At Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, we empower communities by feeding, teaching, and growing. Home gardening embodies all three pillars, fostering self-sufficiency, resilience, and stronger neighborhoods. When families grow their own food, they gain control over their nutrition while deepening connections with nature.
A flourishing summer garden requires consistent care and attention. Proper watering, weed management, mulching, trellising, and pruning all contribute to healthy, productive plants.
Here’s a guide to maintaining your garden throughout the season.
Watering: Plants depend on water for photosynthesis, nutrient absorption, and cooling. The amount of water needed varies based on factors like weather, soil type, and plant maturity. In hot, dry conditions, watering should be more frequent, while cooler, wet weather calls for less. Raised beds and container plants dry out faster and need closer monitoring.
Water deeply and infrequently to encourage strong root growth, aiming for about an inch of saturated soil. Check moisture by feeling an inch below the surface—if it’s dry, water. Early morning watering minimizes evaporation, and directing water to the base rather than leaves reduces disease risk. Options include hand watering, drip irrigation for efficiency, and overhead sprinklers for seed germination.
Managing Weeds: Weeds compete with crops for water, sunlight, and nutrients, impacting growth and increasing disease risks. Regular weeding prevents them from spreading and reduces their seed bank over time. Limiting soil disturbance helps minimize new weed growth, while proper plant spacing allows crops to outcompete weeds.
Mulch is a valuable tool for weed prevention, as it blocks sunlight and retains moisture. Watering only at the base of vegetables discourages weed germination. Other techniques include tarping and solarizing the soil to suppress unwanted plants.
Mulching: Applying mulch protects soil from erosion, compaction, and moisture loss while benefiting soil biology. Natural mulch, like straw, wood chips, or grass clippings, decomposes and adds nutrients to the soil. Synthetic options, such as plastic sheeting, suppress weeds but do not improve soil health.
Apply a two-to-three-inch layer around plants, avoiding direct contact with stems. For pathways, adding newspaper or cardboard beneath mulch can help smother weeds effectively.
Trellising: Providing vertical support for plants optimizes space and reduces disease risks by improving airflow and limiting soil contact. Trellising also enhances pollination by increasing flower accessibility to pollinators.
Use sturdy materials that can support the mature weight of climbing plants. Keep netting or trellis strings taut, guiding stems as they grow. Tomatoes, cucumbers, and peas particularly benefit from structured trellising.
Pruning: Selective removal of plant stems, suckers, or leaves promotes healthier, more productive plants. Pruning improves airflow, prevents overcrowding, and reduces moisture-related diseases. Removing lower leaves also minimizes soil splash contamination.
For tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants, bottom pruning helps prevent disease while maintaining strong top growth. Always prune with clean tools and avoid cutting wet plants to reduce disease spread.
Maintaining a summer garden requires observation and care, but applying these methods will help ensure a productive and resilient growing season. Happy gardening!