It is easy and understandable to feel burnt out on gardening by this point in the year, which is unfortunate since it’s the ideal time to be out there harvesting. Whether it’s the hot sun, the pesky bugs, the endless weeding or too much summer fun, it can be easy to let the days go by without setting foot in the soil.
But let me give you what my husband calls “an aggressive pep talk,” aka a motivational speech. This is the time to strap on your garden gloves and get out there! You did the work. You planted the seeds, weeded the beds, watered the plants and now it is time to get harvesting!
Don’t let your tomatoes die on the vine! Don’t let your garlic rot in the ground. Don’t let the season pass without bouquets of dahlias or sunflowers on your table. In this post we’re diving into all the garden goodies you should be harvesting this time of year, so buckle up and let’s do this!
Tips to avoid burnout and enjoy harvesting the summer’s bounty
First of all, let me say that burnout is REAL. I get it. I have it nearly every year, at least at some point. It gets hot, the weeds are relentless and I am TIRED. Summer is my single parenting season and I’m always exhausted by the end. But I have learned a few tips to help me avoid burnout and make the most of summer harvesting.
- Beat the heat. My best advice to avoid burning out on late summer gardening is to head out to the garden first thing. Not only is it cooler but your food and flowers are in better shape. There’s really no better way to start out the day! Grab a bowl or basket, a pair of floral snips and head to the garden in your pjs.
- Capture the moment. Nothing helps me to appreciate my garden like grabbing my camera and taking photos of all the plants at their peak. For some reason, beautiful flower photos keep me going day after day. Even if it’s just a cell phone camera, being able to look back at your bounty and share photos with friends or family, can really make it all feel worth it.
- USE IT. There is no better feeling than being able to make a recipe or meal from something you’ve grown yourself. Or even to decorate for an event or dinner with flowers you’ve grown yourself. I can often be found with mason jars full of flowers in my car cupholders because I love to bring people freshly cut bouquets. The sense of pride and satisfaction when you USE your garden goodies makes it all feel worth it.
Summer flowers you should be harvesting
- Sunflowers. I know some people aren’t a fan of taking sunflowers from their rightful place in the garden, OR they grow varieties that are simply too large for a vase, but I really enjoy having a few types that are cuttable because they bring such cheer to any space. My favorites this year are the White Lites pictured at the top. So stunning.
- Zinnias. While I got my zinnias in late this year so they’re only about a foot high, most people’s zinnias should be absolutely crushing it this time of year. Zinnias are such a farm-y style of flower and I just love them in rustic bouquets with dahlias. Remember, they’re a cut and come again flower, so get out there with those snips!
- Dahlias. Queen of the late summer flowers, this time of year the Dahlia really reigns supreme. And like zinnias, dahlias will keep pumping out blooms if you deadhead them regularly. I planted almost entirely new tubers this year, which means it’s been a lovely surprise to see them all pop up and bloom. New colors, new sizes and shapes, and all kinds of new bouquet possibilities.
- Roses. If I haven’t said it before (I have, see my post HERE), investing in David Austin roses might be the best decision you ever make. These roses have been blooming, basically non-stop, since May. This time of year it is important to enjoy them to their fullest, as they won’t be around too much longer. I clip them in massive bunches and bring them inside. Though they don’t last more than a couple days in a vase, their beauty and fragrance is worth it.
Summer veggies you should be harvesting
- Zucchini/Summer Squash. I usually only plant one or two zucchini plants as to avoid the well-known zucchini glut, but this year it hasn’t been enough! I’m out there every day, waiting for them to get big enough to cut for summer soups, pizza toppings and fresh zoodles.
- Green Beans. Green beans are our collective family favorite, which is why I planted 6 tepees worth this summer. Two early on and four so we’ll get a later harvest this fall. We’ve managed to eat them all fresh so far, but soon I’ll be ready to blanch and freeze and fill the freezer for winter.
- Tomatoes. Due to a more moderate summer, my tomatoes have been slow to ripen this year. I’ve only gotten a few here and there so I’ve popped them into the freezer, and once I get enough for my favorite Roasted Salsa Recipe, I’ll roast them up and get busy. This is a great way to make sure you don’t waste a single fruit. Tuck them away until you’re ready!
- Basil. Pesto is just about the best thing ever in my book. That’s not very eloquent but it’s true. Get out there and harvest that basil, making sure it doesn’t go to seed so you can harvest til the frost comes.
- Garlic. People have lots of opinions on the perfect time to harvest your garlic, but my theory is that once it’s dry and flopped over, that’s when I pull it. Let it cure in a shady spot for a few days, then store it for winter.
- Peppers. I put in way more peppers than usual this year but I’ve realized it’s not enough! Next to green beans, they might be our family’s most-used vegetables. This is the time of year to be harvesting those peppers and making the most of them however you can.
- Onions. My onion crop is rather sad this year and I won’t be making the beautiful onion braids I love to hang in my pantry, but such is life. And such is life in the garden. I hope your onions did wonderfully, and that you’re out there digging them up with gusto.
Ideas for using your garden bounty
Since we already established that using your garden produce is key to avoiding burnout, here are a few recipes that will make the most of your late summer goodies.
- Meatloaf Muffins with Garden Green Beans and Potatoes. This recipe is quick, easy and nourishing. Whip it up on a weeknight and fill your family’s hungry bellies.
- Breakfast Skillet. Our family lives on breakfast for dinner, especially in the summer time. This recipe is a blank slate for using up garden goodies.
- Garden Chop Salad. Speaking of eating entirely from the garden, a Chop Salad is the ideal recipe for that. We usually have Chop Salad night once a week, where we empty the fridge, chop everything into small pieces, making a few homemade dressings, and toss it all together in a big metal bowl.
Keeping it fun in the late summer garden
Now, are special items necessary for enjoying your summer garden? Absolutely not. Can they make it a little more fun though? Well, sure. Here’s a few fun items that might bring a little joy to the process.
- Enamel Basin. My favorite thing to grab on my way out to the garden in the morning is an antique enamel basin I bought at a thrift store years ago. The good news is, you can still get them! Lightweight with handles, my basin in the perfect receptacle for food or flowers.
- Wide-brimmed Garden Hat. If you don’t make it out quite as early as you’re hoping, a wide-brimmed garden hat can save you in the hot summer sun. I’ve had this one for a long time and it works great.
- Vacuum Sealer. Since we enjoy frozen green beans much more than canned, not to mention the fact that it means I don’t have to heat up my house with a pressure canner, a vacuum sealer is a key tool for preserving the summer harvest. This one is simple and works super well.
What are you harvesting?
Leave a comment below and let me know what’s coming out of your garden this time of year!
And, don’t forget to pin this image below and share it with other gardeners who may be feeling burnout at the end of summer. We’ve got this!
