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Now is a prime time to have samples of your garden soil tested. Then you can apply amendments according to the test report and till them into the seedbed before starting fall vegetable crops.
The excessive heat decreases the organic matter in the soil. So organic matter should be added to the seedbed before each fall crop.
A thick layer of grass clippings, shredded leaves or other mulch over the seedbed or around plants should reduce the soil temperature about 25 degrees. Place a board over the seeded row until the seeds germinate. Then place an object on the west side or over the seedlings for shade.
You should start fall vegetable crops on schedule according to the planting guide at www.brazosmg.com.
During the months of June and July, the following vegetable crops should be seeded: Cucumber, eggplant, melons, okra, Southern peas, pepper, pumpkin, squash and tomato.
If you are late, soak the seeds overnight for faster germination. Later, you can apply water-soluble fertilizer as needed to improve growth rate.
If you start with transplants, fresh tomato plants are available in garden centers. The last week of June could be the best time to set them for a fall crop. Some heat-tolerant varieties are: Heatwave, Homestead, Sun Chaser, Sun Cherry, Sun Gold, Sun King, Sun Leaper, Sunbeam, Suncherry Extra Sweet, Sungella, Sunmaster, Sunny, Sunny Goliath, Sunray and SunSugar. They have been developed to set fruit during hotter temperatures than traditional varieties.
If you set transplants, you should apply a rather deep mulch about 4 feet around them. Also, you can bury jugs to apply water and fertilizer into the root zone. Some midday or afternoon shade will reduce the heat on them and the soil.
Now is the best time to eliminate root knot nematodes from your soil. Nematodes are parasites that may be in your garden. These worms infect the roots of plants, causing nodules to swell and restrict the normal amount of sap from moving up the plant to the stems, branches, leaves and fruits. A few nematodes will stunt the plant, and too many will choke it. Then the plant will wilt and die.
If the adjacent plants have the same symptoms, dig them up and inspect the roots for root knot nematodes. The lumps appear similar to the nodules on the roots of legume plants that develop from air in the soil.
The soil should be tilled/cultivated each week or two. That will expose nematodes to the sunlight and destroy them.
During October, you could sow Elbon rye. During late January to early February, the crop should be tilled into the soil before starting the spring-summer vegetable crops.
* Write to Elmer Krehbiel, Master Gardener, c/o Brazos County Office, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, 2619 Texas 21 West, Bryan, Texas 77803. His e-mail address is elmer.krehbiel@theeagle.com.
