Unbelievably, we are already into midsummer and peak of the growing season across Wisconsin. Activity in vegetable gardens ranges from planting new crops to harvesting those already planted.

There is still adequate time for planting assorted vegetable crops, so if an earlier planting failed or you just never got to it, make plans now. Among the crops suitable for planting now through early July include beets, carrots, snap beans, cucumbers, radishes, and summer squash, among others. Seeds germinate quickly in the warm soil. Monitor soil conditions to ensure seedlings develop properly.

All crops, regardless of what stage of growth they are in, will need watering throughout the summer as weather and soil conditions dictate. Mulching helps conserve soil moisture and keep weeds from becoming abundant. Weeds often take over gardens about now if allowed to. Hand pulling and shallow cultivation are needed on a regular basis. Even if an area of the garden is currently vacant, it is still important to keep weeds in check to reduce future problems.

Tomatoes thrive in warm summer weather and gardeners watch for that first fruit to appear. Unfortunately, sometimes turning over a ripening fruit reveals the bottom end of the tomato turned black and looks rotten. This is blossom end rot, a widespread problem if soil moisture levels fluctuate. Avoid this issue by watering on a regular basis and mulching soil over the root zones of your tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant.

Even though asparagus and rhubarb harvest are completed for the season, continue to water those plantings. It is important to allow asparagus ferns to remain standing until they turn yellow in fall, as energy is being produced for plant growth and future harvests. Likewise, allow foliage to remain on rhubarb plantings for the same reason.

Unfortunately, rabbits and deer also enjoy vegetable crops and do considerable feeding damage in a brief time. Repellents can help reduce damage but be sure the repellent is labelled for use on food crops, as many are only intended for ornamental plantings. Creating a barrier via wire fencing is the best method to keep rabbits and deer out of your garden. Make sure the fencing material openings are small enough to keep rabbits out, with poultry wire one suitable option.

Finally, especially when growing a particular crop for the first time, harvest vegetables at the proper stage. Larger size is not always better. For example, zucchini is prime when small, not the size of baseball bats. Radishes lose quality quickly when allowed to stay in the ground too long. Double check seed packets or other resources for all your crops to ensure quality harvests.