July is one of the busiest and most rewarding months at the Barry County Community Garden. 

With summer in full swing, gardeners are enjoying an abundance of fresh vegetables, colorful flowers and the many pollinators that help keep the garden thriving.

Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, beans and sweet corn are all beginning to produce, providing fresh and healthy foods for families throughout the community. Regular harvesting encourages plants to continue producing and helps ensure that little goes to waste.

The warm July weather also brings important garden chores. Consistent watering, mulching and keeping weeds under control help plants withstand the summer heat. Gardeners are watching closely for common pests and diseases and are taking steps to protect their crops naturally whenever possible.

Several common garden pests become more active during July. Aphids often gather on tomatoes, peppers and beans and can usually be controlled with a strong stream of water or by encouraging beneficial insects such as ladybugs. 

Squash bugs and cucumber beetles are common on squash and cucumbers and can be reduced by removing insects and damaged leaves. 

Tomato hornworms and Japanese beetles may also appear and are best managed through regular inspection and hand removal.

Fortunately, many beneficial insects are hard at work throughout the garden. Flowers in bloom are attracting bees, butterflies, lacewings and ladybugs, all of which help pollinate crops and naturally control pests. 

Native flowers such as coneflowers, black-eyed Susans and milkweed provide valuable habitat and food sources for these important visitors.

July is also the perfect time to start planning for a fall harvest. Gardeners can begin planting carrots, broccoli, cabbage, kale, lettuce, spinach and beets to provide fresh produce well into the cooler months. Herbs such as dill, fennel, cilantro and parsley not only add flavor to meals but also attract beneficial insects that support a healthy garden ecosystem.

More than just a place to grow food, the Barry County Community Garden continues to bring people together. Volunteers, families and visitors of all ages share knowledge, lend helping hands and enjoy the satisfaction that comes from nurturing the land and providing fresh produce for the community.

As the summer season continues, the Barry County Community Garden stands as a powerful example of how growing together strengthens connections, nourishes neighbors and creates a lasting impact that reaches far beyond the garden gates.

Community members are encouraged to stop by and see the garden in full bloom, lend a hand as a volunteer or support its ongoing mission in any way they can.

For more information or to get involved, contact Melissa Hamilton at 417-592-0432, send a message through Facebook or visit the MU Extension office in the Cassville Courthouse.

Melissa Hamilton is a dedicated volunteer with the Barry County Community Garden and a Barry County Master Gardener. She may be reached at [email protected].