Written by Benedict Vanheems, June 29, 2024
As summer hits its stride, your garden is likely bursting with growth and color. While the season’s abundance can feel overwhelming, a few strategic tasks tackled now will save you time and effort later. This summer checklist will keep your garden productive and healthy while giving you more time to enjoy its beauty.
1. Boost Squash Production with Hand Pollination
Cooler summers can hinder squash pollination, but a little intervention ensures a bountiful harvest. Start by identifying male flowers, which have straight stems behind them. Carefully peel back the petals to expose the pollen-laden stamen. Locate female flowers (distinguished by the small fruit at their base) and gently dab the stamen into the center of each. One male flower can pollinate three to four females, increasing your crop yield.
Tip: Grow at least two or three squash plants together to improve cross-pollination and fruit production.
2. Harvest and Store Garlic for Long-Term Use
Garlic is ready to harvest when over half its leaves turn yellow. Use a hand fork to carefully lift the bulbs, avoiding damage. Cure the garlic by laying it out in a single layer or hanging it in bunches in a warm, dry spot for 2-4 weeks. Once the foliage is rustle-dry, move the bulbs to a cool, dry storage area. Properly cured garlic can last for months.
3. Expand Your Herb Garden with Cuttings
Summer is perfect for propagating herbs from grocery store packets. Cut stems to 4–6 inches, snipping just below a leaf node, and strip away all but the top leaves. Root soft-stemmed herbs like basil and mint in water, changing it regularly. For woodier herbs like rosemary and thyme, root directly in moist potting mix with added grit for drainage. Once roots develop, pot the cuttings into individual containers.
4. Dry Herbs for Year-Round Flavor
Harvest herbs like mint, which die back in winter, and dry them for future use. Spread leaves on dehydrator trays or use a low oven, checking often to prevent burning. Store dried herbs in airtight jars to savor summer flavors long after the growing season ends
.
5. Control Slugs to Protect Your Crops
Slugs thrive in summer but can wreak havoc on your garden. Keep grass short and clear debris around your plants. Use nighttime flashlight hunts to pick them off or set traps with grapefruit halves or coconut shells. These methods, repeated consistently, help reduce the slug population over time.
6. Allow Rhubarb to Rest
Harvest the last of your rhubarb stems by mid-summer to give plants time to recharge for next year. Rhubarb leaves can also double as natural slug traps—lay them on the soil to attract and dispose of these pests.
7. Ensure Full Corn Pollination
Corn relies on wind for pollination. Plant it in blocks to help pollen from tassels fall onto silks. For sheltered gardens, tap the stems to release pollen and improve cob development. Each strand of silk corresponds to a kernel, so proper pollination ensures fuller cobs.
8. Water Recent Transplants
Newly planted crops need consistent moisture to establish strong roots. Water directly into planting holes before placing transplants, and monitor soil moisture closely to prevent drying out.
9. Replenish Soil Fertility
Mid-season is ideal for boosting your soil’s nutrients. Use organic fertilizers like chicken manure pellets or fish, blood, and bone to support healthy growth. Apply evenly and lightly fork into the soil. For a plant-based alternative, explore organic fertilizers made from plant-derived ingredients.
10. Start Sowing Chinese Cabbage
Asian greens like Chinese cabbage thrive in dappled shade during summer. Sow seeds in plug trays for easy transplanting or directly in the ground. Keep the soil moist and cool as the plants grow, and enjoy their crisp white hearts after peeling away the outer leaves.
By tackling these key tasks now, you’ll set your garden up for success while minimizing effort later. Happy gardening!
This streamlined version offers rich details and practical advice while staying concise and reader-friendly.