Vegetable, Fruit, and Herb Gardening in July

It may seem warm, but it's time to prepare for the fall vegetable season. Alternate plant choices in planting beds and prepare areas for cool-season vegetables by adding compost to soil and allow it to settle over several months.

Remove old raspberry canes after harvest.
No fruit on your tomato plants? Side dress 1/2 cup to 1 cup of greensand at base of plant.
Keep an eye on your corn for earworms as silks emerge
Harvest leaves from the outside of the chervil plant, so new leaves continue to grow from the center.
After you pick all your blackberries remove the fruiting canes. Prune new canes to 3 feet in height to encourage side branching.
Cut the first flowers of lavender to encourage a second crop. Also, try rubbing your hands with lavender leaves to remove strong odors, such as garlic or onion.
Mulching herbs during hot weather protects the plant roots and helps keep them healthy. Perennial herbs also need mulch in the fall for protection from winter thaws and freezing.
Harvest and dry herbs such as thyme, rosemary and lavender for potpourri and for cooking. Dried thyme stored in plastic bags now will provide tea material this winter during cold seasons. Thyme kills germs.
Harvest comfrey to make an ointment for scrapes, insect bites and stings. Lightly rinse and chop the leaves and roots of the plant. Place them in a large glass container. Heat enough olive oil to cover plant material. Pour over comfrey. Cool completely and strain out solids. For every four ounces of oil, add 1/4 teaspoon each of Vitamin A and Vitamin E. Add a tablespoon of any essential oil for scent. Store in glass container. Refrigeration will prolong use.
Plant a second round of tomatoes, melons, beans, corn, cucumbers, squash and peppers for fall garden. Companion plant with herbs to deter pests.

"Where but in a garden do summer hours pass so quickly?"
-- Author Unknown

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