Calhoun County Gardening: Beat the Heat: How to Grow a Summer-Long Supply of Green Leafy Vegetables

Calhoun County, AL – I grow a continuance summer supply of green leafy vegetables. With hot summer temperatures you might ask, how? Once my cucumber & green bean vines start creating vertical shade by growing up trellises, they become umbrella leaves. I sow seeds under these leaves in the ground to shelter lettuce, kale, spinach from the blistering heat. If you time your planting of your cucumbers and green bean vines, green leafy vegetable seeds germinate easily with sun protection. Most gardeners stop sowing green leafy vegetables in the hottest summer unless they have a greenhouse. I also sow green leafy vegetable seeds in pots. I can move those pots to different locations if the high winds are expected, or thunderstorms with excessive rains. My tip for cleaning your green leafy vegetables is simple. I use salt & water in a big bowl to allow the leafy vegetables to soak. This removes any insect attachments to the leaves. Then clear water rinsing.  Always lay your fresh washed leafy greens on a kitchen towel or paper towels to drain. Why? Because the more moisture you remove the leafy greens stay fresher in your refrigerator inside zip lock bags or sealed containers. Another idea I use is to sow green leafy vegetables near flowers such as marigolds to repel insects. I safely use weekly applications of NEEM Oil spray (fungicide, miticide, pesticide). Remember to never over water your green leafy vegetables, they do not like coffee ground wet soil. Enjoy all summer your harvest of green leafy vegetables!

Betty Clark is a contributing writer. She is an organic gardener since 1998. Signature flower she grows are Dahlias. She has a straw bale garden, raised bed garden, and in ground garden. Both her surnames are agricultural farming families (8 generations). Her hobbies include ancestry research, antiques, continued education classes, and workshops. She also has a background in marketing & promotions including expos. To contact Betty Clark with gardening questions: bettyclark2151959@gmail.com

The post Calhoun County Gardening: Beat the Heat: How to Grow a Summer-Long Supply of Green Leafy Vegetables appeared first on Calhoun Journal .