Summer Garden Update: Pickles, Sauerkraut, Herbal Teas & Sourdough - E39

Summer has been in full swing — and it’s been a wild ride in the garden! In this episode of Fostering Blooms, Shannon and Caitlyn share what they’ve been up to lately: from harvesting cucumbers and canning 57 jars of pickles, to trying fermentation for the first time with homemade sauerkraut, and diving into herbalism and tea making with lemon balm, holy basil, mullein, and more.

We talk about the highs and lows of gardening in Zone 7B’s summer heat, the burnout that hits when harvests come in fast and furious, and the joy of turning homegrown food into something special — whether that’s sourdough bread, homemade yogurt, or herbal teas straight from the apothecary.

If you’ve ever wondered what real-life gardeners are up to behind the scenes, this is your peek into the messy, delicious, and creative reality of summer gardening.

Episode notes:

Pickling Cucumber Variety: Diamant

Monarda Variety: Monarda Punctata (Spotted beebalm)