Summer Vegetable-Garden Check-in with Niki Jabbour

Vegetables
Written By Steven Biggs
Niki Jabbour, author of The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener, Groundbreaking Food Gardens, Veggie Garden Remix—and her latest book, Growing Under Cover (available for pre-order now)

Niki Jabbour, author of The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener, Groundbreaking Food Gardens, Veggie Garden Remix—and her latest book, Growing Under Cover (available for pre-order now)

We chat with garden expert and author Niki Jabbour in Halifax, Nova Scotia to find out what’s new in her vegetable garden this summer, how things are growing, and for tips for new gardeners.

Her top advice for people who want to start growing food but haven’t started this year:

“There’s lots of things you can still plant, even in the coming weeks—so don’t think that you’ve missed the boat!”

Greenhouse versus Garden

  • Her greenhouse tomato plants are a good two weeks ahead—and far bigger than those growing in the garden

Straw-Bale Update

  • Niki grows in straw bales every year. They are doing well this year…the challenge in this hot summer is keeping them well watered

Fun Crops

  • Ever heard of ‘Itachi’ cucumber or ‘Black Kat’ pumpkin?

Succession Planting

  • Niki has lots of ideas for succession planting from this point onwards, including carrots, beets, and winter radishes

Growing Under Cover by Niki Jabbour

Growing Under Cover by Niki Jabbour

New Book

  • Niki’s new book, Growing Under Cover: Techniques for a More Productive, Weather-Resistant, Pest-Free Vegetable Garden, comes out in December 2020—and is available for pre-order now!

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Steven Biggs

Recognized by Garden Making Magazine as one of the "green gang" of Canadians making a difference in horticulture, Steven Biggs is a horticulturist, former college instructor, and award-winning broadcaster and author. His passion is helping home gardeners grow food in creative and attractive ways.


He’s the author of eight gardening books, including the Canadian bestseller No Guff Vegetable Gardening. His articles have appeared in Canada’s Local Gardener, Mother Earth News, Fine Gardening, Garden Making, Country Guide, Edible Toronto, and other magazines.


Along with over 30 years working in the horticultural sector and a horticultural-science major at the University of Guelph, Steven’s experience includes hands-on projects in his own garden including wicking beds, driveway strawbale gardens, and a rooftop tomato plantation—to the ongoing amusement of neighbours.


When not in the garden, you might catch him recording his award-winning Food Garden Life podcast or canoeing in Algonquin Park.

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