By the end of June, a successful garden in DeKalb County starts looking more like a jungle than a neatly arranged patch of dirt. Vines are sprawling, peppers are popping, and the okra is racing toward the sky. If it feels like things are getting away from you—don’t worry. That’s perfectly normal.

One of the best things you can do right now is a little controlled chaos management. Tie up anything flopping over, especially tomatoes and pole beans. Prune back tomato suckers if you want a tidier plant, or let them go wild and see what happens—it’s your garden, not a contest.

Fertilizer can still help, especially for heavy-feeders like squash, melons, and corn. Just remember what we talked about last week: too much fertilizer can do more harm than good. If you haven’t tested your soil yet, it’s not too late. Grab some samples from different spots, mix them in a bag, and drop it off at the DeKalb County Extension Office. You’ll get a detailed report from UT and know exactly what your soil needs.

If you’re dealing with yellowing leaves or slow growth, watering might be the issue. We’ve had some hot days lately, and even a short dry spell can stress out young plants. Give your garden a deep soak once or twice a week rather than a daily sprinkle—that helps the roots grow deeper.

And don’t overlook succession planting. Radishes, beans, cucumbers, and even squash can be replanted now for a second round of harvest later in the summer. It’s a great way to keep things coming when the first wave of plants starts to fade.

Finally, I want to remind folks to stop and enjoy it. Pick a bouquet. Snap a photo. Invite a neighbor to pick with you. It’s easy to get wrapped up in all the “shoulds” of gardening, but the real harvest isn’t just what’s on your plate—it’s the peace, pride, and pleasure of growing it yourself.

About the Author

Dr. Philip Seagraves is the owner, along with his wife Cathy, of Griffin’s Produce in Smithville. A local fixture for over 50 years, Griffin’s has long been a trusted source for fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, and garden plants in DeKalb County. It has also been named “Best of the Best” Produce Market in DeKalb County by the Smithville Review many years running.