This spring has has been trying for gardeners. And possibly excessively trying for first time gardeners.
The best thing about the season so far? We haven’t had to water. Or use our AC. Worst thing? We haven’t had to water.
Water in the form of rain is always best. My plants perk up after a rain much more than after a hose watering. BUT…. Too many rainy days, like we’ve had this year, brings all sorts of problems.
“Cool and damp weather like we’ve had sets things up,” said Shirley Halk , a Penn State Cooperative Extension Master Gardener. She was referring to the early late blight, and septoria leaf spot in tomatoes and potatoes Plus all the slugs…. affecting everything in our gardens. Plus powdery mildew and downey mildew… Squash has been affected by mildews.
She hopes this season is a learning experience for first timers. We all hope everyone keeps planting.
Proper watering is crucial to gardens.
And our understanding of it is often lacking.
Erica Beadle, Nursery Manager of Highland Gardens, suggests all gardeners use a rain gauge in their garden. Often, we don’t have a good understanding of the amount of rain we receive.
Container grown eggplant. Containers may need more watering but base watering is still the best.
She said gardens need, ” One inch of water is needed per week, as a general rule. This rule is manipulated by the condition of your soil. Underwatering/overwatering is the easiest to control, but probably the most assumed function we do in our gardens. Not enough or too much water both causes wilting. This is because the roots can’t breathe if there is too much or too little water.”
Shirley Halk suggests that if you’re going to water, water at the base of the plant and keep the water off the leaves. Taking the time to base water your plants could help prevent many a fungus.
Water bouncing around from plant to plant – as would happen if you water with a sprinkler- or watering that gets on leaves which will stay wet for an extended time, will spread fungus and create that moist environment perfect for fungus growth. Hand watering your plants at soil level is the best.
George Weigel, a well-known certified horticulturalist and all-around great guy suggests some patience. He says, ” I know ( late blight starting early) sounds bad with the potato famine and all, but late blight still isn’t really all that common. My guess is that all or most of the disease people are seeing on their tomatoes around here is either septoria leaf spot or early blight. Those happen every year and can shut down tomatoes, too, but that’s part of gardening.
There’s always something new that messes with gardeners. If it’s not a disease, it’s the latest imported bug or a hail storm or a record drought or an August freeze or a groundhog with a tapeworm. Gardeners just learn to roll with the punches and muddle along as best we can.”
If you want to try a little fire power as you muddle, Halk suggest trying a fungicide like Mancozeb or Daconil. She cautions that these sprays won’t cure any already infected plant, but they can provide protection for healthy plants. The sprays would need to be repeated every 7 to 10 days. Organic path? click here.
More on veggie gardens soon from Erica and Shirley. Happy growing!
