Embracing Your August Garden & Preparing for the Colder Months Ahead

Embracing Your August Garden & Preparing for the Colder Months Ahead

August is a time of abundance in our gardens and a reminder to start preparing for the colder months ahead.  At the Marshall County Co-op, we cherish the peak of the growing season and offer some tips to help you transition smoothly into fall and winter.

Maximizing your August Garden

August is when gardens flourish with produce and flowers.  Here’s how to make the most of it:

Harvesting Tips

    • Vegetables: Pick vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and beans regularly to encourage more growth
    • Herbs: Harvest herbs in the morning when their oils are most potent.  Dry or freeze them for winter use.

    Garden Maintenance

    • Weeding: Keep up with weeding to reduce competition for nutrients.
    • Watering: Water deeply but less frequently to encourage root growth.
    • Pruning: Prune back spent flowers to encourage new blooms and tidy up your garden.

    Planting for Fall

      • Cool-Weather crops:  Consider planting cool-weather crops like spinach, kale, and lettuce.  They thrive in the cooler autumn air.
      • Cover crops: Plant cover crops to enrich the soil and prevent erosion during the winter months.  

      Preparing for the Colder Month:  Heating with Propane

      As the temperatures start to drop, it’s crucial to prepare your home for winter.  One essential aspect is ensuring you have an efficient heating source.  Here’s why the Marshall County Co-op thinks propane is an excellent choice:

      Propane tank

      Efficiency

        • High Energy Output:  Propane burns hotter than many other fuels, making it highly efficient for heating.  
        • Reliable supply:  Propane is stored in tanks on your property, ensuring a steady supply, even during power outages.  

        Environmental Benefits

          • Cleaner burning:  Propane produces fewer carbon emissions compared to other fossil fuels, making it a greener choice.
          • Low emissions: It emits fewer particulates and pollutants, contributing to cleaner air.

          Versatility

            • Multiple uses: Propane can be used for heating your home, cooking, heating water and even powering generators.
            • Adaptability: It’s suitable for various systems, from traditional furnaces to modern radiant floor heating.

            Cost Effectiveness

              • Stable pricing: Propane prices are often more stable compared to electricity and other heating fuels, making it a budget-friendly option.  
              • Energy Savings:  Its high efficiency translates to lower energy consumption and reduced heating costs.  

              Get Ready for Winter

              At the Marshall County Co-op, we offer a range of propane services and supplies to help you prepare for the colder months.  From refills to new installations, we’re here to ensure you stay warm and comfortable throughout winter. 

              Visit us for all your gardening and propane needs and so much more.  Let’s enjoy the last of summers bounty and get ready for a cozy, energy-efficient winter together!