Summer in the Garden

by Anza Muenchow

Summer has arrived and it is expected to be a warm one. The cool spring crops are finishing quickly, and the heat-loving crops are maturing now in the garden. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash and beans are all starting to produce for us. Yum! To maximize food production from each plant, be sure to pick these crops regularly. Don’t let the fruits of your labor hang on the vines or stalks too long. For example, summer squash and beans should be picked several times a week so that the plant will continue to produce. If you allow fruit to stay on the plants too long, it will signal to the plant that it has completed its job of seed formation and it will stop producing fruit this season. Always pick off the old beans and squashes, even if they’re too big to eat or were chewed on by slugs or bugs.

Irrigation will be an important focus in the vegetable garden. Generally, summer watering should be about two inches per week if you have the typical sandy Whidbey soil. How does that translate in terms of maintaining the moisture levels of your soil? I always check the soil as I pull out the roots of the weeds around my crops. Is the soil moist down a couple inches? If not, it’s time to water. Noticing leaves wilting will always remind you to water, but I hate to stress the plants by allowing them to wilt.

Mulching is helpful for summer crops. It reduces weeds and keeps soil a little cooler. A weed-free compost or leaves, is a good choice. Speaking of compost, it is very important during the summer to water your compost as often as you do your soil. It should be as damp as a wrung-out sponge. You may need to cover your compost pile with plastic to hold in the moisture and minimize water use.

With the final harvest of your spring crops, space becomes available in your garden to plant fall or cool season crops that will overwinter. Pay special attention to watering when starting new seeds during the August drought time. Use floating row cover over your newly seeded beds to help control moisture and to protect new sprouts from critters digging in your beds or birds eating your seedlings. Try planting beets, arugula, spinach or baby bok choy in August, and you’ll have some delicious harvests in October. I especially enjoy gai laan (Chinese asparagus broccoli) in the fall. The thick crunchy, sweet stems and leaves are delicious sautéed, roasted or steamed.

Enjoy these long warm days and eat well. On the first Tuesday, join the monthly Farmer’s Shadow meeting on Zoom, sponsored by South Whidbey Tilth. It is a welcoming place if you have questions or ideas about growing more food in small spaces. Email education@southwhidbeytilth.org for more information.