July To Do List:

•Weed a little each day.  Deadhead spent blooms.

•Water:  A minimum of inch of water per week is required.  More will be required in hot weather or hot areas within the garden.

•Thin vegetables such as carrots and lettuce.  Compost green matter.

•Edge your lawn.

•Remove secondary branches that grow in the crook (leaf axils) of branches on tomatoes.

•Continue to tie up tall plants to stakes.  ie.  delphiniums

•Check for mildew, especially during cool humid weather.  If necessary, remove foliage from plants that have finished blooming.  (ie. pulmonariea, centaurea).  Spray as necessary to control mildew on non-food plants ie. bee balm (I tried for the first time a spray of baking soda and water mixed with good success when sprayed on plants at the first sign of powdery mildew)

•Trim new growth on hedges if desired to maintain height and width.

•Continue to fertilize, especially annuals.  If you are using slow-release fertilizer, this is not necessary, though in the greenhouse we do both a slow-release and a regular fertilizer application.  Once weekly should be adequate at half-strength.  Once a month until mid-August, fertilize your lawn.  In September you will fertilize with a winterizing formulation.

•Pinch back petunias and other annuals to keep compact.

•At the end of July, dig up, divide and replant overcrowded irises that are not blooming well.

•Photograph, record in your gardening journal.  Plan for changes for the next year.

•Remember to protect yourself in the sun with sunscreen, glasses and a wide brimmed hat.  Drink plenty water.

•Prune, if necessary, birch and maple, and evergreens.  No more than 1/3 overall.

•Trim topiaries as needed.