UI Extension Nez Perce County Horticulture and Master Gardeners

Today is ! Read this history of the watermelon and then go enjoy this sweet, juicy fruit!



https://ipm.missouri.edu/MEG/2020/7/watermelon-DT/

The first of August means a new to-do list of garden tasks! Check out these suggestions from Oregon State University Extension and Utah State University Extension! Highlights include:

🌱 Plant cool season crops including any cover crops
🍅 Prune excessive foliage on tomatoes
🍓 Clean strawberry beds and fertilize. Prune cane berries after harvest
🥒🍈🥦Fertilize cucumbers, melons, and broccoli for continued production
💦 Check water levels in soil around garden spaces, including plants, trees, and lawn and adjust irrigation appropriately. Probe in soil or place deep tin cans to measure water levels
🍂 Add mulch to conserve water as well as provide supplemental shade to plants that need respite
🐛🪳🪰Check pest levels on traps and spray appropriately. Continue checking plants for pest presence and manage by manual or cultural controls

See these resources for more specifics on what you should be doing in the garden this month!
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/em-9539-august-garden-calendar
https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/files/august-checklist.pdf

On this last day of July which is , it's a great time to highlight some best practices on maximizing your irrigation efforts to produce the best from your garden while conserving water which can help with the pocketbook and the environment!



https://www.depts.ttu.edu/pss/newsroom/posts/2022/07/best-practices-smart-irrigation.php

Have you ever wondered about creating a water garden, or are you water gardening, but want to check out other ideas! July is and it's a great time to highlight some ways to create a water garden that suits your needs. Check out this resource from Oklahoma State University Extension!



https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/water-gardens

It's ! Check out this resource from Illinois State University Extension about how to ensure your trees live to the maximum. Key points are:

🌳 Planting the right tree in the right place
🌳 Don't plant trees too deep
🌳 Employ proper pruning techniques
🌳 Proper mulching practices
🌳 Manage the root system to avoid girdling
🌳 Space tree plantings properly
🌳 Minimize staking materials and remove after 1 years' time

Also, many times people expect their tree to live for much longer than is expected for certain tree species, so check out this guide on tree life spans from Virginia Tech: https://bigtree.cnre.vt.edu/lifespan.html

Increase life span of urban trees URBANA, Ill. – Urban communities responded to an increasing lack of interaction with nature by planting trees. Trees provide environmental benefits, along with

Learn more about celebrating !

Learn more about the importance of research and education in supporting pollinator populations from Educator Brad Stokes!

Loss of federal bee research could have ripple effect in Idaho Idaho is home to one of the most diverse populations of native bees in the country, but researchers say many of those species remain largely unknown and increas

Check out this episode of The Evergreen Thumb on Fall Garden Cleanup and how it affects pollinators and other beneficial insects! Give it a listen and learn about how to help our garden friends!

When autumn arrives, should you tidy up every leaf and stem? Or could your garden be providing essential winter habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects?

Join Julie as she shares practical, research-based tips for cleaning up your fall garden while protecting the countless insects that rely on our landscapes to survive the winter.

Julie Banken is a certified “bug lady” with master’s degrees in both entomology and education. A Master Gardener and Xerces Society Ambassador, she’s passionate about helping gardeners appreciate the incredible insects that share our landscapes and the important role native plants play in supporting them.

🐝 You won’t want to miss this episode!

Starting Nasturtiums now is still possible, but may need a bit more care. They are quite hardy for heat, but need plenty of water and might need a shady respite during the hotter temperatures.

Nasturtium is a good all around plant to grow for beauty, for edible garnishes and in salads, as well as being a good trap crop to keep pests away from other plants in the same family as other brassicas, such as broccoli or cabbage. Consider starting some nasturtiums now or next year for your vegetable garden!

Growing in pots is a good option to move them into the sun for a portion of the day, then move them into shade in extremely sunny heat. You can also move them inside in the winter to provide some winter floral charm, as well as still offering some edible beauty! Just make sure they have excellent drainage - they do not like a lot of excess moisture on their roots.

GROWING NASTURTIUMS WITH KIDS

Nasturtiums are perfect to grow with children because they grow so easily and rapidly. These plants, with their bright greenery and vibrant flowers, are good for containers or as ground cover. Their pretty fragrance also makes them a good choice for cut flowers. They are an easy-to-grow annual whose leaves and flowers are edible. Here’s how to grow your own nasturtiums!

PLANTING
· Plant nasturtium seeds in early spring to summer in moist, well-drained soil in full sun. They can grow in partial shade, but they will not bloom as well.
· Nasturtiums prefer poorer soils and they do not need fertilizers (unless your soil is extremely poor). Fertile soil will produce fewer blooms and more foliage.
· Plant the seeds about half an inch deep and 10 to 12 inches apart. Plants should appear in 7 to 10 days.

CARE
· Water regularly throughout the growing season, but be careful not to over-water your plants.
· Cutting off the faded/dead flowers will prolong blooming.
· If you’re growing nasturtiums in containers, they may need to be trimmed back occasionally over the growing season.

HARVEST/STORAGE
· Save the nasturtium’s chick-pea-size seeds and replant them in the spring! Let the seeds dry out on the vine; they’ll fall off. Collect them, brush off the soil, dry them, and store them in a paper envelope in a cool and dark place.
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/.../nasturtium.../
Image via pixabay.com