Blueberries Are a Breeze
These are some of the best fruits to grow in your garden and won't take up too much room. They have great organic appeal because they have few pests or diseases. (Translation: fruit without spraying!) Rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium ashei) grow well in the heat of the Lower and Coastal South. Plant selections such as 'Beckyblue,' 'Climax,' and 'Tifblue.' Northern highbush blueberries (V. corymbosum) are best for the Upper and Middle South. Try kinds such as 'Bluecrop' and 'Bluejay.' It's important to plant two or more selections for optimal pollination so you can have lots of fruit. Five plants will provide plenty of berries for a family of four. Berries ripen over several weeks, so you can pick them as you need them. Blueberries are loaded with good-for-you antioxidants and are one of the simple joys of summer. --Gene B. Bussell

Fertilizing
Feed tomatoes, peppers, squash, and tomatillos with composted manure, fish emulsion, or a slow-release granular fertilizer (such as Dynamite Flowers & Vegetables 13-13-13 or Osmocote Vegetables & Bedding 14-14-14) to promote plant growth and vegetable production.

Bird's Nest Fern Enjoy the beautiful foliage of this graceful plant inside and out. Indoors, place one in a location with bright, filtered light. Outdoors, put a pot in the shade.

Daylilies Select these dependable perennials now while they're in bloom so you can get the color, size, and flower forms you prefer. Good choices include 'Black-eyed Stella,' 'Miss Mary Mary,' 'Buttered Popcorn,' and 'Happy Returns.' It is important to plant in a location that receives at least six hours of full sun a day. They prefer soil that has some organic matter, such as composted manure, but can adapt well to a range of soil conditions as long as there is good drainage.

Container Recipe
Try this combo for sure success. You will need a 21-inch-diameter container. Plant one purple fountain grass (4-inch pot), two 'Dallas Red' lantanas (4-inch pots), and one 'Chartreuse' Joseph's coat (4-inch pot). Place in a location that is mostly sunny. Enjoy.

Garden Journal
The summer solstice comes on June 21, marking the beginning of the new season. Keeping a small notebook of your observations (when seeds were planted, bloom times, rainfall amounts, flower selections that worked well, etc.) is a great way to learn about gardening.