8.8.26 - Take Note

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Hey friends, and welcome back to The Keep Growing Podcast. I’m John Morgan, and it’s good to be with you again from the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Whether you’re out in the garden early this morning or catching this on the way to work, we’re keeping it practical and local this week—just the way we like it at Bob’s Market.

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Let’s start with the weather, because it sets the tone for everything else.

Periods of showers and storms are expected through Saturday, and again as the new work week gets going. Hey! That’s a Mason County Fair tradition. Localized flash flooding remains possible during these heavier stretches, and there’s a chance the severe weather threat could pick up a bit next week. Daytime highs look seasonable in the 80s, with nighttime lows settling into the 60s. So we’ll have some good growing weather mixed with those wet spells—plan your outdoor time accordingly and keep an eye on the sky.

Now, three things worth focusing on in the garden this week.

First: take notes on which varieties performed best this year. Future you will thank present you.

We’re deep enough into the season that the winners and the under-performers are pretty evident. Which tomato variety didn’t get blossom end rot? Which pepper actually produced under our summer conditions? Which zinnia or marigold kept blooming without constant attention? Jot it down—variety name, where you planted it, how it handled the heat and the rain. Those notes turn into smarter choices next spring. It’s simple, but it’s one of the most useful habits a gardener can build.

Adding to that, take photos.  I organize all of my photos in the cloud by date so I also have a visual record of my garden.  You see the wins on our website and social media, but I also photograph my mistakes too. You can even get fancy and use an app like Evernote, DayOne, or even a simple spreadsheet.  Personally, I use a database app called AirTable, but that might be a bit too in the weeds. … No pun intended.

Second: watch closely for powdery mildew on your pumpkins and winter squash.

The combination of warm days, cool nights, and the humidity that often rides with our river-valley weather creates perfect conditions for it. You’ll see that white, powdery coating starting on the leaves. Good airflow helps a lot—make sure plants aren’t overcrowded and that lower leaves have some breathing room. Water in the morning so the foliage has time to dry during the day. Catching it early gives you the best chance of keeping the plants productive through the fall.

Now, you’re probably not going to wipe powdery mildew out of the garden completely—but you can slow it down. One simple home mix is one tablespoon of baking soda and one teaspoon of liquid Castile soap in a gallon of water. Spray it on the leaves early in the day, and as always, test a small area first before you treat the whole plant.

Third: Wednesday, August 12 is the New Moon—and it’s a prime planting day.

If you’ve still got a little room or empty spots in the garden, this is a strong window for seeding radishes, leeks, and any remaining fall greens. Those cool-season crops appreciate the shorter days ahead, and the New Moon timing lines up well for getting them started. Keep the soil consistently moist while they germinate, especially with the unsettled weather pattern we’re looking at.

That’s the short list for this week: record what worked, protect the squash and pumpkins from mildew, and take advantage of the New Moon planting day on Wednesday.

We’re all in this growing season together here in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Keep learning from the plants, keep sharing what you notice, and keep showing up for the garden—even when the weather isn’t perfect.

Check out our website at bobsmarket.com for show notes and more.

Until next time, keep growing.

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