Well the rain was a very welcome relief. In the 4 days through yesterday (August 11th) morning (it was still sprinkling at 4:45 a.m.) we received 2.3 inches!!! Yiippeee!
Hoping for more.
Unfortunately and sadly, the intense heat before that - and while I was away - took its toll on parts of my garden including a shock to see my Lemon Verbena plants crashed.
There is still some green at the lower portions, when I scratch with my nail, so I am hoping it will recover.
This collage, shows the plant April, May and then yesterday. I do not have a picture for June or July, but the plants tripled in size -- they are known for loving and thriving in the heat. I can only surmise that 115+ was too much for it.
One more picture then I get to the planting tips.
GARDENING
We are about half-way through our summer/monsoon time. Time to start getting your fall garden in shape.
DON'T touch the tomato plants which are still doing well even if not producing. You can give them a bit of a hair cut over several days starting the end of August to remove sun damage and you will get a fall crop of fruit. The plants will start setting fruit as soon as our night time temps fall below 80 -- usually around the end of August. Expect the first nice lower temps (some days falling below 90) by September 30. Typically our 90+ days run from May 29 to September 29th. We can have the occasional 100 degree day even into October, so monitor the moisture needs of your gardens using the moisture meter.
September PLANTING:
Anise
Beans (bush and pole beans in first week in September at latest)
Beets
Bok Choy
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Cabbage, Ornamental
Caraway
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard
Chervil
Cilantro
Cucumbers
Dill
Endive (and Chicory)
Fennel, Leaf
Onions, Green
Greens
Kale, Ornamental Cabbage
Kale
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce (leaf lettuce, arugula, mustard greens etc.)
Mustard
Parsley
Peas
Radishes
Spinach
Turnips
EDIBLE FLOWERS TO PLANT:
Calendula
Cornflower (Bachelor Buttons)
Marigold, Citrus Scented (Tagetes Nelsonii)
Marigold, Tangerine Scented (Tagetes Lemonii)
Nasturtium
Scented Geraniums
Snapdragons
Sweet Alyssum
Sweet William (Dianthus)
GARDEN TIPS for September
Prepare soil for perennial planting -- edibles need superior draining soil, work in compost or well-rotted manure -- NEVER use fresh manure unless the garden will sit for 6-12 months before planting. If your soil is already healthy, you can add a light dressing of compost or well-rotted manure.
Cool weather annuals and biennials can be sown every 2-4 weeks (beginning in August) through end of December or January for a continuous crop through next spring.
Make good use of your water meter during this temperature transitional month.
Fertilize fruit trees now -- use Labor Day as the Target date -- (early September and again at Valentines Day and Memorial Day).
For tomato plants which made it through the summer, over several days (do not do it all at once) give them a 1/3 - 1/2 hair cut and receive a fall crop of tomatoes through first frost.
BERRY VINES - OCTOBER 1st: cut all canes, old and new, to ground after fruiting - commercial growers use this method.
Order your garlic and potato "starts" (heads and seed potatoes) for planting later on. They can be stored in cool dry conditions until planting time.
October 1st for planting garlic.
December 1-January 1st planting for potatoes.
Baker Creek sells garlic
http://www.rareseeds.com/search/?keyword=garlic
I will be leaving to visit family until near the end of the month. I will answer questions when I return.
You can find my books and calendars for sale on the side bar here.
Have a great time in the garden and kitchen!
-- Catherine, The Herb Lady
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