Beginner friendly gardening tips from my garden in zone 7b
Your beginner-friendly guide to growing your own food, flowers and herbs
we'll plant together!
here's what I'm up to this month
Here's what's happening in Zone 7B this August. Whether you're getting seeds started, sowing directly, or transplanting outside - I've got you covered.
August is magic!
everything in one place
Pick a topic below!
Know exactly what to plant and when -- personalized for your zone and growing season.
Grow more in less space. Everything from choosing pots to harvesting your first tomato.
What to grow together (and what to keep apart). These combos actually work.
Something not looking right? Let's figure it out together, step by step.
Got a question? I'd love to hear it. No question is too basic, I promise.
Tools and supplies I actually use in my own garden. No fluff, just what works.
grow anywhere
When I started gardening, I had 4 containers on my deck and zero clue what I was doing. Now I grow food in over 50 containers and 10 raised beds. If I can figure it out, so can you! I'm going to make it way easier for you than it was for me.
50+
Containers
10
Raised Beds
7B
Zone
what to grow together
I've tested a lot of companion planting combos over the years. Some are game-changers, and some are honestly just garden myths. Here are the pairings that have actually made a difference in my garden.
Basil repels aphids, whiteflies, and tomato hornworms. May improve tomato flavor.
Carrots loosen soil around tomato roots. Tomatoes provide shade for carrots in summer.
Dill attracts beneficial insects that prey on cucumber pests.
Both are nightshades and attract the same diseases. Keep them in separate beds or containers.
your growing journey
Pick your containers, choose your varieties, and map out your space.
Jan - Feb
Get seeds going indoors under grow lights. This is where the magic starts.
Feb - Mar
Harden off your seedlings and move them outside when the time is right.
Apr - May
Water, feed, troubleshoot, and watch your garden take off.
May - Jul
The best part! Pick at peak ripeness for the best flavor.
Jun - Oct
Save seeds, can your harvest, and plan for next year.
Sep - Nov
Pick your containers, choose your varieties, and map out your space.
Jan - Feb
Get seeds going indoors under grow lights. This is where the magic starts.
Feb - Mar
Harden off your seedlings and move them outside when the time is right.
Apr - May
Water, feed, troubleshoot, and watch your garden take off.
May - Jul
The best part! Pick at peak ripeness for the best flavor.
Jun - Oct
Save seeds, can your harvest, and plan for next year.
Sep - Nov
no question is too basic!
Got a garden question? I'd love to hear it. No question is too basic, I promise.
Ask Your QuestionNine times out of ten, it's a watering issue. Yellowing from the bottom up usually means you're overwatering or the soil isn't draining well. Let the top inch dry out between waterings, especially in containers.
Yes! I do it every year. You'll want at least a 15-gallon container and a compact variety like Sugar Baby. Give it full sun, consistent water, and something to climb if you're short on space.
For Zone 7b, I start most warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers around mid-February to early March. That gives them 6-8 weeks before they go outside after our last frost in mid-April.
grab your coffee and let's garden
8:24
12:1510:42Liz's picks
Containers
The exact containers I use for tomatoes and peppers. They make watering so much easier.
Shop Now →Soil & Amendments
My go-to soil recipe in a bag. Great drainage, packed with nutrients.
Shop Now →Tools
I've had mine for three seasons and they're still sharp. Worth every penny.
Shop Now →Seeds
Five of my favorite varieties that do great in containers. All tested in Zone 7b.
Shop Now →plan before you plant
Our free garden planner lets you map out your entire growing space, place plants with proper spacing, and track everything from planting to harvest. No graph paper needed.
Place raised beds, containers, and in-ground plots exactly where you want them.
Visual spacing circles show you exactly how much room each plant needs.
See which plants help each other and which ones to keep apart, right in your layout.
Log timeline entries and photos for every plant from seed to harvest.
it's free!
Create a free account to save your garden plans, get a planting calendar customized to your zone, and track your plants from seed to harvest.
Planting dates tailored to your exact growing zone
Design, plant, and track your garden layout
Document your garden journey with photos and notes
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