Green tomatoes vs. September: What to pick, what to let go

At this point in the season, the question is no longer “Will my tomatoes ripen?” but “Which tomatoes have a realistic chance of ripening before (or after) the season ends?”

When good compost goes bad: Herbicide residue in the garden

This is a case of good compost gone bad, and it can happen to anyone (including me).

Garden myth or garden truth? Survey says …

Sometimes gardening traditions are harmless. Other times, they waste time and money or even create new problems.

What’s wrong with my tomatoes? (Probably nothing)

Understanding common tomato conditions

Tomatoes are the prima donnas of the vegetable garden, wearing their stress on the outside and reacting dramatically to weather, watering, and other environmental conditions. Thankfully, most midsummer tomato “problems” aren’t caused by diseases or insects at all—they’re simply the plant responding to its environment.

How to garden smarter during summer heat

Summer garden maintenance focuses on doing less and working smarter to support your plants during the heat.

The magic of peonies in the early summer garden

Some call them old-fashioned; I call them timeless heirlooms passed through generations.

Why your tomatoes hate cold soil (and when it’s finally safe to plant warm-season crops)

Just because you’re wearing shorts and covered in sunscreen doesn’t mean it’s time to plant your tomatoes.

While you’re waiting to plant tomatoes, your garden could be producing

April isn't too early to start gardening — it’s an opportunity.

Roundup isn't what it used to be: What gardeners need to know in 2026

The Roundup that you once knew isn't the same weed killer it once was.

How to preserve your garden’s best plants year after year

Have you seen the meme with the guy holding his first homegrown tomato and saying it only cost him $157? Hilarious, right? But if you’re a gardener, you know there's some truth to it.

The culinary flavor bomb you need to grow this fall

Garlic isn’t just a kitchen staple — it’s a touch of garden magic wrapped in papery skin. Whether you roast it until buttery-sweet, mince it into a zesty pasta sauce, or braid it into a rustic display, garlic deserves its superstar status.

The juicy, weird and wonderful secrets of the tomato

Tomatoes may be the highlight of the summer garden, but beneath their shiny red skins lies a world full of strange, fantastic, and astonishing facts.

Dig into the no-dig method of gardening for better soil

“How the heck do you plant a garden without digging?”

Double the harvest: Beautiful and productive vegetable-flower container ideas

You’ve probably heard me sing the praises of tucking flowers into your veggie beds — pollinators love it, and they help keep pests at bay. But what if you turned the tables? What if your garden consists of just a handful of patio pots? Can you sneak veggies in?

Why you should plan your fall veggie garden now!

Brace yourself… I’m about to say something that might make you drop your trowel: It’s already time to start thinking about your fall vegetable garden.

Dig in and branch out with local garden resources

Gardening may seem like a solo gig — just you, your trowel, and the satisfying scent of soil — but it doesn’t have to be a one-person show. If you find joy in talking to tomatoes (I’m guilty), imagine how much fun it could be to share your passion with others who "get it."

Totally tomatoes: A planting primer

It’s tomato time for many of us living in the Coeur d’Alene region — a time when hope and optimism run high as we head to the garden, dreaming of picking big, juicy tomatoes, snacking on sweet cherry varieties bursting with flavor, or making jars of salsa!

How to garden without pesticides: Natural ways to fight pests

A few springs ago, I was engaged in my daily ritual of observing the garden, walking around to see what was coming up, ready to bloom, or perhaps what needed attention. As I dodged the giant bumblebees emerging from their underground lairs, I stumbled upon a strawberry plant nearly eaten to the ground.

Heirloom, hybrid, GM-Oh My! Understanding the differences

I was recently trolled on social media for a “too-perfect” photo of Sasha’s Altai heirloom tomatoes. Given their origins in Siberia, I promoted the tomatoes' early-producing qualities and adaptability to our cooler growing conditions. The image showcased beautiful red, ripe, and uniform fruit — picture perfect!

How one packet of tomato seeds launched a gardening business

As a new gardening season begins, I want to share how my passion for gardening and helping other gardeners succeed evolved from a fun hobby into a thriving business.

For indoor seed starting, timing matters

Spring arrives March 20 — 58 days from today, and as you see, I’m eagerly counting the days! My seed catalogs, dog-eared and worn, have been perused intensely since the first of the year; seed orders are arriving, and my fingers itch to dig into the soil.

How to turn winter into your best garden planning season

“The garden year has no beginning and no end.”

