Maintain, nurture, and flourish: a call to action for gardening enthusiasts.
As the heart of summer approaches, Minnesota gardeners are encouraged to tend to their plots with care and diligence. The mid-season presents an opportune moment to nurture heavy-feeding crops like corn, tomatoes, and squash with compost or slow-release organic fertilizer, ensuring a bountiful harvest.
However, July also brings an increase in pests and diseases such as aphids, cabbage worms, Japanese beetles, and powdery mildew. To maintain a healthy garden, these unwelcome visitors must be removed by hand, sprayed with insecticidal soap, or pruned from infected foliage.
Watering is another crucial aspect of July gardening. It is essential to water deeply and consistently, especially during heat waves, and to check soil moisture a few inches down to ensure the roots are adequately hydrated.
Weeds, too, grow rapidly in July and should be pulled early and often. A sharp hoe can be used to quickly remove small weeds when the soil is dry. Mulch should be topped up where it's thinned out, using a 2-3 inch layer of straw, shredded leaves, or compost.
Supporting and pruning summer growth is also vital. Regularly check and reinforce tomato cages, trellises, and bean supports to accommodate vigorous summer growth. Pruning suckers from tomatoes, deadheading fading flowers, and removing any crowded or damaged foliage to improve airflow and reduce disease risk is recommended.
To attract pollinators and enhance the beauty of your garden, consider adding or maintaining flowers like cosmos, zinnias, bee balm, or sunflowers. These not only support bees and butterflies but also contribute to the productivity of your garden.
Looking ahead to fall crops, by late July or early August, start seeding fall crops like broccoli, kale, carrots, and beets. Early planning ensures a continuous harvest into autumn.
These recommendations align with the educational goals highlighted for gardeners in Douglas County and throughout the state. Robin Trott, the educator for our website based in Douglas County, emphasises the importance of these tasks for a thriving garden.
Lastly, succession planting is still possible in July, with fast-growing crops like lettuce, spinach, radishes, green beans, and cilantro. With careful planning and diligent care, gardeners can continue to enjoy a bountiful harvest throughout the summer and into the autumn months.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and home-and-garden extends to July, which demands careful attention in the garden. This is the perfect time for gardening activities, such as pruning summer growth, removing pests, and watering deeply to support a bountiful harvest and attract pollinators.
