Summer Planting for August

So July, the month of wait has gone, and we're on into August.  Not that I've been idle, the month was incredibly busy, just not garden busy.

My own yardwork had to take a back seat as I dealt with everything from my usual landscaping jobs, kids, and having both cars out of action.  But once again things are put back to as they should be. Beds pretty much weeded, soil amended, plants watered, and I'm ready to plant. As you can see everything is looking fairly green, and although it's been a month of watching and waiting - it's not been devoid of food.

Nearly everything I wanted to plant is in the ground, the exception atm is peas, as I was planning to do those after I pruned some plants (see last post) - so maybe a couple more days before I'm allowed to get grubby on that.

I was pretty ruthless when it came to clearing space - anything that wasn't working out was pulled - the second planting of carrots were consolidated into one square (as they weren't really working well). Root crops in general don't like being moved and I expect them to probably die off. If that happens they'll be replaced with beets and spinach.  I don't want to repeat the mistakes of spring.

2 squares of spinach were planted out with a spacing of 5 plants. I did 9 last year with not much luck - and this time they'll be getting lots of sun in the big bed on the right.  This is a first planting, and I'll be staggering in more as space is available.

Beets were also planted, 2 varieties and planted 9 per square. I did 9 last year (instead of a suggested 16) and did fairly well in late Autumn. I'm tempted to plant a 'test 16' and compare the outcome.  Beets will be planted again in Autumn to grow over winter.

Salad bowl lettuce was planted into the long pots for germination, this system is tested and solid for me - plant in containers and transfer to the garden later.  2 pots of 12 - 24 plants.

A single square of radishes were put down too, in a square adjacent to where they were in spring.  If they do as will this time around I'll have a good salad mix.

Swiss chard was planted in 3 squares, and I'll see how it does. one plant this time instead of 4.  Last Autumn I tended to have one large plant and 3 stunted - so this is a comparison to see if 4 smaller plants are more effective, we have both size, quantity of leaf, and tenderness/taste to consider.

Lastly Turnip Greens.  I love me some greens, and seeing how I failed to pick up Collard seeds, these are good for now. In spring I planted 3 squares and they overran the area very quickly - like my beans are at the moment (in those very squares).  I have a few tucked away squares by the chimney where corn almost grew. They are problem areas that get a LOT of water and are prone to washout. They get more shade than most as well. I'm putting the greens out of the way up there. They can overrun if they want, the shade should help with leaf wilting, and the density should help with soil washout.  We'll see.  Greens are a super fast grower, so if I can utilize 'bad squares' AND have a rapid turn around plant - that would be perfect.

I'll be keeping an eye out for more seeds in my travels this week.  I like a variety of things, and I need to fine tune the balance of fast/slow growing veg.

Lets see what we get in 10 days!