Keeping up with me is going to be easy at this time of the year. I don’t think I have to tell you it has been hot outside and planting the garden has been difficult. But now that Irene is gone, I don’t have much of an excuse. Also,
Tomatoes must be started now for a fall crop
the tomato and pepper plants are well beyond ready for the garden.
So out I go to do the planting. The beds have been prepared but there have been plenty of weeds coming up in the place of my good crops. Have you noticed the weeds grow well at this time of the year? Well, one more raking and the soil is ready for the seeds. Here are a few tricks I like to use.
- I like to always improve my soil with compost, garden soil or potting soil
- I usually add only manure if I want to add nutrients to the garden. Fertilizing can begin at any time.
- The plantings usually get a liquid fertilizer application one week after the transplants are in the ground or seeds have germinated.
- They are then fed every 3 to 4 weeks with a garden fertilizer or I use a slow release product as instructed on the label.
- I apply an old hay, leaf, compost or similar mulch to the surface of the soil.
- Weeds are pulled by hand or hoed out as needed.
- The garden is checked daily for pests and treated as needed. Normally only natural insecticidal soap, spinosad, copper fungicide or similar products in the Bayer Natria or Ortho Elementals natural lines are needed.
Now is the time to be planting your garden. Below are the crops you should be starting soon for September. The early crops are also planted in August.
Early plantings include lima bean, snap bean, corn, cucumber, eggplant, pepper, southern pea, rhubarb, squash, and tomato; End of the month crops include broccoli, cabbage, celery, collard, endive, lettuce, mustard, onion, radish, strawberry and turnip
How is your garden doing? Are you behind like me?
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