Ciscoe’s Tips of the Week: Start thinking about indoor veggies
Jun 27, 2013, 4:21 PM | Updated: Jun 28, 2013, 10:48 am
Ciscoe’s Tips of the Week:
With an imminent heat wave moving in to Western Washington, Ciscoe said watering is key to keeping veggies happy and lawns green.
– Water to keep soil evenly moist around vegetable plants in warmer weather. Heat stressed plants tend to bolt and go to seed, especially if there isn’t adequate moisture available in the soil.
“Things like broccoli and Brussels sprouts needs a certain amount of moisture in the soil. If a plant thinks it’s going to die, then it goes to seed to leave someone behind,” said Ciscoe. “That wrecks it.”
As far as your grass goes, Ciscoe said you really only need to water one inch per week.
He recommends setting small containers out on your lawn before you water. Mark them one inch up and time how long it takes to reach that mark. That’s how long you need to water every week.
“Your lawn will stay green and keep growing,” said Ciscoe.
– Water adequately to prevent powdery mildew disease on ornamental plants. At the first sign of powdery mildew, spray with a fungicide registered to control it, or in an emergency, make a spray by mixing 2 teaspoons of baking soda in a quart of water, and add 4 drops of dish detergent. Sprays only work if you spray at the first sign of the problem.
– Sow the seed and grow indoor vegetable starts for your fall-winter vegetable garden. Sow the seed of root crops such as rutabagas, turnips, carrots and beets directly into the garden with an Organic Planting soil. Start overwintering varieties of cabbage family plants indoors and plant them out in mid-August to allow them time to grow big enough to withstand winter cold.
Ciscoe’s Tips of the Month for July
– Deadhead spent flowers and add organic rose and flower food to promote blooming.
– Fertilize container gardens regularly. Add a water soluble natural all-purpose fertilizer every other week.
– Harvest beans, cucumbers and summer squash when they are young for better taste and to keep them producing.
Click here for Ciscoe’s Plant of the Week!
Gardening with Ciscoe can be heard on KIRO Radio on Saturdays at 10 a.m. Available anytime ON DEMAND at KIRORadio.com.
