July Gardening Tips for the Mountain West and High Plains
The best tomatoes develop when there's consistent soil moisture. Periods of alternating wet and dry contribute to blossom end rot.
Tie tomatoes to supports weekly.
For best flavor, let tomatoes ripen as fully as possible on the vine.
If you have an established strawberry bed, it's time choose the plants that will bear next year's crop. Look for the strongest, largest plants and cultivate these. Remove other plants and their runners. Water and fertilize these plants the rest of this growing season to ensure a heavy crop next year.
After picking summer-bearing raspberries and blackberries -- including wild berry patches you may tend -- cut fruiting canes to the ground.
Add compost around the base of remaining canes to promote strong growth. These canes will bear next year's fruit. Tie to supports as needed.
Test Garden Tip: Plastic netting is a great investment to protect edible crops from wildlife. Toss it over plants as fruit ripens to keep hungry birds, rodents, and other critters at bay.
Continued on page 5: Houseplants and Tropicals
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