garden checklist

AUGUST 2005

Tomatoes

Now is the best time to savor this simple joy of summer. If you did not get the chance to plant them earlier, don't worry. Just visit your local farmers market for a fresh-picked supply. Take advantage of the market's large selection to try some new types of tomatoes. Talk to the growers to learn their favorites.

If you planted tomatoes and other vegetables, harvest often for an ongoing supply. Pick tomatoes, peppers, and tomatillos early in the morning on the day you plan to eat them. Select okra, eggplants, squash, and cucumbers when they are small and tender. Use sharp clippers or a small knife to avoid tearing the vines or stalks. Southern peas should also be picked when tender for best flavor. Just make sure the pods are filled out before harvesting. If you have extras from your garden, share the bounty with family, neighbors, and friends. In the Lower South, there is still time to plant again for a fall harvest.

* Fragrance-There are plenty of flowers with pleasing scents blooming now. For mostly sunny areas, try butterfly gingers, gardenias, butterfly bushes, clethras, and tuberoses. For mostly shady places, try a few fragrant hosta selections such as 'Royal Standard,' 'Honeybells,' and 'Guacamole.' Among the best flowers for summer fragrance are crinums. To learn more about them, see "These Flowers Last" on page 66.

* Hummingbirds-Tired of filling your feeders over and over again? These speedy fliers love to sip from flowers too. Add a few plants to your garden for them. Good choices blooming now include trumpet honeysuckle, cardinal flower, summer phlox, bee balm, pineapple sage, and firebush.

* Basil-Keep blooms and foliage of this easy herb trimmed to increase the growth of new leaves. Fertilize basil with a liquid product such as Peters Professional All Purpose Plant Food 20-20-20, or top-dress the soil surrounding the plant with a composted cow manure such as Black Kow to keep plants in full production into fall. This extra care now will ensure an ample supply for pesto or freezing.

* Roses-For a big show of fall flowers, prune and fertilize hybrid tea roses now. Remove dead stems, and reduce healthy canes by about one-third. Feed with a rose fertilizer such Expert Gardener Rose Plant Food 19-24-24 or Expert Gardener Rose Liquid Plant Food 10-12-12. Mulch with pine straw, shredded leaves, or pine bark to help conserve moisture and keep roots cool. Water well each week if it doesn't rain. To avoid black spot, powdery mildew, and rust, don't use an overhead sprinkler; use a soaker hose instead.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Aug 2005
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