Summer Crops

☀️ Garden Bestie, don’t let the summer heat (or pests!) stop you from growing your own food.

Here’s how to grow 3 heat-loving crops this summer and keep them healthy:

🍠 Sweet Potatoes – Start slips in loose, well-drained soil. They thrive in full sun and consistent watering. Great for containers like 10-gallon grow bags!
🪲 Watch for: Sweet potato weevils.
✅ Pest Control: Rotate planting spots yearly, remove infested vines, and apply neem oil or beneficial nematodes.

🌿 Okra – Direct sow seeds once temps stay above 70°F. Okra loves the heat and keeps producing if you harvest pods often. Perfect for deep containers!
🪰 Watch for: Aphids.
✅ Pest Control: Spray plants with a strong stream of water to knock aphids off, apply insecticidal soap or organic insecticide like @doctor.zymes , or release ladybugs to control populations.
🌱I got okra seeds from @theokraladyllc

🥬 Callaloo – Also called Jamaican spinach or amaranth, it loves the heat. Direct sow seeds in warm soil; harvest young leaves for tender greens. Grows beautifully in pots or grow bags.
🦟 Watch for: Flea beetles.
✅ Pest Control: Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around plants, or spray neem oil weekly. Remember although organic neem oil and diatomaceous earth can still harm beneficial bugs, like bees, so use in the evening and use as a last resort if possible
🌱I got my seeds Callaloo seeds from @southernexposureseedexchange

🌱 Container Gardening Tip: All three crops grow well in 5–10 gallon grow bags, perfect for patios or small gardens. Keep soil moist, mulch to conserve water, and monitor for pests regularly.

Stay cool, stay vigilant, and let’s grow something amazing this summer! 🌿✨

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