Extend Your Harvest of Warm Season Vegetable Plants

At GardenZeus, we consider Indian Summer in August, September, and often well into October to be the equivalent of winter for gardens in hot inland Southern California areas. This is the most difficult time of year for vegetable plants. Most are stressed and at times barely getting by in heat, especially if still producing fruits or setting seeds. Here are two tips to help you extend your harvest of warm season vegetable plants.

During hot spells, pay close attention to productive plants to extend harvests. Maintain mulch 1.5 to 2 inches thick to keep soil and roots cool.

If uninfested, leave flowering, seeding, and unharvested live crops standing as long as possible to feed and provide habitat for helpful insects, wildlife, and birds, especially during late summer and early fall when other food sources are less abundant.

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Other articles of interest:

GardenZeus Tips for Shading Vegetables During Hot Weather

GardenZeus Tips for Harvesting Tomatoes