It's June and boy, is it getting hot in Georgia! The garden is in full-force and we are harvesting every day. The temptation to just harvest and cruise on through summer is also in full-force. Do not just let the garden go, there is still plenty of time to continue plantings. After you harvest your potatoes and garlic, have something prepare to go into these plots. Find out your first average frost date for the Fall, find days to maturity, subtract to see if you have time to plant/grow. If it will take longer than the days you have, it's not worth risking. Be sure to add a week or so for harvesting to be safe. Let's discuss your June Garden To-Do List, grow together, and Get Dirty!

Succession Planting - June Garden To-Do List

Succession planting is a gardening technique that allows you to maximize your harvest and enjoy a continuous supply of fresh produce throughout the growing season. By carefully planning and timing your plantings, you can fill the gaps left by harvested crops with new ones, ensuring that your garden remains productive. Whether you have a small backyard plot or a large vegetable garden, succession planting is a smart and efficient way to make the most of your space and extend the bounty of your harvest.

Not only does it provide a constant supply of delicious vegetables and herbs, but it also helps prevent weeds from taking over and optimizes the use of resources such as water and fertilizer. Embracing succession planting can truly transform your garden into a year-round source of abundance and culinary delight. Here in USDA Zone 8, we still have time to plant okra, beans, and cucumbers.

Warm Season Cover Crops

Planting and growing warm season cover crops can significantly benefit your garden and soil health. These cover crops, such as buckwheat, cowpeas, or sorghum-sudangrass, thrive in the heat of summer and offer numerous advantages. Firstly, they provide excellent weed suppression, smothering unwanted plants and reducing competition for resources. Additionally, warm season cover crops enhance soil fertility by fixing nitrogen, enriching the soil with this essential nutrient for future crops. They also improve soil structure and moisture retention, preventing erosion and enhancing the soil's ability to hold water during hot and dry periods. Planting warm season cover crops not only boosts your garden's productivity but also helps maintain its overall health and resilience, making it a valuable addition to any gardener's summer planting strategy.

Herbs!

Growing herbs like dill, basil, parsley, and oregano in your garden is a delightful and rewarding experience. These versatile herbs not only add incredible flavors to your culinary creations but also offer numerous health benefits. Dill, with its feathery leaves and distinct taste, is perfect for seasoning fish dishes and pickles. Basil, available in a variety of flavors, brings a burst of freshness to salads, pastas, and sauces. Parsley, both curly and flat-leaf varieties, is a must-have for its bright flavor and as a garnish. Oregano, with its robust and earthy taste, is a key ingredient in Mediterranean and Italian cuisine. Growing these herbs is relatively easy, and they thrive in containers or in the garden. They require well-drained soil, ample sunlight, and regular watering. Harvesting the leaves regularly not only encourages growth but also ensures a steady supply of aromatic and flavorful herbs for all your culinary adventures.

Product of the Week

Herbs

Zinnias

Warm Season Cover Crops

Watch the Complete Show on YouTube Below:

https://youtu.be/8zOCXZS9xvk

It's NEVER fun when diseases attack the garden! We're talking all about controlling spring garden pathogens, like the disease causing microorganisms like fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Below is our list of organic and non-organic controls. The MOST important thing to remember is prevention, prevention is key but we like to give you the helpful tips & tricks that can combat these diseases if they strike! Join us and let's grow together!

Controlling Spring Garden Diseases: SUMMER & WINTER SQUASH

Liquid cop – Downy Mildew, Powdery Mildew, Anthracnose, Alternaria Leaf SpotGarden Phos –, Downy Mildew, Powdery Mildew; Anthracnose, Alternaria Leaf BlightFungi Max – Powdery MildewVegetable, Flower, Fruit and Ornamental Fungicide – Downy Mildew, Powdery Mildew; Anthracnose, Alternaria Leaf Blight, Cercospora Leaf Spot

POTATOES

Organic ControlsCrop rotation and using certified - Bacterial wiltCrop rotation and don’t overwater – Common scab, late blight, bacterial wilt

Non-Organic ControlsLiquid cop – early blight, late blightGarden Phos – early blight, late blight

CORN

Non-Organic ControlsFungi Max – common rust, grey leaf spot, blightOrganic ControlsComplete Disease Control – common rust, grey leaf spot, blight

TOMATOES

Crop rotation and select resistant varieties – Fusarium Wilt, bacterial wilt, Tomato Mosaic virus, early blight and late blightComplete Disease Control (Drench)-  early blight

Fungi max – Bacterial wiltLiquid cop – early blight, late blight, bacterial spotGarden Phos – late blight, bacterial spotVegetable, flower, fruit and ornamental fungicide – early blight, late blight

WATERMELONS

Non-Organic ControlsLiquid cop – downy mildewGarden Phos – downey mildew, anthracnose, gummy stem blight, damping off (seed treatment)Complete Disease Control – anthracnoseVegetable, Flower, Fruit & Ornamental Fungicide – downey mildew, gummy stem blight, anthracnose

FOR MORE DISEASE CONTROL SUGGESTIONS, MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUT THE VIDEO!!

Product of the Week

Disease Control

Turmeric

Watch the Complete Show on YouTube Below:

https://youtu.be/4r4a2G_9rOA

It's NEVER fun when those pests attack the garden! We're talking all about controlling spring garden pests, the larger organisms like insects and mites (although some of these aren't very big at all) and pathogens, like the disease causing microorganisms like fungi, bacteria, and viruses in a two part series. The MOST important thing to remember is prevention, prevention is key! Join us and let's grow together!

