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6 Best Ground Cover for Chicken Run

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6 Best Ground Cover for Chicken Run

While raising chickens, there are lots of factors that needs to considered and ground cover is one of them.

A muddy chicken run can raise serious health issues among flocks and it will compromise overall hygiene of the chicken coop.

So, what can be considered as the best ground covering for chicken run?

An ideal ground cover for chicken run must provide excellent drainage, easy maintenance, support natural behaviours like dust bathing, and withstand heavy traffic and weather conditions.

Coarse sand, pine straw, grass or wood chips can be your preferred material to be used as ground covering for chicken run.

These different materials make chicken runs better by letting them scratch and hunt for food naturally, keeping the area from getting muddy and providing your chickens places to dust bathe to keep their feathers clean.

Later in this article, you’ll discover the most cost-effective ground cover options tailored to your specific climate and weather conditions.

Before that let’s understand the importance of ground covering in detail.

Benefits of Ground Cover for a Chicken Run

Good ground cover helps keep the run dry by improving drainage and preventing mud buildup. This reduces the risk of foot infections and keeps your flock’s feathers clean and healthy.

It supports natural chicken behaviors like scratching, foraging, and dust bathing, which keep birds active and happy. These activities also help maintain feather health and reduce stress.

Durable ground cover materials protect the soil from erosion, control unpleasant odors, and make cleaning easier. This ensures a healthier, more hygienic environment for both chickens and their keepers.

6 Best Ground Covers for Your Chicken Run

Selecting proper ground cover for your chicken run is essential for flock health, comfort, and easier maintenance. The right material prevents bacterial infections, supports natural behaviors like dust bathing, and simplifies daily care routines.

Different covers suit various climates, drainage needs, and budgets—some prioritize cleanliness while others encourage natural scratching.

Also Read: How to Get Chickens to Go into the Coop at Night?

1. Sand

Coarse construction sand offers excellent drainage, keeping runs dry and reducing mud and bacteria buildup. It’s easy to rake and spot-clean while providing chickens with a natural dust bath for parasite control.

Sand provides solid footing that reduces slips and prevents foot issues like bumblefoot when properly maintained. Waste dries quickly on the surface, making odor management much simpler than with organic ground covers.

It doesn’t decompose, so it stays level and functional for extended periods with only occasional top-ups needed. Sand works best in wet climates or heavy-traffic runs where mud formation is a persistent problem.

Always choose coarse, washed river sand or builder’s sand rather than fine play sand to prevent compaction and dust issues. Pair with proper drainage underneath for maximum performance and chicken comfort.

2. Grass

Fresh grass runs look attractive and allow chickens to graze naturally, adding essential vitamins to their diet. Birds enjoy scratching for insects and bugs, which keeps them mentally stimulated and physically active.

Grass cover works best in large, low-density runs or as part of rotational grazing systems. In smaller confined spaces, chickens can quickly destroy grass coverage, leaving bare soil that turns muddy.

To maintain healthy grass, overseed regularly and rest sections using movable fencing or chicken tractors. Hardy grass blends with rye, fescue, and clover handle pecking and heavy foot traffic better than standard lawn varieties.

Good drainage is absolutely essential, or wet patches will quickly turn to muddy mess, especially around feeders and waterers. Consider installing raised pathways or pavers in high-traffic zones to protect grass roots from damage.

Mow grass high to keep root systems strong and remove wet clumps promptly to prevent soil compaction. Expect seasonal fluctuations with lush growth in spring and stress during winter months or drought conditions.

Must Read: How to Clean and Disinfect the Chicken Coop?

3. Wood Chips

Arborist wood chips create a springy, natural surface that provides excellent drainage while supporting natural chicken behaviors. They help control odors by trapping moisture and provide an ideal environment for scratching and foraging.

Chips slowly decompose into rich compost over time, naturally improving the soil quality underneath the run. Refresh the top layer periodically and perform seasonal deep-cleaning to maintain optimal hygiene standards.

Always avoid fresh black walnut chips and any pressure-treated wood materials, as both can be harmful to chickens. Coarse, irregular chips perform much better than fine bark mulch or shavings in wet weather conditions.

Wood chips work exceptionally well under trees or in shaded runs where grass struggles to grow properly. They integrate perfectly with deep-litter management approaches to reduce maintenance while boosting overall soil health.

4. Gravel

Pea gravel or small rounded stones dramatically improve drainage and eliminate mud problems in trouble spots. It’s extremely durable and long-lasting, making it ideal for gateways, areas under waterers, and main traffic pathways.

Use a properly compacted base layer underneath to prevent sinking and mixing with underlying soil. Consider installing geotextile fabric as an underlay to separate gravel from dirt for maximum longevity and performance.

Gravel isn’t suitable for dust bathing activities and can be uncomfortable on chicken feet if edges are too sharp. Pair gravel areas with sand or chip zones to meet both comfort needs and natural behavioral requirements.

It’s easy to hose down and disinfect during disease-control situations, making it valuable for biosecurity measures. Gravel works best as a targeted solution for problem areas rather than full-run coverage in most chicken setups.

In colder climates, gravel can feel harsh underfoot, so provide softer resting areas for chicken comfort. Monitor regularly for trapped feed that could attract rodents and other unwanted pests.

5. Pine Straw

Pine needles naturally form a light, airy mat that effectively sheds water and reduces surface mud formation. Chickens love scratching through pine straw, which helps keep the run area active and naturally clean.

It’s inexpensive or often free in many regions and easy to refresh as the material breaks down over time. Pine straw gradually adds valuable organic matter to soil and improves overall soil structure and health.

Avoid creating thick, matted layers that can hold excess moisture—fluff or turn the straw routinely for best results. In very wet climates, combine pine straw with wood chips or sand for improved durability and drainage.

Pine straw is gentle on chicken feet and provides a comfortable surface for resting and relaxation. It’s also less likely to blow away in windy conditions compared to dry leaves when properly layered.

Also Read: How to Stop Chickens from Pooping in Nesting Boxes?

6. Dry Leaves

Dry leaves provide a budget-friendly, seasonal ground cover that chickens thoroughly enjoy shredding and scratching through. They create excellent foraging opportunities and work well in deep-litter management systems.

Leaves tend to compact when wet, so mix them with wood chips or straw to prevent matting and odor problems. Shredded leaves perform significantly better than whole leaves for maintaining proper airflow and even decomposition.

Reapply leaves frequently during rainy seasons since they decompose quickly in wet conditions. Always source chemical-free leaves from areas not treated with herbicides or pesticides to protect your flock’s health.

Conclusion

Choose ground cover materials based on your specific drainage needs, local climate conditions, and flock density requirements. The most practical approach often involves combining different materials to create a balanced system that addresses multiple needs.

A successful setup typically pairs sand or gravel in high-traffic zones with softer materials like wood chips, pine straw, or leaves in other areas. This combination provides optimal hygiene, comfort, and opportunities for natural chicken behaviors throughout the year.

Green Goddess Chickpea Salad | Dietitian Debbie Dishes

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Green Goddess Chickpea Salad | Dietitian Debbie Dishes






















Green Goddess Chickpea Salad | Dietitian Debbie Dishes




Gene-editing human embryos to prevent disease : Shots

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Gene-editing human embryos to prevent disease : Shots

Advances in gene-editing are leading to renewed interest in modifying DNA in human embryos.

