Basil is an herb known for loving sun and warm weather conditions, so it might be alarming to suddenly see the shiny, fragrant leaves shriveling up, and beg the question: why is your basil wilting? There are a handful of care requirements to pay attention to when you're growing basil, and there are a few specific factors that could be responsible for wilting leaves. If you noticed your basil taking a turn, it's not too late to save it. We spoke with two experts to help revive your basil. Why Your Basil Plant Is Wilting Too little water: Landscaping expert Ward Dilmore cites watering issues for wilting basil plants. Underwatering can cause wilt, but watering too often can, too. Too much water: When basil is grown in larger pots, some gardeners tend to overwater. In doing so, Dilmore says wilting, root rot, and leaf spot can occur. Intense heat: Horticulturist Samuel Davis also notes that intense summer heat and highly fluctuating moisture levels can wear down a basil plant. Bolting: They can also start to wilt if they've bolted, meaning they're going to seed and will slowly stop producing tasty leaves. Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best-growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more! 5 Ways to Revive Basil Plants A wilting basil plant can make a comeback. Here's what the experts say you should do to get this fragrant herb back on track. Nail Down Your Watering Schedule Dilmore says that your basil's soil should be slightly moist and not oversaturated. Usually, watering every two to three days is enough for these plants. If the temperatures get hotter and the soil dries out faster, you can bump up the frequency. Water Early in the Morning Basil tends to wilt in the summer because of the temperature change, which affects the moisture of its soil. Hotter days mean water will evaporate more quickly. To buffer this, Davis says to water your basil plants early in the morning so the soil stays moist for longer. You can water more if the soil fully dries out by the end of the day. Amend the Soil The right soil is necessary for successful basil growth. If you chose a random bag from the store, it might be time to switch. Davis says the herb requires soil that's well-draining and rich in organic matter. This helps retain nutrients and keep moisture locked in—but not for too long, which can lead to root rot. Give Your Basil a Little Shade Although basil plants love bright sunlight, they may need a little shade now and then. If your garden is located in a zone that gets extremely hot temperatures during the summer, Davis says that during the hottest part of the day, it's smart to cover it with shade cloths or move it into a covered area. Bring Out the Mulch Another way to help a wilty basil plant is through mulch. This will help retain moisture and keep the soil temperature more consistent. Davis says to spread a layer of mulch around the base of the plants for best results. 4 Additional Tips to Grow Beautiful Basil If you'd like to keep your basil plant healthy and happy for the rest of the summer and beyond, here are a few other care tips: Pinch the top leaves:Pruning is extremely important for growing a bushy and healthy basil plant. If you let it grow too tall and flower, it will no longer produce loads of leaves or become voluminous. To avoid this, pinch the top leaves and prevent them from growing taller than 8 inches. Fertilize your plants: Fertilizers can be instrumental in helping your basil plants thrive. Davis says to choose balanced, organic fertilizers, which will provide ample nutrients and encourage more leaves. Use deep, large pots: If you're creating a container garden of basil, you'll want to ensure the pots are deep enough and big enough to prevent overcrowding. Pick sick leaves and prevent pests: Basil is susceptible to a few different diseases and pests. Keep a watchful eye and pick off any leaves that are completely shriveled or covered with disease. To deter pests like aphids and slugs, you can create a solution with dish soap and water to coat your plant as an armor of sorts.

