July is the month to claim victory as you savor ripe tomatoes and drop multitudes of squash on your neighbor’s porch at midnight, because they have kindly asked you to stop giving it to them!

In this month's garden column, Heather Rinaldi offer tips, garden resources and a delectable recipe, too.






What to plant this month: Collards, cucumbers, luffa, okra, pepper transplants, pumpkins, Southern peas, shallots, tomato transplants, and watermelon. Plant tomato and pepper transplants early in the month for best results. For seeds, provide a moist seedbed until sprouts are approximately 2 inches tall.

What to watch for: Water needs: Be sure to check your soil moisture daily. The surface may be dry, but a good rule of thumb is to probe 2-3 inches below the surface to see if the root zone area is too wet or dry. A good, inexpensive probe should be found in every gardeners home.

When watering, water deeply to promote strong, deep root systems. Drip systems will accomplish this better than hand watering.

Mulch: Be sure to place 3-4 inches of mulch around all bare soil. Mulch retains soil moisture, keeps cooler root zones, and provides cover for the beneficial organisms needed to promote healthy, living soil.

Insect Pests: Be on the lookout for squash vine borers, spider mites, and squash bugs.

Plant Problems: Blossom end rot is caused by over-watering and reduced nutrition in soil, especially a lack of calcium. Add soft rock phosphate to the soil and drench soil and plants with compost tea.

What to enjoy:

Texas Best Guacamole (A Rinaldi Recipe)

Ingredients:
4-5 ripe avocados
1 medium homegrown tomato, diced in small pieces
1 Parker County ripe peach, diced in small pieces
1 Texas 1015 onion, diced in small pieces
2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro
1 Tbsp. diced garlic
pickled jalapeno slices, diced (adjust to taste preference, we like about 2 dozen slices)
lime juice (from ½ a juicy lime)
salt (to taste)

Method:
This recipe is best in July, when all ingredients are at peak flavor and availability, but can be made with “regular ingredients” the rest of the year.

Slice avocado in half, remove seed, scoop fruit with a spoon and mash in bowl with a fork. Add other ingredients. Stir before serving. Best if served immediately.

Serving suggestions: with corn chips or sweet potato chips, on burgers, and with any Southwest, BBQ, or Tex-Mex favorites.

Resources:
Month by Month Gardening in Texas by Dale Groom and Dan Gill
Dirt Doctor online: http://www.dirtdoctor.com/organic/garden/home/