As long as vegetable plants aren't diseased you can just turn them under. Sometimes it helps to chop them in small pieces so they compost more quickly. This is the time of year to add other organic matter, too. Leaves are usually easy to come by; run over them with a mower if possible, again the little pieces break down quicker. 8 to 10 inches of leaves would be wonderful- cover with some chicken wire if you have winds that might blow them away. Bags of commercial compost would also be good - spread about 2-3 inches deep. If you are going to plant early next year just dig in the compost and then put the leaves on top. When you are ready to plant, just push the leaves aside and plant in the soil.

Happy Growing,
Joy in the Garden

*For information about our book,
Joy in Your Garden, go to www.joyinthegarden.com

Joy in YOUR Garden
Personalized Garden Consultations

• Expert Advice
• One-on-One instruction
• Design/Landscape Recommendations
• Answers to all your Gardening Questions
  

Email for details and to schedule an appointment

Those words can strike fear into a gardener’s heart.  Often with those thundershowers comes hail, and oh what a mess that can make in the garden.  In a matter of minutes leaves are stripped from vegetables, flowers, shrubs, vines and trees. Fruit can be battered from trees, veggies pocked with holes and stems crushed to the ground.  But take heart.  With kind words of sympathy and some gentle action, you can coax some of the plants back to productivity.  Trim off the leaves that are totally shredded; clip back some of the stems; prop up some of the drooping plants – now, fertilize lightly, water well and as always, hope for a long, warm fall!!

Plant more carrots; second planting of dill & cilantro

Spray Spinosad on leaves to treat for Peach Twig Borer

Treat trunks of stone fruit trees (fruit with pit) for borer

Re-sharpen your mower blade

Spend a late evening hunting slugs and snails

Potatoes could use a light application of nitrogen fertilizer

Send your houseplants on a summer vacation under a tree,shrub or patio cover

Mulch veggie and flower gardens

Tomatoes need even watering and mulch to avoid

Blossom End Rot (see back page)

Remove suckers/water sprouts from fruit trees

Lawns need 2” of water per week: about 20 min/3 times a week

Divide perennials that finished blooming for the year

Mow lawn 2 ½ to 3 inches long

Water dry grass and shrubs before setting off your fireworks!

Dead head annuals and perennials and roses

Give shrubs a weekly shower bath, with just water to reduce  Spider Mites

Watch for Tobacco Bud Worm on Geraniums, Petunias and flowering Tobacco