Summer Tree Needs

Water!

Don’t let this rain fool you, trees still need water this week! Establishment watering is one of the most important things you can do for a newly planted tree. That water should be delivered weekly and in a large volume, rather than daily in a light sprinkle. Deep watering helps trees develop deep drought resistant roots. Water trees with at least 10 gallons per inch of tree diameter. The easiest way is to purchase a watering bag from a local nursery. These hold between 15 and 20 gallons. 

Watering formula

Tree diameter (inches) × 10= number of gallons per week. So, a 1 inch caliper tree needs a minimum of 10 gallons of water, weekly throughout the summer (from May-September). 

Mulch!

This is a great time of year to spread mulch. Get out there now and add a few inches in a circle that extends out to the drip-line of your tree. Mulch should not touch the trunk or surface roots as this can lead to decay. Keep mulch 3-4” deep starting 6” from the tree. Mulch helps reduce weeds, moderates soil temperature, helps keep soil moist and reduces compaction. 

For more about mulching click the link below.

 https://www.yourgreenpal.com/blog/dont-kill-your-trees-make-sure-you-are-mulching-them-the-right-way

What to do in the Garden in July

Maintenance and Clean Up

-Stake tall plants such as delphinium, hollyhocks, lupine, and tomatoes, as necessary.


- Mound soil up around base of potatoes. Gather and eat a few "new" potatoes from each hill, when plants begin to flower.





-Mulch to conserve soil moisture.



-Early morning is the best time to water. Water the soil, rather than leaves to reduce disease. 

Planting

-Midsummer plantings of beets, bush beans, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce, kale, and peas provide fall & winter crops.



-Be aware -potting soil dries out very quickly, so any new plantings will need frequent watering through summer.  It’s easier to plant in fall.

Pest monitoring

- Monitor for weevils and notched leaves. Try picking them off at night, sticky trap products on trunks, or beneficial nematodes. Check this link from Colorado State University for more information.  We do not recommend pesticide sprays, but the other information is very helpful.  https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/root-weevils-5-551/

-Check leafy vegetables for caterpillars. Pick them off as they appear. Use Bt-k, if necessary.





-Cover blueberry bushes with netting to deter birds. 

- Watch for spider mites during hot, dry weather. Signs: dusty-looking foliage, loss of color, and presence of tiny mites. Wash off with water. Check this link for control methods. 

https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/spider-mites-flowers-and-groundcovers

-Watch for early and late blight on tomatoes.  Prune for air circulation and pick off affected leaves.

What to do in the Garden in July

Maintenance and Clean Up

- Mound soil up around base of potatoes. Gather and eat a few "new" potatoes from each hill, when plants begin to flower.





-Early morning is the best time to water. Water the soil, rather than leaves to reduce disease. 

-Mulch to conserve soil moisture.



-Stake tall plants such as delphinium, hollyhocks, lupine, and tomatoes, as necessary.


Planting

-Midsummer plantings of beets, bush beans, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce, kale, and peas provide fall & winter crops.



-Spring bulbs can be dug and divided when tops have died down.




Photo – North Carolina Cooperative Extension

Pest monitoring

- Monitor for weevils and notched leaves. Try picking them off at night, sticky trap products on trunks, or beneficial nematodes.

-Check leafy vegetables for caterpillars. Pick them off as they appear. Use Bt-k, if necessary.





-Cover blueberry bushes with netting to deter birds. Scare tactics such as reflective ribbon help too.


-Watch for early and late blight on tomatoes.  Prune for air circulation and pick off affected leaves.

  Click here to read about Early Blight on tomatoes  Click here to read about Late Blight in tomatoes

Click here to go to the Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbook Homepage

ECLIPSE MANIA IN THE GARDEN

Plant some sun-worshippers--look for nursery sales and good deals on plants starting with Heli – Latin for SUN.

Examples include Helianthemum nummularium (Sunrose, Cistus) – an evergreen shrub and Helichrysum--The annual Strawflower is one kind, but there are also shrubby perennial forms.  An old-fashioned garden favorite is the Heliotropium (Cherry Pie Plant) – a highly scented purple flowering plant. Despite the name, this one may need partial shade.

It’s not too late to plant certain varieties of sunflower – Helianthus Annus!  Some will mature in 80 days.   Plant seed 2” deep in well-drained soil and keep moist until germination.

Vanessa cardui on Heliotropium Arborescens

Of course without the MOON, there would be no eclipse!   Bethany Schiminsky of Thyme Garden Herb Company (www.thymegarden.com) shared her ideas for creating a MOON GARDEN with the Evening Garden Club of Corvallis at our March meeting.  Key elements include white and silvery plants, night scented plants, water and/ or a mirror for reflections, both high and low plantings and lighting well below eye level.  Some of her favorite silvery plants are Dusty Miller, Cape Blanco Sedum and Wooly Thyme.  She uses Alyssum, Daturas and Brugmansia for scent and Globe Thistle and enormous Cardoons for height.  (Thyme Garden has a wonderful moon garden to visit at their nursery -- 20546 Alsea Highway.)

2017 Edible Garden Tours

Sharing at one of the 2015 Corvallis Tours

Walking Tour #1
Tuesday, August 8, 6:00–8:00 PM SE Stone Street & Alexander Avenue Corvallis, OR 97333
Walking Tour #2
Tuesday, August 15, 6:00–8:00 PM
1420 SW Jefferson Way
Corvallis, OR 97331
(Behind Oregon State University’s Callahan Hall)
Cycling Tour *
Saturday, August 12, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Vincent Street & Robb Place
Philomath, OR 97370
* Helmets are required for children under 16 years of age (advised for everyone else)
See you there!

I have planted vines and orchard trees; and in the heat of the day, climbed up into the healing shadow of the woods.
— Wendell Berry

More Info
bountifulbackyard.org/edible-garden-tours
sustainablecorvallis.org/action-teams/food/project-edible-front-yard-garden-tours

Free Edible Garden Tours are offered annually by the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition’s Food Action Team in collaboration with Bountiful Backyard.
The tours feature stops at residential and community gardens, where the gardeners exhibit their work. Discussions are welcome. See you in August!