July Garden Calendar

Vegetables and Fruits

Harvest fruits of your labor and enjoy
Control weed growth to preserve water and nutrients
Fertilize vegetables to encourage plant development
Watch for foliar disease development on lower tomato leaves and treat with a fungicide
Prepare for fall gardening. Plant potatoes, broccoli, and other fall crops
Spray sweet corn to control corn earworms as silks emerge
Be on the lookout for pests of the garden and control
Remove old raspberry canes after harvest

Flowers

Remove faded flowers from annuals to stimulate more flowers for late summer color, and from perennials to prevent reseeding
Keep gardens well mulched
Cut fresh bouquets for enjoyment on hot summer days
Lightly fertilize annuals to promote growth
Dig, divide, and replant crowded irises
Fertilize roses for fall blossoms
Fertilize and water container gardens
Complete the final pinching of chrysanthemum tips for bushier plants

Lawns

Mow bluegrass and tall fescue around 3 to 3 1/2 inches
Mow zoysia at 1 1/2 inches
Fertilize zoysia to encourage summer growth with a high nitrogen fertilizer. Let grass clippings fall to return nutrients to soil and grass
Be on the lookout for summer diseases such as brown patch
Watch for grubs. If they begin to hatch, an insecticide may be required. Apply in late July or early August.
Keep mower blades sharpened
Replace lawn mower air filter and change lawn mower oil per owner's manual
Prepare to control perennial grassy weeds such as zoysia, fescue, and nimblewill
Take a soil test to prepare for fall lawn renovation
Water deeply and less often for deep roots and a healthy lawn

Trees and Shrubs

Water newly planted shrubs and young trees (planted within the last three to five years) during dry weather
Keep plants mulched to conserve moisture and cool roots
Remove sucker growth from the base of trees and along branches
Prune diseased, dead, or hazardous limbs

Miscellaneous

Water weekly by deeply soaking the soil. Use surface irrigation and avoid watering late at night to help reduce disease development.
Take photos of gardens

Have questions? The Garden Hotline is staffed by trained EMG volunteers and Extension staff who will assist you with questions.

Phone: (913) 715-7050