Blossom end rot is a fruit disorder caused by
interruptions in watering. It commonly effects
tomato, pepper, cucumber, and squash, causing
it is, why one should plan for a drought with a ten- them to develop a round leathery brown or black
step planning process, how to monitor drought, patch on the bottom of the fruit. Inside, the tissue
reducing drought risk, water conservation, and is hard and brown. The rot occurs when there is
much more. Another good place to check is a lack of calcium supplied to the developing fruit.
www.climate.umn.edu.
More than enough calcium is present in the soil.
According to this website, the dry weather be- The problem develops when missed waterings
gan in mid-May, then continued through June and disrupt the fl ow of calcium from soil to develop-
into early July. The rainfall totals were well be- ing fruit.
low average across most of Minnesota. There are
To avoid blossom end rot, the soil must be kept
some exceptions across southern Minnesota and evenly moist. Watering frequently will help. Us-
a few places in east central and northeast Min- ing a straw mulch around vegetable plants is also
nesota. This of course has led to less than ideal benefi cial, as it helps keep the soil from drying
conditions for gardeners and farmers.
out between waterings.
Keeping on top of weeding really helps to keep
Q. What causes cabbage split?
the moisture from getting away from your plants.
A. The build up of water pressure will cause a
It does help if you wet the soil to get the weeds cabbage to split. To control this, pull the mature
pulled out. Try to do this in the early morning so plant upward and gently twist the plant to break
it is not so hot for you. Then try to mulch around some of the roots. Try planting them earlier when
the plants as you weed. July is the time to start it is still cool. Also, look for a late maturing cab-
planting your fall crops, such as more spinach bage that will mature later in the season.
and lettuce, just be sure to water, regularly. If you
do water, it is best to so slow, and steady. Drip
Here are some beat the heat recipes that require
hoses work well for this.
very little if any stove use.
Early morning and late afternoon are the best
times for watering. If you water too late, you in-
Coconut Energy Balls - No Bake
crease the chance for fungus and slugs, as the
Other delicious possibilities include: raisins,
plants stay wet most of the night.
BEAT THE HEAT from Pg 4
butterscotch chips, sesame seeds, sunfl ower
seeds, dried fruit.
Ingredients
1 cup quick oats
²⁄ ³ cup of any kind of nut butter
¼ cup honey
1 cup coconut
¹⁄ ³ cup fl ax seed meal
1 tsp vanilla
Pinch of salt
½ cup mini chocolate chips and/or dried fruit,
chia seeds
Instructions
Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
Cover, and chill for 30 minutes.
Roll or scoop into balls. If overly dry add nut
butter by tablespoons at a time until right consis-
tency.
Keeps one week in a covered container in
the fridge. These can also be frozen for several
months.
Another option: melt 1⁄2 cup of your favorite
chocolate chips and roll in chocolate. Refrigerate
to set.
Blueberry, Feta, and Honey-Caramelized On-
ion Naan Pizza
Ingredients
Naan or fl at bread
Red onions
Honey and brown sugar
Blueberries
Ricotta cheese – 1 small container
Feta cheese- 1⁄2 cup
Instructions
Spray naan bread
Cut red onion and caramelize in grapeseed or
canola oil, saute on very low heat, add a sprinkle
of salt. Add 1⁄4 cup honey or brown sugar and
sauté until very soft and caramelized.
Mix feta and ricotta cheese together in a bowl.
Add some fresh parsley to the cheeses.
Sprinkle in a few pepper fl akes
Spread the cheese mixture on a toasted naan
bread, top with caramelized onions.
Sprinkle fresh blueberries on top. Add pre-
cooked chicken chunks if desired.
Raspberry Lemonade Slushie
Ingredients
2 cup fresh Raspberries (frozen)
Juice of 2 Lemons
1/2 cup Sugar
Coconut Energy Balls
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