It’s time to weed and mulch
Give veggies a moisture and fertility boost as they grow
QI have bought bags of a compost blend recommended for enriching the soil at planting time and for top-dressing lawns and mulching around plants. I want to use it mainly for mulching. When is the best time to do this?
AFor enhanced moisture retention and fertility in the soil, the best time for applying a nourishing compost mulch layer is in spring to early summer, once the soil has warmed and after a substantial rainfall or a deep watering.
Clean the ground around the plants, cultivate lightly, water, and mulch. Give special attention to drought-sensitive and mildew-prone plants like summer phlox and roses.
Rhododendrons benefit from a post-bloom cleaning and mulching.
In June, when the plants are up and growing well, I weed, water and mulch the pea, onion, carrot and beet rows as well, to give them a nutrient and moisture-retention boost as they are developing rapidly.
QI would like to have fresh garden vegetables to eat this fall and during the winter. What can I seed this summer, and when, for this to happen?
AFor a continuous supply of lettuces through the summer and into autumn, sow or transplant every few weeks through late July. For fall and winter lettuces, seed hardy varieties like Winter Density and Rouge d’Hiver around Aug. 10.
You can sow or transplant kale, chard and cabbage now. Kale especially is a fine winter green that produces through early spring.
Purple sprouting broccoli and over-wintering cauliflower provide wonderful eating in late winter to early spring. Purple Cape cauliflower (Salt Spring Seeds) is easy-growing, beautiful, and delicious. Seed it and the broccoli in the second or third week of this month.
Sow carrots and beets for fall and winter on July 1. Seed spinach and radishes in early August.
Keep in mind that most garden centres will have fall and winter vegetable transplants for sale during the latter half of August.