BELMONT, N.Y. — Once we passed the Summer Solstice (June 20th this year), my old friend John used to say, “Well, Toots, winter is on its way.” Now this is true astronomically but not true meteorologically! Summer has just begun and all you new gardeners are looking at those empty rows where the peas, lettuce, broccoli and carrots once grew. Now is the time for Veggie Garden Part II.
A true gardener does not allow his spring enthusiasm to wane during the dog days of summer. Some crops take all the growing season to be ready for harvest: onions, corn, potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkins to name a few. Anything which takes 60 days or less to mature can be planted in July and a few frost hardy ones (greens, carrots) can go in as late as August.
This is especially true with our delayed fall frosts (average Oct. 1 – last year mid-October).
A few tricks of the trade:
- Soak well if necessary, the planting row – sow seed and mulch lightly (1/2 inch).
- If your first crop of green beans are done, cut back to 2” from the ground. These will quickly resprout and you will be picking beans again in five weeks.
- July and August are hot so plant your greens on the east side of something tall (corn and tomatoes) to provide afternoon shade.
- When September comes, keep an eye to the weather. Beans are tender (cover with a sheet) but the others can stand a drop in temperature to at least 28 degrees F. You should be able to pick your last salad for Thanksgiving!
Yes John, the nights are growing longer but –? Winter? Not yet.
–Written by: The Upland Gardener, M.L. Wells
Cornell Cooperative Extension Allegany County
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