Plus, keeping hydrated, extreme heat safety, cool desserts, and more!
| | | Thank you, Edith McCormack in St Martins, NB, Canada, for this week’s photo! | Ask any gardener, and they’ll tell you that feeling a little overwhelmed at this time of year sometimes is just a fact of life.
Young seedlings go into the ground with so much hope, but as the heat of July hits, something shifts. Leaves begin to wilt. Weeds start to take hold. Are those … spots? They weren’t there before—this can’t be good! You don’t remember inviting pests to an all-you-can-eat buffet, but yet there they are. Taken all at once, things can all feel a bit out of control.
But take heart: The other thing that experienced gardeners know is that within every challenge lies an opportunity for growth and learning. Your tomatoes might not take hold. The zucchini crop for which you had big baking plans may never come to pass. Despite everyone’s best intentions (not just yours, but theirs, too, no doubt!), annuals sometimes droop and die off before the season has barely started. Perfection is impossible, but there are no failures—just insights to guide you into the future.
If you’re a new gardener (and we know that you’re out there!), keep going! This is the time to enjoy the process and all of the green things, even if they’re “weeds.” One of the best ways to manage is to break up the chores into different sessions or even 15-minute increments.
Also, of course: Water, water, water. If you’re feeling a bit parched under the hot Sun, imagine how your plants must feel!
When watering, avoid overwatering and focus your efforts on the soil—not the plants themselves—to avoid diseases like powdery mildew and blossom-end rot.
While you’re working (or playing) outside, please don’t forget to “water” yourself! You should be drinking water throughout the day, even if you’re not thirsty. Also, they may be wet, but soda, alcohol drinks, and caffeinated beverages are no substitute for good ol’-fashioned H2O. Stay healthy and hydrated with our 10 Tips for Extreme Heat Safety.
Finally, don’t forget to treat yourself. Summer should be about relaxing and enjoying the best things in life—like dessert! Consider indulging with our Fruited “Yogurt” Parfait (a healthy sweet treat, especially for those avoiding dairy) or the more decadent Cherry Limeade Ice Cream Pie!
As sure as the Sun will rise and set each day, The Old Farmer’s Almanac is here for you, now and always.
Your Friends from The Old Farmer’s Almanac |
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| “You can’t calm the storm, so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass.” –Timber Hawkeye, speaker and author of Buddhist Boot Camp |
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| | | Powdery mildew is one of many garden diseases that can ruin your crops—but don’t fret if one of these vegetable villains visits your garden. Learn from it, adapt, and try again next year! For more about preventing and controlling garden pests and diseases, grab a copy of the Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook at Almanac.com/veggiebook. |
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