IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!!! The time for feasting and indulging in strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cucumbers, tomatoes, sweet corn, green beans, mint mojitos, lavender honey gin-a-tonics, and so much more delicious tasting fresh foods. It is the month that makes all your hard work so far worth it, also a month of extreme heatwaves and possibly an intense smoky sun.
Watering during heat or smoky skies is important to keep your crops healthy. When the wildfires burn and skies are filled with smoke it creates a more intense heat by absorbing the sunlight and trapping in the heat. During intense heat, you might find yourself watering in the morning and in the early evening.
I recommend an afternoon misting on sensitive crops like greens. Another great option is creating shade. You can purchase shade cloth that can be draped over plants or you can find items from around the house. A few good examples would be old bed sheets or tarps (both options would need ladders or sticks to help prop up the cover), large umbrellas, and pop-up canopies. The important thing to remember with covers is proper airflow and indirect light be allowed.
Follow Nikki @urbangnomestead on the socials for local garden growing advice, #farmlife and some hilarious videos. And check out her free monthly garden talks from 1-3 p.m. the final Sunday of each month at Ridgeline Brewing, Bremerton. This month’s foucs: Lettuce