How much cold can tomatoes tolerate? Tomatoes are notoriously cold-sensitive, so it helps to know what to do with the plants when temperatures drop. Your tomato plants may still have unripened or partially ripened fruit on them when the thermometer plummets to the freezing mark. Learn how to protect your tomato plants when the cold weather moves in. Watch for Signs of Cold Tomatoes Signs of cold damage on tomatoes, especially young plants, are not always visible. Here are signs to look for if you think your tomatoes are too cold: Light tan or gray spots appear on the leaves of young plants in the spring. A healthy plant can outgrow any damage from a brief cold snap. Any darkening of the leaf or stem tissue will later wilt and turn brown. The leaves are curling. Signs of cold damage that show up on the plants later include: A damaged plant will have poorly set fruit. Plant growth will look stunted. Large-fruited tomato varieties will have deep crevices or holes and scarring in the blossom end (catfacing). A spring cold snap can result in distorted, malformed tomatoes when they are just ripening. Dry, brown scars that look like zippers running from the stem to the blossom end of the tomatoes indicate damage. Damaged tomatoes ripen unevenly.1 Start Tomato Seeds at the Right Time Prevent cold damage by starting your tomato plants from seed indoors at the right time. If you start the seeds too early it will still be too cold to move them outdoors. It's best to start tomatoes from seeds six to eight weeks before your area’s last projected frost date. Don’t Expose Young Plants to Cold Temperatures below 60°F can subject highly cold-sensitive tomato seedlings to chilling injury. The damage won't be noticeable right away but the plants will experience stunted growth, poor flowering and fruit set, and catfacing. Wait to plant the tomatoes until nighttime temperatures remain consistently above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Take your time hardening off the plants before planting them outdoors in your garden or containers. Select Early- or Mid-Season Tomatoes Choose cold-tolerant tomato varieties bred to set fruit in cooler temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. These varieties typically also mature earlier. Early-season varieties mature in 52 to 70 days and mid-season tomatoes in around 70 to 80 days. There are many different varieties, both hybrid tomatoes and heirloom tomatoes. Popular varieties include Early Girl (52 days) and Better Boy (75 days). Ripen Green Tomatoes Indoors If the weather forecast calls for frost, don't cover the plant. Instead, pick all unripe tomatoes from your plants and ripen them indoors. How to Protect Tomatoes on Cold Nights If there are still green or semi-ripe tomatoes on your plants around the time of your first average fall frost, keep an eye on the weather and consider these two ways to cover and protect your plants. Bubble Wrap If your plants are growing in tomato cages, protect them by wrapping bubble wrap around the entire cage, including the top, and use duct tape to secure it. It's a good time to prune the plant and remove excess foliage before wrapping it up. Remove the bubble wrap the next morning or you run the risk of excessive heat build-up under the plastic that will cook the plant. Sheets and Blankets You can also cover the plants with old sheets or light blankets held in place with sturdy stakes. Loosely tie a strong string around the plant to secure the cover from blowing away. Promptly remove the cover in the morning.

Whether you have a large or tiny space, you can design a vegetable garden to grow fresh produce. There are many different layouts for vegetable gardens, from vertical gardening to raised beds to square-foot gardens. If you are new to gardening, start with tomatoes, lettuce, peas, and radishes that are easy to grow. Read on to learn how to create a vegetable garden layout and get inspired by layout ideas designed to fit any space. Vegetable Garden Design Basics Just like when you select any real estate, location is the first consideration for a vegetable garden design. Then, you can decide the best size and type of garden for you. Location: Most vegetables require full sun to produce healthy fruit. Find a location where the plants receive full sun (six to eight hours) daily near a water source with good drainage. If irrigation is easy to provide and the plants have a spot with good drainage, you will have healthier plants. Soil Type: Vegetables need plenty of water, but don't like soggy roots. If you plan to plant directly in the ground, consider what type of soil is in your yard and if you will need to amend it before planting. Size: Consider your available outdoor space, the types and numbers of vegetables you want to grow, and the amount of people these plants will be feeding. Type of Garden: If you have a rocky yard or soil that will require hard work to till and amend, consider growing vegetables in raised beds or containers. Raised beds can be large or small and are easier to plant and maintain; container gardening is perfect for small yards, patios, and balconies. How to Create a Vegetable Garden Layout Create a layout based on what you want, your environment, and how soon you start. Physically draw it out on paper or a computer. Consider the planting environment: