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July 24, 2002

 

Dog Days Indeed...
Even Sam Parker is unhappy with the weather.  When we go to put him outside he resists, digging his paws in as if saying, "It is way too hot out there, even for a dog!"  For those of you who received some rain on Monday, congratulations.  I must say I am green with envy.  Here in Westwood we counted at least four drops.  I am sure that my water bill is going to shock me once it arrives.  Every time I see a gathering of clouds I cross my fingers in hopes that we will see an inch or two of rain.  So far my fingers are permanently crossed, never to be uncrossed again.

I have been cutting back some of my spring blooming perennials.  Most of their leaves are turning brown so I have cut them back to eliminate all of the dead foliage.  Boy, it is hard to keep things alive this time of the year!  Speaking of keeping things alive, we are presently fighting brown patch in the front lawn.  Our lawn care specialist, Chris Karcher with NaturaLawn of America has applied some fungicide so hopefully we are on the mend.  So many things to worry about.  How about the bugs?  They are everywhere, inside and out.  Along with the rabbits and chipmunks these creatures will continue to consume the foliage on our plants due to the lack of rain.  We have to hang in there.  After all, we just had two incredibly nice low humid days so that must mean that rain is around the corner!  Oh the power of positive thinking!

~ Shelly  

Drinks For The Droopy?
It's not uncommon to venture out to the garden at the end of a hot day to find some pretty droopy plants.  Don't immediately assume that they need to be watered.  It may be that there is adequate moisture in the soil but your plant's roots just can't keep up with the needs of the leaves.  If the soil is already moist you are better off letting the plants catch up on their own overnight.  If they're still droopy in the morning give them a drink.

Start Fall Veggies Now...
Beginning now and over the next few weeks you can start to set out broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower transplants for your fall garden.  You can also sow seeds of collards, kale, sweet corn, summer squash, carrots, beets and turnips. 

If you're planning a fall harvest of vegetables remember that the late-summer heat can really put a strain on seeds and seedlings.  To improve your success apply a thin mulch over the rows immediately after sowing the fall crop.  Mulching keeps the soil cooler, prevents the rapid drying of moist soil, and protects seedlings as they emerge.  Make sure the mulch is thin enough that it doesn't interfere with seedling emergence.  

Bonus - Vegetables maturing in the fall often have better flavor because of the cooler growing conditions.  Yum!

Orange Means Hot...
This heat is going to affect tomato harvests.  Tomatoes ripen best when temperatures stay below eighty-five degrees.  When the temperatures hover in the mid-nineties several problems can occur.  The ripening process slows down and color compounds do not form properly.  Instead of a bright red tomato you may wind up with an orange-red one.  Try picking the tomatoes at the first flush of color and ripening them indoors.

Source

 


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Plucking Petunias...
Deadheading petunias is a sure-fire way to keep them blooming all summer long.  But sometimes gardeners have trouble knowing which ones stay and which ones go.  Spent blossoms often look very much like unopened petunia buds.  If you're unsure just remember that spent petunia blossoms are shrunken and have little substance to them and come off with a gentle tug.  Immature buds feel full and hang on a little tighter. 

Source

Sweet & Corny...
Corn lovers know that standard sweet corn is at its peak for only a day or so (supersweet corn maintains its peak quality for a little longer).  Timing is everything.  For the sweetest corn harvest when silks begin to dry, and kernels exude a milky (rather than watery or doughy) juice when punctured.

 


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What's Hot On The Hotline...
Along with the hot weather of summer come some recurring pleasures that offer an opportunity to share in the accomplishments of others, and to wonder at the diverse and outstanding products of their hard work and talent.  In other words, it's County Fair time, and our area of mid-America is second to none in the variety and enthusiasm our County Fair exhibitors show!  Read what our hotline experts think about county fairs in this week's What's Hot on the Hotline...

Telltale Turf...
Did you know your lawn might be sending you signals that it is thirsty?  Before more serious symptoms arise many turf grasses in need of moisture will lie flat after being walked on.  Look behind you as you cross the yard.  Leaving footprints?  Time to water!

Remember it is better to give your lawn a good soaking only once or twice a week rather than many lighter waterings.  Also, always water in the early morning.  Afternoon watering wastes water and evening watering promotes turf diseases.

Finally...
"I walk without flinching through the burning cathedral of the summer.  My bank of wild grass is majestic and full of music.  It is a fire that solitude presses against my lips."

~ Violette Leduc, Mad in Pursuit

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Earl May

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