VEGETABLES
- Consistent moisture is important for preventing blossom-end-rot on tomatoes (and sometimes squash or peppers). Mulch helps as well as attention to regular irrigation.
- Keep tall vegetables supported with stakes or cages to keep foliage and fruit off the ground.
- Keep a watch out forearly blight on tomatoes.
- Cut back basil, mint and oregano to keep them compact, encourage new foliage growth and prevent these herbs from blooming and going to seed.
- Harvest vegetables when young, tender and tasty.
- Dig potatoes when the foliage begins to die.
- There is still time to plant late crops of squash, bush beans or cucumbers.
- Plan the fall garden. Take time now to soil sample.
- Some suggestions for fall crops include:
Beets, beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, collards, kale, kohlrabi, leaf lettuce, mustard, radishes, rutabagas, spinach, turnips, southern peas, and sugar snap peas.
Check out the WNC Planting Calendar for Annual Vegetables, Fruits and Herbs - Start seeds for transplants such as broccoli, cabbage and collards.
COMMON TOMATO DISEASES
Learn how to better identify and manage fungal and bacterial plant pathogens that commonly attack tomatoes. Correct diagnosis is key to effective disease management!
TOMATO DISEASE FACTSHEETS
Vegetables - Tomato Diseases
GENERAL INFORMATION / DISEASE FACTSHEETS FOR VEGETABLES
ORNAMENTALS
- Don't fertilize shrubs and trees mid season to allow plants to move towards dormancy as fall approaches.
- Prune only as needed. Mid July is the cut off for the summer season.
- Cicada damage is still evident on some trees and shrubs,. Although this is not a concern, it may be confusing when another symptom of another provblem may be involved. Read More on Cicada Damage
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming on annuals and re-blooming on some perennials.
- Container gardens require attention. Fertilize every few weeks with liquid fertilizer and cut back plants as needed.
- Don't forget to water newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials - weekly if needed.
- Observe flowers in the garden and notice which ones attract the greatest number of pollinators. The Thai Basil in the photo below is a pollinator magnet!
- Mark your calendar for The Great Southeast Pollinator Census August 21 & 22. This is a great opportunity to learn how to identify the many pollinators visiting your plants and to participate in a Citizen Science project. Learn more on the website above.
- Also check out tthe Great Southeast Pollinator Census in North Carolina! We will be hosting an event on August 21 in The Learning Garden here in Buncombe County.
FRUIT
- Prune fruiting canes from blackberries and raspberries after harvest. Read More about Pruning Blackberries
- Prune the vigorous water sprouts on tree fruits to reduce excess growth.
- Spotted Wing Drysophila can be problematic on ripening blueberries. To sample - drop fruit in salt water and watch for larvae to emerge.
- Remove overripe fruit from day neutral strawberries to continue production.
- Although Muscadine grapes are marginally hardy for our area your site may be protected enough to get fruit. Did you know that the dark skin varieties are more disease resistant than the bronze? More on Muscadine Grapes
LAWNS
- Do not mow during hot and dry weather. Mowing at this time can stress grass and cause it to weaken.
- To reduce the spread of brown patch fungus disease in the lawn avoid mowing, and walking on the lawn when it is wet.
- Mow the fescue and bluegrass lawns 3 inches high.