VICTOR HABBICK VISIONS/Science Photo Library/Getty Images


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VICTOR HABBICK VISIONS/Science Photo Library/Getty Images

A Chinese scientist horrified the world in 2018 when he revealed he had secretly engineered the birth of the world’s first gene-edited babies.

His work was reviled as reckless and unethical because, among other reasons, gene-editing was so new and the technology’s full risks were unknown.

China imprisoned the scientist, He Jiankui, for three years for violating medical regulations.

Fast forward to today: Mainstream scientific organizations are encouraging very careful basic research to explore gene-editing and human reproduction. But they still warn any attempts to create more genetically modified children anytime soon should remain strictly off limits.

Now, however, Silicon Valley venture capitalists, futurists, East Coast entrepreneurs, and pronatalists — who fear falling birth rates pose an existential threat to the human race — are eager to push the technology forward. And that’s kindling both great hopes and intense fears.

Fresh interest from private companies

“You’ve got a convergence of people who are thinking that they can improve their children — whether it’s their children’s health, or their children’s appearance, or their children’s intelligence, along with people who are comfortable using the newest technologies and people who have the money and the chutzpah — the daring — to try and do this,” said R. Alta Charo, a University of Wisconsin professor emerita, lawyer and bioethicist, who’s now consulting with government agencies and private companies.

U.S. regulations prohibit editing genes in embryos that could become babies. But that could change, given the Trump administration’s deregulatory stance and support for reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization, some observers say.

And the first company to publicly announce plans to try to genetically modify human embryos to create gene-edited babies just unveiled its plans.

“We want to be the company that does this in the light, with transparency and with good intentions,” Cathy Tie, a biotech entrepreneur, told NPR in an interview about her new company, dubbed: Manhattan Project.

“I think the timing is right for having this conversation,” Tie said. “There’s a lot of promise in this technology.”

As for the company’s name, Tie told NPR, “We chose our name deliberately. We believe the scale of our mission, to end genetic disease, is just as significant as the original science behind Manhattan Project.” Tie said she plans to move slowly and carefully, with stringent bioethical oversight, to explore a variety of gene-editing technologies.

A small scientific team has already been assembled to conduct methodical experiments in a Manhattan lab. The team plans to start by studying mice before moving to primates and then human cells before ultimately working with human embryos.

The company hopes to produce enough evidence to persuade federal officials to fund the research and regulators to approve moving ahead, she said.

“Right now the goal is really just to inform regulators and the public what this technology is capable of — and what it’s not — and hopefully empower regulators in the future, when proven safe and efficient, to allow research in this space,” Tie said. “We hope to support that regulatory approval process.”

Safety is “first and foremost,” she said.

Her ultimate goal, she said, is to prevent serious genetic diseases.

“There are so many diseases that have no cures and there’s not going to be a cure for them for many more decades,” Tie said. “And I think that we have the responsibility to talk about this with patients that do have these terrible diseases and see if they want the option to not pass that on to future generations. Parents should have the choice.”

But the company would not go beyond preventing illnesses, such as the genetic lung disease cystic fibrosis and the inherited blood disorder beta thalassemia, she said.

“Our focus is on disease prevention,” she said. “We draw the line at disease prevention.”

A woolly mouse, a breed created by scientists using genetical modifications.

She co-founded the firm with Eriona Hysolli, who headed biological sciences at Colossal Biosciences, which is working on a controversial project to use gene-editing to bring back extinct animals like the wooly mammoth.

“I’m absolutely very excited about this project,” Hysolli, who worked in George Church‘s Harvard genetics lab before Colossal, told NPR in an interview. “I truly believe that these tools are very powerful and can lead to benefits to human health.”

The Manhattan Project did not reveal more details, including how much money had been raised, the investors or a timeline.

Investors see an opportunity

But the company is hardly alone.

“We are definitely evaluating whether it makes sense to actually incubate and help build a company that we think could do this safely and responsibly,” said Lucas Harrington, who co-founded SciFounders, a San Francisco venture capital firm. “I think there’s huge benefit if it can be done safely and responsibly.”

Harrington envisions using newer and hopefully safer gene-editing techniques, such as “base editing,” to modify embryos to make babies. He said his focus too would be on preventing diseases.

The Chinese scientist used the gene-editing technique known as CRISPR, which allows scientists to make very precise changes in DNA much more easily than ever before but can cause potentially dangerous random mutations.

“I think how we’ve been going about it until now has really been burying our head in the sand and not wanting to talk about it because it’s too controversial,” Harrington said. “The tools over the past decade have dramatically changed.”

KJ Muldoon, who was born at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in August, reaches out to the doctors after being treated for a rare genetic disorder using CRISPR technology.

Others, however, talk about using cutting-edge genetic research to go further than eliminating illnesses before they start.

“The good that Bootstrap Bio can do is to basically speed up the development of this technology and also expand people’s conception of what biotech is actually good for,” said Chase Denecke, the CEO of the California startup Bootstrap Bio, Inc., on the podcast OpenSocietyWTF. Denecke, whose company is reportedly also looking to edit human embryos, declined NPR’s requests for an interview. “I don’t think it’s enough to just say, ‘We’re just going to make you not sick.’ We want to make peoples’ lives actually better,” he said on the podcast.

At least some investors in cutting-edge reproductive technologies agree.

“People can say, ‘Well, you’re playing God by using this type of technology.’ And I say, ‘People would say that with any technology of the past,’ ” said Malcolm Collins, a self-described pronatalist. Collins and his wife, Simone, said they’re supporting a variety of experimental reproductive technologies, ranging from “artificial” wombs and laboratory-made embryos to gene-edited babies.

Some futurists call these “Gattaca Stack” technologies, referring to the 1997 film about genetically engineered people, that could transform human reproduction. Pronatalists hope these developments will help counter declining births.

“I’m really excited for a future within human history where there are some people that have decided to really lean into technologies like this,” Malcolm Collins told NPR in an interview.

His wife agrees.

“We fundamentally believe in reproductive choice and we also very much support parents’ rights to give their children every privilege they can,” Simone Collins told NPR. “And for some people, that means, obviously, eliminating risks of very dangerous diseases. But for other people that means investing in education and tutoring to make them smarter or athletically better. And if people would like to start to do that at a genetic level they should have every right to do so.”

Room for painstaking science

Many scientists favor carefully exploring the editing of DNA in human sperm, eggs and embryos to learn more about human reproduction and possibly someday prevent diseases. And some U.S. scientists working in this field are glad to see private players helping what they consider underfunded research.

The National Institutes of Health “doesn’t typically support embryo research. So if the technology bros are interested, that would be welcome in the field,” said Dr. Paula Amato, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. She has been working on embryo editing with her colleague Shoukhrat Mitalipov.

Amato and others stress, however, that whoever is working on this has to first make sure it can be done safely and should focus, at least initially, on preventing disease.

Mitochondria, like the one seen in cutaway view, are the powerhouses inside cells.

“What I think is positive is: The discussion that will be stimulated through this activity. There is clearly a need for that,” said Dietrich Egli, a Columbia University professor of developmental cell biology. He has raised questions about the safety of CRISPR embryo editing through his experiments.

Egli said he’s talked about this with Brian Armstrong, a billionaire cryptocurrency entrepreneur who recently announced interest in starting an embryo-editing company. Armstrong initially agreed to an interview with NPR through a spokeswoman but then indefinitely postponed.

