Clean Up Your Garden at End-of-Summer

WHAT TO KEEP, WHAT TO PULL

Our Lowcountry gardens can look pretty pitiful by late summer. Certainly those tall cages that were once lush with tomatoes and cucumbers contain dying plants.

Are you dreaming of broccoli, cauliflower, kale and turnips this Fall? Then, carve out a few hours to cleanup your garden now for planting.

In the Lowcountry, the Rita’s Roots Crew will begin planting in late September.

Here’s a simple breakdown to cleanup your garden so it’s ready:

CLEANUP: WHAT TO PULL

Anything diseased and unproductive should go
Bug-infested kale
Cucumbers
Edamame
Tomatoes

Gardens are valuable real estate. So you want plants that will be generous and that you will use throughout the season.

CLEANUP: WHAT TO PRUNE

Dead head any flowers

Eggplant + Peppers can be cut back if leggy.
Okra can be cut back if too tall. Remove any unruly branches.
Parsley (Remove any yellow or brown leaves.)

CLEANUP: WHAT TO KEEP

These plants will produce until frost. But if you like greens and brassicas more, then pull to make room.

Basil
Eggplant
Flowers
Okra
Parsley
Peppers

CLEANUP: HOW TO PREPARE

Check irrigation system, repair as necessary.
Dead plants can go to a compost pile.
Any plant material with diseases or infestations should be brown bagged and put on curb.
Amend with 2″ compost to add organic matter and microbes to the soil. Always use all purpose fertilizer when planting. Fertilizer adds a concentration of essential plant nutrients – nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. We typically add 2 tbsp fertilizer to each planting hole.
Make notes in your garden notebook of what went well and what didn’t. For our clients, this year was great for tomatoes (one of the best we have seen!) and cucumbers. The spring drought delayed the onset of disease. As a result, eggplant and peppers were prolific as well as basil and zinnias.
Consider purchasing frost protection kit so you’re ready.

OUR SERVICES

Would you like support to help your garden reach its full, food-producing potential?

Rita’s Roots provides full-service, organic garden support for the novice and experienced gardener.

We provide a custom designed plan which can include: