As I write this blog, its nearing 5:00 pm and it’s precisely 70 degrees outside. Considering it’s the beginning of May, that should be a given. However, the people of the Northwest region would tell you otherwise. We aren’t exactly sure why our weather has failed to behave for 95% of 2011, but gardeners all over will tell you one thing: we are worried about our summer gardens!
Putting the weather aside for a moment, I have to say that I was more excited about this summer’s gardening season then previous years. Perhaps it’s because I found myself reading much more about organic gardening and vegetables and finding other ways to construct my little 10′ x 20′ patch of dirt.
Assuming that the weather will pull through and gardners won’t have reason to worry, I am hopeful that my choice of veggies this summer will be great! I have chosen the basic vegetables of gardening, (beings that the weather has been a little sketchy): Tomatoes, cucurbits (inlcuding cucumbers & zucchini), green & red peppers, and corn. I’m excited to tackle this new summer-long project, and hopefully my guests will be too when I have fresh veggies for them!
Tomatoes will always be the highlight of the summer garden as far as I’m concerned. Good for salads, burgers, sandwiches, and just to dip, tomatoes are good for nearly anything. Especially when you can grow them just right, you really have such a great time growing tomatoes. I’ve been reading a lot about the fine maintenance of tomatoes: the pruning, tying, and strategic plan for raising them. A properly pruned and supported single-stem tomato plant presents all of its leaves to the sun. Most of the sugar produced is directed to the developing fruit, since the only competition is a single growing tip. The result is large fruits that are steadily produced until frost. Using cloth strips (not old or threadbare) are great to use for tying. There are two types of ties. Training ties direct plant growth upwards, and supporting ties keep it there. The top foot of a tomato stem, or leader, is very succulent and easily snapped; it needs to be directed upwards, gently. I wrap a short piece of twine around the middle of the leader, cross it over on itself, and loosely tie it to the support. The resulting figure-eight tie reduces the chance the tender stem will rub against the support and get bruised.
Cucumbers and zucchini are refreshing and also universal for nearly every summer meal. In small gardens, the vines may be trained on a trellis or fence. When the long, burpless varieties are supported, the cucumbers hang free and develop straight fruits. Winds whipping the plants can make vertical training impractical. Wire cages also can be used for supporting the plants. Do not handle, harvest or work with the plants when they are wet. For the zucchini, plant them in an area that gets good air flow — not up against a fence or wall. One of the problems that can sometimes strike zukes is powdery mildew, and poor air circulation contributes to plants getting infected with it. Each plant needs about three to four square feet of space in your garden.
Feed the plants with fish emulsion or liquid kelp until the plant starts to flower, then stop — you want the plant’s energy to go to fruit production rather than foliar growth.
Peppers are my all-time favorite vegetable (to eat and to grow!), so I’m very excited about these! I found some really good information about growing peppers that I didn’t necessarily know before. For instance, I discovered that the transplants should be set 18 to 24 inches apart in the row, or 14 to 18 inches apart in all directions in beds. A dozen plants, including one or two salad and hot types, may provide enough peppers for most families; but with so many colors, flavors and types available, more may be necessary for truly devoted pepper lovers or for devotees of ethnic cuisines.
As for caring for the peppers overtime, it’s important to remember that they thrive in a well-drained, fertile soil that is well supplied with moisture. Use a starter fertilizer when transplanting. Apply supplemental fertilizer (side-dressing) after the first flush of peppers is set. Because a uniform moisture supply is essential with peppers, especially during the harvest season, irrigate during dry periods. Hot, dry winds and dry soil may prevent fruit set or cause abortion of small immature fruits.
Finally is summer’s favorite BBQ grilled side-dish, corn! Besides for the annoying kernels that get stuck between your teeth, there really isn’t many bad things to say about corn! The care, however, it a little intimidating. This will actually be my first year attempting to grow corn, and I am truly nervous! Some tips that I picked up from reading include:
Despite the threat of growing corn, I think I have enough books and informative people around me that contain knowledge of the vegetable. If I can pull off the journey of the corn, I will be SO happy! Can you imagine it? Grilling up corn and the rest of the fresh picked veggies on a summer night with your friends and family? Sounds wonderful to me!
I’ll be checking back in to let ya’ll know how my garden experience is going! Wish me luck. 