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August Silence again. The glorious symphony
hath need of pause and interval
of peace.
Some subtle signal bids all sweet sounds cease,
Save hum of insects’ aimless industry.
Pathetic summer seeks by blazonry
Of color to conceal her swift decrease.
Weak subterfuge! Each mocking day doth fleece
A blossom, and lay bare her poverty.
Poor middle-aged summer!
Vain this show!
Whole fields of golden-rod
cannot offset
One meadow with a single violet;
And well the singing thrush and lily know,
Spite of all artifice which her regret
Can deck in splendid guise, their time to go! by Helen Hunt Jackson 1830 — 1885 |
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Basics of Seed SavingMonday August 18 @ 6:30 pmAs we get closer to autumn, it is time to learn when your seeds are ready to harvest and when to harvest them. We will cover which seeds are ready when you eat the crops, which have to dry on the vine, and which have to cure for a period beyond harvest before the seeds are ready to extract. Various techniques and tools for processing your seeds will be discussed as well as methods for storage. |
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LTPL Grows Seed Swap!Monday, September 22 @ 6:00 pm Gather your seeds and join us for the First Annual LTPL Seed Swap! Bring your seeds to trade or share and get to know your local gardening neighbors! Michigan author and seed-saver Bevin Cohen will be here during the swap to share seed-saving wisdom and stories. Table space will be available on a first come, first serve basis and space is limited. If you don't have enough seeds to require table space, you are welcome to attend as a "roving swapper." |
It's August! The LTPL Seed Library is open for business all year long with seasonally appropriate seeds added on an ongoing basis. In August, look for fast-growing vegetables that will mature during the cool fall weather. They can be direct sown after you harvest earlier crops. These vegetables include greens, beets, carrots, turnips, radishes, cilantro, and kohlrabi. Be sure to keep them well-watered since August can still be still hot and dry. The LTPL Seed Library is open for business all year long with seasonally appropriate seeds added on an ongoing basis. The mission of the seed library is to promote gardening and encourage sustainability through seed saving. The seeds are available at no cost to you. 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. To use the seed library, simply make your selections and 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 informative videos! |
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In August: - Harvest your vegetables as they mature, preserving the surplus. Harvest and dry herbs while they are at their peak.
- Sow seeds outdoors for cool-weather fall vegetable crops, including greens, carrots, beets, turnips, radishes and the herbs cilantro and chervil. Transplant out seedlings for broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. Visit the LTPL Seed library and check for seeds you might need.
- 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.
- Remove spent crops, clean the area, and add compost to rejuvenate the soil for the next crop. Plant a cover crop if you are done gardening in that spot for this year.
- Check local nurseries or place orders for mail order plants to be planted in the early fall.
- 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 starting and saving seed can be found on the LTPL Website.
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Learn how to create a more sustainable garden space while promoting more bio-diversity in your garden's eco-system using herbs, flowers, and even weeds along with your vegetables. |
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Michigan Gardener Magazine no longer publishes a print magazine. You can still visit the Michigan Gardener website for occasional new articles and the calendar, and browse through digital back issues of the print magazine and newsletters. |
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Find more information on LTPL Grows and other resources! |
Visit and "like" for gardening news, tips and upcoming events. |
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