro

Dill

Parsley

Southern Regions:

Vegetables:

Okra

Sweet potatoes

Eggplant

Peppers

Herbs:

Basil

Oregano

Thyme

Rosemary

Western Regions:

Vegetables:

Beans

Beets

Carrots

Corn

Cucumbers

Kale

Lettuce

Squash

Herbs:

Basil

Cilantro

Dill

Parsley

Coastal Regions:

Vegetables:

Bush beans

Beets

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrots

Cauliflower

Kale

Lettuce

Radishes

Herbs:

Basil

Cilantro

Dill

Parsley

If you missed our Facebook live ask and answer video with our Master Gardener Emiliano,

you can watch it here!

Live Video!

Michelle Card

Executive Director

Nothing beats the summer heat than a fresh salad! A perfect summer salad is light, refreshing, and packed with seasonal flavors. Here's a recipe for a delicious and colorful summer salad:

Summer Berry and Spinach Salad

Ingredients:

6 cups fresh baby spinach

1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

1 cup fresh blueberries

1 cup fresh raspberries

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

1/4 cup toasted pecans or walnuts

1 avocado, diced

For the Dressing:

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Prepare the Ingredients:

Rinse and dry the baby spinach.

Hull and slice the strawberries.

Thinly slice the red onion.

Toast the pecans or walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.

Make the Dressing:

In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.

Assemble the Salad:

In a large salad bowl, combine the baby spinach, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, red onion, and avocado.

Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese and toasted pecans or walnuts over the top.

Emiliano Camargo

Master Gardener

Perennial Plants are for Gardeners with a Life!

Most of the plants we eat are annuals like corn, wheat, broccoli, and tomatoes. These seasonal plants need to be replanted every year, and because they're highly domesticated, they require more care. They're also more susceptible to pests and environmental conditions. However, there's a great option for lazy gardeners: perennial plants! These plants last more than one year, sometimes many years, which is why "perennial" refers to permanent, while "annual" refers to one year.

Although humans have historically chosen annual plants for cultivation, there's a growing movement toward sustainability and efficiency in gardening, bringing perennial plants back into the spotlight. Once established, perennials need much less care. Their deeper roots can access water and nutrients more effectively, and overall, these plants are just tougher. Interestingly, there's a link between a plant's ability to withstand stressful conditions and its levels of healthy antioxidants. So, the stronger the plant, the better it is for you—especially against those small bugs that can make you sick.

Perennial plants are ideal for gardeners who like to travel. You can go on vacation and return to find your garden thriving. Trees are the best example of perennial plants; they produce food year after year with minimal care. But there are also smaller perennial plants, like bushes and herbs. For instance, the cranberry hibiscus has tasty, red leaves that taste like cranberries. The edible hibiscus has large leaves perfect for wraps. There's also the longevity spinach, which grows like regular spinach but lasts forever in your garden, potentially growing so much that you'll need to share with neighbors.

Incorporating these plants into your garden not only simplifies your gardening routine but also improves your diet and the resilience of your garden. If you want to be a successful lazy gardener, consider growing more perennial plants.

While many perennials are tropical and subtropical, there are also perennial edibles in northern regions, such as asparagus, artichokes, and horseradish. You don't have to choose between annuals and perennials exclusively. Grow your favorite annuals like lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes, but complement them with perennials. A diverse garden supports a better diet and a healthier ecosystem. Pests will have a harder time finding your cucumbers if your garden is biodiverse. Plus, that longevity spinach will always be there when you run out of lettuce, and chives can substitute for garlic.

Biodiversity is key; the more diverse your garden, the more resilient it will be. By mimicking nature and working with it, you can be a successful lazy gardener who enjoys gardening as a hobby rather than a chore. So, diversify your garden with more perennial plants and enjoy the benefits of a resilient garden ecosystem.