GARDEN TASKS FOR JULY
This year June was rather mild in terms of temperatures, and July started out that way. But for the past few days, we have experienced some of the typical Mid-South heat. The key to garden survival this month is ample water and mulch. You should not plant trees and shrubs during July, but if you must, be prepared to stay on top of the watering and check daily. The panicled hydrangeas are beginning to bloom and the summer perennials are starting to display colorful flowers as we savor the last of the lilies here at the Dixon. As long as they receive ample water these plants thrive in the hot weather. Early this month:
Cut back asters, chrysanthemums and other fall bloomers until about the 15th of this month. This keeps them compact, increases flower numbers, and pushes the bloom time a little later into the fall.
Mulch your trees and shrubs to retain moisture with at least 2 inches of mulch, if you haven’t already.
Lightly prune roses to encourage more flowers.
It is not too late to start or overseed a warm-season lawn.
Fertilize your warm-season lawn grasses with a complete fertilizer that contains a slow-release nitrogen.
Raise your mower blade a little higher in the hot dry conditions.
Watch for broadleaf weeds in your lawn, and treat with a postemergent broad leaf herbicide if needed. Middle of the month:
Slugs eat plants and are active on warm summer nights in well-watered gardens. Watch for these nocturnal gastropods, and bait for them with nontoxic iron phosphate. Don’t use products containing toxic metaldehyde baits if pets will be around. A dish of beer, if monitored daily, will attract and drown them. End of the month: This month is the last call for planting summer annuals like impatiens, coleus, begonias, and caladiums. Anytime this month: If you have noxious grasslike weeds in your lawn, apply a postemergent herbicide for control. A recent EPA decision will require you to find alternatives to products containing MSMA, so contact your Extension office for help. Water your lawn during dry spells because an active, vigorous growing grass helps to keep weeds from taking hold. Dead head and stake your perennials. Mulch your garden with 1 to 2 inches of organic material to thwart weeds and prepare for the dry summer. It is best to weed first, and then apply fertilizer or lime if needed before mulching.
Fescue lawns grow very slowly in the heat. Mow fescue lawns higher starting this month; 3 inches high is a good rule of thumb. Be sure to give adequate water.
Annual flowers that are leggy can be cut back to encourage bushiness and blooms.
Most trees and evergreen shrubs can be cut for shaping now, but to preserve next year’s flowers, azaleas should not be cut now. Prune big-leaf hydrangeas when the flowers start to fade for more bloom next year.