summertime gardening
Posted on 13. Aug, 2010 by Carrie in lifestyle
words > CRAIG AINSWORTH
Summertime gardening is filled with weeding, watering, fertilizing, and harvesting. There is also a lot of preparation that needs to take place in order to preserve what you have grown. Temperatures are at an all-time high this year. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration and heat stroke and keep your skin protected from the sun’s damaging rays.
Weeding is one of the most labor-intensive activities in your garden, but it is also quite meditative. It’s a great opportunity to stretch your muscles. There are quite a few stretches and Yoga poses that are conducive to pulling weeds. If you would rather relax, then a five-gallon bucket is the best way to relieve the strain from bending over. It is a solid seat that allows a long reach and gives you a full range of mobility. Also having a bucket where you are working is convenient when it comes time to haul your weeds to the compost pile.
Watering should NEVER be done in the middle of the day. Watering during the hottest part of the day will burn and possibly kill your plants. Instead, water in the early morning or wait until evening. Typically the morning hours are the best, especially if you are using straw or hay for mulch. Watering in the evening increases the chances of mold or fungus growth that could contaminate your plants.
Two great debates among many gardeners are when and how to fertilize. Every two to four weeks is a pretty common schedule. Most vegetable gardens do well with bloodworms and bone meal as fertilizer. Other good organic fertilizers are compost and chicken or turkey droppings. There are many organic options available at most garden supply stores that are also safe for the environment.
A green garden is an oasis for life during the heat of the summer bringing much needed relief to plants, animals, and humans alike. Make sure you are keeping up on your pest repellent. Hungry animals and insects will see your green garden as an all-you-can-eat buffet. Keep them away by regularly applying garlic and red pepper spray. Birds love bugs so put out a bird feeder and let them protect your garden. Also allow spiders to live in your garden. They will catch and eat many harmful bugs. Feeling brave? Use a glass jar to catch the spiders you find in your house and release them into your garden as extra protection for your vegetables.
Harvesting your crop is one of the most satisfying experiences a gardener will have. When you are harvesting use a pair of scissors or a sharp knife to cut the fruit or veggies away from the plant so you can avoid the breaking or stripping the plants from stubborn stems. Plants like okra and green beans need to be checked every day. Crops like these will become “woody” and lose flavor if left on the plant too long. Squash, tomatoes, and cucumbers can be harvested less often. Once or twice a week should do. Fruits and veggies can be stored safely in the refrigerator for about a week or until you have enough to use or preserve. Cucumbers, okra, and green beans should be stored in a bowl of water to keep them crisp. Tomatoes and squash will do fine by themselves in the refrigerator. Potatoes and onions do not need be refrigerated, however, they will keep longer if they are. Potatoes should be dug up when the tops start dying. Some coal plants, like cabbage will have a second growing season in the fall, but if you planted late, and your cabbage has not done well in the summer heat, leave it in the ground and harvest it in the late fall. In some cases, cabbages have survived the winter months only to come back very large and healthy the next spring.
After six months of planning and preparation it is finally time to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Being able to reap what you have sown, and taste the sunshine and summer air in something that you’ve grown yourself, is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences of gardening.
Fall is fast approaching and soon harvest season will be in full force. It will soon be time for baking, canning, drying, freezing, and storing away for the winter months.
If you have tips, tricks, questions or stories about this or past gardening articles, search “gardening”. We’d love to hear from you so please feel free to leave comments.
