The Blooming Sage: Tips and Tales from Buzzing Timber Lake Bluff

 As August rolls in, gardeners everywhere know that the summer’s peak harvest is upon us. But this time of year is about more than just enjoying the fruits (and veggies) of our labor—it's also the perfect moment to start planning for the fall and beyond. Whether you're eager to extend your harvest, get a jump on fall planting, or prepare your garden beds for the winter, this guide has got you covered! Let’s dig in and make the most of this transitional season, so you can enjoy a bountiful harvest now and set yourself up for gardening success in the months to come. 1. Maximizing Your Late Summer Harvests 🌽🍅 August is prime time for those late summer crops, and with a little extra care, you can maximize your harvest before the first frost hits. Harvest Regularly: Regular picking encourages plants like tomatoes, peppers, and beans to produce more. Keep an eye on your garden daily and harvest fruits and veggies at their peak ripeness. Pruning and Pinching: For tomatoes, conside...

 As the gardening season winds down, many of us are thinking about how to preserve the best of our gardens for next year. Seed saving is a time-honored practice that allows you to harvest and store seeds from your favorite plants, ensuring that your garden will be full of tried-and-true varieties that thrive in your specific climate. For gardeners in Oklahoma and Kansas, this is especially important given our unique weather challenges. In this guide, we’ll share expert tips and tricks for successful seed saving in Oklahoma and Kansas, helping you become a more sustainable gardener while saving money on seeds. Plus, we’ll highlight some must-have tools to make the process easier—perfect for adding to your garden toolkit. Why Seed Saving Matters 🌾 Seed saving is more than just a cost-effective way to prepare for next season—it’s a powerful practice for preserving biodiversity, maintaining heirloom varieties, and ensuring your garden is well-adapted to your local environment. By savi...