In much of the country, midsummer weather is hot, and depending on the location and the year, it can also be excessively dry or excessively wet. Gardeners focus on helping their plants survive weather extremes and keeping their gardens looking good and productive. Below you’ll find links to articles, videos, and tips to help you with midsummer gardening.

1. How to Avoid Staking Plants
Staking perennials is tedious, and stakes are often an eyesore. Discover gardening strategies that allow you have a neat-looking garden without staking. Read more …

2. Deadheading Perennials
Removing spent blossoms keeps perennials tidy and triggers more flowers. Read more …

3. Fertilizing the Old-Fashioned Way—with Manure
Who needs a flashy package of tiny granules when you can feed your plants with manure? Read more …

4. Fertilizing Basics
It pays to know why, what, how, and when to feed your plants. Read more …

5. Make Every Drop Count
Use a specialized watering tool to put water only where you and your plants want it. Read more …

6. Start Harvesting
Start harvesting vegetables and herbs. As the summer progresses, your work on the garden should start bearing some fruit—literally! Learn how to harvest your produce the right way. See the guide …

Recipe: Stuffed Tomatoes Provençal
Ripe garden tomatoes filled with olive purée, sautéed onion and garlic, basil, and breadcrumbs make a perfect midsummer lunch dish. Get the recipe …

Recipe: Zucchini with Roasted Peppers, Corn, and Cream (Calabacitas con Crema)
Roasted poblano chiles and cream—one of the show-stoppers of Mexican cuisine—welcomes zucchini and corn into the classic mix. Get the recipe …

Recipes: Summer Squash Sautés
Quick cooking is the ticket for light, flavorful summer fare. Get the recipes …