The moment could be ripe for another look at gene-editing embryos that could be taken to term.

“There’s a president who has some advisers and some political forces whispering in his ear that have a decidedly pronatalist bent that are interested in these technologies,” said L. Glenn Cohen, director of the Harvard Law School’s Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology and Bioethics. “All of that is opening up a moment where some of what would have been unthinkable may now become possible.”

There’s also talk about trying this technology in places like Prospera, a city on an island off the coast of Honduras. Prospera has looser regulations for business involved in fields ranging from cryptocurrency to biotechnology.

Bioethicists warn the risks are concerning

The emphasis on charging ahead worries many observers.

“Move fast and break things has not worked very well for Silicon Valley in health care,” said Hank Greely, a Stanford University bioethicist. “When you talk about reproduction, the things you are breaking are babies. So I think that makes it even more dangerous and even more sinister.”

This new push comes as He Jiankui, the CRISPR babies scientist, has shifted from repentant to defiant since being released from prison.

“AI is threatening humanity, we must fight back by gene editing,” he recently wrote on X.

Tie was briefly married to He, but Tie told NPR they recently divorced. He will have nothing to do with her new company, she said.

“The nature of my relationship with him was personal, not professional and I’m also no longer married to him. He is not involved,” Tie said. “I wish him all the best.”

Nevertheless, all the renewed interest has contributed to anxiety among opponents of gene-edited babies.

“I do think this is a dangerous moment,” said Ben Hurlbut, a bioethicist at Arizona State University who recently helped organize an international meeting on inheritable human gene-editing.

“Just because you can do it doesn’t mean you should do it,” he said. “Do we need to tell us ourselves again that we shouldn’t go there?”

Others agree.

“Human heritable gene editing is clearly a terrible solution in search of a problem,” said Tim Hunt, chief executive officer at the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine, which along with the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy and the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy recently called for a 10-year moratorium on inheritable gene-editing. “If you make a mistake, the mistake passes onto all future generations. So that’s a pretty big ethical roll of the dice.”

Many critics argue that this movement is today’s version of eugenics, the long-discredited pursuit of supposedly genetically superior people.

“I think we should be deeply worried about this,” said Francoise Baylis, a bioethicist and professor emerita at Dalhousie University in Canada. “This is a continuation of the eugenic project that has been sort of in vogue at different times throughout civilization. This is just the modern incarnation of that idea.”

Others fear turning human reproduction into just another consumer product.

“We’re going to mass-produce genetically engineered human beings. And I think that’s a very dangerous way to approach these technologies,” said Katie Hasson, the associate director of the Center for Genetics and Society, a genetics technology watchdog group in Berkeley, Calif. “I’m very worried that all of this together means we’re headed straight into a new era of high-tech, market-based eugenics.”

But the Manhattan Project’s Hysolli argues it would be unethical not to use the technology if it’s safe.

“If we have the tools to prevent a disease that will be passed down for generations, is it more ethical to do it or not do it?” Hysolli said. “I would argue it would be more ethical to stop the mutation.”

11 of the Best Hens and Chicks Varieties (Sempervivum)

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11 of the Best Hens and Chicks Varieties (Sempervivum)

Here are 11 potential candidates to become your next favorite Sempervivum:

1. Berry Blues

You might see blue but you won’t feel that way when this deep-hued hens and chicks plant is spreading raucously across the ground in your backyard or within a rock garden.

With blue-green foliage surrounding an almost burgundy center, Berry Blues™ reaches four inches tall and plants can produce offsets and spread as much as a foot before flowering.

Berry Blues

This blue beauty is even more cold-tolerant than most, though not quite as heat tolerant as some varieties. It’s hardy in Zones 3 to 8.

Part of the Chick Charms® series from Garden Solutions, Berry Blues™ is available via Amazon or as part of the “grower’s choice” grab bag of selections available at Nature Hills Nursery in a four-pack of quart-sized containers.

2. Black Rose

The color isn’t true enough to match a little black dress, but this Sempervivum is as classic and handy as the beloved all-occasion garb.

It also swirls like one’s a favorite skirt, only upward.

A close up horizontal image of a 'Black Rose' succulent growing in the garden.A close up horizontal image of a 'Black Rose' succulent growing in the garden.

‘Black Rose’ forms true green rosettes that grow about four inches tall and spread six inches, tops. They develop purple-black tips that become ever more prominent as the weather warms.

The color looks especially lovely in a container with other outdoor succulents that have red foliage.

This hens and chicks cultivar is often confused with Aeonium arboreum ‘Black Rose,’ another rosette-forming succulent from a different genus which has thicker stems and a more saturated, blacker color.

Sempervivum ‘Black Rose’ is available as a “grower’s choice” option from Succulent Gardens.

3. Commander Hay

‘Commander Hay’ is a Sempervivum hybrid that forms tight rosettes of green leaves brushed with deep burgundy, the color intensifies in cool weather for added seasonal interest.

A close up horizontal image of the green and burgundy rosette of 'Commander Hay' growing outdoors in a succulent garden.A close up horizontal image of the green and burgundy rosette of 'Commander Hay' growing outdoors in a succulent garden.

Reaching about four to six inches tall and nine to 12 inches wide, this hens and chicks cultivar forms dense mats.

Hardy in Zones 3 to 8, ‘Commander Hay’ is ideal for rock gardens or container growing.

4. Desert Bloom

Wish you could bring the sunny sand and succulent plants from arid regions home to grow in cooler climes?

This hens and chicks variety has a definite desert vibe, but grows far more quickly than most types of cacti and is hardy in Zones 4 to 9.

‘Desert Bloom’ produces rosettes about three-inches square at maturity, with baby offsets surrounding the mass at the base in clusters. The plant will spread about eight inches.

Its pointy leaves are light green kissed with a dusky pink in spring. The hue becomes bright lilac in winter.

A close up of Sempervivum Desert Bloom growing in a succulent garden.A close up of Sempervivum Desert Bloom growing in a succulent garden.

‘Desert Bloom’

Like a jade plant, it has a protective waxy coating that makes the surface smoother than that of some other varieties.

‘Desert Bloom’ is available from Hirt’s Gardens via Walmart in quart-size pots.

5. Greenii

‘Greenii’ is a cultivar of S. calcareum, a hens and chicks species characterized by large rosettes.

Its sharply pointed leaves can form rosettes that are six inches across and the plants reach about the same height. They can spread up to a foot at maturity.

A close up horizontal image of the red and green rosettes of Sempervivum 'Greenii.'A close up horizontal image of the red and green rosettes of Sempervivum 'Greenii.'

Each point is tinged with a mahogany hue, and the overall effect is big and bold.

Dietitian-Approved Lunch Ideas for Kids

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Dietitian-Approved Lunch Ideas for Kids





Dietitian-Approved Lunch Ideas for Kids




























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Anti-inflammatory Ginger Turmeric Immunity Shots

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Anti-inflammatory Ginger Turmeric Immunity Shots

When the seasons change, or when I’ve been around a lot of the sniffles, I like to make a big batch of elderberry syrup. While that’s always been a staple around our home, I also like to change up my immune boosting remedies. I’ve made all sorts of herbal concoctions over the years, but this simple ginger, turmeric, and lemon immunity shot is one I keep coming back to.

