Midwest Region

• Remember to continuously harvest your fruits and vegetables to prolong growth and production and avoid attracting pests.
• Harvest summer squash when it's young and tender (8 inches).
• Newly planted trees and shrubs need one to two thorough soakings per week and lawns need 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. Soak, don't sprinkle.
• Annuals and perennials can be planted at any time to fill in blank spaces in the garden.
• After broccoli head is harvested, the plant continues to grow side shoots.
• Lightly fertilize tomatoes and peppers. Don't over-fertilize.
• Water your plants early in the morning or late in the day to reduce the water lost to evaporation.
• When there is less than an inch of rain in a week, water extra.
• Fertilize your container plants with a water-soluble solution every 2 weeks.
• Remove any dead flowers from your annuals and perennials to encourage new growth.
• Remember to inspect all your plants for any insect or disease damage; treat plants when necessary.
• Slugs? Put out shallow dishes of beer; handpick in the early morning.
• Cover your fruit trees and shrubs with netting to prevent birds from damaging the fruit.
• Start sowing vegetable seeds for your fall garden: carrots, beets, turnips, collards, Chinese cabbage, snap beans, radish, kohlrabi, endive, kale, rutabagas, and summer squashes.
• Set out broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower transplants for your fall garden.
• Pinch herbs such as mint, oregano, and savory.
• Stake tall plants to help give them support and to prevent damage from the wind or rain.
• Continue to plant crops such as beans and sweet corn successively to ensure a continuous harvest.
• Prevent weeds from seeding; this will mean fewer weeds next year. Pull weeds as they grow and use mulch in your flower beds to prevent them from sprouting.