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August finds us in the midst of the dog days of summer. Traditionally the hottest and most humid days of the year, it seems counter-intuitive that we need to focus on our cool weather plantings while we struggle in the heat to keep up with summer garden chores. If you plan on growing and eating crunchy and nutritious fall vegetables like radishes, turnips, broccoli raab, spinach, kohlrabi, peas, lettuce, kale, and other greens, you need to plant them in early August. You might also be able to sneak in another planting of beets and carrots! When we plant these vegetables in the short Michigan spring, they mature as the days get longer and hotter, causing strong flavors and bolting. When these same vegetables mature in the cool fall weather, their flavor is sweet and mild! Our first frost occurs in mid-October on average, but there is no guarantee that it won’t happen considerably earlier. Most fall vegetables that are sown in August mature quickly and can take a light frost, but the frost could signal the plant to stop growing. For this reason, you should always be aware of frost warnings after the beginning of September, and be prepared to cover your crops to keep them growing long into fall. Seeds for fall planting are in good supply at the LTPL Seed Library!
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In-Person and Virtual Herbal Houseplants: Grow Beautiful Herbs IndoorsMonday, August 15, 6:30pm Herbs make great houseplants! New techniques, efficient grow lights, and herb varieties specifically bred for compact spaces offer a better and easier way to grow these lovely plants indoors. Susan Betz, author of "Herbal Houseplants," will teach us which herbs perform best as houseplants, how to care for them, and how to harvest and use our homegrown herbs for culinary and household creations. Register to attend in person here. Register to attend virtually here.
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Blend, brew, and enjoy an irresistible selection of herbal teas while herbalist Bevin Cohen shares his knowledge on the history and folklore of various herbal ingredients. Document your impressions of each herb’s aroma and flavor as we explore the various layers of a well-crafted herbal tea. Create a custom herbal tea to enjoy at home with a make-and-take activity!
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The LTPL Seed Library is well-stocked with seeds that you need for planting in August! Quick-growing crops that thrive in cooler weather can be planted now! From radishes to greens to broccoli raab, we have loads of seeds that are available at no cost to you. The mission of the seed library is to promote gardening and encourage sustainability through seed saving. Although it is not required, we hope that you will attempt to save seeds from your crops and return them to the seed library to help keep it self-sustaining. First time users of the Seed Library need to register. You may do so with this form or in-person at the seed library. Once you have registered, you log your initials and number of packets taken on the clipboard. The clipboard and instructions are on top of the Seed Library cabinet. Gardening handouts are available at the Seed Library and also on the LTPL Grows Webpage, along with plenty of informative and entertaining videos!
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This August: - Clean up spent plants and weeds and put into compost as long as they are disease free. Remove seed heads of weeds before composting.
- Amend the bare spots with finished compost and direct-sow seeds for quick-growing fall crops, and plant transplants for broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage.
- If you aren’t going to replant, consider sowing a cover crop to add organic matter to your soil.
- Harvest and dry herbs while they are at their peak.
- Pinch new blossoms off your tomato plants (also eggplants and peppers) so they put their energy into ripening existing fruit before frost. For the same reason, prune winter squash and pumpkin vines to prevent them from forming new fruit that will not have time to mature.
- August is when seed-saving goes into full swing! Allow your non-hybrid tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, cucumbers, and squash to fully ripen on the plant or vine. Make sure correct seed-saving practices have been followed to keep them pure.
- Information and online resources for saving seed can be found on our website.
Find additional resources to get started here:
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Expert herbalist Betz shows us which herbs will make good houseplants and how to care for them. She also shares ideas and recipes for using the herbs in our homes and kitchens. Ms. Betz will present at LTPL on August 15, 2022.
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Using natural gardening techniques you can create a wildlife-friendly habitat using the best plants for your location. Learn all about the critters you are inviting to your garden and how best to support and encourage them.
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Learn how to understand the basic biology of how plants grow and gain the wisdom and confidence to problem solve for optimized plant health and productivity.
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Find more information on LTPL Grows and other resources!
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Visit and "like" for gardening news, tips and upcoming events.
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