As we reach the midpoint of June, we will begin to experience the humidity point as we get ready for summer of 2024. It is the time that the warm days of late spring begin to feel humid like summer.
Summer guns, in the form of thunder, lightening and gusty storms, will soon become part of the routine of summer. Summer storms and warm thunder showers become the lifeblood of the flowers and vegetables of the garden. They enliven the garden because they have a certain amount of electrical charge in them that perks up the foliage as well as refreshes the air.
Lush, green ferns refresh the back deck
The beautiful green of ferns refresh the deck of late spring and add plenty of color and coolness to the deck in spring and summer. All types of ferns are a welcome addition to the porch or deck and add comfort to both of these locations. You can choose from Boston ferns, asparagus ferns, and old-fashioned panda ferns.
Boston ferns can be placed in hanging baskets for beauty all during the the warm weather season. The asparagus and panda ferns are just beginning their season outside after a late autumn and winter in the semi-sunny living room. They are now seven or eight years old. In winter, they are fed with Flower-Tone organic flower food once a month and lightly watered every ten days. Use a plastic drip tray under their containers to protect carpet and floors.
Trim the ferns once a month to promote growth. Keep ferns outside until the middle of October until the first frost is predicted and forecast before bringing them inside for winter.
Cooling of the summer hanging baskets
The warm days of June heat up the hanging baskets and quickly dry up medium inside the baskets. The bright sun dries the soil and has a negative effect on the baskets. At sunset each evening, use the water wand or sprinkling can and water the baskets until out of the hole in the bottom of the baskets. Place a handful of Flower-Tone organic flower food in containers and hanging baskets once a month and stir it into the medium.
Providing a refreshing cool-off for birds
The first full day of the summer will be Friday, June 21. The temperatures will begin to warm up and humid days will soon be here. The summer sun will heat up the birdbaths. Cool off the bird population by keeping fresh cool water in the baths in the morning and evening. Cool water will attract more birds to the lawn as well as to the feeders.
Starting a late row of summer green beans
The most productive vegetable crop in the summer garden is the green bean. You can sow a row or two to produce a harvest by the first days of August. You can choose from the productive varieties of Top Crop, Tenderette, Strike, or Derby. In the warm soil of mid-June, they will thrive and produce a harvest in the early days of August and produce beans for several weeks. Feed them with Plant-Tone organic vegetable food.
For moisture retention, apply a layer of peat moss before sowing the seed. In the heat of July, use the water wand in stream mode and apply around the base of the beans and feed every two weeks with Plant-Tone organic vegetable food and hill up soil on both sides of the rows.
Checking out the Irish potato row
The Irish potatoes, should now be in bloom as we reach into summer’s first days. Usually when they begin to bloom, small spuds begin to form under the vines. Keep an eye out for Colorado potato beetles and spray with a mist of liquid Sevin to control them. Keep soil hilled up to the vines and side-dress them with Plant-Tone every two weeks and water around the base of the foliage when rain is not in the forecast. Feel around the bottoms and check on spud growth.
Dog Days will begin on July 6. Check the spuds under the foliage and see how they are developing so you will know when to harvest them.
Keeping the zinnia bed prepped to bloom
The zinnia bed is thriving in the warmth of June days and their foliage is getting greener. It will not be long until they provide the first blooms. Water them with the water wand in stream mode. Don’t water the foliage but the base of the foliage to prevent powdery mildew and leaf mold. Feed the zinnias with Flower-Tone organic flower food every month and hill up soil on each side of the zinnia rows.
The blue bouquet Veronica’s
Blue flowers are usual as are all flowers that are blue. Another blue flower is the forget-me-not, and periwinkle, which can all be started from packets of seed. The Veronica can be purchased in four packs and started in medium containers or from seed. They will thrive over the winter if covered and protected with several sheets of cardboard and a heavy cloth over them on cold nights and freezing weather.
A container of wandering Jew for a bit more blue
The wandering Jew grows wild on the edge of the backyard. We have a container that thrives on the back of the deck. It has plenty of dark green leaves and tiny royal blue flowers with bright yellow centers and bloom all the way until frost. They can be wintered over by covering with a heavy cloth on cold days and freezing nights and lightly watering every week.
Making a Mississippi mud cake
A Mississippi mud cake makes a great dessert with plenty of chocolate to enhance it and creamy marshmallows for unusual taste and highlight the chocolate. You will need two sticks of light margarine, half cup Hershey’s Cocoa, two cups sugar, four slightly beaten eggs, one tablespoon vanilla extract, one and a half cups plain flour, pinch of salt, bag of marshmallows. Melt margarine and Hershey’s cocoa together. Remove from heat and stir in sugar and beaten eggs. Mix well. Add salt, vanilla, and flour and mix well. Grease and flour a 13x9x2 inch baking pan. Spoon batter into the pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes. Remove cake from oven and sprinkle the bag of marshmallows on top of hot cake and place back in the oven until marshmallows are lightly melted but not toasted. For the chocolate frosting, mix one third cup melted light margarine, half cup of Hershey’s coco, two cups 10x confectioners sugar, one and a half teaspoons vanilla extract, two table spoons milk. Mix until creamy and spread on top of the marshmallows.
Black Kow and peat moss boost summer veggies
The growing and thriving vegetables of early summer need that extra boost of organic pep that is derived from a layer of peat moss and Black Kow decomposed cow manure that can be purchased in 25- and 50-pound bags decked out in trademark bright yellow plastic bags. It will boost the vegetables and relieve the stress on plants during the up and coming Dog Days of summer
Grass clippings heat up compost pile or bins
Grass clippings are nitrogen-rich and will heat up compost piles and bins and break down organic materials. Add the clippings to garden residue and add some mixed Black Kow and water to reduce volume and break down compost.
Hoe hoe hoedown
“Blonds, redheads, and brunettes.” They say brunettes have a sweeter disposition than blonds or redheads. Don’t believe this! My wife has been all three and I couldn’t see any difference.
“Regular Attendance.” Jan: “Does your husband regularly attend church?” Fran: “Oh yes, he hasn’t missed an Easter Sunday since we have been married.”
“Prodigal son.” Teacher: “Who was the most sorry when the prodigal son came home?” Student: “The fatted calf.”
“Wrong signal.” The young man wrote a note to his sweetheart and it said, “If you really love me, wear a red rose in your hair tonight. If my love for you is hopeless, wear a white rose in your hair.” That night, the sweetheart wore a yellow rose in her hair.
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