Sumer Vegetables, Heat & Irrigation

— Written By and last updated by Nancie Mandeville
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Now that summer is in full swing and temperatures are in the 90s and we are beginning to be on the very dry side, I thought I would discuss reduced vegetable production. There are several reasons why your production may be reduced. It could be a lack of pollinators, but problems with vegetable fruit set and production can also be a problem when we have very high temperatures. Day temperatures over 90° and night temperatures over 70° reduce the fruit set in tomatoes and other vegetables. Flower and fruit abortion are common responses to heat stress as a result of the general failure of successful pollination and fertilization. The reproductive structures can become unreceptive, pollen can be killed, and the pollen tube may fail to form.

Beans may drop their flowers due to heat and lack of pollination. Most people are more concerned about their tomatoes and cucumbers. Their lack of production can be directly tied to high day and nighttime temperatures. Usually, cucumbers are a little more heat tolerant than tomatoes. Another problem can be squash and zucchini with lots of flowers, but no fruit. This can be due to a lack of female flowers. As the heat increases, the ratio of male to female flowers changes to more male flowers. When cooler weather returns, the plants will shift back to a more normal ratio and production should resume.

During times with high temperatures, make sure that garden soils are irrigated enough so the soil is wet to a depth of 6-8 inches. Use a long-handled screwdriver to poke into the soil. Once the screwdriver becomes hard to push, pull it out and you can see how deep the soil is wet. Irrigate and test the soil until you reach that 6-8” depth. With experience you will learn how long it takes to wet your soil to 6-8”, after the top of the soil begins to dry out.

The Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers of Union County will host Ask a Master Gardener at their Teaching Garden at the Union County Agriculture Center, on Saturday, July 27, 2019, from 9–11 a.m. Stop by and visit with them to ask your gardening questions. While you are here, take time to stroll the gardens and trails. The Teaching Garden is open to the public dawn to dusk, 365 days a year. so please visit any time.