August is one of the busiest, and most rewarding, months in the garden. After months of watering, weeding, and tending to your plants, it’s finally time to enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor. It’s also the perfect month to begin thinking ahead to fall gardening and preparing your landscape for the changing seasons.
At the Marshall County Co-op, we’re here to help you make the most of every growing season. Whether you’re harvesting tomatoes by the basketful, planting fall vegetables, or looking for ways to preserve your fresh produce, we’ve got the products and expertise to help.
Harvest Time is Here!
August gardens are overflowing with delicious homegrown vegetables. Depending on what you’ve planted, you may be harvesting:
- Tomatoes, sweet corn, green beans, cucumbers, peppers, zucchini and yellow squash, potatoes, onions, herbs and maturing pumpkins!
Harvest vegetables regularly to encourage many plants to continue producing throughout the remainder of the season.
It’s Not Too Late to Plant…
Many gardeners think the growing season is winding down, but August is an excellent time to plant vegetables that thrive in cooler fall temperatures.
Consider planting:
- Lettuce, spinach, kale, radishes, turnips, beets, carrots, Swiss chard
Stop by the Marshall County Co-op to browse our selection of quality seeds and let our knowledgeable staff help you choose varieties that perform well in our area.
Keep Watering
Late summer heat can still be hard on plants.
A few watering tips include:
- Water early in the morning whenever possible.
- Water deeply rather than lightly every day.
- Focus water at the roots instead of the leaves.
- Add mulch or straw around plants to help conserve moisture and reduce weeds.
Marshall County Co-op carries straw that works great as mulch while also helping regulate soil temperatures during hot weather.
Feed Your Garden
Many vegetables continue producing well into early fall with a little extra nutrition.
Adding fertilizer now can help:
- Encourage continued flowering
- Produce larger vegetables
- Improve overall plant health
- Strengthen root systems
Our team can recommend fertilizers that are right for your garden and soil conditions.
Preserve Your Harvest Like A Pro
One of the best parts of gardening is enjoying fresh vegetables long after summer has ended.
Canning
Tomatoes, green beans, salsa, pickles, jams, and peppers can all be preserved through proper canning methods. Always follow current USDA-approved canning guidelines to ensure food safety.
Freezing
Many vegetables freeze beautifully after blanching, including:
- Corn
- Green beans
- Broccoli
- Peas
- Bell peppers
Frozen vegetables retain much of their flavor and nutritional value for months.
Dry Your Herbs: Fresh herbs are easy to preserve
Simply harvest before flowering, rinse gently, and hang small bundles upside down in a warm, dry location with good airflow. Once completely dry, store them in airtight containers away from direct sunlight.
Popular herbs to dry include:
- Basil
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Parsley
Store Onions and Potatoes properly to help them last through the fall and winter
Cure onions in a dry, well-ventilated area before storing.
- Store onions in a cool, dry place.
- Keep potatoes in a dark location around 45–50°F.
- Never store potatoes and onions together, as they release gases that can cause each other to spoil more quickly.
Keep Produce Fresher Longer: A few simple habits can extend the life of your harvest
- Pick vegetables during the cool morning hours.
- Handle produce gently to prevent bruising.
- Refrigerate produce that requires cooling soon after harvest.
- Wash fruits and vegetables just before using them, not before storing.
Marshall County Co-op is Here to Help
Whether you’re wrapping up your summer garden or preparing for the fall growing season, the Marshall County Co-op has the products and friendly local service you can count on.
Stop by the Marshall County Co-op today and let us help you make the most of every harvest. We’re always happy to answer your gardening questions and help you find the products you need for a productive season, this month and beyond.