July Lawn, Garden & Plant Tips
Print Shrubs and trees
Prune spring flowering shrubs by the 4th of July; these include dogwoods and azaleas.
Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus) blooms in July and is a good nectar source for butterflies and hummingbirds.Did you know -
Trees are nature's air conditioners; their shade helps reduce power usage from air conditioners
Did you know - Well-placed trees are valuable plants, they improve appearance and save money.
Perennials, annuals and bulbs
Continue planting sunflowers weekly and you will have flowers until frost.
Keep annual blooms picked to allow more blossoms to develop.
Remove the flowers stalks from hostas as soon as they finish blooming.
Deadhead roses when the petals fall. Cut back to a five-leaflet to encourage blooming.
Fruits and vegetables
Keep tomatoes pruned and staked.
Garlic is ready when leaves have died back about one half.
Tomatoes, peppers and eggplant slow down in hot dry weather; fertilize them lightly and soak them thoroughly with water.
Immediately after harvesting lettuce, sweet corn, cantaloupe and broccoli, place in a sink filled with ice water to preserve taste and quality.
Lawn
Mow lawns at 2 ½ to 3 inches high to minimize heat damage.
Cutting fescue lawns too closely can cause damage.
Mow grass as soon as seed heads start to show.
Houseplants
Remember to remove dust from the leaves of your houseplants.Groom houseplants for the best appearance.
Odds and ends
Check for pests and diseases regularly.
Mulch to conserve soil moisture.
If the weather is dry and plant tips wilt in the afternoon; soak plants when watering, do not sprinkle lightly.
Dig or pull weeds and keep beds mulched.