Garden Preparation:  September

Bacterial wilt and Cucumbers

Bacterial wilt. Source: U. of Maryland Extension.

Last week a friend asked me what happened to their cucumbers seemingly overnight.  They had beautiful vines one day; and the next morning, the plants looked like this photo.  The diagnosis:  bacterial wilt caused by Erwinia tracheiphilia. It can also affect other squashes and pumpkins.

This villain is spread by both the spotted and striped cucumber beetles. The bacteria reside in the insects' digestive tracks; and when the insects pierce the leaves or vines to suck the juices, the bacteria are introduced into a plant.  Sometimes, just a leaf or a vine will be infected.  Sometimes, the entire plant dramatically collapses. 

FWIW: Cucumber beetles are about the only insects bothering cucumbers because these beetles are on the only species that have evolved a resistance to the toxins present in cucumber vines and leaves.  

The toxins are called "cucuribitacins" and are present in cucumbers and related plants.  In our garden varieties of cukes, squashes and pumpkins the levels of these toxins have been reduced through selective breeding over centuries.  Such is not the case with those ornamental gourds that you use as part of  Thanksgiving table centerpieces. Don't snack on them...

Harvest Time Starting for Winter Squashes and Pumpkins

Source: wikimedia.org

Winter squash can begin to be harvested during September as well as pumpkins - although it's better to wait until the end of the month to allow the rinds to thicken.  The squash will keep better if you do.

Whenever pumpkins turn orange they are ready for picking.  When harvesting any vafriety of winter squash, remember to leave a segment (about 2") of their stems attached.  The stems help to keep the fruits sealed as they cure.  Although both squashes and pumpkins can handle light frosts, both need to be harvested before heavy frosts (i.e. temps in the middle to low 20°F's).

Pruning Brussels Sprouts

Brussel sprout. Source: I. Stephens

Another issue that you might have noticed in your garden during August, given the character of this year's   growing season, is the robustness of Brussels sprout plants.  They may have a lot of foliage, but their buds may be undeveloped. This is  due to the very warm temperatures and ample of moisture.

You can still prune the plants  to induce them to channel their efforts into growing those buds by removing the leader from the top of the plants. You can also remove  the lower leaves from the base to about a third of the way up the stalk.

 The plants still have a long growing season ahead of them to grow their buds.  

And also for September, here are a few more entertaining things you can do...

• Keep weeding -- remove those plants before they release their seeds...

• Now is a good time to get that soil test -- give yourself a head start for next year. Changing the pH level of your garden, as is true to other amendments, actually takes months. Don't wait until planting time.

• Got herbs? -- Let some go to seed, collect the seeds and get started early next spring by growing some of your own. Save a couple of bucks.

• Start that Garden Notebook -- While you may still remember what you actually planted, make a note about whether you liked it or not.  If you saved the seed packet, at least make a note on it  that you either liked it or will never plant it again.

• Having trouble giving your excess kale away -- your neighbors will appreciate your donating it to a local food pantry or kitchen.

Swiss Chard - A New Bird Food?  

House sparrow.  Photo: I. StephensI

I feed birds in our backyard. The feeders are  near the vegetable garden, and for years the feathery beasts have repaid my generocity  by regularly patrolling the garden for insects.  Starting several years ago I noticed that my Swiss chard was being shredded in late summer.  I couldn't detect any insects and so was baffled.  Then late in the growing season last year I noticed that the last brood of house sparrows were mobbing it.  This year I spied the arrival of the fledgling hordes and put bird netting over my row of chard -- just in time.  Now, these sparrows continue to patrol the garden; the chard is safe; and, fortunately, the little mauraders haven't redirected their tastes to some other vegetable.

When I was about nine years old, I had a parakeet that I would feed leafy greens; but I have never noticed wild birds of any other bent exhibiting a similar yen. It seems to be just these late season fledglings that are drawn to chard.  The chard can grow throughout the spring and summer without being molested; but late in the growing season, it is at risk.  Can anyone explain this behavior? I suspect that there is some nutrient that young house sparrows need to  become fortified in preparation for the oncoming of leaner times...

And remember:

    "I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment, while I was hoeing in a village

          garden, and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance that I should have been 

 by any epaulet I could have worn." - H. D. Thoreau