July

July Gardening Tips

 

Sow seeds of marigolds, zinnia, petunia, portulaca, and ageratum indoors now for late summer and fall transplants.

Remove faded flowers from plants before they set seed to keep them growing and producing more flowers.  A light application of fertilizer every four to six weeks also encourages growth if a time release fertilizer was not applied when planted.

Remove dead, diseased and damaged branches from trees and shrubs.

Apply a slow-release iron fertilizer to plants showing yellow leaves with green veins.  Be sure to keep iron off of sidewalks and any other areas that could be stained.

Check new additions to your landscape to be sure they are getting adequate water—newly transplanted plants must be watered more frequently than established ones.  Hold off on planting anything but bedding plants during the summer—fall will be a much easier time to establish new shrubs and trees.

Check for evidence of spider mites, which are common in hot weather.  Look for tan speckles on lower leaves and/or spider webbing.  Plants may turn brown and crisp where severe infestations occur.  Hose plants down with a strong jet of water several days in a row to wash the mites off.

Check for white grubs by digging into the soil of your lawn and flowerbeds.  These insect larvae appear about six weeks after the major June beetle flight has occurred.  If you find five to seven grubs within one square foot of soil, treat with an insecticide labeled for grub worms.  Follow label directions for application.

Water garden and lawn only as needed—not necessarily on all designated watering days.  Give plants a thorough soaking rather than frequent, light sprinklings.  Be sure to avoid runoff of water into streets.

 

 

Revised 7.14