Southern California Coastal & Inland Valleys Plant Last Batch of
Corn Corn planted later than this month will probably develop
smut problems (those big, grey and black puffs of fungus in
place of kernels) when harvested in September. Or, you may
choose to inoculate your corn with the fungus -- it's a delicacy
in Southwest and Mexican cuisine. Simulate wind pollination by
flicking each bloom during the driest part of the day. Big
plants can be taken care of with one or two shakes while holding
onto their cages or stakes. The pollen is naturally sticky, and
this helps spread it. Pick vegetables often, even if you don't
plan to use that day's harvest immediately. Vegetables that
aren't harvested soon enough, besides overmaturing, will produce
a chemical that inhibits further blossoming. Check plants at
least every other day during the summer. This is especially true
for beans, cucumbers, eggplants, squashes, and tomatoes. When
replanting areas where you've just grown vegetables, follow
heavy-feeding leafy vegeta