Managing the garden in mid-summer

When the heat index soars above 100 degrees, gardeners may be tempted to retreat into air-conditioned interiors. However, a daily walk through the garden is still the best management tool available. Timing is the key: Outside early, and then inside again, and both garden and gardener can flourish.

Early each morning a walk-through will allow the gardener to see what is ready for harvest; where the weeds are growing; which flowers require deadheading; and whether some watering is in order. Heavy producers such as green beans need to be harvested regularly. Leaving mature vegetables on a plant signals it to stop production. And of course, most vegetables are at their very best when they are just ready, not overripe.

Weeding may need to be done a little at a time, with more accomplished on cooler days. Deadheading, however, is easy enough to be done daily in most cases; snapping off a spent daylily bloom isn?t absolutely essential, but the garden does look its best with regular grooming. Early morning is the ideal time for whatever watering is necessary; plants will appreciate the hydration as they bake in full sun. While some spot watering can be done in the evening, using the sprinkler then isn?t a good idea as wet foliage overnight can promote disease.

Some flowers require special attention in this mid-summer period. Gardeners who fertilize roses should schedule the last feeding of the season for late July. Bearded irises that are overcrowded should be dug, divided, and replanted in either July or August. Dig plants up, cut back leaves to 1/3 the original height, wash soil off with a spray hose and cut apart rhizomes with a sharp knife. Of course, discard any damaged rhizomes. While the replanted irises will not bloom heavily next year, you should be rewarded with bountiful blooms for several years after that.

By the later part of July, vegetable gardeners may want to plant seeds of greens, beets, radishes and peas for second crops. Harvest onions when their tops fall over. Cure them for a week in a dry, well-ventilated space before putting them into storage in net bags.

Right now: If you had a plant failure in a particular area or completed construction of a new deck or patio, it?s not too late to assemble a delightful potted planting. Use a big pot (you may have one or may find bargains at end-of-season sales) and new potting soil. Examine carefully plants that you are purchasing. With care, you can still find some beauties that will reward you through late summer and fall.

Consider the benefits of adding a rain barrel if you do not already have one. After the initial purchase or construction of the collecting barrel, you?ll have a free source of rain water for dry stretches in your garden, and you?ll be making responsible use of water that would otherwise become runoff.