It’s time to harvest your chile, tomatoes, jalapeños, cucumber, radishes, squash and more … NOW! The photo above is from “TJ” JONES’ garden!

This is the perfect time to enjoy the fruits of your bounty. Chile is ripe and perfect for the picking. Remember, if you want red chile, then leave the fruit on the plant until it turns red. 

According to gardening resources, although summer squash can get quite large and still be edible (zucchini can become as large as a baseball bat if left on the vine too long), you’re forfeiting quality and hindering subsequent yields if you allow it to get too big.

Like most vegetables, summer squash is tender and tastiest when harvested young before seeds are fully developed. Harvest when the skin is still soft enough to be penetrated by a thumbnail.

Pick zucchini when it’s about 6 to 8 inches long. If you like stuffed zucchini, allow them to grow to 8 to 10 inches. Crooknecks and straightnecks are best 6 to 8 inches long. Patty pans should be harvested when 4 to 5 inches in diameter.

Here are two things to keep in mind when you harvest summer squash.

• Cut the fruits from the vine carefully. Using a paring knife or garden shears, cut the stem about an inch above the fruit. Don’t try to twist or yank the squash as you could rip the skin or damage the plant.

• Frequent harvesting increases yields. With all summer squash, regular picking will keep the plants in production all season long. Think of each plant as a squash assembly line. When the plants are going gangbusters in midsummer, you may have to harvest two or three times a week!

Marigolds are now growing at Payne’s Nursery, bringing bright shades of yellow, orange, and gold to the garden. These cheerful flowers are easy to grow, love the sunshine, and make a beautiful addition to flower beds, containers, and vegetable gardens.

Marigolds are also valued for their versatility. They attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, and their strong scent can help discourage some garden pests. Their colorful blooms are perfect for adding a cheerful touch to outdoor spaces throughout the growing season.

Marigolds also have a special place in holiday traditions. In Mexico and other parts of Latin America, marigolds are closely associated with Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), where their bright flowers are used to decorate altars and honor loved ones who have passed away. Their vibrant color make them a meaningful symbol of remembrance and celebration.

Fall is getting closer, and our homegrown mums at Payne’s Nursery are FINALLY starting to bloom!

After weeks of growing and filling out in the greenhouse, they’re bursting into beautiful shades of autumn color and looking better every day.

Perfect for porches, patios, containers, and garden beds, our mums are ready to bring that cozy fall feeling right to your home.

The blooms are here, and they’re looking BEAUTIFUL! We have deep dark red, yellow, pinkish orange, orange and more!

Come see them for yourself—and TAKE HOME your favorite fall colors!

STOP BY TODAY! IT’S A GREAT TIME TO PLANT!

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HOW MANY WEEKS ARE THERE LEFT TO PLANT AND GARDEN! WHAT ELSE SHOULD WE BE DOING BEFORE THE FALL!

Another GREAT Question!

In one of our seasonal archived Garden Guru Shows, the Garden Guru mentioned that now is the time to start pulling out some of those tired plants and replace them with full blooming plants like mums and pansies. Lynn said Pansies are tough little guys… you know they can take a frost so if you plant them in a protected area in your yard or in the pot they might bloom for you all Winter long — which is always nice to go out on a cold day and see those smiling pansy faces looking at you!

Lynn also mentioned that it’s also a good time to start mulching — and there’s two basic types of mulch. One is a decorative mulch that just makes your yard and garden look prettier and the other is a mulch that actually holds moisture. Listen to Lynn’s tip on how much mulch is adequate for your gardens.

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CLICK HERE to listen to the GARDEN GURU’s archived show regarding Indian Market and what to do now in the garden!

Enjoy your weekend and HAPPY GARDENING!

Now that the Monsoons are in full gear in New Mexico, keep in mind that the rains can strip your soil from important nutrients such as iron. Iron is a nutrient that all plants need to function. Many of the vital functions of the plant, like enzyme and chlorophyll production, nitrogen fixing, and development and metabolism are all dependent on iron. Without iron, the plant simply cannot function as well as it should.

The most obvious symptom of iron deficiency in plants is commonly called leaf chlorosis. This is where the leaves of the plant turn yellow, but the veins of the leaves stay green. Typically, leaf chlorosis will start at the tips of new growth in the plant and will eventually work its way to older leaves on the plant as the deficiency gets worse.

Other signs can include poor growth and leaf loss, but these symptoms will always be coupled with the leaf chlorosis. Payne’s recommends to start adding iron to your soil now since we’ve been having higher than average rain fall. Continue adding iron once a month through the growing season. Stop by either Payne’s location and ask our gardening experts what product is best for your needs.

Stop by Payne’s North and ask our Gardening Experts on which product is best for you!

Our homegrown poinsettias are already growing at Payne’s Nursery! While summer is still in full swing, we’re busy nurturing these holiday favorites, giving them plenty of time to grow full, lush, and vibrant for the season ahead.

Grown right here in Santa Fe, our poinsettias are fresh, healthy, and available in a beautiful variety of holiday colors. Choosing locally grown plants also means supporting local jobs and our Santa Fe community.

The holidays will be here before we know it—stay tuned as our poinsettias grow into something beautiful!

Cedar mulch: Cedar mulch helps keep the soil moist, reduces weed growth, and protects plant roots from extreme temperatures. It also has a natural, attractive appearance that works well around trees, flowers, and garden beds.

Cypress mulch: Cypress mulch helps the soil hold moisture and can reduce the amount of watering needed. It also helps control weeds and gives garden areas a clean, natural look.

Pathway Groundcover: Pathway groundcover can be used between stepping stones or along walkways to create an attractive, natural path. It helps reduce bare soil, control erosion, and can give pathways a softer, more finished appearance.

Adding mulch at the end of summer helps keep the soil cool and moist as temperatures begin to change. It reduces water loss from evaporation, which helps plants stay hydrated during hot, dry days.

Mulch also protects plant roots from temperature swings between hot days and cooler nights. A layer of mulch can create a more stable environment for plants as the season transitions from summer to fall.

End-of-summer mulching can also reduce weed growth and improve the soil as the mulch breaks down. Applying it before fall arrives gives your garden extra protection and helps prepare it for the cooler months ahead.

STOP BY POSY AND LET US HELP YOU FIND THE BEST SOLUTION FOR YOUR MULCH AND SOIL NEEDS!

CLICK here for Payne’s Organic Soil Yard!

Copyright Mark Parisi