Welcome back to Can You Dig It?—your first place for quick tips on growing food, herbs, and a few things in between. Before we jump into this month’s tips, be sure to check out the events coming in August and the fall. Seek out the best information always to improve your ability to remove any missteps or mistakes for the fall and next season. Here are the things I’ll be looking to do this month in preparation for the fall.
Harvest Regularly
Continue picking tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, beans, and berries to encourage more production. Harvest herbs (like basil, parsley, and cilantro) before they bolt or flower. Pull root crops (carrots, beets) when they reach optimal size.
Water Deeply & Consistently
August can be hot and dry; water deeply in the morning (1-1.5 inches per week) to prevent stress. Use mulch (straw, wood chips) to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Plant Fall Crops
Direct sow: Kale, spinach, lettuce, arugula (shade-tolerant greens). Radishes, turnips, beets, and carrots (fast-maturing roots).
Transplant: Broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts (started indoors or bought as seedlings).
Control Pests & Diseases
Watch for powdery mildew (squash, cucumbers) – improve airflow and consider applications of an organic pesticide if needed. Handpick these bugs when you see them: tomato hornworms, squash bugs, and cucumber beetles. Remove diseased leaves to prevent spread.
Fertilize Strategically
Side-dress heavy feeders (tomatoes, peppers, squash) with compost or a balanced fertilizer. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers for fall crops, especially those root crops. (Nitrogen is the N in N-P-K fertilizers sold in stores or online).
Weed & Maintain Beds
Keep weeds under control to reduce competition for water and nutrients. Clear out spent plants (bolted lettuce, finished beans) to make room for fall planting. Leaving debris provides cover for things we don’t want.
Plan & Prepare for Fall
Order garlic bulbs and prepare beds for October planting. Start cover crops (clover, rye, clover, etc.) in empty beds to improve soil. Maintain notes of successes/failures from the season to prepare for next season.
Upcoming Conferences and Workshops in the Area
● “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.
● Check for the Urban Agriculture display at the Big E this fall.
Thank you for your time, and as always, for any farm or gardening questions, please reach out to canyoudigit413@gmail.com ■
