Happy 4th of July!

As we move into the height of summer, many gardeners are facing the challenge of maintaining their plants through periods of intense heat. Despite the recent break in the heat wave, temperatures are still high, making proper watering and care essential for garden success.

For those of us growing tomatoes, this season has presented a unique situation. My plants are running 2-3 weeks behind schedule because of how late I planted them, which keeps my focus on promoting strong vegetative growth. The key to this lies in maximizing photosynthesis - the process by which plants convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into the energy they need for growth.

To encourage robust plant development, consider the following strategies:

• Ensure adequate hydration: Consistent watering is crucial for photosynthesis (which is one of the driving inputs to photosynthesis) and overall plant health.
• Boost nitrogen intake: Nitrogen is essential for chlorophyll production, which drives photosynthesis. A fertilizer like Neptune’s Harvest Tomato and Veg formula (2-4-2) can help provide that nitrogen organically along with mix of other important nutrients.
• Promote leafy growth: Focus on developing strong stems and abundant foliage. This “vegetative growth” stage will set the foundation and food reserves for a more substantial harvest later in the season.

It’s important to note that our fertilization strategy will evolve as the plants mature. Once flower clusters begin to appear, typically 1-2 weeks after planting for early May plantings, it’s time to adjust our approach. At this stage, we reduce nitrogen and increase potassium and calcium to support fruit development. A transition to Neptune’s Harvest Rose and Flowering formula (2-6-4) can help meet these changing nutritional needs. Already I’m doing this in many of my client’s gardens where I planted tomatoes in the beginning of May.

Remember, successful gardening is often a matter of timing and adaptability. By focusing on strong vegetative growth now, we’re laying the groundwork for a productive and flavorful tomato harvest in the weeks to come. Stay attentive to your plants’ needs and adjust your care routine accordingly.

Spotted lanternfly

I have seen a bunch of nymphs in gardens lately, particularly for those cultivating grapevines, beans, and cucumbers. These pests, currently identifiable by their distinctive black and white spots in their early stage (second nymph stage), are slower and less capable of long-distance hops, making early intervention a strategic advantage for gardeners. They prefer grapevines, where they can cause significant damage by feeding on the sap that carries essential sugars for the plant’s growth and fruit development. While they also affect beans and cucumbers, the impact is notably less severe compared to grapevines. The nymphs’ feeding method involves piercing the plant’s veins and draining its sap, which weakens the plant overall and hampers its ability to produce healthy fruit. Addressing these pests early in the season seems to make a big difference for preventing long-term damage to gardens.

SOLUTIONS:

• Regularly inspect plants for nymphs, focusing on stems and under leaves.
• Use a vacuum with a narrow nozzle to effectively remove nymphs from plants.
• Educate the community about spotted lanternfly nymphs and control methods.

Squash Vine Borers

When these guys are in the grub stage they tunnel into the stems of our zucchini and squashes and eat the plant from the inside out. While I haven’t seen them yet, the Cornell Cooperative Extension mentioned that their adults moths are out flying around and they eggs should be hatching soon - so keep an eye out for them on your squash plants in the next couple weeks and look for their unique little bore-holes surrounded by orange goo (their frass) near the base of the zucchini. If you do see them (and you along have a couple of squash) than you can just use a sharp knife to slit the stem vertically try to find the little white grub and squish him.

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P.S. If you haven’t seen it yet - It's worth subscribing the NYC Cornell Growers Update Newsletter too! They do a great job and have an archive of fantastic information on many of the pests and diseases we encounter here around NYC. Sign up for it here!

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