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CLOSED FOR THE SUMMER!

Re-Opening in September, 2026.

Thank you,
Warburton Greenhouses

TIPS FOR YOUR SUMMER GARDEN:

A successful summer garden is mostly about staying ahead of heat, watering wisely, and harvesting regularly.

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Here are some practical tips:

Water deeply, not often

• Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation.
• Give plants a deep soaking 2–3 times a week rather than a light sprinkle every day.
• Water the soil, not the leaves, to help reduce disease.

Add mulch

• Spread 2–3 inches of straw, shredded leaves, or untreated wood chips around plants.
• Mulch helps keep the soil cool, retains moisture, and suppresses weeds.

Feed your plants

• Heavy feeders like tomatoes, peppers, squash, and cucumbers benefit from fertilizer every few weeks.
• Use compost or a balanced vegetable fertilizer according to the label.

Harvest often

• Pick zucchini, cucumbers, beans, and tomatoes regularly.
• Frequent harvesting encourages many plants to keep producing.

Stay on top of weeds

• Pull weeds while they’re small.
• Mulch makes this much easier by preventing many weeds from sprouting.

Watch for pests

Common summer pests include:

• Aphids
• Tomato hornworms
• Squash vine borers
• Japanese beetles

Inspect plants every few days so you can remove pests before they become a bigger problem.

Support tall plants

• Stake or cage tomatoes early.
• Trellis cucumbers and pole beans to improve air circulation and save space.

Provide shade during extreme heat

If temperatures stay above 90°F (32°C) for several days:

• Use 30–50% shade cloth during the hottest part of the afternoon.
• Keep plants well watered, especially those in containers.

Keep planting

Many vegetables can still be planted during summer for a later harvest, including:

• Bush beans
• Beets
• Carrots
• Lettuce (heat-tolerant varieties)
• Kale
• Radishes

Container gardening

If you’re growing in pots:

• Check soil moisture daily—containers dry out much faster than garden beds.
• Use high-quality potting mix and ensure pots have drainage holes.

If you’re in central Pennsylvania, summer is an excellent time to grow tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans, zucchini, herbs like basil, and flowers such as marigolds to attract pollinators. As July and August approach, you can also start planning a fall garden with crops like broccoli, cabbage, spinach, and carrots.