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Hot Weather, Healthy Harvest: How to Keep Your Vegetable Garden Thriving During Summer Heatwaves

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1 year ago

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POMONA, NY – With scorching summer temperatures gripping the Hudson Valley and much of the Northeast, local gardening experts at Down to Earth Living in Pomona, NY are offering essential tips to help home gardeners protect their vegetable gardens from heat stress and keep their crops growing strong.

Extreme heat can take a major toll on vegetable gardens, even those planted in nutrient-rich soil and regularly watered. Prolonged high temperatures can lead to wilting, sunscald, stunted growth, blossom drop, and lower yields, particularly in heat-sensitive crops like tomatoes, lettuce, and peppers.

“Gardeners can’t control the weather, but they can create more favorable microclimates for their plants,” says Stuart Leventhal, owner of Down to Earth Living. “With a few simple steps, you can help your vegetables survive the summer heat and thrive well into the fall.”

🌱 How Heat Stress Affects Your Garden

Wilting & Water Loss: Plants lose water faster than roots can absorb, causing drooping leaves.

Leaf Scorching: High sun exposure can burn leaves and fruit, leaving brown edges and blisters.

Blossom Drop: Flowers fall before they turn into fruit due to heat-induced stress.

Stunted Growth: Reduced photosynthesis slows plant development, leading to yellowing.

Root Damage: Overheated soil can impair nutrient and water absorption.

Increased Pests & Disease: Stressed plants are more vulnerable to infestation and infection.

Expert Tips to Beat the Heat

1. Boost Soil Health

Enrich soil with compost or aged manure to increase moisture retention.

Test and balance soil pH and nutrient levels.

2. Choose and Place Plants Wisely

Opt for heat-tolerant vegetable varieties.

Space plants properly for airflow and deeper root growth.

Plant in succession to spread harvest times and reduce risk.

3. Water Deep and Smart

Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation.

Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation to reach roots directly.

Avoid overwatering by checking soil moisture levels.

4. Mulch for Moisture

Apply straw, wood chips, or grass clippings to cool the soil.

Try reflective mulch to protect heat-sensitive crops.

5. Provide Shade and Wind Protection

Install shade cloth (30–70%) over garden beds.

Use taller crops or fencing to block wind and reduce moisture loss.

6. Monitor for Pests

Heat-stressed plants attract insects and disease.

Remove wilted or damaged leaves and use organic pest control methods.

As the Rockland County region continues to experience high heat and humidity, now is the time for gardeners to take action. With proactive care, your vegetable garden can continue producing well into the late summer and early fall.

For more gardening advice, tools, and supplies, visit Down to Earth Living in Pomona, NY, a trusted source for home and garden solutions in the Hudson Valley for over 50 years.

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Entertainment

Lafayette Theatre Packs October With Movies, Halloween Events and Local Premiere

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3 weeks ago

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September 26, 2026

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October will be a busy month at the Lafayette Theatre, with the historic Suffern movie house offering a lineup that ranges from highly anticipated new films and local filmmaking to family Halloween favorites and cult classics.

And with tickets priced at $10 or less, the theater is making it possible for moviegoers to take in several of the month’s events without breaking the bank.

Among the highlights is the October 8 homecoming premiere of Concessions, a film shot at the Lafayette Theatre with the participation of local Rockland County extras. The premiere will feature a live question-and-answer session with the film’s director and cast. Additional screenings are planned for October 16–18.

The October schedule also includes Verity, based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel and starring Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett. The mystery-thriller centers on a writer who discovers a series of disturbing secrets while working on an unfinished manuscript.

Moviegoers can also see Digger, starring Tom Cruise, a film that has already attracted attention as awards season approaches.

Halloween will bring several special screenings to the Lafayette.

The Addams Family will screen October 31 and November 1, giving families a chance to celebrate the holiday with the famously creepy and kooky Addams clan.

Horror fans can also experience A Nightmare on Elm Street on the big screen. The 1984 classic helped establish Freddy Krueger as one of horror’s most recognizable villains.

For those looking for a more interactive Halloween experience, The Rocky Horror Picture Show returns October 31. Doors open at 8 p.m., with the film beginning at 9 p.m.

The Apoca-Lips Shadow Cast will return for the screening, featuring a preshow, audience participation and costumes. Prop bags will also be available.

With a combination of new releases, classic films, local talent and Halloween traditions, the October schedule offers something for movie fans of all ages — while continuing the Lafayette Theatre’s role as a gathering place for the local community.

Tickets are on sale now.

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Entertainment

In Plain Sight World Premiere at Penguin Rep Theatre | Sept. 25–Oct. 18, 2026

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3 weeks ago

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September 25, 2026

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Penguin Rep Theatre in Stony Point, New York, has announced the complete cast for the world premiere of In Plain Sight, a new play by acclaimed playwright Michael McKeever (Daniel’s Husband, Mr. Parker). Directed by Penguin founding Artistic Director Joe Brancato, the production runs September 25 through October 18, 2026, concluding Penguin Rep’s 2026 season.

The play follows Elliot and Alan, a couple preparing to marry after 11 years together, as buried secrets and difficult choices from the past threaten their future. The play explores love, identity, family, and the consequences of choices made long ago.

The cast includes Stephen Dexter, Remidy Dixon, Lana Gordon, Russell Saylor, and Derek Smith. Smith, a Tony nominee and winner of multiple theatre awards, previously collaborated with McKeever and Brancato on Mr. Parker.

McKeever’s plays have been produced throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. His work Daniel’s Husband was first produced by Penguin Rep before transferring to New York City, as did Penguin productions of After and Mr. Parker.

Performances take place at Penguin Rep Theatre, 7 Crickettown Road, Stony Point, an intimate, air-conditioned converted barn with comfortable seating and free parking.

For ticket information visit https://www.penguinrep.org/ or call 845-786-2873.

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