Meanwhile, I'm sorting my seeds for the second summer vegetable planting, which I'll start this week. There are still 120 days until the first fall frost. Many vegetables can still be planted. After this oppressive heat, my green beans were READY, just the way Farmer George liked them. This second planting will fill the winter supply. Tomatoes can still be planted and will do well. Peppers have always done well for me when planted in mid-summer. Southern peas like blackeye and zippers thrive in the hot weather. You can plant pumpkins, cucumbers, and even some melons. When your plants look tired and exhausted, you should pull them out and start a new crop.

July is also the time to start sowing your fall crops, such as broccoli, cabbage, and other brassicas. Fall planting begins in mid-August and September. Start sowing indoors, as you do with tomatoes and peppers, and around September 1, they will be ready to be planted outside in the garden.

Remember, while you can replant, you also need to replenish your soil. Add a good inch of compost and work it in to the top 2-3 inches. Watering, temperatures and plants will strip the soil of all its nutrients so it really needs some attention! It's also a good time to check the mulch around your plants and replenish if needed, as it will help retain water in this hot weather.

Although I enjoy hanging out at the lake or vacationing at the beach, I love being able to provide my family with organic, home-grown food, and July is my Christmas!