Garden Thoughts

Too much water is just as bad as not enough for your vegetable, berries and fruit trees.

Last year the rain and heat caused early blight on the tomatoes –don’t let it be a repeat for you.  Later in the season, you may see late blight.

Wet warm weather can cause all kind of problems with your fruit trees, blueberries, and strawberries.  If you’ve been blessed with more than enough rain, make sure you have good drainage – even around your vegetable garden.  Raised beds help with drainage.  If you have a small garden that is extremely wet, dig a small trench around your garden to help water pool like a moat and not in your Garden.

            When you do need to water, don’t water the leaves, aim the water at the root system, and water deep instead of little each day.  There are many fungal diseases that develop with wet leaves and poor air circulation.

When it rains, the water does get on the leaves, so be especially careful to trim unwanted, damaged leaves and allow good air circulation around your plants and good drainage around your garden and trees.

For a free, fun class on how to make your garden pollinator friendly, register for the “Bee Pollinator Friendly” class to be held Saturday, June 16^th from 10 to 12 noon at the Lycoming County Lysock View Complex at 542 County Farm Rd., Ste 206, Montoursville, PA  17754.  Learn how to attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators to your garden.  The Master Gardeners’ gardens will be part of the classroom.  Honey tasting and free plant door prizes will be given out.  Master Gardeners will be on hand to ask your specific questions.  Call 433-3040 to register for the program.

As you have questions regarding your garden and lawn, please contact the Lycoming County Master Gardeners Hotline at 433-3040.  A Master Gardener can help you with your questions.