July is the first full month of the summer AND the beginning of the delicious tastes of our local homegrown fruits and vegetables.
However, the abundant rainfall we experienced in June will likely bring us powdery mildew, black spot or brown rot. Squash, melons, and cucumbers are susceptible to powdery mildew. Tomatoes are susceptible to early blight which will attack and kill them. Tom Dayton, of Dayton Nurseries, recommends sprays of copper and chlorothalonil (Fungonil), which is an effective control as long as they are applied at the first sign of disease.
While you’re enjoying the warm summer weather, longer days, the twinkle of the fireflies and yummy picnic delights, don’t forget about your summer gardening action list for the month:
– plant last batch of beans, sweet corn, squash, cucumbers
– start harvesting Duke and Earliblue blueberries at the beginning of the month
– protect blueberries from birds when they begin to turn blue
– apply Grub Control to prevent grubs
– cut back mums now to increase branching
– start harvesting Jersey, Bluecrop, and Berkley blueberries the middle of the month
– harvest yellow transparent apples for applesauce
– start harvesting blackberries
– attend Summit’s Plow 2 Chow, benefiting the Ronald McDonald House of Akron
– attend Dayton Nurseries’ Blueberry Festival
– and be sure to visit the Summit County Farm Bureau Antique Museum during the Summit County Fair, at the end of the month.
What’s on YOUR July Gardening “To-Do” List? Let us know in the comments section below!