Review all the care elements your garden has when making decisions about what to plant, such as location, sun exposure, water requirements, and type of soil. Also, consider whether you will have planting beds or a container garden. Starting from seed or nursery seedlings: Your plan will heavily rely on the calendar and whether you are starting from seeds or nursery starts. Nursery starts are more reliable, but more expensive. Plants started from seeds need to get started indoors, often before the last frost or as soon as the soil warms; this vegetable garden will take longer to establish and require more care for a longer period. Choose vegetables you want: Your environment will dictate what you can grow. Ensure you start early enough that your vegetables have enough time to grow before the weather shifts or the first frost is anticipated. Pick plants that you will enjoy eating, and that will thrive in the environment you provide. Draw a layout: Once you have determined the plants you want to grow, draw the layout on paper using graph paper or online gardening tools like garden design software. Also, remember to plot the areas requiring similar watering and fertilizer needs and note some dates and times. You will need to adjust your watering schedule according to the rain. Vegetable Garden Layout Ideas These layout options are perfect for any size yard, big or small. Raised Garden Beds Vegetable Garden Layout Ideas These layout options are perfect for any size yard, big or small. Raised Garden Beds A vertical garden is perfect for small spaces and is usually less expensive to develop than other types of gardens. It is also easy to access and replant as crops mature. The structure can be homemade from landscape fabric or wood or a commercial (usually plastic) growing tower. The garden requires adequate sunlight and good soil for the vegetables. The downside to a vertical garden is that it requires frequent watering, often twice a day. The best vegetables to plant in a vertical garden are compact varieties like salad greens, baby kale, dwarf peas, bush beans, and herbs. These plants have shallow root systems and mature quickly. Four-Square Gardens A four-square garden consists of four raised beds with paths between them. Early English cottage gardens were commonly divided into four rectangular plots by two intersecting paths, coining the term "four-square." The beds can be customized to fit your space and are perfect for growing a variety of vegetables while providing access to each one. They do not have to be very high off the ground; just 6 to 8 inches can be deep enough. Some gardeners add a fruit tree or trellised vine in the center of each raised bed and add vegetables each season. The vegetables can be planted in designs like diamond patterns with herbs spilling along the edges. Gardening in Rows A garden with rows can easily be placed in a small backyard. The ground should be tilled so the soil is loose when you pick it up. The best time to prepare the ground and add supplements to the soil for a row garden is in the fall, but it should be at least three weeks before you plan to plant in the spring. Choose productive plants such as snap beans, tomatoes, radishes, lettuce, turnips, onions, greens, carrots, and peppers for a small row garden. Homestead Gardens If you have a large family or enjoy preserving food by canning, freezing, or drying produce, a homestead or large in-ground garden is ideal. Most homestead gardens are at least one-quarter acre, with many covering up to an acre of land. The rules are the same as row gardening: Provide good soil, select highly productive vegetable cultivars, control weeds, plant in a location with full sun, and provide consistent moisture. If you are planning a large vegetable garden, several tools and systems will make the work easier and more productive. A gas-powered tiller will break up the soil and can even help keep weeds under control after plants are in place. A drip irrigation system will keep plant roots moist but keep water off the leaves and fruit, helping prevent plant diseases and rot. Small In-Ground Gardens In a 10 x 10-foot sunny spot, you can quickly grow plenty of vegetables for a small family. Start with good soil and follow the tips for row gardening. What you plant depends on what you enjoy, whether leafy greens or root crops. You can grow more by planting in the spring and fall. Here's an example of what you can grow during the summer season: Three trellised or caged indeterminate tomato plants or two indeterminate tomatoes and one cucumber plant Four eggplants Five pepper plants 12 bush bean plants Partial Shade Gardens If you don't have a spot with full sun, some vegetables will thrive in partial shade, whether planted in the ground, a raised bed, or a container. Leafy vegetables, such as leaf lettuce, spinach, collards, Swiss chard, and kale, can be successfully grown in areas that receive three to four hours of sun. Radishes, kohlrabi, beets, cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli can also be grown in partial shade. Choosing Plants for Vegetable Gardens The vegetable seedlings you select to purchase or start from seed will help determine the design of your garden. Begin your planning with what types of vegetables your family will enjoy eating, your climate and length