- Watch for powdery mildew on Dahlias, Squash, Grapes, Hollyhock, Sunflowers, Roses and other ornamentals. It’s a common plant disease caused by a fungus. It appears as grayish white powdery spots and patches on leaves and stems. Leaves eventually turn yellow and die. Treat this disease with a fungicide containing chlorothalonil or the organic fungicide containing Neem Oil.
- Divide old clumps of crowded bearded iris. Dig the rhizomes in the morning and cut the leaves back to about six inches. Really long roots can be trimmed to about four inches. Amend the planting site by adding Black Forest Compost and an all-purpose organic fertilizer. Replant trimmed rhizomes with roots well spread and the top if the rhizome at the surface of the soil. Always water newly planted plants.
- Begin curing onions and garlic. As tops begin to yellow, push the top over. About three weeks after bending the tops, dig them up. Spread them out in a shady dry space to dry for about 5 to 10 days. Store where they will be dry and have good air circulation.
- Keep Dahlias dead-headed for continuous bloom all summer. Fertilize them this month with Dr. Earth Fish Bone Meal or Bloom Booster Fertilizer.
- Stop harvesting rhubarb and asparagus. The plants are now storing energy for next year’s growth. In October after all foliage has died back cover the crowns with 4 to 6 inches of chicken manure. For longer stems, in the spring when new shoots appear, cover the crown of the plant with an inverted large plastic pot with the bottom cut out. Stems will stretch to reach the light making the longer for harvest.
- Pick all underground crops (beets, onions, carrots etc.) in the morning. Pick all above ground plants (lettuce, tomatoes, cabbage, etc.) in the late afternoon or twilight. The sun’s energy runs from the foliage to the roots at night, which is why you should pick root crops early in the day (while the sun’s energy is still there).
