To recap this growing season’s weather, April was extremely dry, May and June were extremely wet, and July was the eighth warmest July on record. We had an eight-day stretch in mid July that was some of the most uncomfortable humidity I can remember. August is starting out to be an average month from a temperature and rain perspective.
Parts of the garden are going to need some water. Plants in containers and basket plants are the first to need additional moisture. To avoid fungus, it is best to water the soil only. Overhead watering and getting the foliage wet may create fungal problems especially in still air with high humidity conditions.
Cicadas were an infestation in some areas of the HudsonValley. Pockets along the Hudson (in the towns of Hyde Park, Wappingers, Highland and Germantown) are where I ran into them. In these areas of infestation, I noticed the tips of the trees had died after the bugs had come and gone. This was especially evident in an oak grove I happened to be walking through. Cicada females lay there eggs deep into the branches and this is what may be causing the dieback. I’m thankful we did not have an infestation in Pawling because their noise from sun up to sunset is deafening.
August is the start of the harvest. The squash is exceptional in my garden. I enjoy eating the squash flower as much as I do the fruit. It is a great year for blueberry, blackcaps and raspberry. There are times when I would pull over and enjoy an afternoon snack along a back road at a ripe berry patch.
August is ripe with oats, corn, and melons. Midsummer rain has the hayfields prepared for a second cut. To the west, timothy, clover, and alfalfa along with native grasses are in bloom.
In the back meadow goldenrod is the first late-summer to early -all flower. Because of its long, late blooming period and bright yellow color, I always considered goldenrod a fall flower. The yellow flower turns meadows into a golden field of honey.
Soon the apples, peaches, plums, and pears will be ready. These are some of my favorite fruits. Enjoy the harvest.
Pete and the Natives
