End of spring report
It was a fast-moving but enlightening spring, and it’s gone. What gerunds will we use in October to describe summer 2023? In the meantime, here we are, and it’s time for the end of spring report.
1) The soil has plenty to say about the state of the world. “Take care of me now,” the soil (the world) says, “but think long-term and we’ll see what happens.” Gardeners might be noticing the plants in some areas lagging whereas other areas with similar plants are robust and destined to be winners at the fair I intend to hold for myself. This means some spots of soil are what we want the whole world to have. So we keep working on the other spots.
With some spots lagging and others winning prizes, this would be a good time to replenish the soil after a season of hard work. Replenishing before sustained hot stressful periods is more effective long-term than trying to boost plants while under stress. And above all, don’t stress. It’ll be okay.
2) The grass clippings you carefully mulched with in spring might need a booster, but, luckily, you just mowed your grass. I am meticulous about arranging clippings around plants like suddenly I’m Jackson Pollock or Mark Rothko, or maybe I am. But before you add the grass clippings, decide whether you should add a mid-season soil amendment to the soil around long-season crops.
For example, some folks advocate spraying tomato plants at this time of the season with an Epsom salt spray or spreading a tablespoon or so around plants. Epsom salts provide magnesium to aid in fruit production and sulfur to assist with the chemistry going on throughout the plants. Small tomatoes in my garden have begun to take shape, so now is a good time for a boost.
There are other totally organic products worth using, and it depends on your soil, climate and karma which ones to use. Your plants tell you the condition of the soil. They’re like an EKG. And because microclimates and soils vary, be wary when folks (me, for example) offer rock solid advice. Also, besides soil amendments, add compost, aged manure and leaf mulch, and then put your clippings on. It’s like a recipe.
3) Pole beans and cucumbers climb. I make trellises to appease their vertical ambitions. In northern California, for trellises and tomato stakes I would hammer one-inch redwood stakes into the soil, and it was easy. Around here, pounding in a T-post is challenging, but fun anyway. Trellising is art just like arranging lawn clippings. Plants will show you what they need as they climb, but the gardener gets to design the infrastructure. Pretend you’re Piet Mondrian.
Usually, trellises are an early spring project. Pea vines planted in April, climbing for two months, are already at the top of the original trellis. Time to add to more climbable artwork because all I’m saying is give peas a chance.
4) Mullein, broad-leaf plantain and lamb’s quarters are probably ready to be harvested for drying if you do that sort of thing. Plantain and lamb’s quarters dry easily enough, and the leaves will crumble into a jar. Young sassafras leaves are plentiful right now if you like filé. Oregano is ready for its end of spring harvest. It’s drying time.
5) It is also time to reflect on your harvest so far this year. Doesn’t take much to thrill us small-time home gardeners. My bounty includes huckleberries, raspberries, arugula, cilantro, chicory, radishes, different Asian greens and three kinds of snow peas. Garlic and potatoes are starting to flop over, so they will be ready soon, and summer stuff is starting to puff.
6) Water like you mean it. Last year, July weather was dry and hot, and it might get that way again, so now is the time to prepare.
In summary, spring was the thing with ambition. Summer asks for patience.