Welcome back to Can You Dig It?, a monthly horticultural “best practices” guide to keep you from being surprised from the influx of pests and diseases that ruin your summer growing activities. Now that we are in July, there are actions that you are probably doing out of habit, because someone shared a technique with you or because you saw a video on YouTube—all of which can be very effective. However, there are also things that you might be doing that do not prepare you for success.
Here are 5 inefficiencies that, if you correct them, can result in a lot fewer issues and may mean you squander less of your monies (as my Bronx family used to say) and, more importantly,
you won’t lose precious time (!). Let’s jump right into it…

1. Watering Inefficiently (or Too Much)
   The Inefficiency: Watering during the heat of the day leads to significant water loss through evaporation before it can even reach the roots. Equally problematic is the common mistake of overwatering during a heatwave. Plants may wilt in the afternoon heat as a stress response, not necessarily because they need water. Watering on a fixed schedule rather than based on the plant’s needs can also be wasteful.
   What to do instead: Water deeply in the early morning to minimize evaporation and ensure moisture reaches the root zone. Always check the soil moisture a few inches below the surface before watering. Using a drip irrigation system or soaker hose on a timer is far more efficient and less time-consuming than hand-watering. A mature tomato plant in the Massachusetts summer heat can require up to 2.5 quarts of water per day, so deep, consistent watering is key.
2. Ignoring Pest and Disease Pressures
   The Inefficiency: July in New England is peak season for pests like Japanese beetles and tomato hornworms, and humid conditions can lead to fungal diseases. Failing to monitor for these problems can allow a small issue to become a major infestation or disease outbreak, leading to crop loss or the need for more aggressive interventions later.
   What to do instead: Regularly inspect your plants, including the undersides of leaves and along stems. Use a multi-pronged approach: hand-pick larger pests like Japanese beetles and hornworms, apply organic controls like neem oil when necessary, and use row covers to protect vulnerable crops. Proper plant spacing also promotes airflow which helps prevent fungal diseases.
3. Missing the Window for Fall Crops
   The Inefficiency: Many gardeners focus only on the current summer harvest and miss the critical July window for planting fall crops. In Zone 6, the first frost typically arrives in mid-October, meaning the clock is ticking for plants that need time to mature. Waiting too long can result in crops that don’t reach maturity before the cold weather hits.
   What to do instead: Use July’s warm soil, which can cut germination time in half, to your advantage. Start fall brassicas like broccoli and cauliflower from seed indoors in early July for transplanting later. From mid-July onward, you can direct sow crops like bush beans, beets, carrots, and kale for a productive fall harvest. For example, bush beans can mature in 50-55 days when planted in mid-July.
4. Failing to Mulch and Control Weeds
   The Inefficiency: Leaving soil bare in July is an open invitation for weeds to take over. Weeds compete with your crops for water and nutrients, and bare soil also loses moisture much faster to evaporation. Additionally, unprotected soil can become compacted and form a crust that repels water.
   What to do instead: Apply a thick layer of organic mulch (like straw or leaf mulch) around your plants. Mulch is one of the best defenses against the July heat: it suppresses weeds, retains soil moisture, and helps keep root systems cool. Promptly remove any weeds that do appear before they have a chance to go to seed.
5. Neglecting Succession Planting and Support
   The Inefficiency: Allowing all your crops
   to mature and be harvested at the same time can create a feast-or-famine cycle. Not having a plan for continuous harvests means you’ll have gaps in production. Also, failing to properly support vining or heavy plants like tomatoes and beans can lead to disease and broken branches, reducing your overall yield.
   What to do instead: Practice succession planting by sowing small batches of fast-growing crops like lettuce, spinach, and radishes every few weeks for a continuous supply. Regularly harvest crops like tomatoes, zucchinis, and beans to encourage the plant to keep producing. Ensure tall or vining plants have adequate stakes, cages, or trellises to support their growth and keep fruit off the ground.
   By staying on top of these key areas, you can navigate the challenges of July and set yourself up for a productive late summer and fall, and as always for any gardening questions, please reach out to canyoudigit413@gmail.com. ■