High five, Detectives! We have reached July, and all your digging, weeding, and watering is finally paying off. The garden is bursting with delicious, healthy snacks just waiting to be picked. This month is all about the best part of gardening: eating! But remember, the sun is high, so our plants are going to need plenty to drink while they finish growing our food.
Why is picking good for the plant?
Did you know that picking your vegetables actually helps the plant? When you pick sweet peas, runner beans, or strawberries, it tricks the plant into making even more! If you leave them on the plant for too long, the plant thinks its job is done and stops making new flowers.
Step 1: Pick Like a Pro
Harvesting is an art! We want to get our food without hurting the plant that grew it.
- The "Wiggle and Snap": Never pull a vegetable as hard as you can! For things like peas and beans, hold the stem with one hand, and gently twist and snap the pod off with the other.
- Treasure Hunt for Potatoes: If your potato plants have flowers on them, there might be tiny "new potatoes" hiding under the dirt. Dig gently with your hands (not a sharp spade!) to find the buried treasure.
- Red Means Go: For strawberries and tomatoes, wait until they are completely red and a little bit soft to the touch. That means they are full of sweet sugar!
Step 2: The Watering Watch
July can be one of the hottest and driest months in Ireland. Our plants get thirsty just like we do!
- Timing is Everything: The best time to water is early in the morning or late in the evening. If you water in the middle of the day, the hot sun will evaporate the water before the roots can drink it!
- Water the Soil, Not the Leaves: Plants drink through their roots, not their leaves. Aim your watering can right at the dirt at the bottom of the plant. Wet leaves can also get sunburned!
- The Finger Test: Not sure if a plant needs water? Poke your finger into the soil. If it feels dry under the surface, it's time for a drink. If it feels wet and muddy, leave it alone!
Step 3: Keep the Magic Going
Just because we are harvesting doesn't mean we stop planting!
- Fill the Gaps: When you pull up your early carrots or radishes, you will have an empty spot in the dirt. Don't leave it bare!
- Sow Fast Salads: Plant some more lettuce, spinach, or radish seeds in those empty spots. Because the soil is so warm in July, they will sprout super fast and be ready to eat before autumn arrives.
Did You Know?
Sunflowers are nature's sun-trackers! When they are young, the flower head will actually slowly turn throughout the day to follow the sun as it moves from east to west across the sky. This amazing trick is called heliotropism!
