Summer is far from over, even though Halloween decorations are already starting to creep into your local lawn and garden store. There is plenty of warm weather left to enjoy, but fall is just around the bend. Make the most of the rest of your summer!
Keep on Harvesting
We’re a little overwhelmed with tomatoes and zucchini at this point. If you’re dealing with more produce from your garden than you can handle, reach out to a local food pantry and ask if they are able to accept the extra goodies you took so much time and care to grow. August is hardly the end of the season so there’s still so much more to get from your garden! Stay on top of your garden care by checking it daily. If your tomato plants are still producing flowers in mid-August, trim them off. Plants that continue flowering late in the season will focus more energy on trying to produce new fruit than sending energy to tomatoes that are already forming on the vine. Redirect energy to your existing plants for a better harvest! You can do the same thing with squash, pumpkins, and cucumbers for bigger produce.
Onions and potatoes should be about ready to harvest! Onions are ready to harvest when the greens are laying down but shouldn’t be left to get brown and crispy. Potatoes are ready to harvest when the leaves are completely brown and dried up. Your plants will start to turn yellow and get crispy a couple weeks before they are ready to harvest. You should stop watering at this time to allow your potato skins to firm up before they’re cured and stored.
Final Fall Crop
After your heavy hitter garden plants are done for the season, you can get a final harvest of greens and tubers before the first frost hits. With farmers markets petering out, fresh local produce is less available as the fall continues. This makes it even better when you can harvest a final crop of vegetables from your garden! Stock your fridge with these fresh treats before the season is over:
Seeds to Plant:
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Turnips
- Carrots
- Radishes
- Kohlrabi
- Kale
Your summer harvests pulled nutrients out of the soil, and your garden could probably use some extra organic matter to freshen up before your final harvest. Feed your soil with microbes, nutrients, and organic matter by applying Activated Compost at planting.
Plant Fall Flowers
Fall is famous for brightly colored leaves decorating the ground, but you can spruce up any garden area by planting some cold-hardy annuals to match the season. Plant in garden beds or freshen up flowerpots to create beautiful fall décor that grows brighter with the season.
- Marigolds
- Mums
- Pansies
- Violas
- Celosia
- Aster
When preparing flowerpots for fall blooms, IndiCanja is the perfect soil blend to boost late-season growth. Rich nutrients and diverse microbes work together with your plants to grow bigger and more beautiful blooms. Take your fall flowerpots to the next level!
Repot Houseplants
With ample summer growth comes healthy root development. Your houseplants are likely craving a little extra space, so August is the perfect time for a repot! Root rot is a major concern for indoor plants, so it’s important to select a mix that has the right amount of drainage to support your plant needs. Higher draining plants, or those susceptible to root rot should be potted up in a fluffy blend like our Seed Starter Mix. Plants that prefer a slightly richer blend are an excellent fit for our All-Purpose Veggie Mix! Don’t let the veggie in this name fool you, Veggie Mix is a perfect indoor and outdoor blend that can be used for a wide variety of plants and plant needs.
There’s lots you can do to get your garden ready for upcoming seasonal changes, let Purple Cow help you along the way!