Lettuce, Before and After Solstice

Now that the summer solstice has passed, you can start sowing your cold-loving greens for a fall garden. snchzgloria/Shutterstock

The summer solstice is in the rearview mirror. Even though the hottest days are before us, the longest days have passed.

If you haven’t planted your tomatoes or melons yet, you might not bother. The plants will grow like steroid abusers, but there isn’t time for the fruit to ripen. Or maybe you’ll get one small melon. Trust me, I’ve been there.