by Senior Education Specialist Judy Elliott
August marks a transitional time in the garden. With daytime temperatures that can stay in the low to mid-90s during much of the month and nighttime temperatures falling a bit to the mid-50s, it can be confusing, to say the least, for our veggies, herbs, and flowers.
Rain is sporadic, winds seem constant, and the air is thick with the smoke from fires in Colorado and other western states. At this time of the season, many veggies and herbs seem to be not quite as vigorous in their growth and show increasing incidences of insect infestations or disease progression. Considering that from the beginning to the end of the month, we’ve lost a little over an hour of daylight, it’s not surprising that plants are stressed.
Let’s consider some strategies that either extend the productive lifespan of our garden or renew its possibilities for the fall months that are right around the corner.
E |Eliminate diseased plants + those with heavy insect infestations
- Members of the cucurbit (summer & winter squash, cucumbers, pumpkins) are beginning to show signs of powdery mildew. The fungi responsible for this disease produce spots or patches of white to grayish talcum–powder–like growth
- The disease is more prevalent as the weather becomes hot and dry and as plants age
- To keep this in check, avoid overhead watering, pick off affected leaves, and promote air circulation by selectively pruning off excess growth
- If needed, apply a product containing potassium bicarbonate (‘Bi-Carb’) available, as are many other organic remedies at ‘Arbico Organics’: www.arbico-organics.com
- Any crops showing spots or blotches on the leaves should not be utilized in compost piles
X| Extend a helping hand
- Donate or preserve what you can’t realistically eat fresh
- Donate your skills (helping to care for a plot, ‘strong back brigade’, gardening expertise, calming presence to others in your garden community. What we give returns in so many unforeseen ways
T | Tend your garden on a regular basis
- Adhere to regular routines of cultivating, renewing mulch, and watering at the base
- Remember that plants that are thriving, receiving regular care, and are harvested frequently while fruits are young remain productive for a longer period of time than those that receive sporadic care routines
E | Enjoy early morning time in the garden
- Turn over leaves: pick off eggs of cabbage butterflies, wash off aphids, prune off fading flowers, cut back basil that’s in flower to make pesto, cultivate, and water
- This is special time for renewal, so enjoy these little moments of noticing and care for yourself and your plants
N | Nurture soil, plants, and spirit
- Spread handfuls of compost around all existing plantings and lightly cultivate it into the soil
- Foliar feed leaves with a dilute solution of 1 tsp. kelp/qt. of water
- Lovingly investigate soil under mulch and notice the biodiversity. It’s home to red wiggler worms, sowbugs, millions of beneficial bacteria & fungi that feed the underground community that in turn, feeds everything above
- Know that you are a part of creating this miracle of abundance
D | Designate areas for fall crops
- As you remove ‘old’ crops, begin to plan and plant for fall
- Early August is not too late to plant fall peas. Soak them overnight in 1 tsp. kelp/qt. of water
- Mid – August.: Plant small quantities at 2 weeks intervals of lettuce, spinach, arugula, radish, cilantro
- Early August: Plant greenhouse-grown transplants of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale
- Cool-season crops planted in warm soil should be planted a bit deeper than in spring & mulched immediately
- Save space in late September and October for garlic and fall cover crops
August can be an exciting time to evaluate, renew and plan. Focus on one or more things that were a joy to grow this season and think about deleting the ‘heartaches’ from your next year’s garden.
Quick Garden Tip
Another benefit of visiting your garden in the early morning cool, in addition to the peace and tranquility of the special moments, involves the absolute joy that can be found in:
Zero Cost, Minimally Invasive, 100% Effective Pest Control
- For those noxious Japanese beetles that decimate everything, including Virginia Creeper vine, roses, pole beans, zinnias, marigolds prepare a solution:
- 1 cup water with around a Tbsp. of any kind of dish soap
- Take the bucket to the garden
- Stand quietly with cup underneath affected leaves
- Brush off beetles into their bath. They will not emerge
- Enjoy
- This also works for cucumber and/or squash beetles in early morning, before they fly
