News You Can Use For July 2004
July typically signals the start of fall gardening in Louisiana. In some cases, though, it’s actually a month too late, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.
If you intended to raise long-growing crops – those that need about four months – you should have started in June.
In July, though, you can start planting seed for cole crops like broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower, Koske says. You also may transplant these crops in the next two months. Plant vine crops like cucumber, watermelon, muskmelon and squash now.
You might squeeze in a pumpkin crop, which should have been started in June to be ready for Halloween. Now, however, choose fast-maturing pumpkin varieties like Neon, Racer, ProGold 300, PikaPie, Trickster or Spooktacular. Plant as soon as possible, and try soaking the seed several hours before planting so they will hit the ground running.
Cushaw pumpkins take almost four months to mature but make great eating. For tomatoes, peppers and eggplants, find good transplants and plant as soon as possible.
Fall gardens present several challenges, Koske says, explaining, "There may be some residual fertilizer left over from the spring crop, so lighten up on preplant fertilizer application, but be ready to add more fertilizer if crops show light, thin growth."
The LSU AgCenter horticulturist stresses that watering is very important now. You may plant a little deeper than in spring to get closer to better moisture and away from hot soil. Keep up good soil moisture with irrigation as needed, and mulch the emerged crops.
"Watch out for insect pests," Koske says, noting, "They have gone through several generations by now. That means there are more of them, and they probably remember all that good stuff they found in your spring garden." He warns that pest damage on young plants can be especially harmful.
"If you have not yet planted, you can still treat active weeds with glyphosate herbicide," Koske says, advising to allow two weeks from treatment before tilling and forming new beds.
The LSU AgCenter horticulturist recommends contacting an extension agent in your parish LSU AgCenter office to learn more about preparing for fall gardening. In addition, look for Gardening and Get It Growing links in the Feature section of the LSU AgCenter Web site: www.lsuagcenter.com.
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On the Internet: LSU AgCenter: http://www.lsuagcenter.com/
Source: Tom Koske (225) 578-2222, or tkoske@agcenter.lsu.edu