There is more to do than just weeding to keep your harvest going strong
My first memories of avegetable gardenare of large sunflowers ( Helianthusannuusand cvs . , annual ) growing in our backyard when I was about five age sometime and my mom was work diligently to feed our grow sept . A healthy and productive garden needs attention . In the midsummer , this necessitate keeping a watchful oculus out to get our plants through the heat , unpredictable rains , and various cuss that challenge us in theMidwest . Here are some maintenance tips to add to your summer garden to - do listing to keep your edible industrial plant tidy and productive .
Give vegetable plants 1 to 2 inches of water each week
Providing an even amount of soil wet for veggie plants is a critical component to their achiever . The summer can be very blistering and ironic in the Midwest . Tomatoesandpeppersare especially susceptible to problems without adequate water . Blossom death bunk is plebeian in both if they do not receive a weekly supply of 1 to 2 inches of water , whether by rainfall or irrigation . To further the plants to establish a bass root body structure , a cloggy soak is best ( instead of several light watering ) . Soil wet can also be regulated by establishing and maintaining a layermulch(preferably organic ) 2 inch abstruse or more . This has an added welfare ofsuppressing weed . Reapply mulch as necessary to keep the territory cover .
Keep foliage healthy to help minimize insect and disease problems
Insects and disease have a habit of appearing in the heat of the summer . As plant become stressed by the hot summer surroundings , they are more susceptible to these problems . Be watchful and law-abiding . Tomatoes , peppers , and other soft - skinned veggies can get sunscald if shaded portions of the yield are suddenly expose to sunshine . Keep the foliage sizeable to help prevent this from fall out . Selectively prune leaves and staunch to give up for full air circulation , and avoid overhead tearing ; crowded and wet leaf provides the optimum consideration for problems to set in .
Powdery mould foliage disease typically rear its vile head in June and July as a result of humid weather condition and poor air circulation . copper color fungicide is an effective organic control for this if direction is hold necessary . Clean up any pathologic foliage debris , and go on to avoid overhead tearing . Some variety show of plants are more susceptible than others , so do n’t be surprised if powdery mildew appear in an temporary pattern .
Use care when controlling problematic aphids, caterpillars, slugs, and snails
Aphids are a frequent problem for stressed plant . If you notice them early in low-pitched numbers , you’re able to murder them from your industrial plant with a strong spray of H2O from a garden hose . However , if a large infestation is present , insure aphid with neem oil or an insecticidal max are option to look at . Just be sure to conform to the recording label as directed , and utilise only when the temperature is cool , on a cloudy day or in the eve hour .
worm and Caterpillar can be a challenge for some vegetable plants . Be sure to distinguish any problematic worm or caterpillar before take action to control them . You do n’t want to harm good insect larvae . If direction is require , Bt ( Bacillus thuringiensis ) is an pick . It is a vulgar soil - carry bacterium that is a democratic organic pesticide toxic only to worm and caterpillars ( not harmful to humans or animals ) . When using this method acting , be careful to quash overspray , staying away from the host plants for monarch butterflies and any other endangered specie . Even when you are using a raw cuss control , thoughtful program program is necessary so that good insects are not harm .
Slugs and snails are a frequent problem for strawberry and other turgid - leaf plants . Beer trap have a proven record of process to controller slugs , as well as diatomaceous earth ( DE)—a nontoxic , organic control — and of course you could just pick them off and dispose of them .
Sow additional seeds in July for a fall harvest
As you finish the harvest of your earliest plantings , it is now time to start a second crop for harvest in the fall . July is the prime time to sow the seeds forfall cropsof Raphanus sativus longipinnatus , bush bean , pea plant , carrots , beet , spring onion , gelt , bok choy , dinero , and lettuce . As the weather condition cools , you could tally a craw of spinach ( it ’s just a moment too blistering to commence in July ) . I urge keep a notebook computer to track the public presentation of the mixed bag of vegetables you grow each year , as well as their location in the garden . rotate your crop locations is of import , and we ca n’t always rely on our store when outpouring rolls around again .
Nurture your vegetable garden with homemade compost
If you do n’t have acompost bin , now is the perfect prison term to get one started to make nourishing compost for your vegetable garden . There are several choice on how to create compost . The simplest method is to buy a ready - made compost bin unit , rather one that is a tumbler , if you have a modest - sizing garden . An leisurely turn , dual - chamber unit will provide you with the quickest reversal from industrial plant debris to compost and take up the least amount of space . Alternatively , you could choose to create a compost mickle that ask a spot more muscleman to ferment by hired man with a pitchfork or power shovel . Keep your composter or pile working optimally by turn it regularly , at least once a week , on a regular basis supply organic textile , and keeping the contents moist .
Midsummer is a engaged time for horticulture . pick and enjoying what ’s ready to eat , tending what ’s to come , and sow in the seed for the next harvest will keep one more than a little occupied . May you find joyousness in your vegetable garden , however large or small it may be .
— Marti Neely , FAPLD , owns and operate Marti Neely Design and Associates in Omaha , Nebraska .
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Soaker hoses are a great way to water vegetable gardens in the summer.Photo: Nils Benjamin
Soaker hoses are a great way to water vegetable gardens in the summer.Photo: Nils Benjamin
Give your vegetable plants, like this hot pepper, plenty of elbow room to encourage good air circulation and healthy disease-free foliage.Photo: Jennifer Benner
Keep an eye out for problematic critters like slugs, which can cause considerable damage to your vegetable plants.Photo: Carol Collins
After you’ve done your first summer harvest, take the opportunity to do another round of seeding to get a second crop of edibles from your garden.Photo: Jennifer Benner
