A Second Chance at Gardening

By mid-August, a lot of us have started to move on from the garden. The tomatoes are coming in faster than we can eat them, the zucchini plants have reached prehistoric proportions, and anything we enthusiastically planted back in May is either thriving, bolting, or looking a little worse for wear. So if you’re tempted to pull what’s finished, put away the gardening gloves, and call it a season, it’s understandable.

Here in Connecticut, August is actually a great time to give your vegetable garden a second act. There’s plenty of growing season left, and a whole group of vegetables would much rather grow during the cooler days ahead than battle July heat. The trick is choosing the right things.

Radishes are probably the easiest place to start, and many varieties are ready in about a month, which means you can plant them now and potentially squeeze in another round after that. They’re also great for kids because you don’t have to wait until Thanksgiving to see whether your efforts were worth it.

Leaf lettuce and arugula are other easy wins. Both grow quickly, and as temperatures begin to drop, they don’t have to battle the heat that can make lettuce bitter or cause greens to bolt.

Spinach is another good late-summer crop and can tolerate surprisingly chilly temperatures once fall arrives. Kale is even tougher. A little frost can actually improve kale’s flavor, so don’t assume the first cold night means everything in the vegetable garden is finished.

If you move quickly, you can also plant carrots, beets and turnips. Look for varieties with shorter “days to maturity” listed on the seed packet. Smaller carrots and root vegetables are perfectly good consolation prizes if Mother Nature decides to send us an early freeze.

Bok choy and other Asian greens are particularly good choices for this time of year. Many struggle during hot weather but thrive as the days get shorter and cooler. Peas are worth a shot, too, although they’re a bit more of a gamble. Choose a fast-growing variety, get them planted soon, and see what happens. Gardening has never come with a money-back guarantee.

And then there’s garlic, which plays by slightly different rules. Rather than planting it now for a fall harvest, you’ll want to put garlic in the ground later this fall, generally sometime in October or early November, once the weather has cooled but before the ground freezes solid. Plant individual cloves a few inches deep with the pointy end facing up, cover them with soil and add a good layer of mulch. They’ll establish roots before winter, go dormant during the coldest months, pop back up in spring and be ready to harvest next summer.

And if you didn’t plant a garden this year and think you’ve missed your chance, you haven’t. A few containers on a sunny patio, porch or even front steps can be plenty of space for lettuce, spinach, arugula, radishes and other quick-growing fall vegetables. You don’t need a big garden, a perfect plan or even much experience. Grab a couple of pots, a bag of soil and a few packets of seeds and see what happens. There’s still a surprising amount of growing season left in Connecticut, so don’t store those gardening gloves just yet.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Have a question? Email info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” For your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for general guidance only.

It's Not Too Late To Get in The Vegetable Garden

June in Connecticut offers a unique opportunity for gardeners to plant a variety of vegetables that thrive in the warm, early summer climate. With the last frost safely behind, it's time to get your hands dirty and your garden flourishing. Here’s a guide to some of the best vegetables to plant in your garden this month.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a classic garden staple and June is an excellent time to plant them in Connecticut. The warm soil and increasing temperatures provide ideal conditions for these sun-loving plants. Whether you prefer cherry tomatoes, beefsteak, or heirlooms, make sure to plant them in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Staking or caging your tomato plants will help support their growth and keep the fruits off the ground, reducing the risk of disease.

Peppers

Peppers, both sweet and hot varieties, thrive when planted in June. Connecticut's warm summer days and slightly cooler nights are perfect for pepper plants. Bell peppers, jalapeños, and even exotic varieties like habaneros can be planted now. Ensure they receive full sunlight and regular watering, but be careful not to overwater, as peppers prefer their soil to dry out between waterings.

Cucumbers

Cucumbers are another excellent choice for a June planting in Connecticut. These fast-growing vines love the heat and can produce a bountiful harvest throughout the summer. You can plant them directly in the garden or start them indoors earlier in the spring and transplant them in June. Trellising cucumbers will save space and make harvesting easier while reducing the risk of disease.

Zucchini and Summer Squash

Zucchini and other summer squash varieties are known for their prolific nature and are perfect for planting in June. These plants require plenty of sunlight and space to spread out. They thrive in Connecticut’s climate, quickly producing a large harvest that can be enjoyed in numerous summer dishes. Regular harvesting encourages further production, ensuring you have a steady supply of fresh squash throughout the season.

Beans

Both bush and pole beans can be planted in June and will yield a generous harvest. Beans are relatively easy to grow and do well in our summer weather. Bush beans do not require support, making them simpler to manage, while pole beans need trellises or stakes. Ensure your bean plants receive full sun and regular watering for the best results.

Carrots

Carrots can be sown directly into the garden soil in June. These root vegetables prefer loose, well-drained soil and a sunny location. Although they take a bit longer to mature, the sweet, crisp carrots harvested later in the season are worth the wait. Thinning the seedlings is crucial to ensure each carrot has enough space to grow properly.

Leafy Greens

Although typically associated with cooler weather, certain leafy greens like kale, Swiss chard, and spinach can still be planted in June. These greens can tolerate Connecticut’s summer heat if they receive partial shade during the hottest part of the day. Regular watering and harvesting the outer leaves will keep these plants producing throughout the summer.

Gardening during June is both rewarding and productive. By planting a diverse range of vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, beans, carrots, and leafy greens, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest all summer long. Don’t forget to include a selection of herbs to elevate your cooking and support your garden’s ecosystem. Happy gardening!

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Veggies to Plant Now for a Fall Harvest

If you think late summer is the time to give your garden a rest, think again. This time of year is perfect to get late fall and winter veggies into the ground to enjoy a delicious harvest even when the frost sets in. For those of you with a green thumb or even if you regret not getting in the garden earlier this year, now is a great time to get planting. Let’s start with three basic tips.

First, make a note of the frost dates. A smart cool weather garden will thrive if it’s in the ground and has time to mature well before the daytime temperature starts to settle at around 55 degrees. The almanac has the first frost around the second week in October, which means you have about six weeks to get your crops settled in. 

If you’ve decided on a fall garden, you might want to think about building a cold frame. You can buy one at a local hardware store, or make your own using plywood and plastic with holes for ventilation. For a small garden, a hinged plexiglass box will do the trick but for larger beds, consider heavy-duty plastic sheeting.

Lastly, use this opportunity to give back to your garden and get it ready for next season. If you’re not too picky about what to plant or you aren’t interested in harvesting, consider a cover crop - a species that will improve the health of your soil, enhance your garden’s biodiversity, and keep pests and weeds at bay. Peas and beans are the best choices for veggies, and clover, rye, buckwheat, and sorghum work really well too.

Once you’ve committed to a fall garden, the only decision left is what to plant! Some of my favorite vegetables do really well in the colder months, so luckily you have tons to choose from. In terms of leafy greens, you have your pick with chard, kale, lettuce of all kinds, and spinach. Other tough veggies like broccoli, beets, carrots, and radishes are plenty strong for these colder months.  My favorites roasters like fennel, parsnips, turnips, and Brussels sprouts also do incredibly well this time of year. And let’s not forget rhubarb for a delicious late-season pie!

If you love all these veggies but can’t get yourself to commit to a late summer garden, don’t worry. Bookmark this for six months' time and get excited to kick off the spring with early planting. Happy Gardening!

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.