Fall garden chores made easier

Next to weeding the garden, the chore most gardeners dread is fall cleanup. If you garden, you’re familiar with the annual October drill of clearing the beds, emptying containers, cutting back perennial flowers, and raking fallen leaves or pine needles. Getting the garden in order before winter sets in takes a lot of work.

Fall is the new spring for planting

Fall is one of my favorite times in the garden. With cooler temperatures prevailing, the garden seems to come alive again.

How to get those late-season green tomatoes to ripen

Without a doubt, it’s been another challenging growing season in North Idaho. Cold weather in May and June saw overnight temperatures in the 40s; nowhere near ideal for warm-season tomatoes to get started.

How to prevent and manage blossom end rot in your garden

Our recent extreme temperatures are causing great stress in the garden, not only for the plants but for gardeners too! It’s becoming a full-time job keeping the garden watered and protected from the high heat.

Weather woes and tomatoes: The effects of extreme temperatures

The ripening tomato is a sight to behold in the garden. It’s certainly the pomme d'amour of my eye. A warm-season crop, tomatoes are one of the most commonly grown vegetables in the home garden. But while they are relatively easy to grow, I consider tomatoes the “Prima Donnas” of the garden.

How to grow more food over a longer time with succession planting

If you are new to gardening, you may think the gardening season begins in May when you plant your summer crops and ends just after Labor Day once those crops have finished producing.

Compost vs. Fertilizer: Understanding the differences for soil and plant health

What gardener doesn’t delight in a lush, flourishing garden? Whether we are growing flowers or vegetables (or both), we want a beautiful, productive garden.

Garlic lovers, rejoice; it’s scape season

Take a stroll through the Farmer’s Market now through the end of June and you’ll no doubt come across bunches of curlicue-stems of hardneck garlic, known as scapes.

Tomato planting for success

I love tomatoes. Specifically, I love growing tomatoes. Did you know there are 10,000 varieties of tomatoes? I think I’m on a mission to grow them all.

Don’t miss planting garlic this fall

Fall is in the air and soon we’ll be putting our gardens to bed for the winter. But there is still one more vegetable that you could, and should, plant this fall: garlic. Next to home-grown tomatoes, nothing compares to the pungent taste of home-grown garlic. Once you experience just how incredibly fresh and juicy homegrown garlic tastes, you’ll never want to buy garlic from the grocery store again.

Ripe for the picking

There is nothing like the taste of a vine-ripened tomato. But did you know that you can pick tomatoes just as they start to color and still get similar results? It’s true. Mature tomatoes will continue to ripen after they are harvested.

Practical tips for hot-weather watering in the vegetable garden

Water is essential for a thriving vegetable garden. However, with municipalities placing water use restrictions on homeowners, it can be a challenge to keep the garden hydrated during periods of excessive heat.

Planning and Planting for the Fall Vegetable Garden

With our summer gardens growing and producing in full force, it’s hard to even think about planning or even planting a vegetable garden for fall. But now is the time to do so.

Prevent Herbicide Carryover from Mulch and Compost

Adding a layer of compost or mulch around your garden’s vegetables and flowers is one of the best ways to improve soil structure, increase fertility, retain moisture and prevent weeds.

Save seeds, save money!

Growing a garden is a great way to provide fresh, nutrient-rich vegetables, fruits, and herbs for your family. One way to make vegetable gardening a bit more economical is to save seed from plants to grow on the following year.

Container and small space gardening: How to grow more in less space

Growing in containers is a perfect solution for small-space gardening, for making an underutilized space productive, or for expanding your garden footprint. Almost any vegetable or small fruit can be grown in a container, and there are many vegetable varieties that have been specifically developed for that purpose.

Idaho Master Gardener plant sale next week

Mark your calendars, the Idaho Master Gardeners are holding their annual Sodbuster Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 13 at the University of Idaho Research Park, 958 S. Lochsa St., Post Falls.

Quick spring crops to grow now

Spring is here, but it’s still going to be several more weeks before we can even begin thinking about planting warm-season crops, such as tomatoes, peppers and beans. But don’t despair, April is a great month to plant a variety of cool-season crops and achieve a quick harvest before that first tomato plant goes in the ground.

Preparing your garden for spring planting

Welcome to another season of Growing in North Idaho, a bi-weekly gardening column written by University of Idaho Extension Kootenai County Idaho Master Gardeners. We bring evidence-based information that is timely and relevant to our unique growing season.

Master Gardener: Amending the vegetable garden soil in fall

Feed Your Soil This Fall!

Master Gardener: Preventing disease in the garden

Just about every gardener has experienced some type of disease in their garden.