of growing season, and the size of the mature vegetable plants. For instance, growing corn takes up lots of space; most tomato varieties produce large, sprawling plants like melon. Stake some beans and peas to keep the vegetables off the soil and disease-free. Also, do not plant some vegetables next to each other. Planting incompatible vegetables can stunt growth, welcome pests and diseases, and negatively impact flavor. For example, beans and onions should remain separate. A substance in onions can stunt bean growth. Meanwhile, potatoes and tomatoes are part of the same nightshade family and attract the same insects and diseases. If one crop is overtaken by bugs or disease, you can expect the other to be at high risk. Vegetable Companion Planting Just like some plants should not be planted together, it's a good idea to consider companion planting when space is limited to give different vegetables optimum growing conditions. Tomatoes pair well with basil and other herbs, while carrots, cucumbers, and squash work well in a three-way companion partnership. Also, it's important to rotate your crops so bugs and diseases don't establish in the soil or return repeatedly each year. Herbs, like parsley, are also great to plant alongside vegetables since they either trap or repel pests or attract pollinators and other beneficial insects to increase the garden's biodiversity. Also, consider flowers in your vegetable garden since bees and other pollinators help spread pollen, encouraging vegetable plants to grow, reproduce, and produce fruits and vegetables. Pollinators favor zinnias, sweet alyssum, daisies, sunflowers, and cosmos. Vegetable Garden Design Tips When you're ready to design your vegetable garden, these tips will help guarantee a successful harvest no matter which design you choose. Consult your local Cooperative Extension Service office for information on planting schedules and vegetable plant selections for your growing area. Do not overcrowd plants. Although they look as small as seedlings, planting vegetables too close together will lead to disease and lower yields. For a good harvest, start with good soil. The soil should be loose and filled with organic matter. Rotate crops from year to year to help prevent disease and nutrient depletion. Mulch the garden to help reduce weeds that compete for moisture. Control pests and diseases by selecting resistant varieties and learning a beneficial insect from a harmful one.

Tomato plants are the most popular vegetable grown in the home garden, so all we want is for them to thrive and produce a bountiful harvest.1 Tomatoes Growing Guide. Cornell University. There are several ways to support tomatoes as they grow, but could coffee grounds be the secret ingredient to growing tomato plants successfully? The answer is no, but if composted properly, it won't hurt the plants. We share everything you need to know about using coffee grounds for tomato plants in the garden. Why Coffee Grounds Can Work for Tomatoes Coffee grounds contain nitrogen (about two percent) and trace amounts of phosphorus and potassium necessary for plant growth. But, scattering coffee grounds on the top of the soil or even working it in slightly is not effective. The caffeine residues in the used coffee grounds can actually suppress germination and slow the growth of some plants. The grounds don't release their beneficial components until organisms in the soil break them down—that can take months in a compost pile. The best way to use coffee grounds for tomato plants is to add them to your compost pile of leaves, grass clippings, and vegetable trimmings. Turn the compost pile often, and then use the organically rich mixture to enrich the garden or container soil before you add the tomato plants. Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best-growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more! Should You Use Coffee Grounds to Fertilize Tomatoes? Coffee grounds should not be used as the sole fertilizer for tomato plants. The grounds do not contain the nutrient balance that tomatoes need to thrive, and adding too many grounds will affect the soil's pH. Tomato plants can tolerate slightly acid soils, as low as pH 5.5. But plants are the healthiest and most productive when the soil pH is 6.0 to 6.8. Suppose you use organically rich soil (that can contain some composted coffee grounds). In that case, you may not need to add a great deal of fertilizer when planting tomatoes or throughout the growing season. Benefits of Traditional Fertilizer vs. Coffee Grounds Coffee grounds contain just two percent nitrogen and mere traces of phosphorus and potassium, and it takes weeks or months for the grounds to break down enough to release these nutrients into the soil. Most tomato plants benefit from the application of a balanced NPK fertilizer a few times throughout the growing season. Avoid using a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen (N), as you will get excessive leaf formation and less fruit. Appropriate levels of potassium and phosphorus have positive effects on fruit sugar and acid content. Proper fertilization also produced tomatoes with more health-promoting carotenoids and red lycopene beneficial to human nutrition. Adequate plant nutrition is important in producing tasty tomatoes with better flavor and appearance.