Here at Brownwood Community Garden, we do a lot of dreaming. Mostly we dream about all the tasty produce we hope to grow, but as August arrives, there is also the dream that somehow this year we will dodge the bullet and be blessed with cooler than normal temperatures while enjoying above average rainfall. We’ve come to accept the fact that August always seems to deliver what previous Augusts have- blazing hot temperatures and ground that is now bone dry with cracks wide enough to swallow up just about anything that comes its way. These conditions are obviously not ideal growing conditions. With days on end over 100° and some of those days significantly over 100°, production drops. Just a fact of life if you are a gardener here in Texas.

During August, the tomato production at the community garden slowed way down. Nothing new there. It does that every year, but we are hoping for production to pick back up as temperatures drop off in September. We’re thrilled that the production of peppers has finally picked up for us, but the heat has an effect there as well. Although our peppers continue to produce, they are so much smaller than normal. As has happened in previous years, we anticipate that will also change as we get a little farther into September with both its cooler days and nights. Hold on guys! You can make it!

While the tomatoes and peppers are struggling with these weather conditions, the Armenian cucumbers, Indian Snake Cucumbers, and okra are just loving this heat, as long as they get the water they need to survive. The Indian Snake cucumbers have been especially prolific. What a sight to see as the vine climbs up the cattle panel trellis with cucumbers hanging down 12” to 18”, easily hitting you on top of the head if you don’t duck in time!

What amazes me is that the new squash and cucumber seeds we planted when the temperatures hit 110° or more would even consider making their way above ground to face hour after hour of relentless, scorching sunshine. But they did. So both of those warm season crops that were planted this month for a fall harvest are now up, and a few of the bean seeds which were planted the last week of August are just barely starting to poke through the mulch covering them which was used to conserve moisture and help cool the soil a bit. One last new variety of cucumbers we are trying, the West Indies Burr Gherkin, are now beginning to bloom and put on produce. These little heat tolerant cucumbers, about the size of an egg, will be in contrast to the bitterless Armenian and Indian Snake cucumbers that often grow up to 18” long. All of the above varieties are planted due to their heat tolerance, enabling us to grow cucumbers straight through the blistering hot summers that we have learned to adapt to. Supposedly, all three of these can also be cooked in soups, stews, and stir fries. But as we’re now heading into fall and cooler temperatures, we have also planted a few regular, grocery store type of cucumbers that should produce well as the temperatures moderate.

At this point, many of the garden pests we were fighting in the spring and summer appear to have taken their leave, for which we’re grateful. But as you might have guessed, some others have arrived to take their place, mostly aphids.

So as summer is about to head out the door, September, with its hint of cooler temperatures, is peeking in to see if we’re ready for it to make its entrance. Absolutely! We’re more than ready! Step right in. Take a seat, and you’re welcome to stay awhile. More favorable temperatures would allow us to grow in more comfortable conditions. Both the plants and volunteers would be most appreciative.