Keep the Harvests Coming! Garden Chores for September.

It's tempting this time of year to neglect the garden.  There should still be summer crops ripening and fall crops starting to make their appearance.  Thought I would share what's still in my garden and what chores I'm still doing this time of year.

1. First of all keep weeding.  As you go into winter you don't want to leave a bunch of dead weed debris.  This is a great place to overwinter pests.  Also weeds are still trying to produce seed and make next years weeding a nightmare.

 2.  Keep up with picking your crops.  Berries, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, squash, beans need to be picked regularly to keep producing.  If you are saving seeds from any of these you need to leave them on the vine past the normal ripe stage.

Nasturtiums

 3.  Pull out any plants that you are no longer harvesting from.  Also remove any diseased plants. Do not put diseased plants in the compost pile.  If you are unsure then don'y put it in the pile instead throw it in the trash.

A squash blossom

 4.  Even moisture is the key to good tasting and large crops.  With the cooler weather that may mean less watering because your soil does not dry out as fast.  Poke your finger down a couple inches in the soil. It should feel cool and moist.

5.  Still watch for squash bugs on melons, cucumbers, pumpkins, and squash.  You probably just need a RTU pyrethrin spray to spot spray any lingering squash bugs or simply remove them.

6.  Have a lightweight frost blanket on hand.  Also be sure you know your first frost date.  In New Harmony it is October 9th.  Here is a link to help you find your first frost date.

 Frost Chart Farmers Almanac

7.  Be sure you have some garlic ordered to plant this month.  Or you can use the cloves that you harvested this year.  You need to plant them this month or early October in order for them to develop multiple cloves.  They need to go through the winter.  Plant pointed side up and 2-3 inches deep.  Use only your largest cloves.  During winter months you will have heaving of the soil from freezes and thaws and if they are planted too shallow they end up exposed.

8.  If you started fall and winter seedlings you should get them outside this month.  Put them in the bed where you plan on installing your low tunnels.  They may like a little shade as they get established so you can put a row cover just across the top of the frame.

Row Covers    

Constructing Low Tunnels

An Armenian Cucumber.  To get straight cucumbers grow them on a trellis and be sure they don't go thirsty.

Elderberries

Moon and Stars Watermelon

Most important chore of the month is to enjoy your yard, garden, homestead, or farm with those you love.  Nothing inspires your children to follow in your footsteps more than when they see you finding fulfillment and joy in your labors.  I'm always so grateful to God for the abundant and diverse beauty of nature.