GROWING A FALL GARDEN

So you want to grow garden fresh vegetables this fall. Where do you start? Simply looking at seed packets in catalogs or local nurseries will not get the job done. One must garden smartly if economical production and utilization are expected.

Once the decision to have a fall garden has been reached, a gardener must take action--drastic action. One must pull out some of those plants that have been nurtured from "babies" in the spring to monsters now. This takes courage and faith! It is recommend that all plants, weeds included, be removed except okra, cherry tomatoes and pole beans if the foliage is healthy. Large-fruited tomatoes may have some small ones still hanging on, but unless you have at least 20-25 good-sized fruit, pull them out--make green tomato relish or chow-chow. If you recall, the largest, best tomatoes you had this spring were the first ones produced. The tomato plant has gotten old, diseased, and damaged by insects; it will never produce an abundance again. Besides, it is too large to be manageable as far as insect and disease populations are concerned. Pull the old plants up and discard them. Give them to the garbage man. Don't try to compost insect and disease-ridden plants--spider mites don't compost!

To read the rest of this article, please click here. © Texas AgriLife Extension Service

October Progams

Basic Pruning

Monday, Oct. 12, 2009
7:00-8:00PM

Plant growth, basic pruning and toll selection, pruning needled and broad-leaf evergreens, annuals and perennials, deciduous shrubs, and selecting an arborist.

Meet in the lower level Board room.

September Events

Monday, Sept. 14: "Shade Gardening"
7:00-8:00PM
Workshop by Master Gardener, Diane Tannehill

Sunday, Sept. 20: Garden Visit: Twin Pine Bed and Breakfast

Meet there at 12:00PM
1934 W. Main St, Ephrata, PA

Monday, Sept. 28: “Wildflowers”
7:00-8:00PM
Workshop by Master Gardener, Diane Tannehill

August Club Events

My Monet Garden Club: Basics of Gardening
Monday, Aug. 10, 2009
7:00-8:00PM

Learn sound, basic gardening practices. Some areas that may be covered are garden soil, composting, landscaping, native plants, selecting plants, invasive plants, pesticides, and soil testing.


My Monet Garden Club Meeting
Monday, Aug. 24, 2009
7:00-8:00PM

Meet in the Board Room in the lower level library.