It’s warming and a little spicy, with a vibrant golden color thanks to the antioxidants. Best of all, it’s packed with nutrients that support the immune system, calm inflammation, and help the liver with detox. I sometimes sweeten it with raw honey to take the earthy edge off of the spices. If you’re feeling fancy, swap out the water for coconut water or pineapple juice for a tropical twist.

Why I Love These Ingredients

Fresh Ginger

Ginger is a staple in my kitchen for both cooking and natural remedies. I use it for everything from easing upset stomachs to calming coughs. It’s naturally warming, supports healthy circulation, and contains compounds that can help reduce inflammation. If you eat ginger you can feel it working almost immediately to warm the body. 

Fresh Lemon Juice

Fresh lemon juice adds a bright flavor and a welcome dose of vitamin C. It’s great for supporting immune health and can help soothe a scratchy throat. I also find that lemon gives this drink a refreshing balance. It cuts through the spice of the ginger and the earthiness of the turmeric to brighten it up. Lemon is also a great way to detox. 

Fresh Turmeric

Many recognize turmeric for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. I love using it to support joint health, digestion, and liver function. Fresh turmeric root works great for this recipe and lends an earthy, complex flavor and a bright yellow hue. Just remember, it will stain anything it touches, so be mindful when you’re making the immunity shots. 

Raw Honey 

The raw honey is optional, but it does help to mellow out the bite from the ginger and turmeric. Honey has natural antibacterial properties, can soothe sore throats, and adds a mellow sweetness. Local, raw honey can help combat seasonal allergies and is high in antioxidants and nutrients. It can even help reduce mucus and calm coughs as well as some over the counter cough syrups.

Optional Base Swap

While plain water works just fine, sometimes I’ll use coconut water for extra electrolytes. Pineapple juice is another great option for natural sweetness. Pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain to help better digest food and calm coughs. Other research shows bromelain can help with issues like preventing sinusitis, bronchitis, and blood clots. Both options pair beautifully with the ginger and turmeric.

Here’s how to make your own anti-inflammatory, immune boosting wellness “shots.”

Anti-inflammatory Ginger Turmeric Immunity Shots

These spicy, flavorful “shots” help keep your immune system in shape. Plus they’re anti-inflammatory and energizing.

  • 2 inches fresh ginger
  • 2 inches fresh turmeric root
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tsp raw honey (optional)

  • Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Add more honey if desired to balance the spiciness.

  • Strain out the solids and compost or discard.

  • Enjoy your drink!

Nutrition Facts

Anti-inflammatory Ginger Turmeric Immunity Shots

Amount Per Serving (1 shot)

Calories 25
Calories from Fat 3

% Daily Value*

Fat 0.3g0%

Saturated Fat 0.1g1%

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g

Monounsaturated Fat 0.1g

Sodium 5mg0%

Potassium 95mg3%

Carbohydrates 6g2%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 0.3g1%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 8mg1%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

  • These taste best fresh, but you can also store the drink in the fridge for several days. 
  • Dilute with more water if desired. 

A Quick Tip on Turmeric

Turmeric is wonderful, but it’s also notorious for staining countertops, wooden spoons, and anything light-colored. I’ve learned the hard way to wipe up any splashes right away.

Final Thoughts On Immunity Shots

This ginger, turmeric, and lemon immunity shot is a great way to keep your immune system strong all year long. It’s easy to make and tastes delicious. I’ve found that it’s a little too strong for younger children. However, you could try diluting in more water (or pineapple juice) and mixing more honey to mellow the flavor for little ones.

To boost the benefits even more, try stirring in a pinch of black pepper before serving! This helps your body absorb more of the curcumin from the turmeric. Play with the ingredients some and make it your own!

What are some of your favorite, easy ways to get a health boost? Leave a comment and let us know!

Jennifer’s New Gardening Journey in Minnesota

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Jennifer’s New Gardening Journey in Minnesota

Hi GPODers!

Few can pick up a paintbrush for the first time and recreate a Picasso in the same afternoon. Even fewer could try piano as a beginner and finish their first session with a perfect rendition of Beethoven. However, many can pot up some pretty plants and instantly create something spectacular where there once was nothing. This is not to downplay the amount of work that goes into gardening but to emphasize how a low barrier to entry makes this pastime accessible and easy to get hooked on. With a little research, trial, and error, you’re on the fast track to building beautiful beds that you’re constantly tweaking and upgrading. This is exactly the case for Jennifer Furan in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. She is a newer gardener, really getting into it after moving to her current home in 2021. In that short amount of time, she has done a lot of work to create an incredible garden with some seriously beautiful plants, as if this were a hobby she has been mastering for decades.

Hi GPODers! I’m a relatively new gardener, having moved to our current home in Eden Prairie, Minnesota in 2021. I garden in Zone 4b/5a on a suburban lot that’s about one-third of an acre. Our first task was to remove overgrown and unkempt junipers that surrounded the property at the borders, much to the neighbors’ delight. Then the tough part began: what to do with all of the suddenly empty garden beds. Year one was spent just doing my best to manage the weeds. Year two, I filled the space in with easy-care annuals, while I figured out this whole gardening thing. After hours of researching and listening to podcasts, of course, including Let’s Argue About Plants, I finally felt confident enough to start putting in perennials and shrubs. I’m sharing some pictures of my progress in the last two years.

The part-shade area of the back garden is a garden bed we share with the neighbors behind us. ‘Sun King’ aralia (Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’, Zones 4–8) has grown significantly in two years, with a ‘Euphoria Ruby’ Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum ‘FLOREUPRE1’, Zones 5–9) in front of it, which is in bud for the upcoming fall weather. To the right is ‘Brilliance’ autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora ‘Brilliance’, Zones 4–9) with heart-leaved golden Alexanders (Zizia aptera, Zones 3–8) from a local native plant nursery. The ‘Sun King’ aralia always catches my attention as I glance out the kitchen window while washing dishes, and never fails to put a smile on my face.

butterfly on pink phlox flowersThe best part of improving the garden spaces in our yard is the many visitors we are graced with each day. This swallowtail butterfly loved the ‘Jeana’ garden phlox (Phlox paniculata ‘Jeana’, Zones 4–8) that recently started blooming this season.

small garden bed with new plantingsI’ve quickly found the need to spontaneously create new garden spaces because I’ve run out of places to put new plants. And while I wait for plants to bulk up, this year I added annual verbena (Verbena bonariensis, Zones 7–11 or as an annual) to help fill in the space. The monarchs and bumblebees have particularly loved this addition.

From back to front and left to right: ‘Summer Wine’ ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Seward’, Zones 3–7), ‘Blackhawks’ big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’, Zones 3–9), Verbena bonariensis, Rock ’N Grow® ‘Midnight Velvet’ sedum (Sedum ‘Midnight Velvet’, Zones 3–9), and ‘Ogon’ spirea (Spiraea thunbergii ‘Ogon’, Zones 4–8).

garden bed along sidewalkLast spring I took on the perhaps ill-advised task of converting a 60-foot-long and 20-foot-deep area of grass along the road into a new garden space. The impetus for this was that I was tired of repairing this area each spring and trying to grow grass that never took in this full-sun space with the radiant heat from the black pavement street. I put in a mix of plants native to my area and ornamentals. It has been fun to see the pollinator activity. Gardening in the front yard resulted in a lot of questions from neighbors who didn’t necessarily understand what I was doing. In this second year, those same neighbors have transitioned to complimenting how the garden is looking.

Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa, Zones 3–9, left), ‘Montrose White’ calamint (Calamintha nepeta ‘Montrose White’, Zones 5–9, right), with purple poppy mallow (Callirhoe involucrata, Zones 4–8, in front)

white flowersAlso in this new front yard garden: ‘White Swan’ coneflower (Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’, Zones 3–8) with our native pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea, Zones 3–8)

flower-filled front gardenAnother view of this front garden: ‘White Swan’ coneflower backed up with old field goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis, Zones 3–9), New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus, Zones 3–8), ‘Summer Romance’ and ‘Pink Cotton’ Candy’ betony (Stachys officinalis ‘Summer Romance’ and ‘Pink Cotton’, Zones 4–8), butterfly weed, ‘Montrose White’ calamint, and purple poppy mallow

chair under small trees in gardenAll of the gardening work has led to me wanting to find ways to relax in the shade. This is a favorite spot under a ‘Whitespire’ birch (Betula populifolia ‘Whitespire’, Zones 3–6) with a new glider bench. I’ve put together a small fountain consisting of a cement outdoor pot filled with large rocks to act as landing perches for birds and pollinators, and adding a solar water pump. It creates the perfect space to relax, especially after a long day working in the garden.

Front: ‘Lemon Zest’ Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘HakBri1’, Zones 5–9), hellebores, and FlowerFull smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens ‘Baiful’, Zones 3–8)

Thank you so much for sharing your impressive plantings with us, Jen! It’s clear to see the research you did before purchasing your plants; you’ve amassed some superb specimens that will undoubtably mature into an incredible garden oasis.

Just as gardening has a low barrier to entry, Garden Photo of the Day does not have any entry requirements! No matter how much experience you have, what kinds of plants you grow, or what your goals with this hobby are, we would love to highlight your garden. Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.

 

We want to see YOUR garden!

Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!

To submit, send 5–10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.

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Roasted Garlic Tahini Sauce (for Pasta)

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Roasted Garlic Tahini Sauce (for Pasta)

Roasted garlic tahini sauce has a rich, creamy texture and is infused with the flavor of sweet, savory roasted garlic cloves. Create delicious pasta suppers in an instant by adding the sauce to your favorite freshly cooked pasta shape. Or, keep a jar of the sauce in your fridge to use as a dip, sandwich spread, or topping for grain bowls.

This roasted garlic tahini sauce is adjacent to tahini dressing, which is a weekly staple in my home.

What distinguishes the sauce from a dressing it’s thicker, richer consistency. It’s suitable as a dip or a sandwich spread. But it’s downright ideal for mixing with freshly cooked pasta and a splash of hot pasta water.

The sauce isn’t my first experiment with tahini and pasta (or noodle) combination. Creamy tahini pesto and a curried tahini pasta salad are both favorites of mine, especially during the summer months.

An overhead image of a glass jar, which has been filled with creamy tahini pesto.An overhead image of a glass jar, which has been filled with creamy tahini pesto.
Curried Tahini Pasta Salad | The Full HelpingCurried Tahini Pasta Salad | The Full Helping

This sauce, and the pasta that results from it, is reminiscent of alfredo. However, it’s a little lighter than the various cashew or cauliflower-based alfredo sauces that I’ve made over the years.

More importantly, it features the intense and irresistable flavor of roasted garlic.

The magic of roasted garlic + tahini

Roasted garlic and tahini are an ideal match.

Oven-roasting softens the aggressive, spicy kick of raw garlic cloves. The flavor of roasted garlic is very nearly sweet, which is a perfect counterpoint to the slight bitterness of tahini.

I’ve relied on the roasted garlic and tahini combo to make white bean dip and smashed white bean salad.

A creamy vegan white bean dip has been piled into a small white bowl.A creamy vegan white bean dip has been piled into a small white bowl.

I suppose it was only a matter of time before I combined the ingredients into a sauce.

One jar, many pasta possibilities

While it’s good to have a go-to list of complete pasta recipes, it’s also so useful to have a trusty jar of sauce at the ready.

From there, you can dress up different pasta shapes and make any additions—protein or vegetable—that suit you.

A jar of marinara sauce is a household staple for me and many others, of course. But it’s good to mix things up, and it’s especially nice for those who don’t like or can’t tolerate tomato-based sauces to have a trusty alternative.

Once you’ve got a jar of roasted garlic tahini sauce in the fridge, you can take your pasta meals in many directions. Try adding roasted vegetables, such as eggplant, peppers, or cauliflower.

For something fresher and with more texture contrast, you can mix the roasted garlic tahini sauce and pasta with crisp, steamed veggies.

It’s so good with all manner of peas: shelled peas, snow peas, or sugar snap peas. (That combination is what you see pictured in this post!)

A Grain, a Green, a Bean

A simple trinity of plant-based foods—grains, greens, and beans—will set you up to create an array of beautifully balanced and complete meals. Bring the beans and grains in your pantry to life with more than 80 wholesome recipes and a world of possibilities!

If the grain + bean + green combo speaks to you, you can create a pasta dish with crispy roasted chickpeas and lightly sautéed spinach or kale. Or you could use chicken-style soy curls for an even more protein-packed meal.

Any one, two, or three of these pasta dishes could appear on your dinner table over the course of a couple weeks. As written, this recipe will create four servings, enough for about 8 ounces of pasta + add-ins.

However, doubling the batch will give you something to freeze and use later. Increasingly, multi-tasking staple sauces like this one have become absolutely essential to my meal prep.

How to make roasted garlic tahini sauce

Step one: roast the garlic

To roast garlic, I begin by slicing the top of a bulb of garlic off crosswise. I drizzle some oil over the exposed cloves, then I wrap the whole bulb in foil.

This recipe calls for two bulbs of garlic, which sounds like a lot. But the beauty of roasting garlic is that even two bulbs won’t be overpowering in flavor. Oven-roasting mellows garlic in the best possible way.

Once you’ve prepared your bulbs for roasting, pop them into the oven for about 35 minutes.

A bulb of garlic with its top sliced off crosswise is pictured on top of a sheet of foil.A bulb of garlic with its top sliced off crosswise is pictured on top of a sheet of foil.
Cut the top of a bulb of garlic off and wrap it in foil for easy roasting.
Two bulbs of freshly roasted garlic are cut to expose caramelized cloves within. They rest on a small fluted plate.Two bulbs of freshly roasted garlic are cut to expose caramelized cloves within. They rest on a small fluted plate.
Once roasted, the cloves of garlic will be a deep, golden brown and very soft.

After roasting, the garlic cloves will have shrunken and turned a golden color. Once you allow them to cool a little, you ought to be able to pop them out of the bulb by squeezing it from the bottom.

Step 2: Add the garlic to the tahini sauce base

After roasting the garlic, you’ll add it to the other ingredients needed for the sauce.

These include the usual suspects: tahini, water, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. The olive oil helps to create an emulsified, silky texture when the sauce is added to pasta. Without it, the sauce is less smooth and luxurious.

I also add nutritional yeast to the sauce. This adds a hint of savory, cheesy flavor, which makes the sauce reminiscent of, but not identical to, alfredo.

