It is the time of year that summer really kicks in. Our gardens (and weeds!) begin to take off, growing at an incredible rate. As every gardener knows, there’s always work to be done no matter the time of year. But what tasks should we focus on in the late summer?
Garden Chores
Keep plants well watered and weeded
It’s crucial to keep up with watering and weeding.
A few tips to preserve water: Water thoroughly and less often, refrain from watering in the hottest part of the day, add lots of compost and lay down mulch in garden beds. These tactics will help retain moisture, minimize watering time, and preserve resources.
Try as we might to suppress them, at this point in the year the weeds are getting aggressive. Pull weeds as soon as possible, they will rob your garden plants of water and nutrients. Reapply mulch throughout the season to keep weeds down.
Garden Maintenance
Spring blooming flowers may be fading or dying back now. Deadhead and cut back as needed. Climbing or vining plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, and pole beans should be tended to. Make sure they have the structures required to support a bountiful harvest.
Fertilize
Many plants will appreciate a nutrient boost this time of year. Healthy living soil is needed to feed crops that are now receiving an intense amount of energy from the sun. Side dress with compost or add a diluted liquid fertilizer to your watering schedule.
Harvest Garlic
Garlic scapes should be cut as soon as they appear. This will direct energy back to the bulb. Use young scapes as a delicious addition to summer recipes. When leaves are brown and dying back, usually mid to late July, garlic bulbs are ready to be dug up. Fill the open space with a cover crop or a vegetable suited to the upcoming fall season.
Replace early crops
It’s time to harvest early-season crops that won’t hold up to the summer heat. Cabbages, spinach and radishes should be mature and ready to be eaten, cooked or preserved. The newly available space opens the door for one last rotation of crops before the winter sets in.