Summer is here, and with it, the intense heat that makes us surrender to the garden’s full glory. This is the season when the garden truly shines. The seeds we sowed in spring are now bearing their fruits, ready for harvest. The task list feels insurmountable as the garden overflows with abundance. The shade of a tree becomes a sanctuary, and the rare breeze that brushes your arm is a cherished relief. The sticky sweetness of ripe fruit clings to the air, urging us to avoid turning on the oven. Embrace the long days and hot nights, and let the garden take center stage.
In this month's gardening guide, we’re shifting gears from planting to harvesting. The list of tasks and plantings may be short this month, but that’s because you’ll be busy harvesting! While there are still a few crops you can start now, the real focus is on relishing the fruits of your labor. Everything seems to be in season at once, offering a bountiful feast. Brace yourselves for late summer though, just around the corner, which promises the biggest treasures: plentiful melons, big beefsteak tomatoes, eggplants by the bushel, and more. July is just the beginning, offering us a delicious first taste of the season.
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In today’s newsletter:
What to plant this month
Essentials to buy for the upcoming months
Get ready for canning and preserving
Monthly produce guide
Additional helpful posts for this month:
What to Sow from Seed
Collard Greens: Sow collard green seeds in well-drained soil and full sun. Space seeds about 12 inches apart and keep the soil consistently moist.
Corn: Plant corn in blocks rather than rows to ensure good pollination. Space seeds about 8 inches apart in rich, compost-amended soil.
Cucumbers: Plant cucumber seeds in well-drained soil and full sun. Space seeds about 12 inches apart and provide a trellis for climbing varieties to maximize space.
Green Beans (bush, climbing) and Black-Eyed Peas: For bush beans, space seeds 3 inches apart. For climbing beans, provide a trellis and space seeds 6 inches apart. Both thrive in well-drained soil and full sun.
Melons (watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew): Sow seeds in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight. Space the seeds about 2 feet apart to give the vines room to spread.
Okra: Soak okra seeds overnight before planting to speed up germination. Plant in full sun and well-drained soil, spacing seeds 12-18 inches apart.
Winter Squash (pumpkins, gourds, butternut squash, acorn squash, etc.): Space about 4-6 feet apart. Ensure they receive full sun and plenty of water.
Zucchini: Space seeds about 2-3 feet apart to allow for their sprawling growth.
What to Plant from Transplant
Basil: Transplant basil into well-drained soil with full sun. Space plants about 12 inches apart and pinch back the tops regularly to encourage bushy growth.
Collard Greens: Plant collard green transplants in well-drained soil with full sun. Space plants 18-24 inches apart and keep the soil consistently moist.
Cucumbers: Transplant cucumber seedlings into well-drained soil with full sun. Space plants about 12-18 inches apart and provide support for climbing varieties.
Eggplant: Transplant eggplant seedlings into rich, well-drained soil with full sun. Space plants 18-24 inches apart and provide support if needed as they grow.
Tomatoes: Plant tomato transplants deep in the soil, burying two-thirds of the stem to encourage strong root growth. Space plants 18-24 inches apart in a sunny location.
What to Purchase
Fall Crop Seeds (Celery, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower): Purchase seeds for fall crops now to give them a good head start. Brassicas benefit from being started indoors in late summer and then transplanted into the garden. This allows them to mature in cooler temperatures, which they prefer. I will be starting these indoor in August and September.
Seed Garlic: Purchase seed garlic now to plant in the fall. Garlic needs a long growing season. These will be planted in the ground in late September. For an in-depth garlic growing guide:
What's the ROI on THAT!? Garlic
Prepare for Canning and Preserving Your Harvests
Now is the time to stock up on all your canning and preserving essentials. When you’re knee-deep in tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers, you don’t want to be without the right supplies to save them for later.
For an in-depth guide on all my resources for safe food preservation:
Reliable cookbooks and recipes: Ensure you have safe and trusted recipes. Check out resources from the USDA, Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving, The Farmhouse Culture Guide to Fermenting, and Wild Fermentation.
Ball Canning Jars: Stock up on jars of all sizes and make sure you have new lids ready. Make sure you are purchasing the true Ball brand of jars.
Canning Supply Kit: A tool kit that contains a funnel, jar lifter, magnetic lid grabber.
Dehydrator
Drying Racks: Have something to hang and dry peppers, herbs, and flowers.
Vinegar
Pectin: Essential for making jams and jellies.
Fermentation Weights: good for keeping things submerged in their brining liquid.
Fermentation Crocks: good for ferments that should not be exposed to sunlight.
Pressure Canner: Necessary for safely canning low-acid foods like vegetables and meats.
Large Stockpot: Useful for water bath canning high-acid foods like fruits and pickles.
Funnels of varying sizes
Labeling Supplies: Labels and markers to keep track of what you've canned and the date.
Storage Shelves: A cool, dark place with sturdy shelves to store your canned goods.
Digital Kitchen Scale
Produce Guide for July
The purpose of this produce guide is to showcase the month’s finest offerings. However, don’t let this limit your creativity. There are many instances when I’ve harvested something considered out of season—just recently, I gathered a bunch of kohlrabi, which is typically thought of as a spring vegetable. Stay tuned to see what I cook up this month! I’ll be providing you with my recipes here on Substack and you can follow along on TikTok and Instagram.
Basil
Blackberries
Blueberries
Cantaloupe
Cherries
Collard Greens
Corn
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Figs
Green Beans
Honeydew Melon
Okra
Peaches
Peppers (sweet and hot)
Raspberries
Summer Squash
Tomatillos
Tomatoes
Watermelon
Zucchini
Happy Gardening!
Inspiring!!!