Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 16, 1995 TAG: 9507180026
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: E-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN ARBOGAST
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
With the average first fall frost date for Roanoke of Oct. 15 weeks away, many summer vegetables can be selected for another crop.
Based on the weather, all midsummer plantings may need waterings. Once young vegetable plants are established, a 3-inch layer of organic mulch will be useful in holding soil moisture as well as controlling weeds.
Although there are numerous heat-tolerant veggies that can be planted in July, let's look specifically at beans, Swiss chard and sweet corn.
A midsummer bean planting should be one of the many varieties of "bush snap beans" or garden soybeans, rather than limas, pole beans or others. Gardeners making summer plantings should keep in mind that some nutrients likely must be replaced in soil that was used for spring or early summer crops. Also to be considered is the fertilizer need of the crop being planted.
Beans are considered "medium feeders." Excess nitrogen will delay flowering. So, thoroughly work into the soil one-third cup of 5-10-10 low nitrogen garden fertilizer per 10 feet of row. Sidedress the beans only after heavy bloom. Set the pods with a very light amount of a higher nitrogen fertilizer, such as three tablespoons of 10-10-10 per 10 feet of bean row.
Mexican bean beetles (both adults and the young can feed), as well as corn earworms might still find your beans, so frequent inspection is suggested.
Swiss chard is an excellent leafy green vegetable that can be planted now. It produces attractive leaves in hot weather as well as cool weather that is required for most greens.
Chard also is considered a "medium feeder," although sidedressing with a nitrogen fertilizer along the row is suggested one month after planting and then repeated every four to six weeks
Chard seed is actually an aggregate of seeds, so thinning is necessary so the plants won't be crowded and production limited.
Thin chard to about 6 inches apart when the plants are around 8 inches tall. Then thin to about 8 inches when the chard is 10 inches tall.
Select an early maturing variety of sweet corn for planting right away. Late summer or fall-maturing sweet corn usually will be the highest quality if moisture is available, because cool nights in September increase sugar content.
Sweet corn is considered a "heavy feeder," so in addition to replacing nutrients used in the soil by prior crops, be sure to sidedress with a nitrogen-only fertilizer or a high-nitrogen garden fertilizer such as 10-10-10. Fertilize at three to four tablespoons per 10 feet of row when the corn is about 8-12 inches tall and again in four to six weeks.
The insect pest corn earworm might be even worse late in the growing season, thus requiring applications of the insecticide Sevin or the non chemical remedy of mineral oil later on.
This article is the first in a series. Later articles will feature fall gardening, composting with yard wastes for soil improvers and garden cover crops.
Send short questions about your lawn, garden, plants or insects to Dear John, c/o The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491. We need your mail, but this column can't reply to all letters. Those of wide appeal will be answered during the weeks that the subject is timely. Personal replies cannot be given. Please don't send stamps, stamped envelopes, samples, or pictures.
by CNB