8.15.26 - Storm Recovery
Transcript
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Good day, friends, and welcome to another episode of The Keep Growing Podcast from Bob’s Market and Greenhouses. I’m John Morgan, and I’m glad you’re joining me as we look at the week ahead for our Mid-Ohio Valley gardens — August 15 through the 21st.
We’ve been growing flowers, friends, and family right here since 1970, and this podcast is simply one more way we share practical tips with our neighbors across Mason, Belpre, Gallipolis, and the rest of the region.
Let’s dig in.
Up First, The Weather Outlook for the Week
Heavy rainfall and rounds of showers and storms are expected today and Sunday. Sunday looks very hot and humid, with dangerous heat-index values possible for some of us.
The stormy pattern looks to break some on Tuesday and part of Wednesday as surface high pressure builds into the area. Then things turn active once again Wednesday night and Thursday into the weekend. Yay! More rain. Right?
Keep an eye on local forecasts, and plan outdoor work around the drier windows when you can.
Our Main Garden Focus This Week: Taking Stock and Cleaning Up After the Storms
If the recent storms rolled through your place the way they did for many of us, this is a good week to walk the garden with a clear eye.
Start by taking stock. Look for broken branches, flattened plants, washed-out mulch, or spots where water is still standing. Remove debris so it doesn’t sit against stems and invite disease or pests. Straighten or gently stake anything that’s leaning but still healthy. Replace any mulch that washed away, and make sure soil isn’t compacted around the base of plants after the heavy rain.
A little cleanup now helps everything recover faster and keeps the garden healthier heading into the second half of summer.
A lot of folks have asked about corn that got laid over by wind and rain. Here’s the good news: in most cases, it will recover.
As long as the stalks aren’t snapped and the roots are still mostly in the ground, corn has a remarkable ability to right itself over the next few days. You’ll often see it gradually standing back up on its own. Resist the urge to immediately try to force every stalk upright — you can do more harm than good. Give it a few days, keep the soil reasonably moist (but not waterlogged), and watch. Most of the time, nature takes care of it.
If a stalk is clearly broken, go ahead and remove it so the plant can put energy into the remaining ears. Otherwise, patience is usually the best tool.
Thursday, August 20th brings the First Quarter Moon. Traditional planting wisdom says this is a favorable time for aboveground crops.
If you still have space or want to squeeze in a late succession, consider harvesting what’s ready or planting more greens, beans, or herbs. Cooler nights are still a ways off, but many of these crops can keep producing if we keep them watered and picked regularly. A little extra planting or a good harvest session under the First Quarter Moon is a nice way to stay in rhythm with the season.
Closing
As always, we’re here growing right alongside you.
Enjoy a smoother shopping experience at our Belpre location with our newly paved parking lot. And here’s our store manager at Belpre, Jon Neff, sharing the latest produce to arrive at the market.
[Insert Clip – Jon Neff, Belpre produce update]
Check out our website at bobsmarket.com for show notes and more.
Until next time, keep growing.
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