July 12, 2025 - Weekly Gardening Guide
Episode Transcript
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Welcome, growers, to the Keep Growing Podcast! I’m your host, John Morgan, coming to you from the heart of summer gardening season here at Bob’s Market. This is Week 29 of 2025, covering July 12th through July 18th, and we’ve got a packed episode to keep your garden thriving. From summer squash to fall prep, we’re diving into what you need to do this week. Plus, some exciting updates and a big shout-out to some talented gardeners. Let’s get growing!
Alright, let’s jump into this week’s gardening tasks. Summer is in full swing, and your garden’s probably buzzing with activity. Here’s what you should focus on for Week 29:
Harvest summer squash frequently. Those zucchini and yellow squash are pumping out fruit like nobody’s business. Pick them young and tender—about 6 to 8 inches long—to keep the plants producing and avoid those oversized, seedy monsters.
Seed collards and kale for fall. It’s time to think ahead to cooler days. Get those collard and kale seeds in the ground now so they’re ready for a hearty fall harvest. Choose a spot with good drainage and partial shade if your summers are still scorching.
Don’t let weeds go to seed. I know, weeding isn’t glamorous, but letting weeds set seed now means a nightmare next season. Pull them out or hoe them down before they spread their chaos.
Transplant cauliflower, broccoli, and Swiss chard. If you started these cool-season crops indoors, it’s time to move them to the garden. Harden them off first, and plant in well-amended soil for strong roots.
Seed fall cucumbers. Want crisp cukes in September? Sow a quick-maturing variety now. Look for disease-resistant types like ‘Marketmore’ to keep your fall crop healthy.
Seed wildflowers as beneficial insect and pollinator attractants. Plant a mix of wildflowers like cosmos, zinnias, or bee balm around your garden’s perimeter. These beauties draw in pollinators and predatory insects to keep pests in check naturally.
Plant peppers for a fall crop. Peppers love warm soil, so get those transplants in now for a late-season harvest. Bell peppers or hot varieties—your choice! Just make sure they’ve got plenty of sun.
Seed summer squash for a fall crop. Yes, more squash! Sow another round now for a fresh batch in early fall. Same rules apply—harvest early for the best flavor.
Now, a quick lunar gardening note. This Thursday, July 17th, we hit the Last Quarter Moon—a barren time in the lunar cycle. This is your cue to focus on maintenance tasks like turning your compost pile or working the soil. Hold off on planting or seeding during this phase for the best results.
Before we move on, I’ve got some exciting news to share. A huge congratulations to Val and John Leonard, winners of Bob’s Market’s Garden of the Year Contest! Their garden is an absolute masterpiece, and I had the pleasure of sitting down with them for an interview. You can catch the full conversation on our YouTube channel—trust me, it’s packed with inspiration for your own garden. Check it out and give Val and John some love in the comments!
One more quick update: This weekend, I’ll be at Cultivate 2025 in Columbus, Ohio, one of the biggest horticulture events in the country. I’ll be checking out the latest in plants, tools, and gardening trends. Want to follow along? Keep an eye on Bob’s Market’s social media for updates straight from the show floor. We’ll be sharing some cool finds you won’t want to miss.
That’s it for Week 29, growers! To recap: keep harvesting that summer squash, start your fall crops like collards, kale, and cucumbers, and don’t let those weeds win. Transplant your broccoli, cauliflower, and chard, and get those wildflowers and peppers in the ground. Oh, and mark your calendar for the Last Quarter Moon on Thursday—perfect for compost and soil prep.
Thanks for tuning in to the Keep Growing Podcast. If you’re loving these tips, share the podcast with a fellow gardener and drop us a review—it helps us reach more green thumbs. You can find all our episodes, plus extra resources, at bobsmarket.com. Until next week, keep your hands in the dirt and keep growing!
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