What’s happening in the garden end of June/beginning of July ?

What’s happening in the garden end of June/beginning of July ?

July is a month of hot days and warm nights – how is this any different from June??!! (ha ha)

Well, the humidity has increased for a start and fruit production for tomatoes, sweet peppers and summer squash is markedly decreased.

My cherry tomatoes are still producing, albeit slowly and the bigger ones have by now either given up the ghost completely or are just ticking along trying to weather the next few months without actually dying ! There is still green growth but it is slow. To be honest, if that is all they are doing, then I am fine with that.

All my summer vegetables are mulched with straw to keep the soil and plant roots cool and to try to retain some moisture.

You will find that many of your plants - such as squash may be wilting in the afternoon or the hottest parts of the day. If the soil around them is moist, there is no need to water any more. Just wait until it cools down a bit and if the plant perks up, then no need to worry. Keep to your normal watering schedule.  Wilting in the morning, however, shows a plant in stress and you will need to add water and possibly add mulch and shade.

My sweet potato vine however, is growing like crazy. Once it gets too large and starts to take over certain areas, such as my pathways, then there will be no harm in doing a little selective pruning. The new growth can be cooked or even eat raw, but it is not something I myself particularly enjoy. I usually put the pruned pieces onto my compost pile. You can also check the vines for rooting. This involves lifting the vines every week to make sure they are not rooting at any leaf joints. This usually helps in getting a larger sweet potato crop. 

Sweet potato plant, June 27th 2017

Yes, that is a squash growing beside the sweet potato vine (butternut).