What to do in the Garden Right Now: July

Here’s are monthly list of tips to keep your yard and garden looking its best this month.

WATER!

• Lack of rain has turned the grass brown in many areas, causing it to go dormant. It will bounce back once it starts receiving water on a regular basis, but annuals, perennials and newly planted trees and shrubs will not survive during this period of drought without supplemental water.

GARDEN BEDS

• Apply a layer of mulch to garden beds to conserve moisture, reduce weeds and improve the appearance.
• Remove weeds regularly to reduce competition for moisture and nutrients.
• Remove any fallen leaves and debris which can harbor insect pests and disease organisms.
• Check for pests and problems, treat as they arise.
• Apply deer repellent.
• Sow seed for lettuce, kale, broccoli, cabbage, radishes, and arugula for fall harvest.

PRUNE

• Prune Maple trees.
• Prune climbing roses after they’ve flowered.
• Prune evergreen and deciduous hedges.
• Prune all plants that have dead, diseased, crossing or weak branches.

FERTILIZE

• Apply slow-release fertilizer in midsummer for good plant performance through Fall
• Fertilize all annual plants and containers

LAWN CARE

• Mow lawn at a height of 2 ½” to 3 inches. 
• To keep a lawn growing actively, it needs about one inch of water per week.  Put a rain gauge in the lawn to make sure.