Maybe you haven't realized it but
they are starting to charge money for food, some of which you could be
growing in your own backyard. I almost feel growing a garden is becoming
more of a necessity than a hobby for many residents.
Summer is not a great time for many of the common vegetables but there are
a few you might give a try. If you have room you could plant sweet
potatoes. Now this is a vegetable just about all the family members are
going to like and it ranks high on the nutrition charts too. Be warned
sweet potatoes do need some room so find a large sunny spot.
You may also want to try a vegetable you have passed over in the past. For
our family it's southern peas. I like them but they did not tempt the
other family members. Well the seeds are in the ground and everyone has
agreed to give them a try. You might like them too.
Even if you don't like the summer crops now is the time to pick your
garden spot for future plantings. It should be sunny and have a water
source nearby. If sandy you might think about working in lots of organic
matter. It could be grass clippings, saved leaves or available compost
from a local recycling center. You might also use peat most and don't
forget the cow manure.
If you prepare the garden site now you will be ready for next months
plantings that should begin nine months of great crops you can eat fresh
from the garden. Now here are few more chores and considerations to add to
this month's agenda.
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Tom's Gotta-do's
for July, 2008
Chinch bug and sod webworms are
active in St. Augustine lawns; stay alert for damage and treat if
needed.
Rains often supply adequate moisture
during the summer months; extra waterings may not be needed.
Wait until the lawn shows signs of
wilting before watering to help it develop deeper roots.
Help lawns begin new growth with a
slow release fertilizer application as the rains return.
Regreen lawns as the rains return
with an early summer feeding of a slow release fertilizer.
Regreen yellow lawns with an iron or
nitrogen only feeding.
Tomato, eggplant and pepper plantings
usually decline during the summer; remove the plants when the
harvest is over.
Locate or order seeds now for mid
summer plantings.
Start vegetable seedlings for August
transplants in small pots or cell packs in mid July.
Cover vacant garden soil with clear
plastic for eight weeks to bake out pests.
Feed bananas and papaya trees
monthly.
Establish rain barrels or cisterns to
hold rain water to use during the dry times.
Rains encourage out of bounds growth;
prune plantings and edge walkways as needed.
Create the tropical look with foliage
plants.
Use easy to maintain container
gardens as accents for entrances, porches and patios.
Remove declining flowers and replant
with summer selections.
Divide and replant perennials
including shasta daises, gerbera, bromeliads and many bulbs.
Finish pruning azaleas and gardenias
during early July or wait until next year.
Root 4- to 6-inch tip cuttings from
shrubs and perennials.
Remove 4- to 6-inches of new growth
from poinsettias to encourage compact growth.
Feed outdoor container plantings
including orchids every two weeks
Save the cooler water from hot water
faucets and water left in dinner glasses to moisten indoor plants.
Consider container gardens for long
lasting indoor foliage displays.
Transplant root bound foliage plants
into larger containers.
Trim overgrown house plants; use
trimmings for cuttings.
Move light starved plants outdoors to
a shady location.
Vegetables: Boniato, calabaza, cherry tomato, okra, Southern pea,
Seminole pumpkin, sweet cassava, sweet potato and yard long bean;
start transplants of eggplant, peppers and tomatoes from seed in
mid July.
Herbs: Anise, basil, bay laurel, chive, dill, ginger, Mexican
tarragon, mint, oregano, sage, sweet marjoram and thyme.
