Welcome back to Can You Dig It?, your source for farming and planting in Western New England to assist in justifying all this time you spend growing tomatoes and to expand your growing knowledge so you don’t repeat small mistakes.
I wanted to acknowledge the ascendance of Ruby Maddox, who was influential in my involvement in farming, and co-founded Gardening the Community, the longest running youth based urban farm in Springfield, MA. We cherish your time with us, and will be sorely missed by many.
July is a make-or-break month for gardens and small farms within the Zone 6 area, with high temperatures, 12+ hours of sunlight, and rapid plant growth. Staying ahead of essential small tasks will keep your garden or small farm flourishing through the peak of summer. Here are the top six must-do activities this month:

1. Water Smartly – Deep watering in the early morning or evening helps plants withstand the heat. Avoid overhead watering to prevent disease (especially if you are left with only watering in the evening).
2. Harvest Often – Tomatoes, zucchinis, and beans will be in abundance. Regular harvesting encourages more production and prevents over ripening.
3. Prepare for Fall Crops – Start broccoli, kale, collard greens, and carrots from seed indoors or directly seed fast-growing greens for fall.
4. Keep Weeds at Bay – Remove weeds promptly and add organic mulch to retain moisture and suppress unwanted growth. Straw or leaf mulch will keep fall plant roots moist and warm as temperatures change.
5. Watch for Pests – Japanese beetles and hornworms are active now. Hand-picking, neem oil, or row covers can help protect plants. Inspecting under the plant leaves, the full stem, and even into the soil to view roots (if necessary) can help prevent plant damage and identify plants that may need to be pulled.
6. Succession Plant & Support – Plant another round of lettuce, spinach, or radishes for continuous harvests. Ensure tomatoes and beans have proper stakes or cages for support and to prevent disease.
   Upcoming Conferences and Workshops in the Area
   ● I’ll be doing a brief talk at the “Movement, Mood & Food!” an all-encompassing all-day event on Saturday, August 23rd (Rain date: August 31st).
   ● Urban Ag week in Massachusetts is August 10-16. Keep your ears open for trainings and events.
   ● The Northeast Organic Farming Association for Massachusetts usually does a conference in the summer. As of this writing, no dates have been announced.
   Thank you for your time, and as always, for any farm or gardening questions please reach out to canyoudigit413@gmail.com ■