The intensity of spring projects has now given way to the slower pace of a warm summer.  Our garden beds are filling out nicely, there is fruit developing on trees, and the veggie beds are earning their keep with daily ripe offerings.  Let’s not forget to sit in the shade of our gardens with a favorite beverage and enjoy the view – and doing that from the comfort of my hammock is MY own personal favorite!   These warm summer days are few here in Oregon, so we should savor them while they are here.

That is not to say that there aren’t a few seasonally-appropriate tasks that we should keep track of.  Here are a few things to be aware of  in the next month:

• If you are watering your lawn (some folks choose to let it dry out during the summer), remember that deep watering less frequently is better than frequent sparse watering; also, aeration of the lawn will allow water to soak more deeply.
• Keep staking tomatoes as they climb higher and higher; pick off any diseased leaves and thin out foliage for better air circulation and light penetration.
• Remember that all hanging baskets need special attention during hot weather - water daily; during extreme heat waves it can be a good idea to take down hanging baskets and put them in a shady spot on the ground, where it is cooler.  Dark pots especially absorb lots of heat and can be very damaging to roots.
• Water in the early morning for the least evaporation, and remember to water deeply and infrequently. 
• Midsummer is a great time to think ahead for fall vegetables – bush beans, peas, lettuces, spinach, radishes, carrots, and all the brassicas (cauliflower, broccoli, kale, etc.).  Don’t forget we have a great class coming up August 2 at noon on getting  a fall garden going. Call to register!
• Fungal diseases may appear on lupine, hollyhock, delphiniums, zinnias, and roses – they will look like they are dusted with powder, or in the case of roses, have red rusty or dark spots.  Pick off diseased leaves and clean up fallen leaves to prevent spreading, and apply fungicide if necessary.
• Fungal disease in the veggie garden (usually appearing on zuchini, melons, winter squash, and cucumbers), where we often want as few chemicals as possible, it is important to keep diseased leaves picked up.  Increase air flow through plants, and support off the ground.  If needed, treat with Bonide’s Tomato and Vegetable 3-in-1, which contains Neem Oil.
• Use fine mesh netting to protect your blueberry crop from birds – we have a netting that is very unobtrusive and does the trick.
• Keep up with the weeding – once a weed has produced mature seeds, your work will multiply!
• Mulching will keep moisture in the soil and keep it cool.  Just an inch does the trick.

Keep an eye on these things, and your garden will thrive.  But the best summer advice here is in that first paragraph – cool beverages and a hammock!