Add all of these components to your blender or food processor. Squeeze the freshly roasted garlic cloves in after them.

Step 3: Blend (or process)

Finally, blend or process the ingredients into a silky sauce. Transfer it to a jar and store the jar in your fridge for up to five days, or freeze it for up to six weeks.

A jar of creamy white sauce is poured into a glass storage container. It rests on a white surface.A jar of creamy white sauce is poured into a glass storage container. It rests on a white surface.
The sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to five days or frozen for up to six weeks.

Optional step 4: Make pasta

If you’d like to make pasta with the roasted garlic tahini sauce, go ahead and bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil.

Add eight ounces of any pasta shape to the water and cook it according to package instructions (or to your preferred texture).

When you drain the pasta, be sure to reserve about one cup / 240ml of the hot pasta water. Return the pasta, along with any other components you like (roasted or steamed vegetables, beans, toasted pine nuts, etc.) to the pot over low heat, along with the sauce.

Add a half cup / 120ml of the pasta water to the pot. Give everything a stir and heat it through. Continue adding splashes of pasta water as needed, until the pasta is creamy but has some lightness and looseness. Plate and enjoy!

A roasted garlic tahini sauce has been used to make a light, creamy vegan pasta. It's served in a low, round white bowl.A roasted garlic tahini sauce has been used to make a light, creamy vegan pasta. It's served in a low, round white bowl.
The sauce can be stored or used right away to make a creamy pasta with add-ins of choice.

Alternative serving suggestions

If you like the idea of this sauce but aren’t especially excited about pasta, there are many other things you can use it for.

A few bowls that would be especially good with the sauce spooned on top: quinoa beet bowls, warm winter squash bowls, and vegan harvest bowls.

Keep in mind that the sauce is thick, intended originally to be thinned with pasta water. I recommend diluting it with a few tablespoons of extra water if you use it for drizzling.

A sandwich, made with toasted white bread, is pictured on a round, white plate. The sandwich is topped with mayonnaise, pickled vegetables, and slices of baked tofu.A sandwich, made with toasted white bread, is pictured on a round, white plate. The sandwich is topped with mayonnaise, pickled vegetables, and slices of baked tofu.
A white mixing bowl has been filled with chopped artichoke hearts, chickpeas, diced red onion, celery, mayonnaise, and seaweed flakes.A white mixing bowl has been filled with chopped artichoke hearts, chickpeas, diced red onion, celery, mayonnaise, and seaweed flakes.

I’d use the sauce for all kinds of sandwiches. Roasted garlic is such a more interesting flavor than traditional mayo! It would be an excellent base for my vegan chickpea tuna with artichoke hearts and chickpeas, too.

Finally, you can try serving the sauce as a dip. It’s great with crudité, sure, but it’s also great for dunking sheet pan smashed broccoli florets or roasted cauliflower florets, crispy artichokes, or air-fryer mushrooms.

A roasted garlic tahini sauce has been used to make a light, creamy vegan pasta. It's served in a low, round white bowl.

Roasted Garlic Tahini Sauce (for Pasta)

Author – Gena Hamshaw

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Yields: 4 servings

  • 2 bulbs garlic
  • 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
  • 1/4 cup tahini (60 mL)
  • 1/4 cup water (60 mL)
  • 1 1/2-2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (adjust to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 8 ounces pasta shape of choice (for serving, if desired)

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F / 190°C. Use a chef’s knife to slice off the top 3/4-inch/2 cm of each bulb of garlic in a crosswise fashion, exposing the cloves. Drizzle each head with a teaspoon of olive oil. Wrap each bulb in foil and transfer them to a baking sheet. Roast the bulbs for 30-35 minutes, or until the cloves are tender and browning. Set the bulbs aside to cool for 10 minutes.

  • Add the tahini, water, lemon juice (starting with 1 1/2 tablespoons—you can add more to taste once you blend up the sauce), the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper to a blender. Invert each of the two roasted garlic bulbs over the blender and squeeze out all of the roasted cloves into the sauce mixture. 

  • Blend the sauce for 1-2 minutes, or until thick and smooth. Transfer it to an airtight storage container. At this point, it can be stored for up to 5 days in the fridge or frozen for up to 6 weeks. 

  • When you’re ready to use the sauce, boil your pasta shape of choice according to package instructions. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup / 240ml of the hot pasta water. Return the pasta, along with any add-ins of choice (roasted vegetables, a bean, steamed greens, etc.) to the pot over low heat, along with the sauce*. Add 1/2 cup / 120ml of the pasta water. Heat and stir to incorporate the sauce into the pasta and serve. 

  • The sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days and frozen for up to six weeks.

*If you’re making smaller portions of pasta, rather than a full 8 ounces, you’ll need about 2-3 tablespoons of the sauce per 2-3 ounce serving of pasta. 
**Try thinning the sauce with a couple tablespoons of water if using it as a dip or a sauce for drizzling.
A roasted garlic tahini sauce has been used to make a light, creamy vegan pasta. It's served in a low, round white bowl.A roasted garlic tahini sauce has been used to make a light, creamy vegan pasta. It's served in a low, round white bowl.

If you’ve been aiming to make more homemade staples and sauces lately—and especially if you love tahini—then this recipe will serve you well. It’s easy and reliable, and I hope you’ll enjoy it!

xo

Public health experts dismayed by RFK Jr.’s defunding of mRNA vaccine research : Shots

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Public health experts dismayed by RFK Jr.’s defunding of mRNA vaccine research : Shots

A researcher works at the Moderna headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In May, the Trump administration pulled over $700 million committed to Moderna for developing future flu vaccines, and this week it canceled another $500 million in grants to various institutions researching mRNA vaccines.

Adam Glanzman/Bloomberg/Getty Images


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Adam Glanzman/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Trump administration is canceling almost $500 million in contracts to develop mRNA vaccines to protect the U.S. against future viral threats. The move thrilled critics of the technology but horrified many public health and biosecurity experts.

The federal Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), which oversees the nation’s defenses against biological attacks, is terminating 22 contracts with university researchers and private companies to develop new uses for the mRNA technology, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday.

The mRNA technology was used by the first Trump administration to create the most commonly used COVID-19 vaccines, which are widely considered a medical triumph that safely and effectively saved millions of lives. But vaccine mandates during the pandemic sowed fierce antipathy toward the technology, leading to widespread public opposition.

One chicken in a long row of caged chickens lowers its head to feed at a trough.

“Let me be absolutely clear: HHS supports safe, effective vaccines for every American who wants them,” Kennedy said in a video explaining the decision. “That’s why we’re moving beyond the limitations of mRNA vaccines for respiratory viruses and investing in better solutions.”

The announcement dismayed many who study infectious disease.

“This may be the most dangerous public health judgment that I’ve seen in my 50 years in this business,” says Michael Osterholm, who runs the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. “It is baseless, and we will pay a tremendous price in terms of illnesses and deaths. I’m extremely worried about it.”

But the decision was welcomed by vaccine critics like the group Children’s Health Defense, which Kennedy himself founded.

“While we believe the mRNA vaccines should be taken off the market, the announcement is a positive move towards protecting public health,” said Mary Holland, the group’s president and CEO, in a statement.

Jennifer Nuzzo strongly disagrees. She runs the Brown University School of Public Health’s Pandemic Center and says the move could erode preparedness for future pandemics.

