Maryland Grows

If the dog days of summer are making you want to howl at the heat, humidity and lack of rain, you are not alone. Take steps to protect yourself and your plants as you tackle your to-do list.

Your plants are depending on you, so self-care is important.  Drink plenty of water.  Wear sunscreen and a hat.  Work in the early morning if you can and certainly not for too long. Garden in the shade when you can.  I’m a human sundial, working around the patches of shade in my yard.  And I take frequent breaks to stand, stretch, and hydrate.

I’m mastering the 15-minute garden raid.  Water!  Weed!  Harvest!  Deadhead! Your plants need water, too. I can’t say enough about the benefits of good, deep soaks rather than sprinkles.  Did you know a mature tomato plant needs 2 to 3 gallons of water weekly?  Enough said.

What else needs doing in your garden?  Regular harvesting keeps plants productive and avoids the dreaded five-pound zucchini. Harvest tomatoes when they first change color and let them finish ripening indoors to avoid cracking, splitting, and insect and disease problems. Herbs are best harvested before they bloom.  My basil is starting to flower, so I’ve begun my annual pesto-making frenzy. 

There is still time to plant crops like kale, collards, and leafy greens.  Use our planting calendar to guide your timing.  As you remove crops, consider planting cover crops to cover and improve the soil.  Crimson clover, winter rye, and spring oats can be planted from late summer to early fall. Order now to get the best bulbs for fall planting and beat the rush.  That also goes for garlic and all those spring flowers we love for their color and cheer.

Tidy your plants for appearance and health.  Look for browning from drought or disease or the inevitable fungal leaf spots caused by high heat and humidity. Remove affected leaves to reduce the amount of fungal spores.  This slows the progression of diseases and reduces the chance of diseases returning next year. Keep removing fallen fruits from under your trees, vines, bushes and vegetables. They can harbor disease and insect pests.

Did you know compost can help suppress soilborne diseases while building healthy soil and helping it hold water? It truly is a five-star soil amendment. To keep your compost pile cooking, add both juicy greens and dry browns. Pile on nitrogen-rich, untreated grass clippings and garden trimmings. Then toss in the carbon-rich leaves falling prematurely in all this heat. Take all the gifts nature gives and recycle them into your soil. 

Garden smart in the heat.  Be good to yourself.  Keep harvesting, watering, planting, tidying, composting, and learning.  Then pour something tall and cool and enjoy. 

By Annette Cormany, Principal Agent Associate and Master Gardener Coordinator, Washington County, University of Maryland Extension.  Read more by Annette.