Sun-drenched days. Lazy vacations. Juicy, farm-fresh produce. There’s so much to celebrate about summer that you won’t want to miss a moment. These insider secrets will help you get your timing just right - so you can make the most of the season and avoid little mistakes that squash the fun.

Catch Fireflies

A lightning bug’s nighttime flashes are love’s Morse code - intended by males to attract the opposite sex.

Best time and place to catch fireflies: Early evening and later - some stop blinking by 10 p.m., while others continue until midnight. Find an area away from street lights and house lights; the best habitat includes the edge of woods, meadows, and lawns as well as near streams. These blinking beetles generally emerge and are active between early June and early to mid-August, but the season varies geographically. The Museum of Science in Boston has a state-by-state “schedule” at mos.org/fireflywatch. After you catch a few and gently place them in a jar (with holes in the lid), be sure to release them.

Savoring Summer’s Classic Flavors

A few tips can help you keep sun-ripened produce fresh from your garden or local farm stand at its best.

Best way to store summer bounty: Don’t put vine-ripened tomatoes in the refrigerator - the cold zaps their flavor. They’ll keep best on your kitchen counter, out of direct sunlight, for two to three days.

Watermelons (a ripe one makes a dull thud when you thump on it) can be stored, uncut, at room temperature for several days. Once sliced, watermelon will keep in the fridge for two to three days.

Love peaches? Ripe ones will keep in the refrigerator for three to five days. Stash unripened peaches in a loosely closed paper bag on the counter until ready to eat - the flesh will give slightly when pressed.

Camping Out

You don’t need to wait for the perfect weekend or until your vacation time begins!

Best time and place to pitch your tent: Any warm night in your own backyard. You’re outdoors, but still close to running water and bathroom facilities (a plus for little kids and new or reluctant campers). Pick a flat spot, clear any little rocks and sticks, and get set up. Dress your clan in long pants and long-sleeved shirts for protection from mosquito bites, or use an insect repellent approved for use on children (natural repellents with 26 percent oil of lemon eucalyptus are effective for up to four hours) as directed.

If you enjoy stargazing, aim for a moonless night - when it’s easier to spot constellations. Schedule an extra-special campout in mid-August to look for the Perseid meteor shower (August 13 in 2012) in the northeastern part of the sky around 11 p.m.

Flying a Kite

Think spring is the right time to launch a kite? Summer is even better. Spring breezes can be too strong or come in sharp gusts that make keeping your favorite model aloft tricky.

Best weather for flying a kite: A day with blue skies and gentle-to-moderate winds of about 8 to 18 miles per hour, according to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. A classic diamond-shaped kite flies best in light winds of 4 to 12 miles per hour, while a sturdy box kite soars in stronger 13 to 31 mph air currents.