July and August are months when organic gardeners should be enjoying the fruits of their labor. Unfortunately, high summer temperatures and drought conditions sometimes bring a premature end to the garden’s beauty. Renew the late summer garden’s vigor with these organic gardening tips.
Weed Control
Weeding is a satisfying garden task in the spring when moist soil and small weeds permit the gardener to make quick work of unwanted plants. However, when temperatures soar and tough perennial weeds send roots deep into summer-baked soil, the gardener may be tempted to give up on weed control. Repeated cultivation, at least twice a week, will weaken established weeds. If it’s too hot to work safely in the yard, the gardener should at least attempt to remove the seed heads from weeds that will germinate when cool temperatures and fall rains return.
Garden Insect Control
Gardeners breathe a sigh of relief when typical spring pests like aphids fade from the landscape. However, summer insects like beetles, webworms, and gypsy moths soon replace them. It’s too late to apply floating row covers to exclude beetles from plants, but gardeners can handpick them in the morning, dropping them in a bucket of soapy water. Prune away webworm nests, and apply Bacillus thuringiensis to control both webworms and gypsy moth larvae.
Plant Disease Control
Plants weakened by drought stress and high temperatures are vulnerable to mildew and fungal diseases. High humidity and nighttime temperatures further encourage the development and spread of plant diseases. Gardeners should remove and destroy any leaves infected with black spot or mildew. Selective pruning of overcrowded branches promotes disease-reducing air circulation.
Blossom end rot is a particular disappointment in the summer vegetable garden. Prevent this disease of tomatoes and peppers by providing consistent moisture and applying seaweed extract for a calcium boost.
Irrigation and Drought Management
Even when gardeners lay down a 3-inch layer of organic mulch in the spring, moisture and high temperatures can cause the mulch to break down before the garden season ends. Without a protective layer of mulch, the surface of the soil becomes cracked and hardpan, and the delicate feeder roots of flowers and vegetables wither. Gardeners should reapply a fresh layer of organic mulch in mid to late July, focusing on flowerbeds, vegetable gardens, and the drip line of young trees.
Plants and lawns need a minimum of an inch of water each week during summer months, but up to three inches of water when temperatures hover around the century mark. Conserve water by using soaker hoses, and water early in the morning to allow foliage to dry quickly.
Jamie McIntosh - Jamie has written hundreds of garden articles for the web, and is your guide to Flowers on About.com.
