Watering with Fish Emulsion Fertilizer

Photo:

Photo Credit: Judith Cox

With the continuing heat, I try to do most of my watering in the early morning. I have a nice big green watering can to which I add about two teaspoons of fish emulsion fertilizer. I will be using this for all of my tomatoes, roses and other vegetables.

Greetings fellow gardeners,

It is a humid and foggy/smokey morning, and it is a Monday. Today I am having a lot of the wood that is stacked about my place, split for the winter. Winter is a strange thing to think about on a day like today. However, I have learned over time, that it is never too soon to prepare for winter. I guess I shall call to get the woodstove cleaned sometime this week.

Watering with Fish Emulsion Fertilizer

As it is Monday, I shall be doing my fertilizing routine which I know as Munching Mondays! I have a nice big green watering can to which I add about two teaspoons of fish emulsion fertilizer. I will be using this for all of my tomatoes, roses and other vegetables. This is a gentle organic fertilizer which is not heavy on the nitrogen, so I will not be getting a burst of green growth. I do not use this as a water replacement; this is in addition to watering. As it has rained, I may not need to water today.

Bee Hotel Update

My bee hotels are not doing well. I have been unable to get the area around them cleaned up, and one was in too much shade. I have cut most of the tree seedlings down and am hopeful that bees will move in soon. The other hotel seems to have become an ant hangout. I am doing some research on what to do about this.

Bee Hotel in a garden rescued from undergrowth. — Bee Hotel rescued from undergrowth.

As the week progresses the humidity is making itself known. I find this kind of weather to be just miserable. I get outside early to water all the vegetables and try not to over-exert myself. I did go to work for a while but ended up working in the shady Memorial Garden so that was nice. I also had a helper. Barn cat Daphne decided that I needed supervision.

Cat sitting on a stump in the garden — Thanks for the help, Daphne.

How I Minimize Risk of Ticks

Once I got home, I thought perhaps I would continue on my journey of cutting the grass. I am cutting it in sections and going around the fallen branches. I am going to have to use the pruners in some of the areas. The sumac trees are growing like weeds and the weeds are growing like sumac! The weather was so steamy and by the time I had finished my section of lawn, I was very hot and a bit worried about ticks. In I went to take a tick shower. All my clothes went in a bag and into the shower I go. This has proven to be a very effective way to keep ahead of any ticks that might be coming in on my clothes or just starting to bury into my skin. I am pretty sure that the ticks I have had were on my clothes first.

With the continuing heat, I try to do most of my watering in the early morning. I did pick up a few new plants on sale and as with anything transplanted in this weather, they will receive a lot of extra water. Enjoy your week. Judith. (Email: sghorticultural@gmail.com) Veggie Bites are available at https://sghorticultural.wixsite.com/website or https://gardeningcalendar.ca/category/veggie-bites/

Ottawa

About the Author

Judith Cox

Judith Cox is a Master Gardener and President of the Stittsville Goulbourn Horticultural Society . The many topics covered in her blogs include starting a garden, planting seeds, selecting the best seeds, identifying specific plants, and growing produce other than what is found at the grocery store. Every issue offers solutions to common issues faced by gardeners, including wildlife, whether to water, pests, snails, and other issues. During the winter, Judith writes for local journals and newspapers, give talks at local horticultural clubs on a range of gardening topics. She also finds time to run a small business selling watercolor and pen and ink cards.