Summer weather has finally arrived and if you’re like me, you’re eager to get outside more and get work done.
With a lot more people getting into gardening, see my recommendations for watering vegetables.
The grass is growing fast as ever but that doesn’t mean it should be severely trimmed back.
Check your ground cover plants, too. It might be time to trim them back and I haven’t forgot those water gardeners out there with some tips on pH and cutting lilies.
Below is the watering schedule for vegetables:
• BEANS need a gallon per week per foot of row when beans are developing;
• BEETS need water throughout growing cycle — three quarts per week per foot of plants;
• BROCCOLI needs one gallon per foot of row weekly especially when heads are developing;
• CAULIFLOWER needs one gallon per foot of row per week while head is forming;
• CABBAGE needs 1 1/2 gallons of water per plant in early development stages, but only two quarts per plant in June and July when heads are forming;
• CARROTS need three quarts of water per foot of row per week throughout growing cycle;
• CHARD needs one gallon per foot of row per week during growing cycle;
• CUCUMBERS need for water is acute during flowering cycle, or 1 1/2 gallons per week per plant.
• EGGPLANTS from flower to harvest, 1 1/2 gallons of water per week per plant;
• HEAD LETTUCE: water is critical during head formation — 3 quarts per foot of row per week;
• LEAF LETTUCE needs three quarts per foot of row per week;
• MELONS need 1 1/2 gallons per week when flowers are forming and during fruit development;
• ONIONS need one gallon per foot of row per week when onions are developing. Stop watering when tops fall over in early August;
• PEAS need one gallon per foot of row per week during flower cycle and enlargement of pea pods;
• PEPPERS: In June and early July, each plant needs minimum watering, but after that time, each plant needs 1 1/2 gallons per week;
• RADISHES need three quarts per foot of row per week;
• SQUASH: Each plant needs 1 1/2 gallons per week when flowers form and for later fruit development;
• TOMATOES: Each plant needs 2 1/2 gallons per week from flowering through final harvest of fruit; and
• TURNIPS need three quarts per week in early stages of growth to help roots.
LAWN CARE
1. Setting mowers to a summer cutting height of 3-4 inches will help prevent stress to the grass. It also helps with weed control, for example: Lawns mowed at 2 inches or shorter always attract annual bluegrass, chickweed, moss, pearlwort, and speedwell. Lawns cut at 4 inches or higher attract bull thistle, burdock, chicory, clover, teasel and wild carrot.
2. Insect, disease, and weed problems will begin to surface in June. Remember to water only between the hours of 6-10 a.m., so the grass blades will be dry when night time comes. Also, morning irrigation washes away any dew, which can cause certain diseases, and it also conserves water since not as much will be evaporated by the sun. There are diseases caused by over watering.
3. Irrigate the grass only when you walk on the lawn and it doesn’t spring back. A simple rule of thumb is that lawns need about 1 inch of water a week to remain healthy and growing. When you irrigate place a tuna or cat food can about halfway in the middle of the irrigation coverage area. When the can is full, you have given your lawn an inch of water.
(Editor’s Note: Ken Morgan is the owner of Robin’s Nest Floral and Garden Center in Easton, Md.)