Water and fertilizer management important in late summer
Water management and soil fertility remain important as we head into the second half of summer.
When moisture becomes deficient, the plant must use more energy to extract moisture from the soil. That energy would have been used for growth and fruit development. When soil moisture is optimum, fruit size is larger, flavor is excellent, and off flavors that develop when plants are stressed are avoided.
Onions are a good example. When an onion grows with good moisture, the size is good and the flavor is sweet. Plants that don't get enough moisture produce a more pungent onion.
On the other hand, when soil moisture is excessive, roots can't function properly. Roots need air. When a plant is growing in excessively wet soil it can't take up enough nutrients for good growth. The flavor and quality of the produce harvested suffers when the soil is saturated.
Plants store excess water in the fruit. Tomatoes tend to be softer; they lack flavor and breakdown more quickly. Melons are not sweet. Sweet corn tastes bland. So, when it comes to late summer watering, you want to keep the soil moist without it getting saturated.
In late summer it is better to keep the plants just a little drier for three reasons. First, as the plant matures it needs less water. Second, the flavor and quality of the fruit is better. Finally, you will reduce the risk of disease.
There are a few practices that should always be followed when watering your garden. When practical, water the soil without wetting the foliage. Water in the early morning. That gives the water time to soak into the soil before the sun gets hot. Watering in the evening can create a high humidity environment around the plant over night that promotes disease.
It is better to give your plants a good watering so the water reaches a depth of 6 inches in the soil. Shallow watering is less effective because more of that moisture evaporates. Shallow watering also trains the roots to be shallow. When dry weather arrives, plant with shallow roots will suffer more quickly.
Finally, be consistent. Keep a consistent amount of moisture available for you plants. If you find that your soil moisture is being depleted, increase your watering gradually over several days.
Disease Update: Downy mildew is now in this area. It has been identified on cucumbers. Late blight is moving across the state. It is probably already in this area.
For more information, contact your local Extension office. In Lackawanna County, call 963-6842 or email LackawannaMG@psu.edu.
JOHN ESSLINGER is an Extension educator with Penn State Extension.