“This is a profoundly disappointing development,” she says. “When there’s the next pandemic, we’re going to be caught flat-footed. It absolutely leaves the country vulnerable.”

Nuzzo and others aren’t just worried about the next pandemic. Many experts say mRNA vaccines would provide a crucial deterrent and powerful defense against bioterrorists.

“I think that it endangers the national security of the United States,” says Chris Meekins, a top biodefense official in the first Trump administration. “It could put the U.S. at a strategic national security disadvantage and would be a significant threat to the national security of the United States.”

A sign at an employees'entrance to the National Institute of Health campus in Bethesda, Maryland.

In announcing his decision, Kennedy claimed the COVID-19 vaccines were unsafe and ineffective, helped drive the evolution of the virus and could not keep up with new mutations.

“After reviewing the science and consulting top experts at NIH and FDA, HHS has determined that mRNA technology poses more risk than benefits against these respiratory viruses,” Kennedy said.

Many outside experts say Kennedy’s claims are wrong.

“His science is backwards, as it often is,” says Dr. Peter Hotez, who is the dean of Baylor College of Medicine’s National School of Tropical Medicine and who runs the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development. “This is a proven technology for emerging respiratory viruses or respiratory virus pandemics. It is extremely safe and has been incredibly effective.”

mRNA vaccines work by stimulating the immune system with a key protein from a virus. Kennedy says the federal government is instead investing in an alternative technology that uses whole killed viruses and can produce “natural immunity.”

While that technology has produced effective vaccines, it’s a much older approach that can have safety issues and is not nearly as nimble in responding to new threats, experts say.

“It is irresponsible to strip funding from future technologies with great potential and shift it towards outdated old-fashioned technologies,” says Rick Bright, who ran BARDA during the first Trump administration. “We’re taking our country from 2025 back to 1940, and we all know that’s a recipe for disaster and failure.”

The mRNA technology is the only vaccine technology that can be developed quickly enough to respond swiftly to a new pathogenic threat, experts say.

“In an outbreak, when you are facing a rapidly spreading virus — whether it’s from nature or a nation-state adversary — speed is the name of the game,” Bright says.

The administration previously canceled a $766 million contract with the vaccine company Moderna to develop an mRNA vaccine to protect people against flu strains with pandemic potential.

Many fear moves like this will continue to undermine public trust in vaccines generally and mRNA technology specifically, which is also showing promise for treating diseases, most notably cancer.

“The deleterious impact is not only in the contracts that they’re canceling, but they’re trying to make the case to the public that mRNA technology doesn’t work very well and it’s unsafe,” Hotez says. “And that’s absolutely untrue.”

23 Perennials to Plant in August to Bloom through Fall

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23 Perennials to Plant in August to Bloom through Fall

August is considered as the second growing season, as the soil is still warm and the plant roots has enough time to grow stronger. Above that, your plants won’t have to tolerate extreme heat.

There are several hardy perennials that you can direct sow in August and expect to bloom through fall.

Most gardeners prefer perennials as they come back every year once established, making them cost effective.

Along with climatic conditions in your region, it is important to choose the right hardy perennials that can thrive in cool weather and continue to bloom in fall.

Russian sage, Japanese Anemones, Salvia, Purple coneflower and Black-Eyed Susan are few common perennials that can be planted in August.

Importance of Deciding Flowering Perennials to Plant in August

Choosing the right perennial variety is absolutely crucial for August planting success, as it directly impacts plant establishment, winter survival, and future growth performance.

The variety determines critical factors like cold hardiness for your specific USDA zone, mature size for proper spacing, bloom time for seasonal interest, and soil requirements that must align with your garden conditions.

When selecting perennial varieties for August planting, prioritize cold-hardy options suited to your zone with proven track records of quick establishment, and look for compact or dwarf varieties that focus energy on root development rather than excessive top growth.

Choose varieties with staggered bloom times to ensure continuous color, and verify their mature spread to avoid overcrowding issues.

For August planting, established seedlings or small potted plants are strongly preferred over direct sowing since they have developed root systems that can quickly adapt to transplanting and establish before frost.

23 Perennial Flowers to Plant in August

Strategic August planting capitalizes on the seasonal transition when soil warmth promotes rapid root growth while decreasing daylight hours signal plants to focus their energy on establishing strong foundations rather than producing excessive foliage.

Below listed are such common perennials, check them out.

1. Russian Sage

Russian sage features silvery-gray foliage and tall spikes of lavender-purple flowers, creating a soft, airy effect in the garden. Its aromatic leaves shimmer in sunlight, and the blooms add movement and texture to borders and mass plantings.

This hardy perennial thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, tolerating poor, rocky, or alkaline conditions once established.

Plant in spring after frost, spacing 2–3 feet apart. Water regularly during the first year to establish roots, then reduce watering as the plant becomes drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.

2. Holly Fern

Holly ferns feature dark green, glossy fronds with holly-like leaflets and a soft texture, forming elegant, arching clumps that provide year-round structure in shaded gardens. These evergreen perennials thrive in rich, moist, well-drained soil and prefer partial to full shade.

Once established, they tolerate short droughts and adapt well to woodland settings or shady borders. Plant in spring in humus-rich soil, spacing 2–3 feet apart.

Water regularly during establishment, then maintain consistent moisture to support healthy growth and attractive frond development.

Also Read: 23 Best Perennials that Grow in Shade

3. New England Aster

New England asters burst into bloom in late summer and fall with masses of purple-pink daisy-like flowers and golden centers. Growing 3–6 feet tall, they add bold vertical interest and attract bees and butterflies.

These hardy natives thrive in full sun and moist, well-drained soil, tolerating clay, short droughts, and tough roadside spots across zones 4–8.

Plant in spring or early fall, spacing 2–3 feet apart. Water during establishment, then pinch stems by half in early summer to encourage bushier growth and reduce flopping.

4. Bluebeard

Bluebeard produces airy clusters of cornflower-blue blooms atop fragrant, silvery-green foliage in late summer, offering color and texture when many plants fade. This compact shrub grows 2–3 feet tall, attracting butterflies and adding late-season charm to sunny borders.

Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, it prefers full sun and well-drained, loamy soil. In colder zones (5–9), it dies back in winter and regrows like a perennial. Plant in spring or fall, space 3 feet apart, water during establishment, and cut back in early spring for fresh growth and blooms.

5. Japanese Anemone

Japanese anemones offer delicate pink or white flowers with golden centers from late summer to fall, rising on tall stems above dark green, lobed foliage.

Reaching 2–4 feet, they naturalize beautifully in partial shade. These perennials thrive in rich, moist, well-draining soil with morning sun and afternoon shade. Plant in spring, spacing 2 feet apart, and mulch to retain moisture.

Water regularly during the growing season and divide clumps every 1–2 years to control spread and maintain plant health.

6. Black-Eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susans produce golden-yellow daisy-like blooms with dark centers from summer to fall, reaching 2–3 feet tall. Their sturdy stems and coarse green foliage attract butterflies, bees, and birds like goldfinches.

Thriving in full sun to part shade, they adapt to various soils, resist deer, and tolerate drought once established. Plant in spring, spacing 11 inches apart.

Water regularly during the first season; reduce watering afterward as plants self-seed and become low-maintenance perennials with excellent heat tolerance.

