Water important for gardens and gardeners during August heat

Plenty of water for gardens and gardeners is the most important Gardening Tip for August.

Hypothermia is a common medical emergency during the extremely hot days in the Delta. All gardeners need to be careful to keep themselves well hydrated while tending their gardens. Our gardens and lawns can also experience damage during these days. The intermittent showers do not provide enough deep moisture for the gardens, lawns, and especially potted plants. August is the month when it may rain across town, but not a drop will fall at your home. Water slowly and deeply, so the moisture will get down to the roots. This way you will not waste water by having runoff. The best time to water is early morning, as night watering will give insects and fungus time to harm the plants.

The St. Francis County Fair will be held August 30 – September 4. It is a blessing that we can enjoy the fun this year. It is not too early to take a good look at your veggies and flowers to see what will be ready to pick on August 30 so you can enter them in the County Fair. Look for the “Times Herald” in the next few weeks for the rules for entering your produce and flowers. Your beautiful homecanned fruits and veggies could also win ribbons. The County Fair is always a great week of good eating at the Country Kitchen, fun on the rides at the carnival, and enjoying many more activities. Those of us who have been regular visitors at the County Fair can assure you that you will have a good time.

The middle of August is a perfect time to go through the veggie garden, pull up the spent plants, and plant a fall garden. Plant starters or seeds of green onions, carrots, beets, lettuce, spinach, radishes, and winter cauliflower directly into the garden. The first frost is predicted to occur on October 27 this year, so a fall garden has time to produce a full harvest if it is started in late August.

August is the time to start collecting dried seeds from perennial flowers such as coreopsis, butterfly weed, purple coneflowers, sunflowers, and many others. It is easy to let the seeds dry on the plants, then harvest and store them in a dry place. You can also let the seeds drop to the ground, and in the spring and early summer of next year, they will be in full bloom. If your neighbors or friends have a perennial growing in their yard, don’t be bashful; politely ask them for a few seeds. Flower gardeners are friendly and love sharing plants and seeds.

Garden centers still have flowering annuals that can brighten up a spot in your garden. This is the season for tropical plants with many bright blooms. Beautifully colored pots are available locally to add pizzazz to your property.

If you have not visited the Saturday morning Farmers’ Market at the Civic Center, you have been missing a treat. Fresh and home-canned veggies and fruits, flowers, and many more interesting items are available for purchase. It is also a good place to see friends you have not seen in a while.

Be on the lookout for information about the Master Gardeners yearly seminar in October. There will be great speakers, delicious lunch, and gifts for those attending.

Call the County Extension Service at the County Court House (870-261-1730) if you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener. Computer classes on gardening and becoming a Master Gardener will start late in September. Look for more information later this month. Master Gardeners are interested in answering all questions you may have about the care of lawns, veggie gardens, flower gardens, and plant diseases. The county agents at the County Extension office are available to answer your questions on gardening.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Information for “Gardening Tips” is gleaned from gardening guides for Planting Zones 7 and 8.)