6.27.26 - Share The Bounty
Transcript
Hi! John Morgan here with the Keep Growing Podcast, where we take a look at the gardening week ahead for the Mid-Ohio Valley. This week we’re covering Saturday, June 27th through Friday, July 3rd, 2026. Our HQ here at Bob’s Market and Greenhouses is in Mason, WV, right along the Ohio River – serving folks from Huntington to Marietta and all around the valley in USDA Zones 6 and 7.
Whether you’re harvesting your first big tomatoes or battling a surprise hornworm invasion, we’ve got practical tips to keep your garden thriving through the summer heat. Let’s dig in!
It’s that exciting time when your garden really starts paying you back! Enjoy those first big harvests of tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, beans, and more. Nothing beats the taste of homegrown produce straight from the vine.
And remember – zucchini plants have a way of exploding with fruit. Share the extras with neighbors, friends, or even drop some off at the local food pantry. Your neighbors probably planted too many too, but fresh veggies make great gifts and build community. Turn that surplus into zucchini bread, grilled sides, or freeze some for winter soups. Harvest often to keep production going strong!
Tuesday, June 30th brings the Full Moon – traditionally a great time to focus on root crops or soil-building chores. According to lunar gardening traditions (and our Uncle Jim’s Almanac), the waning phase after the full moon directs energy downward, perfect for planting beets, carrots, or other below-ground beauties.
If you’re not planting roots right now, use the day for soil work: turn your compost pile, side-dress with organic matter, or refresh mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds as temperatures climb. It’s also a solid time for general maintenance that supports long-term garden health.
Don’t forget to scout for pests like hornworms and aphids. These guys love the warm weather and can show up fast. Walk your garden daily – hand-pick tomato hornworms (those big green caterpillars that can strip a plant overnight) and blast aphids with a strong spray of water or insecticidal soap. Early detection keeps problems small and saves your harvest. Neem oil or beneficial insects can help too if things get out of hand.
Other quick tips for the week: Keep up with deadheading flowers, staking or trellising heavy crops like tomatoes and cucumbers before storms hit, and succession planting quick growers where space opens up. Stay hydrated out there – both you and your plants!
Closing:
That’s a wrap for this week in the Mid-Ohio Valley garden. Enjoy the harvests, share the bounty, work with that Full Moon energy on Tuesday, and keep a sharp eye out for pests.
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Thanks for listening, folks. Until next time, figure out creative ways to use all that zucchini, and of course… Keep Growing!