Also Read: 17 Shade Loving Perennials to Beautify your Garden

7. Purple Coneflower

Purple coneflowers feature drooping purple-pink petals and spiky bronze-orange centers, attracting pollinators and birds.

These 3–5 ft. tall natives thrive in full sun and lean, well-drained soil, tolerating drought, heat, and poor conditions (zones 3–9). Plant in spring, space 18 inches apart, water sparingly, and divide clumps every 3–4 years in fall to maintain vigor.

8. Daylilies

Daylilies produce vibrant, trumpet-shaped blooms in shades from gold to burgundy, each lasting a day but blooming for weeks. Their arching, grass-like foliage forms lush clumps that thrive in full sun or part shade.

Adaptable to various soils, they prefer well-drained, slightly acidic conditions. Plant in spring or fall, 2–3 feet apart. Water regularly during year one, then reduce as they naturalize and spread.

9. Coreopsis

Coreopsis offers bright, daisy-like flowers in yellows, oranges, and bicolors from early summer to fall. Its fine-textured foliage forms neat mounds that attract butterflies and make great cut flowers.

Thriving in full sun and well-drained, lean soils, it’s drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. Plant after frost, 12–20 inches apart. Water during establishment, then let dry conditions encourage self-seeding.

10. Hardy Chrysanthemum

Hardy chrysanthemums bloom in vibrant fall colors—yellow, rust, maroon, purple, and white—offering late-season beauty when other flowers fade. Their aromatic, gray-green foliage forms sturdy mounds that support masses of daisy-like flowers.

These perennials thrive in full sun to light shade and moist, well-drained soil. Plant in spring or early summer, spacing 18–24 inches apart.

Water regularly during establishment, fertilize in spring, and pinch stems in early summer to promote bushy growth and abundant blooms by fall.

Also Read: 19 Plants that Have Heart Shaped Leaves

11. Autumn Joy Stonecrop

Autumn Joy stonecrop produces pink blooms that deepen to rose-red, then bronze in fall, offering long-lasting seasonal interest.

Thick, gray-green foliage and upright stems form tidy clumps. This drought-tolerant succulent thrives in full sun and lean, well-drained soil. Plant in spring, 18–24 inches apart. Water sparingly, avoiding rich soils or overwatering to prevent rot.

12. Dahlia

Dahlias offer dazzling blooms from late summer to frost in colors from red and pink to bicolored varieties. Their upright stems and lush foliage make them a favorite for cutting gardens and pollinators.

Plant tubers in spring, 18 inches apart and 4–6 inches deep. Use rich, well-drained soil and provide consistent moisture during growth. Avoid watering until shoots appear, and feed regularly. They need full sun and frost protection in cold climates.

13. Helenium

Helenium brings warm autumn hues—gold, red, orange—to borders from mid-summer to late fall. Its daisy-like flowers attract bees and butterflies. This sun-loving perennial prefers moist, fertile soil with good drainage.

Plant in spring or fall, spacing 2–3 feet apart. Water regularly and mulch during dry spells. Staking may be needed in rainy areas to support tall, upright growth and prolific flowering.

14. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)

Blanket flower delivers vivid red, orange, and yellow blooms from spring to fall. Its low mounding form and drought tolerance suit poor, sandy soils.

Plant in full sun, spacing 12–18 inches apart. Water during establishment, then sparingly. Overly rich or wet soils can reduce flowering and plant health.

15. Shasta Daisy

Shasta daisies bloom with classic white petals and yellow centers from summer to fall. These hardy perennials reach up to 4 feet tall and are deer-resistant.

Plant in full sun or light shade in well-drained, organic soil, spacing 1–2 feet apart. Water regularly during establishment and maintain moisture during dry spells. They make excellent cut flowers and attract butterflies to the garden.

16. Yarrow

Yarrow features flat flower clusters in white, yellow, pink, and red atop fragrant, fern-like foliage. This tough perennial thrives in full sun and lean, dry soils, tolerating drought and poor conditions.

Plant in spring, 12–18 inches apart. Water lightly to establish, then sparingly, as too much moisture or fertility causes floppiness and reduced flowering.

17. Bee Balm (Monarda)

Bee balm produces bright, spiky blooms in red, pink, purple, or white that attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.

Its minty foliage also repels mosquitoes. This tall perennial prefers full sun to part shade and rich, moist, compost-enriched soil. Space 24–28 inches apart in spring.

Water regularly to maintain moisture and prevent stress. Provide good airflow to reduce mildew risk and divide every 3–4 years to keep plants vigorous and prevent center die-out.

18. Turtlehead (Chelone)

Turtlehead blooms from July to October with snapdragon-like flowers in pink, purple, or white. Glossy foliage and upright growth make it ideal for moist areas like pond edges. It thrives in rich, consistently wet soil in sun or part shade.

Space 18–24 inches apart in spring. Keep soil evenly moist and divide every few years to control spread and encourage strong flowering.

19. Sedum

Sedums range from low groundcovers to upright succulents with fleshy leaves and clustered starry blooms.

Perfect for dry, poor, or rocky soils, they love full sun and need excellent drainage. Plant in spring with minimal watering. Avoid rich soil, which can lead to weak growth or rot.

20. Heuchera (Coral Bells)

Heuchera offers colorful foliage in purple, silver, chartreuse, and more, topped by delicate flower spikes that attract pollinators.

This compact perennial thrives in partial shade but adapts to sun or shade. Plant in spring, 12–18 inches apart in well-drained, humus-rich soil.

Maintain consistent moisture without sogginess, especially in hot spells. Coral bells are excellent for edging, containers, and adding year-round interest to garden beds, with evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage depending on climate and variety.

21. Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’

Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’ blooms mid-summer to fall with golden-yellow flowers and dark centers atop compact, disease-resistant foliage. Thriving in sun and well-drained soil, it tolerates drought, clay, and heat.

Plant in spring, spacing 18–24 inches apart. Water during establishment and maintain moisture through the season. Divide every few years to prevent overcrowding and renew vigor.

22. Veronica (Speedwell)

Veronica produces vibrant flower spikes in blue, purple, or pink over neat clumps of green foliage, blooming for weeks in summer. These sun-loving perennials grow 6 inches to 4 feet tall, depending on type.

Plant in spring, 15–18 inches apart in well-drained soil. Water consistently and deadhead spent blooms to extend flowering.

They’re deer-resistant, drought-tolerant, and loved by butterflies and hummingbirds.

Also Read: What To Do With Hellebores When Finished Flowering?

23. Ligularia

Ligularia adds bold texture with its large leaves and tall yellow to orange flowers in mid-to-late summer.

It thrives in full to partial shade and consistently moist, rich soil, making it perfect for boggy spots or waterside planting.

Space plants 2–3 feet apart in spring and mulch heavily to retain moisture. Protect from afternoon sun to prevent wilting, and water regularly to support lush growth. Some varieties have dramatic foliage for added ornamental value.

Also Read: How to Grow Everlasting Sweet Peas?

Conclusion

Planting perennials in August gives your garden a head start for next spring. Warm soil and cooler nights encourage strong root development, helping plants establish before winter.

By choosing hardy, drought-tolerant, or late-blooming varieties suited to your climate, you’ll enjoy lasting color, structure, and pollinator benefits.

With a bit of planning and care, August plantings will reward you with vigorous, resilient growth in seasons to come.

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