Garden Tasks for July
As rewarding as July is for the hard working green thumb, the list of garden chores for this month is daunting.
The flower borders are very active in the middle of summer, and constantly in need of maintenance.
Weeding is an almost daily task right now, especially after the rain, when weeds seem to sprout and grow three feet tall over night.
Watering must be done religiously; crushing heat and drought are very stressful to plants, and many will not recover after getting their leaves scorched. Water twice a day if you must. If the plants are wilting, water them again.
Feeding. Don’t spare the fertilizer, it takes a lot of energy to sustain bloom. That goes double for the vegetable garden. You won’t get fruit without full sun, plenty of water and generous feedings.
Cleaning and dead-heading. Perennials create a lot of debris. Their blooming enthusiasm turns up a lot of dried up flower heads and excess foliage, which must be removed promptly if you want the garden to stay healthy and beautiful. Re-blooming plants won’t bother if their dried up flower heads are still attached. They’ll concentrate on seed production instead.
Lawn maintenance. Treat the lawn, the prime time for crabgrass is just getting started.
Some vegetables and herbs are now ready for harvest; enjoy them in small batches throughout the summer.
As a side note, abundant wildlife is the trademark of a wholesome, thriving landscape. The latter attracts butterflies, bees, birds, and many cute little critters, some of which will insist on eating your peppers and begonias only hours after you planted them. Practice detachment.
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