"Flowers are wilting
My enthusiasm, too
Only weeds survive."

— Gaia Garden

There's Still Plenty of Planting Time

This year’s wacky weather set our gardens up on what feels like a very strange schedule. Typically, by this point in the season we start to sit back and wait for the tomatoes to ripen, but if you want a garden that stretches into autumn, the work continues!

As of July 1st, we are 106 days away from the Farmer’s Almanac’s anticipated first Frost Date (Oct. 15th in Storrs, CT). That’s still plenty of time to grow!

Succession planting helps keep your garden space constantly active through the growing season. It may look like planting a new crop immediately after one has completed its cycle in the garden, or staggered plantings for an extended harvest. We looked at this briefly in our May Newsletter as a way to maximize space. Here's some tips to keep rolling with succession planting this summer:

• Continue planting bush beans from seed every 2 weeks through the end of July for a bountiful harvest!  

• Did you harvest your garlic this month? Are your cool season crops past their prime or starting to bolt? Replace them and direct seed new plants!  
  • Look at days to maturity to ensure there is enough time for the plants to develop before frost hits 
  • Don’t follow up with the same thing in the same planting space – rotate your crops for better soil and plant health! 
  • There are varieties of cucumber, squash and zucchini that can still be planted 
  • Many types of greens and root vegetables like carrot, radish, turnip and beet can be planted in July  

• Replace vegetable plants that are no longer producing with annuals that have short flowering time for late season beauty 

• Allow the garden bed to “rest” by planting a cover crop

• Don’t put away those grow lights just yet! Cool season crops, like brassicas, may need to be started indoors. The summer heat outdoors may inhibit germination or growth. 

What You Can Plant Mid-July

Succession Planting

Fall Vegetable Gardening

Harvesting Herbs in Your Summer Garden!

Including herbs in summer gardens is a common practice due to their low-maintenance care and delicious flavors that pair well with many summertime dishes and drinks.

Herbs should be harvested when the oils responsible for aroma and flavor are at their peak. This harvest time is determined by the growing conditions of each individual plant, rather than a specific month or day.

Many herbs are most flavorful and ready to harvest just as the flower buds first appear, but before they are fully open. It’s best to harvest them in the late morning, after the dew has dried and before the hot afternoon sun draws out their delicate flavor.  However, some species, like cilantro, may become bitter as the plant starts to flower. Bottom line: know your plants!

Annual herbs such as basil and parsley can be harvested until frost. Perennial herbs such as oregano, thyme, mint and chives can be clipped until late August.

For your perennial herbs, stop harvesting about one month before the frost date, because late pruning could encourage tender growth that cannot harden-off before winter. 

Growing, Harvesting & Drying Herbs

Harvesting & Preserving Herbs for the Home Gardener

Native Plant: Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is native to most of the U.S. It's flowers bloom from mid-July to mid-August in the Northeast. A. incarnata is one of many native Milkweeds including A. tuberosa, A. syriaca and others. 

Look for it in moist habitats such as pond, stream, and river edges or in moist areas of meadows. Pink flowers are highly attractive to butterflies, moths, bees and other pollinators.

Learn More About Swamp Milkweed

Common CT Milkweeds

The Connecticut Native Perennial, Tree, & Shrub Availability List

Word from the WiSE

Women in Soil Ecology, UConn Student Chapter

Knowledge to Grow On

Read our Ladybug blogs written weekly:

Purple Pitcher Plant 

Understanding Clematis: Groups and Care Guide

What’s on My Rhododendron?

Make Your Gardening Easier With These Simple Garden Additions!

Visit Our Blog!

July Gardening Tips

• Water early in the morning to reduce the loss of water to evaporation during the hottest days

• Container and hanging plants may need additional water later in the day if hot and windy conditions prevail. Check plants again at day’s end to see if any additional water is necessary

• Pinching back herbs to stop flowering will keep the best flavor in the leaves and encourage branching. Herbs can be air dried, dried quickly in the microwave, or frozen

• Cucumbers are heavy drinkers and feeders. Keep the soil evenly moist during hot spells to avoid bitter fruit and side-dress plants with 1/4 cup of 10-10-10 fertilizer or the equivalent in mid-July

• Plant cool-season crops such as broccoli, spinach, kale, lettuce, and chard where they will be shaded from the sun

• Put netting on fruit trees and bushes a few weeks before the fruit begins to ripen to protect it from birds and squirrels

• Raise your mowing height to 3 inches during hot weather and mulch clippings if possible

• Fertilize roses for the last time in mid-July

• Control mosquitoes by eliminating all sources of stagnant water. Clean bird baths and pet’s outdoor dishes often

• Check family members and pets for ticks after being outside, especially when in tall grass or wooded areas. If necessary, send ticks to the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory for testing

• Leaky garden hoses and fittings can waste water. Check hoses while they are under full pressure and make repairs

This Month’s Newsletter Contributors: 
Heather Zidack, Pamm Cooper, Holly McNamara, Abigayle Ward