Controlling Spring Garden Pests: Brassicas

Controlling spring garden pests in brassicas is crucial for maintaining the health and productivity of your plants. Start by implementing preventive measures such as crop rotation and companion planting to deter pests. Regularly inspect your brassicas for signs of infestation, such as chewed leaves or egg clusters, and promptly remove any affected plants or pests. Utilize pest control methods such as neem oil or insecticidal soaps to target specific pests while minimizing harm to beneficial insects. By staying vigilant and taking proactive steps, you can effectively manage pests in your spring garden and protect your brassicas.

Organic Controls

Garden Insect Spray– Thrips, Horn Worms, Cabbage LooperHorticulture Oil– Aphids, Flea Beetle, WhitefliesBug Buster-O– Aphids, Flea Beetle, WhitefliesMonterey BT– Hornworms, Cabbage LooperTake Down Garden Spray– Aphids, Horn Worms, Flea Beetle, WhitefliesDiatomaceous Earth– CutwormsNeem Oil– Whiteflies, Aphids

Non-organic Controls

Bug buster II– Aphids, Horn Worms, Flea Beetle, Whiteflies, Cabbage Looper

Controlling Spring Garden Pests: Summer Squash

One effective method is to regularly monitor your plants for signs of pest infestation, such as chewed leaves or wilting. Handpick any visible pests, such as squash bugs or cucumber beetles, and promptly remove them from your garden. Applying insecticides can help control pests while minimizing harm to beneficial insects.

Garden Insect Spray – Thrips, Pickleworms, leaf miners, Armyworms, mealy bugsHorticultural Oil – Aphids, Squash bugs (Nymphs), Flea Beetle, Whiteflies, Spider Mites, Beetle larvae, leaf minersBug Buster-O – Aphids, Flea Beetle, Whiteflies, Cucumber beetles, Thrips, Mites, ArmywormsMonterey BT  – Armyworms, picklewormsTake Down Garden Spray – Aphids, Army Worms, Flea Beetle, Whiteflies, Mites, Squash bugs(Nymphs)Vine borer ( Nymphs)Diatomaceous Earth – Cutworms

Non-Organic ControlsBug buster ll – Aphids, , Squash Bugs, Flea Beetle, Whiteflies, Spider Mites, Thrips, leaf Miner, Vine borer, Cucumber beetle, Armyworm

Controlling Spring Garden Pests: Sweet Potatoes

Some of the worst pests that can take over your sweet potato plants are flea beetles, Colorado potato beetles, Leaf Hoppers, and/or potato tuber moths. Here are organic and non-organic controls.

Garden Insect Spray – Thrips, Hornworm, ArmywormsHorticulture Oil– Aphids, Stinkbugs, Flea Beetle, Whiteflies, Spider MitesBug Buster-O – Aphids, Flea Beetle, WhitefliesTake Down Garden Spray – Aphids, Flea Beetle, WhitefliesDiatomaceous Earth – Cutworms

Non-Organic Controls

Bug buster ll – Aphids, Wireworms, Stinkbugs, Flea Beetle, Whiteflies, Grubs, Thrips, Armyworms

FOR MORE TIPS AND TRICKS, VISIT THE LINK!

Product of the Week

Pest and Disease Control

Turmeric

Watch the Complete Show on YouTube Below:

https://youtu.be/FAl0iL9Erpo

SWEET POTATO TIME !! One of our favorite things and easiest vegetables to grow in the garden and even in Mama Hoss' raised beds is sweet potatoes. We're discussing everything you need to know to have a great harvest this season, soil preparation, planting techniques, watering and fertilization needs, and much more! Let's grow together and get dirty!

May has to be one of our busiest months in the garden and if you’re in the warmer growing zones, it is probably the same for you. Harvesting has started and we are already reaping the benefits of growing our own food. It is also one of the toughest on pests, tonight we’re discussing everything you need to stay on top of this month in your garden. Fertilization, pest control, succession planting, and much more is on the agenda tonight! Let’s grow together and get dirty!

Hey Neighbor! We've got a great show tonight, Peiter from Seminis is back! We're talking all things indeterminate tomatoes - debunking tomato growing myths, how to treat them, pruning tomatoes and so much more! Seminis is a HUGE player in the indeterminate seed breeder for the home gardener. Let's grow together and get dirty, ya'll!

The biggest mistake we encounter from our customers is planting okra seeds too soon in the season. There are many factors in getting it right when it comes to growing lots of Okra, for instance, starting seeds at the right time, choosing the right variety, fertilization, knowing when to harvest, and much more! Join us tonight as we discuss one of our favorite things to grow and eat! Okra! Let's Grow Together!

Tonight we're discussing common mistakes made when growing watermelons at home. When you are successful at growing watermelons, it can make any gardener feel great but sometimes there are many of us who have difficulty. We're here to discuss some of the major contributing factors when it comes to growing watermelon. Let's Grow Together! Get Dirty!

SHE’S BACK!! Tracey from Sakata Seeds is back at Hoss HQ for her annual Spring visit! Join us as we talk about garden updates, the difference between pelleted and primed seeds, what’s going on in the tomato breeding world at Sakata, and much more. Let’s Grow Together! Get Dirty!

April showers bring May flowers! April tends to be such a great time to grow flowers AND vegetables. Join us as we discuss what you should be planting! We are reviewing what you should be doing in the garden this April as warm weather and rain starts to settle in USDA zones 5-10. Let's Grow Together!