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Many vegetables and herbs reach peak flavor and texture when harvested regularly. Harvest crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and herbs promptly to encourage continuous production. Regular harvesting also prevents fruits from becoming overripe and ensures optimal taste and nutrition.
Deadheading—removing spent flowers—and pruning encourage continuous blooming and maintain plant health. Regularly remove dead or damaged foliage to prevent diseases and pests from taking hold. This practice also redirects the plant's energy into new growth and flower production.
Some plants can suffer from heat stress or sunburn during intense summer days. Provide shade for sensitive plants using shade cloth or by strategically planting taller plants to provide natural shade. Alternatively, use row covers to shield plants from excessive heat while still allowing air circulation.
Apply a layer of organic mulch around plants to help retain soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Materials like shredded leaves, straw, or compost can be effective mulches that also enrich the soil as they break down.
During summer, plants need more water due to increased evaporation and higher temperatures. Water deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth. Early morning or late evening is the best time to water, minimizing water loss to evaporation and ensuring plants have access to moisture during the hottest parts of the day.
Select plants that thrive in hot weather to ensure they flourish throughout the summer. Examples include tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and herbs like basil and rosemary. These plants not only tolerate heat but also produce abundantly when given adequate sunlight and water.